Driver FixRecommendedSound, Wi-Fi or graphics acting up? Check drivers firstFind missing or outdated drivers fast.Check DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PC×
Skip to content
Bettesworth Construction
evergreens

The 6 Evergreen Types That Make a Landscape Look Finished Year-Round

Evergreens do the structural work in a landscape: privacy, winter color, foundation balance, low edges, shade coverage, and year-round texture. Here is how to choose the right type for the job.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 14 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Evergreens are the plants that keep a landscape from looking empty in January. They screen neighbors, frame entries, soften foundations, hold slopes, block wind, and give the yard shape when perennials and deciduous shrubs are dormant. The right evergreen is not just a plant you like at the nursery. It is a plant that fits the job, the mature space, the soil, the sun exposure, the deer pressure, and the maintenance level you are willing to keep up with.

For most US homes, the six evergreen groups worth understanding are arborvitae, juniper, boxwood, holly and inkberry, yew, and dwarf conifers such as compact spruce, pine, cedar, cypress, and false cypress. On our job sites, we usually design with a mix: tall screening in the back, medium broadleaf evergreens for structure, low edging plants near walks, and dwarf conifers where the eye needs color or texture.

The biggest mistake is buying by pot size. A 3-gallon shrub may look harmless, but some evergreens become 10, 15, or 25 feet wide. A privacy tree that matures at 12 feet wide should not be planted 3 feet from the siding just because it looks narrow today. Good evergreen design starts with mature dimensions.

1. Arborvitae: The Workhorse Privacy Screen

Arborvitae is the default privacy evergreen in much of the country because it grows upright, stays dense, and creates a clean green wall without taking up as much width as many full-size conifers. Common landscape types range from narrow 12- to 15-foot screening cultivars to larger trees that can exceed 30 feet tall. Growth rate depends on cultivar, soil, irrigation, and climate, but many privacy varieties add roughly 1 to 3 feet per year once established.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
SONKIR Soil pH Meter, MS02 3-in-1 Soil Moisture/Light/pH Tester Gardening Tool Kits for Plant Care, Great for Garden, Lawn, Farm, Indoor & Outdoor Use (Green)
  • Kindly NOTE: This soil tester can not be applied to test pH value of any other liquid. If the soil is too dry the indicator will not move, and water it before testing.
  • 3 METERS IN ONE: Soil moisture level, Soil pH value and Sunlight level could be tested easily according to your need by switching the function button of this soil meter.
  • NO BATTERY NEEDED: Simply insert the meter into soil, wait few minutes, accurate test results will be displayed on the readout panel. No battery is needed.
  • STURDY AND SCIENTIFIC DESIGN: Reliable materials and upgraded technology used for this soil meter make it advanced and high-quality for long-term use.
  • MULTIPURPOSE SOIL TEST KIT: Portable and compact design enables you to use this soil meter for house garden, farm, lawn and any other soil & plant analysis. Ideal for indoor and outdoor use.

Use arborvitae for property-line screening, patio privacy, driveway buffers, and wind softening. It performs best in full sun to part sun, with consistent moisture and decent drainage. It is less forgiving in dry, windy, exposed sites. Winter burn, browning, bagworms, deer browsing, and root stress are the usual problems we see when arborvitae is planted too tightly or in the wrong exposure.

Spacing arborvitae correctly

For a dense screen, many homeowners plant arborvitae 3 feet apart because they want instant coverage. That can work for narrow cultivars, but it can also create long-term crowding, poor airflow, and brown interior foliage. A better rule is to check the mature width on the specific cultivar. If the plant matures 4 feet wide, spacing around 3 to 4 feet on center may be reasonable for a hedge. If it matures 10 to 12 feet wide, give it more room or use a staggered double row where space allows.

A staggered double row, with plants offset like bricks, gives a more natural screen and keeps coverage if one plant fails. For larger properties, we often mix arborvitae with holly, spruce, juniper, or other regionally suitable evergreens so one pest, disease, drought event, or deer pattern does not take out the whole wall.

2. Juniper: Best for Sun, Slopes, Drought, and Tough Sites

Junipers are strong performers where the site is sunny, dry, exposed, or hard to mow. They come in upright forms, spreading shrubs, low groundcovers, and blue-gray accent plants. Mature sizes vary widely: some groundcover junipers stay under 18 inches tall but spread 6 to 8 feet, while upright junipers can reach 12 to 20 feet or more depending on cultivar.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Use juniper for sunny slopes, erosion-prone banks, mailbox beds, open corners, roadside exposure, and low-water landscapes. They do not like shade. In too little sun, junipers thin out, lose density, and become woody in the middle. They also need good drainage; heavy, wet clay is not their best setting unless the bed is properly raised and amended.

Juniper is often a better choice than arborvitae in dry western or exposed roadside conditions. It tolerates heat, wind, and poor soil better than many broadleaf evergreens. Some types also handle salt exposure better than delicate foundation shrubs, making them useful near streets and driveways where winter deicing is part of life.

Wildfire note for junipers

In wildfire-prone areas, be careful with resinous conifers close to the house. Junipers can be combustible, especially when old interior foliage accumulates. In defensible-space zones, we avoid placing dense juniper masses directly against siding, under windows, under decks, or below eaves. Local wildfire guidance should control plant placement, spacing, and maintenance.

3. Boxwood: Clean Edges, Foundation Structure, and Formal Lines

Boxwood is a broadleaf evergreen, not a needle conifer. It earns its place because it creates tidy, year-round structure at a human scale. Most residential boxwoods are used as low hedges, foundation plants, walkway borders, entry accents, and clipped shapes. Depending on cultivar, mature height may be 2 to 6 feet, with similar spread.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Boxwood works best where you want a controlled outline rather than a fast privacy screen. It can handle sun to part shade, though extreme winter sun and wind can cause bronzing in colder regions. Good drainage and airflow matter. Crowded, humid, overwatered plantings increase disease pressure, including boxwood blight in areas where that disease is active.

Rank #2
Rapitest Soil Test Kit for Gardens, Vegetables, Flowers and Lawns. USA designed and assembled soil tester completely, quickly and accurately measures/analyzes soil pH acidity and garden nutrients.
  • Quick, at home results for Soil pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potash Innovative and inexpensive soil test kit features an easy-to-use capsule system and patented color comparators
  • Contains all components needed for 20 tests. 5 for each of pH, N, P and K
  • Contains all components needed to test all variables in several spots in the yard or garden
  • Simple, detailed instructions included. Great for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
  • Soil pH preference list for over 450 plants included

We use boxwood carefully around foundations. It is useful below windows and beside steps, but it still needs service clearance. Leave room for siding work, hose bibbs, basement windows, utility meters, outdoor receptacles, and HVAC access. A shrub that is clipped to 30 inches today should not be planted where it will block a meter or trap moisture against the wall in five years.

Boxwood maintenance

Boxwood is not high drama, but it is not zero maintenance. Expect light pruning once or twice a year if you want a formal hedge. Avoid heavy shearing in extreme heat. Keep mulch 2 to 4 inches deep, but pull it back from the stems. Dense mulch packed against boxwood crowns can hold moisture and invite decline.

4. Holly and Inkberry: Broadleaf Evergreens With Wildlife Value

Hollies bring something many conifers do not: glossy leaves, berries, and a broadleaf texture that fits well near houses. The group includes large upright hollies, compact foundation shrubs, and inkberry holly, a useful native alternative in many eastern US landscapes. Mature size depends heavily on species and cultivar. Some compact inkberries stay around 3 to 4 feet tall, while tree-form hollies can reach 15 to 30 feet or more.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Use holly and inkberry for foundation structure, mixed privacy screens, winter interest, wildlife-friendly plantings, and places where you want evergreen mass without the needle texture of conifers. Many hollies prefer acidic, well-drained soil and consistent moisture. Inkberry can tolerate wetter sites better than many evergreens, which makes it helpful where boxwood struggles.

If berries matter, check pollination requirements before buying. Many hollies need compatible male and female plants for fruit. One male plant can often pollinate several female plants, but bloom time and species compatibility matter. Do not assume every holly on the sales rack will produce berries by itself.

Deer and regional fit

Deer pressure varies by neighborhood. Some hollies are browsed less than arborvitae or yew, but hungry deer can sample many plants. In southern landscapes, broadleaf evergreens such as holly, wax myrtle, cleyera, and certain magnolias may fit better than cold-climate conifers. In colder regions, choose cultivars rated for your USDA zone and protect new broadleaf evergreens from winter wind until established.

5. Yew: Shade-Tolerant Structure for Foundations

Yew is one of the most useful evergreens for shade and part shade. It has soft needles, handles pruning, and works well in foundation beds, under high tree canopy, and along north or east exposures where sun-loving evergreens thin out. Depending on cultivar, yews may stay 3 to 4 feet tall or grow into larger 8- to 12-foot shrubs.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Yew is adaptable, but it does not like wet feet. Heavy, saturated soil can cause root problems. If a downspout dumps into the bed or the grade slopes toward the house, fix drainage before planting yew or any other foundation evergreen.

The other concern is toxicity. Yew foliage, stems, and seeds are toxic to people and animals, with the fleshy red aril being the exception. We do not place yew where livestock can reach it, and homeowners with young children or pets should understand the risk before using it heavily.

Rank #3
Soil Test Kit – 100 Soil pH Test Strips (3.5–9 Range) for Garden, Lawn & Indoor Plants – Easy At-Home Soil Testing
  • Accurate Soil pH Testing: Dewildetradingco Soil pH Test Strips offer measurements of soil pH levels (pH 3.5-9). As an essential tool for every gardener and grower, these test strips help determine the optimal pH for various plants, such as outdoor plants, indoor plants, gardens, grass lawns, fruit trees, flowers, vegetables, and forest shrubs.
  • User-Friendly Testing Procedure: The testing process is simple and efficient. Mix the sample soil with water, let the solution sit for 30 minutes, dip one strip into the solution for 3 seconds, and then hold it horizontally for 60 seconds. Compare the results against the provided color chart on the bottle for quick and reliable readings.
  • Cost-Effective and Versatile: With 100 Soil PH checker strips included in each package, Dewildetradingco provides a cost-effective solution for soil testing. It caters to various planting needs, offering valuable insights for a wide range of horticultural applications.
  • Optimize Plant Health and Growth: Maintaining the correct pH is crucial for optimal plant growth and bountiful yields. Dewildetradingco Soil pH Test Strips enable gardeners and growers to adjust their soil conditions, ensuring nutrient availability and preventing wasteful spending on ineffective amendments.
  • Convenient On-the-Go Monitoring: The Dewildetradingco Soil pH Test Strips are designed for portability, allowing gardeners to perform quick soil testing in various locations. As an essential tool in every gardener's soil tester kit, these pH strips help ensure thriving plant life and efficient resource management.

Where yew shines

Yew is a good choice when the house needs quiet green structure without a tall screen. It can be pruned into clean forms, but it also looks good when allowed to keep a softer natural shape. For older homes with mature trees, yew often succeeds where juniper, pine, and many arborvitae fail from lack of sun.

6. Dwarf Conifers: Spruce, Pine, Cedar, Cypress, and False Cypress for Texture

Dwarf conifers are often missed in basic evergreen lists, but they are some of the best plants for making a landscape look designed instead of merely filled. They include compact spruce, mugo pine, dwarf cedar, Hinoki false cypress, dwarf cypress, and many specialty cultivars with blue, gold, gray, or deep green foliage.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Use dwarf conifers as accents near entries, patio corners, stone walls, mixed borders, and winter-view areas from key windows. Many mature in the 2- to 8-foot range, but the word dwarf can be misleading. Dwarf means slower or smaller than the species, not necessarily tiny forever. A plant that grows 3 inches per year can still become large over 20 years.

These plants are valuable because they add texture contrast. A blue spruce globe beside glossy inkberry, a mugo pine near ornamental grasses, or a gold false cypress against dark mulch gives the bed winter depth. We like them especially where a full privacy tree would be too much but a deciduous shrub would disappear in winter.

Evergreen Comparison Table

Evergreen type Typical mature size Best use Sun/shade fit Maintenance level Spacing notes
Arborvitae 12-30+ ft tall, 3-15 ft wide Privacy screens, wind buffers Full sun to part sun Low to moderate Space by mature width; avoid tight monoculture rows
Juniper 1-20+ ft tall depending on form Dry sites, slopes, groundcover, upright accents Full sun Low Give spreading types 5-8 ft or more where listed
Boxwood 2-6 ft tall and wide Low hedges, formal edges, foundations Sun to part shade Moderate if clipped Allow airflow and access around the house
Holly/inkberry 3-30+ ft depending on species Broadleaf structure, berries, mixed screens Sun to part shade Low to moderate Check male/female needs for berries
Yew 3-12 ft depending on cultivar Shade foundations, clipped forms Part shade to shade; some sun Low to moderate Avoid wet soil; note toxicity concerns
Dwarf conifers 2-8+ ft, slow-growing Accents, winter color, texture Usually sun to part sun Low Read 10-year and mature size, not just pot tag

What Evergreens Cost to Plant in 2026

Evergreen pricing changes fast because size drives everything. A small shrub is inexpensive to buy, carry, and plant. A 7-foot privacy evergreen may require delivery, two workers, a machine auger, soil correction, staking, irrigation work, and cleanup.

For 2026 US budgeting, installed shrubs commonly run about $25 to $85 each for smaller sizes with basic labor. Small shrubs alone often cost $5 to $35, while 3-gallon shrubs commonly land around $25 to $45 and 5-gallon shrubs around $40 to $75 before more involved site work. Evergreen plant material alone commonly ranges from about $20 to $350 per tree depending on species and size. Reported material ranges include arborvitae at about $20 to $200, juniper $35 to $140, pine $30 to $160, spruce $30 to $200, cypress $20 to $160, cedar $35 to $200, and American holly $20 to $110.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

A 15-gallon tree often costs about $150 to $350 before installation. Larger specimen or caliper trees can run $500 to $2,000 or more before labor, delivery, equipment, and site preparation. Professional tree planting often lands around $565 to $680 for a typical semi-mature tree, but a small sapling may be as low as $50 to plant while very large trees can exceed $5,000 when equipment and access are difficult.

Project type Typical 2026 budget range What changes the price
Small evergreen shrub installed $25-$85 each Plant size, soil, mulch, number of shrubs
3-gallon shrub material $25-$45 each Species, cultivar, local availability
5-gallon shrub material $40-$75 each Broadleaf vs conifer, nursery grade
Evergreen tree material $20-$350 each Species, height, container vs balled-and-burlapped
15-gallon tree material $150-$350 each Tree form, delivery distance, warranty
Typical semi-mature tree planted $565-$680 each Crew time, equipment, access, staking
Large specimen installation $2,000-$5,000+ Crane/skid steer access, root ball weight, traffic planning

For a full yard project, national landscaping jobs average roughly $3,500 overall, with common yard landscaping ranges around $1,250 to $6,100 depending on scope. Mulch installation commonly runs $30 to $120 per cubic yard. Larger hedge trimming or evergreen pruning visits can average $480 to $1,558, with debris hauling often adding $25 to $100.

How to Design With Evergreens So the Yard Looks Intentional

Start with winter. Stand inside the house and look out the main windows. Then stand at the street, driveway, front walk, patio, and property line. Those are the views evergreens should frame first. Deciduous plants and flowers can fill the seasonal show later.

Rank #4
4-in-1 Soil Moisture Meter Digital Plant Temperature/Soil Moisture/PH Meter/Sunlight Intensity Backlight LCD Display Soil Test Meter for Gardening, Farming and Outdoor Plants
  • 【4 in 1 function】This is a 4-in-1 multifunctional soil tester.Our soil tester fastly to measure soil moisture, pH, temperature and sunlight to help you take better care of flowers and plants.You can know when you need to water your soil by measuring moisture and pH & Temperature value of the soil and sunlight level of plants with it.
  • 【Large Screen & Backlight LCD Display】The Soil Tester uses a large LCD screen and white backlight to conveniently display and read digital parameter in day or dark.Use AAA1.5V * 4 batteries (not included),it will alert when the battery is low.
  • 【Quick Accurate measurement】The latest probe detection technology in 2026 can quickly and accurately measure the pH, moisture and temperature in the soil,with the light intensity of the light sensor analysis on the instrument, it can allow you to know when to water, to control the pH and temperature acidity, and determine whether the plants have enough light to better cultivate the plants more scientifically.
  • 【Easy to use】Just simply plug the probe into the soil about 4 inches(10cm) , wait 10 seconds to read intuitive data,and you will get an accurate and precise reading immediately.(This soil tester cannot be used directly to test any liquid. When measuring the soil, if the soil is too dry, do not insert it into dry and hard soil. Before testing, please water the soil test area and wait for 10 minutes, otherwise the testing machine will be damaged.)When testing soil pH and moisture, you need to read data from at least 5 locations in the soil. The average value of all the data will be the final soil pH and moisture.
  • 【More convenient to read】The screen content adopts visual content design, which helps you read the data through specific values and easy to understand graphics, so that even novice growers can easily understand your soil conditions. The 45° rotating head design allows you to bend your head 0°-45°, allowing you to easily view the screen content without bending over.

A strong evergreen layout usually has layers. Put tall screens or upright conifers in the back. Use medium broadleaf evergreens such as holly, inkberry, yew, or larger boxwood for foundation mass. Add low boxwood, compact inkberry, spreading juniper, or dwarf conifers along edges and corners. The goal is not a wall of green. The goal is structure, depth, and year-round balance.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Mix textures. Fine arborvitae foliage, glossy holly leaves, soft yew needles, blue juniper, and compact spruce all read differently. When every plant has the same color and texture, the bed looks flat even if the plants are healthy.

Also design for maintenance access. Keep shrubs away from siding, vents, crawlspace openings, utility meters, hose bibbs, AC condensers, and window wells. Around HVAC equipment, follow manufacturer and service clearances; many units need at least 2 to 3 feet of working space around the sides and more above for airflow.

Planting Details That Make or Break Evergreens

Spring and fall are generally the best planting windows. In colder regions, broadleaf evergreens are often safer in spring so they can establish before winter wind. Conifers can often be planted in cool spring or fall weather, provided irrigation is reliable.

Before planting, inspect nursery stock. Reject plants with circling roots, broken leaders, pest damage, drought stress, buried root flares, or root balls that fall apart from neglect. A bargain evergreen is not a bargain if it declines for three years and then has to be removed.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Plant wide, not deep. The root flare should remain visible at grade. Dig a hole about 2 to 3 times wider than the root ball but no deeper than the root ball height. Backfill with native soil unless a soil test or drainage issue says otherwise. Mulch 2 to 4 inches deep, but keep mulch off trunks and stems. Do not build mulch volcanoes.

Water deeply after planting and keep watering through establishment. For many shrubs, that means consistent attention through the first growing season. For larger evergreens, expect 1 to 2 years of establishment watering, sometimes longer in hot, dry, sandy, or windy sites. Shallow daily sprinkling is not the goal. Deep watering encourages roots to move outward and down.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Safety, Utilities, Easements, and Permits

Before digging, use 811 utility marking. It is a free national service that helps locate underground utilities before planting, trenching, edging, or irrigation work. Even a shrub hole can hit a shallow cable, gas line, irrigation line, or low-voltage system.

Check property lines, drainage easements, sight triangles, HOA rules, and local landscape ordinances before installing a screen. Some communities regulate hedge height near streets and driveways. Corner lots may have visibility limits. Utility easements may restrict trees or large shrubs, even if the ground looks unused.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Sale
HSLGOVE Soil Test Kit, 7-in-One Soil Moisture Meter/Soil PH Meter/Fertility, Dual Screen Soil Tester w/Digital Soil Temp/Air Temp&Humidity for Plants Gardening,Lawn,Farm Indoor&Outdoor-Lvory White
  • ✅ 1Dial & 1 LCD Screen - Replace/install all 3 batteries each time. Put button to %RH/°F to - Turn On, and put to LIGHT to - Turn Off. Read the LCD results in 3-5 mins. (Not Water Moisture Meter, so, please don't test liquid)
  • 7Meter-in1 Comprehensive Maintenace: Specially designed for beginners, the built-in 1.6" chips board, can meet all your needs for measuring soil moisture, pH/fertility/temp/light/indoor temp&humidity. Simply switching modes on 1 button, can quickly result in a more accurate reading of various aspects of data of soil! Moreover, LCD screen can clearly display soil temp, air temp&humidity. helps you to plant lush and healthy plants, while it can also help you cultivate seedlings scientifically.
  • Design Patented US & Utility Patented US: Origin Dual-Dial Design -combined with both soil meter and LCD-display soil/air temperature and humidity meter. This helps you to monitor soil moisture/pH/fertility/sunlight and soil temperature/air humidity and temperature in your garden/house all in one unit. Our 7 Soil Tester allows you to get a more comprehensive and direct understanding of your plants/ the key information for scientific seedlings.
  • Effective Probe Based On 3 Metals: The soil pH tester has been with 3 kinds of quality metal material, which is accurate, strong, and durable for long-term use, length of about 6.8" and can be used for medium to large potted plants. it can analyze the soil more quickly, get to know the plant soil condition, and obtain more accurate data, furthermore, single probe design plant water meter is less harmful to the plant root system and won't bring out more soil of the plants after the test.
  • Easy To Use & Wide Range: Simply insert the plant moisture meter more than 3" into the soil and switch the function button to obtain test results immediately or test the mini hygrometer thermometer in 3 mins. This moisture meter for house plants can be widely used in both outdoor &indoor gardens, farms, lawns, flowers, potted, and vegetable plants, etc., A great gardening gift for plant-lover friends, coworkers, and family.

In wildfire-prone regions, follow defensible-space guidance. Dense evergreen shrubs should not be packed against the house, under decks, below eaves, or next to vents. Keep plants maintained, remove dead interior material, and use spacing that reduces continuous fuel paths.

When to DIY and When to Hire a Pro

DIY makes sense for small container shrubs, simple beds, and projects where you can safely move the material. A homeowner can usually plant 1-gallon, 3-gallon, and many 5-gallon evergreens with a shovel, tarp, hose, mulch, and a careful eye for depth. The key is layout. Mark mature widths on the ground before buying. A $15 can of marking paint can prevent thousands in crowded plantings.

Hire a pro when the job involves large privacy trees, balled-and-burlapped material, steep slopes, drainage correction, irrigation changes, retaining walls, tight access, utility conflicts, or a long screen where spacing errors will be obvious for decades. Professional labor for tree planting commonly runs $50 to $150 per hour, and larger evergreens may require a crew, machine auger, skid steer, backhoe, crane, delivery truck, or traffic/access planning.

A good contractor should specify plant size, mature dimensions, spacing, soil preparation, mulch depth, watering expectations, warranty terms, and who handles utility marking. If a bid only says “install evergreens,” ask for more detail before approving it.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Bottom Line: Choose Evergreens by the Job

For fast privacy, start with arborvitae but avoid tight single-species walls. For sun, slopes, drought, and exposed conditions, look hard at juniper. For formal edges and foundation structure, boxwood still earns its place if disease pressure and deer pressure are managed. For broadleaf texture, berries, and wildlife value, use holly or inkberry. For shade, yew is one of the best structural evergreens, with toxicity and drainage cautions. For color, texture, and winter interest without a full-size tree, use dwarf conifers.

The best evergreen plan is rarely one plant repeated 40 times. It is a layered mix that fits the house, the region, the mature space, and the maintenance plan. Get those pieces right, and the landscape looks settled in every season, not just when the flowers are doing the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best types of evergreens for landscaping around a house?

For most homes, use a mix of arborvitae for screening, boxwood or inkberry for low structure, holly for broadleaf texture and berries, yew for shade, juniper for sunny dry areas, and dwarf conifers for accents.

Which evergreens grow fastest for privacy?

Many arborvitae cultivars are popular for privacy because they can grow about 1 to 3 feet per year once established. Some upright junipers and hollies can also work, but mature width, deer pressure, and site moisture matter as much as speed.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

How far apart should evergreen shrubs or trees be planted?

Space evergreens by mature width, not nursery size. A plant that matures 4 feet wide may be spaced 3 to 4 feet on center for a hedge, while a plant that matures 10 to 12 feet wide needs much more room. For privacy, staggered double rows often perform better than one tight row.

How much does it cost to plant evergreen shrubs or trees in 2026?

Small installed evergreen shrubs commonly run about $25 to $85 each. Evergreen tree material often ranges from $20 to $350, while a typical semi-mature tree professionally planted may land around $565 to $680. Large specimen trees can exceed $2,000 to $5,000 with equipment and access costs.

When is the best time to plant evergreens?

Spring and fall are generally best. In colder regions, broadleaf evergreens are often safer in spring so they establish before winter. Conifers can often be planted in cool spring or fall weather if watering is consistent.

Do I need 811 utility marking before planting evergreens?

Yes. Use 811 before digging for trees, shrubs, edging, or irrigation work. Utility lines, low-voltage wiring, gas lines, and irrigation components can be shallower than expected.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Site Office

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.