Adding evergreen shrubs to the front of your house is a great way to enhance curb appeal and give your property year-round greenery. The best choices are small shrubs that add color and interest without obstructing views or quickly growing out of control. When planted correctly, small evergreens can frame the entryway provide privacy and even add seasonal flowers or fruit.

Here are some of the top small evergreen shrubs to consider for the front of your house

Winter Gem Boxwood

Winter Gem boxwood (Buxus microphylla japonica ‘Winter Gem’) is a classic compact evergreen shrub that reaches 2-4 feet tall and wide at maturity. This variety is prized for its tidy round shape and vibrant green foliage that maintains its color all year long.

Boxwoods are extremely versatile – they can be used as standalone specimen plants, short hedges or edging plants. Left alone, Winter Gem develops a neat rounded form. It can also be sheared into formal shapes if desired. Winter Gem boxwood thrives in full sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 5-9.

Dwarf Hinoki Cypress

Dwarf Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana’) is another excellent small evergreen shrub for the front of the house. Also called false cypress, this slow-growing plant has flattened sprays of foliage and a broadly mounded form. It typically reaches 3-5 feet tall and wide at maturity.

The fine-textured green foliage provides year-round interest. Dwarf Hinoki cypress can be used as a specimen planting or incorporated into a mixed garden bed. It prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Zones 4-8.

Dwarf Mugo Pine

Dwarf mugo pine (Pinus mugo var. pumilio) is a compact needled evergreen shrub perfect for rock gardens and xeriscaped yards. Slow growing, it reaches 3-5 feet tall and wide at maturity. The needles have a deep green color that appears slightly blue-tinged.

Plant mugo pine as a focal point in your front yard landscaping or use several in a grouping. This versatile little shrub thrives with minimal care and is extremely cold hardy, suited for zones 2-8. It does best in full sun.

Blue Star Juniper

Blue Star juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’) is a low spreading evergreen shrub, reaching 2-3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. It is prized for its striking silvery blue foliage and neatly mounded form.

Use Blue Star juniper as a ground cover on slopes or plant it along walkways and driveways as a foundation planting. The color provides great contrast to green shrubs and perennials. Blue Star juniper thrives in full sun and is hardy in zones 4-9.

Sunshine Ligustrum

Sunshine ligustrum (Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’) is a compact privet cultivar noted for its bright golden-green foliage. It matures at around 3-4 feet tall and wide. Fast growing, this shrub is quite hardy and can tolerate heat, drought, pests, and other stresses once established.

The cheerful foliage of Sunshine ligustrum provides year-round punch when used as a low hedge, border plant, or specimen shrub. It thrives in full sun in zones 7-10.

Densiformis Yew

Densiformis yew (Taxus x media ‘Densiformis’) is a low spreading evergreen shrub with deep green needles. It reaches 3-4 feet tall but spreads to 6-8 feet wide at maturity.

This yew cultivar makes an excellent informal hedge or foundation planting to frame garden beds and walkways. It can also be used as a short screen between properties. Densiformis yew grows well in sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 4-7.

Green Velvet Boxwood

Green Velvet boxwood (Buxus x ‘Green Velvet’) is prized for its naturally rounded form that requires little pruning to look neat. This compact broadleaf evergreen reaches about 2-3 feet tall and wide at maturity.

Use Green Velvet boxwoods as paired plantings at entryways, in formal knot gardens, or as low hedges. The rich green color is maintained year-round. Green Velvet does well in full sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 4-9.

Grey Owl Juniper

Grey Owl juniper (Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’) is a low-growing juniper cultivar with arching gray-green branches. It reaches 2-3 feet tall but spreads to 5-6 feet wide at maturity.

The fine, sprawling foliage of Grey Owl juniper is perfect for mass plantings on slopes and rock gardens. It can also be used as a ground cover shrub to fill in an area. For more formality, prune as a low hedge. Grey Owl does best in full sun and zones 4-9.

Emerald Gaiety Euonymus

Emerald Gaiety euonymus (Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub valued for its variegated leaves. The mature size is 2-4 feet tall and wide.

Use this euonymus as a foundation planting or edging shrub where the striking green and white foliage can be appreciated. It adds nice texture and color contrast. Emerald Gaiety euonymus thrives in sun to shade and zones 5-9.

Garden Gem Boxwood

Garden Gem boxwood (Buxus ‘Garden Gem’) is a dwarf rounded cultivar that reaches just 1-2 feet tall and wide at maturity. The petite size makes it perfect for edging, containers, and miniature hedge plants.

This little shrub maintains its neat rounded shape naturally so it requires minimal trimming. The vibrant evergreen foliage provides color year-round. Garden Gem does well in full sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 5-9.

Japanese Holly

Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) is a classic broadleaf evergreen shrub available in many compact cultivars perfect for foundation plantings and low hedges. Two excellent dwarf varieties are ‘Sky Pencil’ and ‘Soft Touch’, both growing to around 2-3 feet tall and wide.

Japanese holly provides year-round interest with its glossy foliage. It can be left untrimmed for a natural look or pruned into geometric forms. Japanese holly does well in full sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 5-8.

Design Tips for Using Small Evergreen Shrubs

• Frame entries and walkways. Use low spreading shrubs like juniper or yew to define and accent the path to your front door.

• Soften house corners. Plant small evergreens like boxwood on the corners of the house to soften straight architectural lines.

• Add color contrast. Variegated shrubs like euonymus provide color and texture contrast against siding and foundation walls.

• Create miniature hedges. Use a series of the same small shrub, spaced appropriately, to make a tidy low hedge border.

• Accent rock gardens. Low mugo pine and other spreading evergreens look right at home among rocks and gravel.

• Line driveways and walkways. Use compact upright shrubs like holly to frame and enhance entry paths.

• Plant in containers. Small evergreens like Garden Gem boxwood thrive in pots and can decorate porches.

Caring for Small Evergreen Shrubs

Caring for small evergreen shrubs is relatively easy compared to many other plants. Here are some tips for success:

• Choose an appropriate location. Check sun requirements and hardiness zones.

• Prepare soil prior to planting. Most evergreens thrive in moist but well-drained soil amended with compost.

• Water new plantings regularly until established. Mature plants are fairly drought tolerant.

• Apply mulch around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds. 2-3 inches of pine bark or wood chips works well.

• Prune lightly if needed for shape. Avoid heavy shearing, which can damage evergreens.

• Fertilize in early spring with a slow-release or organic fertilizer. This encourages new growth.

• Monitor for common pests like mites, scale, and mealybugs. Treat promptly if discovered.

• Protect from harsh winter winds in very cold climates. Add burlap screens if damage is common.

Choosing the right small evergreen shrubs and providing proper care will give you joy from these plants for many years to come. They are a landscape investment that easily pays for itself with very little maintenance required.