Whether you have tight spaces, a small garden, or simply want some plant diversity, then narrow evergreen shrubs make for an excellent choice. Evergreens offer an unmatched aesthetic value to a garden, and the best part is that they maintain their gorgeous look year-round. Thus, it's important to know the different varieties to choose from.
For your convenience, we created a list of 13 narrow evergreen shrubs. Without further ado, let's get into it, shall we?
1. Japanese Plum Yew
The Japanese plum yew is a narrow coniferous shrub with dense textured foliage. It's a slow grower, reaching 5 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 14 feet wide at maturity. The dark green leaves are flat and needle-like. Prune the shrub according to your personal preferences. Some cultivars grow in thickets.
Its Latin name is Cephalotaxus harringtonii.
This coniferous shrub grows best in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. Within those growing zones, the shrub is extremely adaptable to its surrounding conditions. It can thrive in both full sun and fully shaded areas. Preferably, the soil should be slightly acidic and well-draining. Water it regularly until it has been established.
2. Upright Yew
Upright yews are interesting-looking narrow shrubs that provide vertical interest in the landscape. You can prune the upright yew into specific sizes and shapes. The foliage is dark green and needle-like. At maturity, the upright yew can reach between 10 and 12 feet in height.
Its Latin name is Taxus x media.
The upright yew performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 7. Until it has been established, it requires regular watering. While it adapts to a variety of soil conditions, it does best in well-draining slightly sandy soil. Plant it in a spot that receives full sun or partial shade.
The live plant comes in a 3-gallon container, fully rooted, and ready to plant.
3. Emerald Green Arborvitae
If you want a privacy hedge, then the emerald green arborvitae is an excellent choice. This slender, dense-foliage shrub has a pyramidal habit of growth. While it is a slow grower, its aesthetic is worth the wait. At maturity, this arborvitae reaches up to 12 feet in height and 3 feet in width.
Its Latin name is Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd.'
For best results, plant the emerald green arborvitae in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Find a spot that receives between partial shade and full sun. The soil should preferably be well-draining and loamy with consistent moisture. It can even live through harsh snowy and icy winters.
Live Emerald Green Arborvitae
The live plant comes in a 3-gallon container, fully rooted, and ready to plant.
4. Hetzi Columnar Juniper
The hetzi columnar juniper is a very large conifer with dark green foliage. Its branches are dense and tight. It has a natural pyramidal habit of growth. At maturity, this juniper variety can reach a height of 15 feet and a width between 4 and 6 feet. Prune it as you see fit to match your vision.
Its Latin name is Juniperus chinensis 'Hetzii Columnaris'.
The hetzi columnar juniper grows best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. When planted in full sun, the juniper will reach its full potential, but it can also grow in partial shade. Once established, it doesn't require much water. The soil must be well-draining.
LiveHetzi Columnar Juniper
The live plant comes in a 3-gallon container, fully rooted, and ready to plant.
5. 'Dee Runk' Columnar Boxwood
The 'Dee Runk' columnar boxwood is a broadleaf evergreen with dark green foliage. As its name suggests, it has a columnar habit of growth. This boxwood variety, at maturity, can grow between 7 and 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It can grow up to 6 inches per year. You can prune the evergreen in any way you wish.
Its Latin name is Buxus sempervirens.
This boxwood variety performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. Find a spot that receives partial shade considering full sun can scorch it. The soil should be well-draining and evenly moist.
'Dee Runk' Columnar Boxwood
This shrub comes in a 3-gallon container.
6. DeGroot's Spire Arborvitae
This lush green evergreen grows tall and mighty. It has a pyramidal habit of growth that grows well on its own or with some pruning help. During the winter months, its foliage will even feature a purple tone. It's a slow-growing evergreen, but it will eventually reach 20 feet in height and between 4 and 5 feet in width.
Its Latin name is Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire.'
The DeGroot's spire arborvitae grows best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Partial to the full sun are suitable for its growth. It requires regular watering and is even more frequent during warmer months. It does not like dry conditions, so ensure the soil is moist but well-draining.
Live DeGroot's Spire Arborvitae
7. Japanese Holly
The Japanese holly features smooth, evergreen leaves that stand in an upright form. Its habit of growth is similar to a Christmas tree. At maturity, it reaches up to 10 feet tall and spreads to 3 feet wide. Prune it to fit the exact shape that you're wanting.
Its Latin name is Ilex crenata 'Steeds.'
The Japanese holly performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. While the soil conditions can be virtually anything, the soil should be moist and well-draining. Once it has been established, it has a minor tolerance to drought. Plant it in a spot that receives full sun or partial shade.
8. Italian Cypress
The Italian cypress is a gorgeous slender, tall evergreen that can reach up to 40 feet tall at maturity. Its width won't expand past 4 or 5 feet. It has a columnar habit of growth and won't require trimming to stay narrow. Its dark green foliage extends vertically in dense sprays.
Its Latin name is Cupressus sempervirens.
The Italian cypress performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 10, making it ideal for warmer climates. Plant it in a spot that receives full sun or partial shade. It's adaptable to a variety of soil conditions as long as it's well-draining. Once established, it's drought resistant.
Live Italian Cypress
9. Sugar And Spice Arborvitae
The sugar and spice arborvitae grows tall and narrow. Its foliage is almost fern-like, aromatic, and has a gorgeous green hue. Even during the winter months, its foliage stays bright green. At maturity, it reaches between 7 and 10 feet in height and spreads to a width of just over 2 feet.
Its Latin name is Thuja plicata 'De Rakt.'
The sugar and spice arborvitae grows best in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. It does well in any type of soil, but it must be well-draining and evenly moist. It can grow in either full sun or partial shade. Once it has been established, it becomes drought tolerant.
10. Yaupon Holly
The yaupon holly is an evergreen shrub that's well-known for its bright red berries that show up in the winter months. During the spring months, the holly will have small white flowers. The holly's evergreen leaves are serrated and oval-shaped. The shrub has a dense, upright habit of growth. At maturity, this holly can reach between 10 to 30 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide.
Its Latin name is Ilex vomitoria.
The yaupon holly can grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. Plant it in a spot that receives partial or full sun. The ideal soil type is sandy, but it can tolerate nearly any type of soil condition. After establishment, water it weekly.
11. Spartan Juniper
The spartan juniper is a gorgeous evergreen shrub that has a rounded pyramidal habit of growth. It can be left to grow naturally or trimmed to your shape preference. At maturity, the shrub can reach up to 20 feet tall and spread between 5 and 10 feet wide. Its chartreuse foliage may have twinges of bronze or purple in the winter months.
Its Latin name is Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan.'
The spartan juniper performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. It's adaptable to many soil conditions as long as it's well-draining. Plant it in a spot that receives full sun to partial shade (full sun is ideal if possible). Once established, it is drought tolerant.
Live Spartan Juniper
12. 'Scarlet's Peak' Holly
The Scarlet's Peak holly evergreen shrub grows to an amazing 20 feet in height and 3 feet in width at maturity. It has a tall columnar habit of growth. While it's very thin, it shows off a gorgeous display of evergreen leaves and bright red berries in the winter. The abundance of red berries steals the show.
Its Latin name is Ilex Vomitoria 'Scarlet's Peak.'
This evergreen holly does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. It requires either full sun or partial shade. The soil can have a wide range of qualities that are suitable for its growth as long as it's well-draining.
13. Columnar Norway Spruce
The columnar Norway spruce is an upright evergreen that has dense, upright foliage. Its needle-like foliage is blue-green. The tree has a columnar habit of growth and does not grow very wide. However, to maintain a narrow form, you'll need to trim it. At maturity, the spruce can grow between 20 and 30 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide.
Its Latin name is Picea abies 'Cupressina.'
The columnar Norway spruce performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. It must be planted in full sun. While it can adapt to a variety of soil conditions, dry, sandy soils should be avoided. The soil must be well-draining. Once it has been established, it can withstand some dry spells.
Live Columnar Norway Spruce
In Closing
Let us know in the comment section below which narrow evergreen shrub you incorporate into your landscape design! Before you go, make sure to check out these other great gardening guides: