7 Evergreen Shrubs To Plant Now For A Garden That Never Looks Bare – From Yew To Skimmia

Evergreen shrubs are a fantastic choice for a garden as they offer year-round benefits — delivering colour and structure in spring and summer, then keeping their foliage when other plants look bare in autumn and winter.

Dense evergreen shrubs provide privacy and screening and can act as windbreaks in exposed spots. They also offer wildlife such as insects and nesting birds a place to rest and shelter. Many are hardy and, once established, require minimal maintenance. Another bonus is that, unlike deciduous plants, they don’t drop their leaves all at once meaning there’s less to clean up!

‘When we picture a beautiful garden, it’s usually the flowers that catch our eye,’ says Emma Fell, head of horticulture at Hillier Garden Centres. ‘But it’s evergreen plants that quietly do the hard work behind the scenes, keeping everything looking balanced and intentional through every season. By incorporating evergreens, gardeners can enjoy a space that feels full, organised and inviting, even in the middle of winter.’

Here are seven evergreen shrubs perfect for year-round appeal:

English yew (Taxus baccata)

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‘For classic structure that will last decades, English yew is hard to beat,’ recommends Emma. ‘Its deep green foliage forms a rich, elegant backdrop and it responds exceptionally well to clipping, making it perfect for formal hedges or sculpted shapes.

‘Yew is also wonderfully adaptable and copes well with a range of soil types and light levels. Plant in well-drained soil and water regularly while it’s getting established. A trim in late summer will keep it neat and well-defined.’

Viburnum tinus

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‘If you’re looking for evergreen structure with added seasonal interest, viburnum tinus is an excellent choice,’ Emma points out. ‘From late autumn into spring, clusters of pink buds open to delicate white flowers, followed by dark berries. Its glossy foliage keeps borders looking full and balanced throughout the year.

‘It prefers a sunny or lightly shaded position with good drainage,’ says Emma. ‘Light pruning after flowering will help maintain shape and encourage healthy, bushy growth.’

Skimmia japonica

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‘For shadier spots, skimmia offers dependable structure in compact form,’ says Emma. ‘Its rich green foliage forms tidy mounds, while fragrant spring flowers and bright red berries on female plants add welcome colour.

‘It performs best in acidic to neutral, moisture-retentive soil and dappled shade. Avoid hot, direct sun and apply a mulch each spring to retain moisture and improve soil condition.’

English holly (Ilex aquifolium)

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‘A true garden classic, English holly brings bold, glossy foliage and strong architectural presence,’ says Emma. ‘Female plants produce vibrant red berries in winter when pollinated by a nearby male, offering both ornamental appeal and wildlife interest.

‘Holly is tough and wind-tolerant, thriving in sun or partial shade. It can be grown as a shrub, small tree or hedge, and responds well to pruning in late winter to maintain its shape.’

Pittosporum tenuifolium

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This is a moderately fast-growing shrub with small, light airy foliage that’s often used as a softer alternative to dense hedging plants. It’s great for screening without feeling ‘heavy’. Plant pittosporum tenuifolium in contemporary gardens or windy and exposed locations such as coastal gardens where other evergreens might struggle.

Choisya ternata (Mexican orange blossom)

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Low maintenance and easy to grow, Mexican orange blossom is loved for its glossy dense foliage, which makes it useful for screening or hedging. Fragrant flowers appear in late spring and you may get a second flush in autumn. This shrub is good for borders. Plant near paths or seating where you can enjoy the fragrance, or near roads due to its pollution tolerance.

Prunus laurocerasus (cherry laurel)

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Cherry laurel is a fast-growing shrub with large glossy leaves that form a dense, effective hedge. It can be cut back hard if it becomes overgrown and recovers well from heavy pruning. Choose this for informal and formal gardens – it also handles pollution well, so it’s good for urban environments.

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