They’re the hardest workers in the garden, the versatile performers you can rely upon year after year, the plants offering a shoulder to cry on when you’re drunk at 3AM (probably). They are, of course, the evergreen shrubs. *Crowd goes wild*.

These multitalented marvels elevate gardens no end, with options available to those wanting flowers, those who want privacy, and everything in between. So, with that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of, what we think at least, are the best evergreen shrubs you can get for your garden. So strap in, pause that Monty Python VHS tape, and let’s get cracking.

Jump to:

• What are the best evergreen shrubs for pots?
• What are the best evergreen shrubs for privacy?
• What are the best evergreen shrubs for wildlife?
• What are the best flowering evergreen shrubs?
• What are the hardiest evergreen shrubs?
• What are the lowest-maintenance evergreen shrubs?

What are the best evergreen shrubs for pots?

Our picks include Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’, which we sell both as a shrub and as a patio tree, or Pittosporum ‘Silver Ball’. The former boasts spectacular variegated foliage, while the latter offers a naturally compact, spherical shape that’s just perfect for shaping.

So, why the picks above? Well, if you haven’t got a lot of outdoor space to work with – perhaps just a patio or balcony, say – then you want something that won’t grow too large (or too quickly).

You also want it to deliver a lot of bang for your buck and, naturally, something that responds well to growing in a restricted space like a pot. Alternatively, you can opt for an evergreen shrub that’s been trained specifically for growing in pots: often called lollipop trees or standards.

What are the best evergreen shrubs for privacy?

Stepping up to the plate first is… Prunus laurocerasus, better known as cherry laurel. With a fast growth rate of up to 60cm per year, you can wave au revoir to Derek’s uninvited lectures on Ancient Rome, and say hello, instead, to uninterrupted bliss.

Another option is English yew or Taxus baccata. This is a great option for gardens where sun is on the more limited side, displaying great levels of shade tolerance. While a slower grower, it responds well to hard pruning and is a good pick for more formal gardens.

So, if it’s privacy from your nosy neighbour, Derek, that you’re after, then there are options aplenty here for you. Just remember, you want quick growth and you want lots of it, that’s your shopping list of requirements.

What are the best evergreen shrubs for wildlife?

English holly (Ilex aquifolium) is a good place to start. This festive stalwart offers shelter to small birds year round thanks to its thorny foliage, as well as early flowers for bees and vivid berries for feeding birds and small mammals throughout the winter months. It just so happens that it looks great, too!

If you want something a bit showier, then may we suggest Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape). With its radiant yellow flowers offering an exceptional food source at a time of the year that few other plants are, and berries beloved by blackbirds and thrushes, this plant delivers.

Whether you’re a budding bird-watcher or the number one fan when it comes to bees and butterflies, the evergreen shrubs listed above are known for having specific strengths when it comes to their value as wildlife plants. They're a must-have for any discerning nature lover.

What are the best flowering evergreen shrubs?

For flowers so fabulous they’ll knock your proverbial socks off, there are a couple of different directions you can take. For sheer wow factor, it’s hard to look past camellias. These spring-flowering sensations are, well, exactly that – sensations. Varieties like ‘Nuccio’s Pearl’ boast incredible gradated flowers, while varieties like ‘Cleopatra’ are small enough to grow in a container on the patio.

Another of our favourite evergreen colourful shrubs is Ceanothus ‘Repens’. Sporting beautiful blue thimble blooms atop a mound of lush evergreen foliage, this perennially popular shrub charms like few others.

Scented options want to join the party, too. And what a party it is, hey? In particular, Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata). With its fabulously fragrant white flowers, sporting notes of – unsurprisingly – citrus, this evergreen shrub requires little by way of maintenance and laps up the sunshine like no other.

What are the hardiest evergreen shrubs?

Here are a couple of plants with an RHS hardiness rating of H6 or H7 (which means they can withstand temperatures down to -20°C and below -20°C, respectively). Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a good place to start, looking at the ‘Diabolo’ variety, in particular. With an H7 hardiness rating, this dramatic shrub will withstand whatever winter can throw at it.

Then there’s something like a rhododendron; most varieties have a hardiness rating of H6 and they certainly offer a lot of flowering impact. The only thing to note for rhodos (as they’re often affectionately called) is that they do require acidic soil to thrive – perfect for planting alongside azaleas, blueberries and camellias, or in a large container using specialist ericaceous compost.

We are, whether we like it or not, partial to the odd cold snap or two here in the UK, so hardiness is an understandable consideration when thinking about purchasing a plant. And while conditions do, on the whole, seem to suggest a milder climate in the long-term, there will always be those periods of cold, especially the further north you go.

What are the lowest-maintenance evergreen shrubs?

If time is in short supply in your household, then you want an evergreen shrub that practically looks after itself, a plant that says, “Don’t worry boss, you leave the growing to us”. Sweet box (Sarcococca confusa) makes a good claim in this arena. Sweetly scented and great for shady areas, this shrub very much gets on with its own thing once established. Plus, it has delightful berries and flowers, too!

Final thoughts

Hopefully, having read this, you’ll have a better idea of what evergreen shrub is right for you and your garden. And biased though we may be, we have to say there are some pretty darn good plants on that list…