Inkberry Holly, a slow-growing evergreen shrub, offers winter color and grows up to 8 feet with a rounded shape. It's named after its small, black fruits that ripen in early fall. Popular as a hedge for privacy or yard sectioning, it thrives in damp areas with acidic, moist soils and prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Native to the North American coastal plains, it's hardy in USDA zones 4-10.
Boxwood shrubs are a classic choice for neat landscaping, but require high maintenance. Many are switching to alternatives, yet Boxwoods still offer elegance and function as hedges or foundation plantings. They grow best in well-drained soil with partial shade, and are suited for USDA hardiness zones 6-8.
Winter Heath is a short, dense shrub that blooms early and adds vibrant winter color. It's great for groundcover and can be grown alone or with other acid-loving shrubs. Winter Heath prefers well-drained, acidic soil and thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5-7 with little care needed once established.
Oregon Grape, a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to western North America, is the state flower of Oregon. Named for its purple grape-like berries, it provides year-round color and bright yellow spring blooms. This shrub grows 3-10 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide, prefers well-draining, acidic soil, and can be grown in full sun or shade in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.
Bearberry is a small evergreen shrub grown as groundcover with red berries. Its foliage and clusters of small, red berries add texture and color in winter. With salt tolerance, it's perfect for coastal gardens and urban areas. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade and grows in USDA zones 2-6.
The Blue Holly is a broadleaf shrub used as a hedgerow in ornamental plantings. It produces bright red berries when pollinated by a male Blue Holly. It can grow up to 15 feet tall and prefers full sun, slightly acidic soils, and a humid environment. Blue Hollies can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-8.
Leucothoe is a low-maintenance shrub native to the southeastern US with dense, shiny foliage and fragrant white flowers that bloom in spring. It can reach 2-4' tall and up to 3-5' wide and is best grown in well-draining, slightly acidic soils in full to partial shade, but can tolerate more sun with enough irrigation. Ideal for USDA hardiness zones 5-8.
Cherry Laurel: fragrant, upright shrub/tree from Eastern Mediterranean. Varies in size (15-40' height, 10-35' width), choose appropriate for project. Low maintenance, prefers well-draining, slightly acidic soil and full/partial sun. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
Yew shrubs produce cones, not flowers, and are hardy in various conditions. Female Yews yield red berries when pollinated by a male Yew. Yews can grow up to 20' tall and be planted in full sun or shade. They thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4-7.
Euonymus, also known as Wintercreeper, is a versatile shrub native to East Asia that can be grown as a shrub, climbing vine, or ground cover. While it can reach heights of up to 15' if grown as a vine, as a shrub, it typically reaches 2-4' tall, and as ground cover, often only grows to 2-6". Care must be taken to prevent it from becoming invasive, as it prefers alkaline soils and can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.
Euonymus, also known as Wintercreeper, is a versatile shrub native to East Asia that can be grown as a shrub, climbing vine, or ground cover. While it can reach heights of up to 15' if grown as a vine, as a shrub, it typically reaches 2-4' tall, and as ground cover, often only grows to 2-6". Care must be taken to prevent it from becoming invasive, as it prefers alkaline soils and can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.
Viburnum, also called Honeysuckle, are versatile shrubs loved by wildlife and gardeners. With many cultivars available, they can thrive in various climates and soils, but typically have fragrant white to pink flowers. Ideal for hedges or mass plantings, they prefer slightly acidic, fertile soil and can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 2-9.
Leatherleaf Mahonia, or Beale's barberry, is a Chinese flowering shrub. It's naturalized in the southern US but considered invasive in some states, so check with your USDA office before planting. Mature Mahonia can reach 8-12' and produces yellow flowers in late winter, followed by berry-like fruit.
Juniper is a low-maintenance evergreen shrub that comes in many shapes, sizes, and foliage types. It can be grown as ground cover, shrubs, or small trees, and is hardy and tolerant of many soil conditions. Junipers grow best in well-drained soil and can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-9.