Bet that got your attention!
For me, the secret to being a happy gardener is ensuring some percentage of my garden can fend for itself. Once these plants are established, there will be plenty of time to fuss over the less self-sufficient species. To that end, here's a selection of evergreen shrubs (always such problem solvers) that you can plant and forget about. These also provide months and months of beauty and interest.
If you have questions or need additional selections, please don’t hesitate to comment below.
DarkStar® Creeping Oregon Grape
New and exclusive to Monrovia. Low, spreading shrub with exceptional purple foliage, yellow spring flowers, followed by showy blue-black fruit clusters. Perfect for small groupings, or mass for large-scale ground cover. Tolerates dry shade once established. Zone: 5 – 9
Southern Moon® Yedda Hawthorn
Zone: 7 – 10
Ideal back of the border or foundation shrub that’s easy care, but also has some pizzazz. Notably disease resistant, excellent for humid climates. Partial to full sun.
Sienna Sunrise® Heavenly Bamboo
Zone: 6 – 11
Adds interest to all green shrub borders (and really good with conifers) needing a boost. This one has fiery red highlights in fall and winter. Partial to full sun.
Nordic™ Inkberry Holly
Zone: 3 – 9
If you like the look of boxwood but want something different, this compact, rounded male holly is a great option. Partial to full sun.
Mountain Pepper
Zone: 7 – 10
Tall enough for a hedge, but open and airy, too with red stems, glossy leaves, and early spring fragrant flowers. From Dan Hinkley Collection. Partial shade to full sun.
Kimberly’s Double Pink Evergreen Azalea
Zone: 4 – 8
Yes, it’s a cold-tolerant azalea! Use under open-canopy trees where it will bloom before trees fully leaf out. Partial sun.
Schipka Cherry Laurel
Zone: 6 – 9
Hardier than English laurel. Plus, with the same tall and wide habit that makes an ideal tall hedge or foundation shrub in dappled shade. Fragrant spring flowers. Filtered sun.
Little Ollie® Dwarf Olive
Zone: 8 – 11
A small olive with all the Mediterranean look and feel without the size or the fruit. Heat, drought, and salt tolerant. Shear or leave in natural form as a specimen. Full sun.
