Lots of Dwarf Evergreen Low Maintenance Shrubs for Foundation Planting

[@leightodd7335]

This video is a great example of why to listen to Jim. Thanks for sharing your years of experience in landscaping. I'm kind of like you are with crepe myrtles with hollies and box woods. Their everywhere so lets try something else. lol

[@THoang13]

Can you do a video about deep shade plants like a north side of the house that gets shade from the house?

[@JimPutnam]

Definitely in the plans!

[@Kate98755]

yes please….i have shade under trees that are a challenge…so far hosta, ajuga, but other things thrived because of watering and a bit of sun that got through. How much soil can i add to the area where there are roots, i’ve heard too much would smother the trees, is that a fable or truth?

[@impresarioe6824]

Thank you! My house faces north too, and I’m truly stumped on what to grow there.

[@pamborkowski7415]

Definitely need a shade / partial shade, small flowering shrub, south side of the house. I appreciate any suggestions.

[@briano9879]

Bananappeal Anise would be good to mix in. Pictures don’t do it justice. They literally glow next to dark foliage.

[@rickimoler7158]

My go-to small shrub is Blue Star Juniper...love the color, love the shape, love the size.

[@AshleySpeaks4U]

I'm doing those too. 😊

[@youssefgad9740]

I am always like to listen to you, Agriculture college is here, Thank you Jim.

[@ElizabethM824]

I love the Soft Caress Mahonia. We have hummingbirds year round here in the Seattle area and they love the flowers in winter. I really appreciate these types of compilation videos and this one gave me lots of ideas! For the future, I would love to see a video showing small trees that get great fall color. Another topic I struggle with is plants for dry shade so that's another video suggestion. Thanks Jim!

[@katiedotson704]

I love the softness of the Cryptomeria and have a "Black Dragpm", while a dwarf is not the very short foundation plant that the "Dragon Prince" is. I want a Mugo "Sherwood Compact" and an Abies concolor "Pigglemee". I am leaning toward putting a short ornamental grass in front of or between the dwarf evergreens.

[@galleta_2024]

This was the best mini course on dwarf plants ever. I loved that you put the zones in the names. Much appreciated. Cheers

[@marybeth4002]

How did you know I needed this video? As much as I love flowers and such - I feel my garden is evolving and I'm now adding more interest with green shrubs. I have enough boxwoods but am researching other shrubs. Great video - fountain looks great! 6b/Michigan.

[@SheriShea1]

I have been hoping for this video on low growing evergreens 🌲 great video Jim. Thank you 😊

[@JimPutnam]

Thanks for watching it!

[@MelodyHopkins]

My 2 Soft Caress Mahonias didn't come with an "off switch" at all. They are over 5' x 5' and I recently had to prune some of the limbs back as they loose their leaves from the bottom up and look leggy. They are planted in the north foundation bed of my house and get full sun in the summer and full shade in the winter. They have had no problem with the sun. One of my favorite shrubs this summer has been some Flirt nandinas I have as border shrubs. The new foliage color is brilliant! I'm in zone 8b.

[@vlink4071]

It’s not necessarily my favorite but sweet box, sarcococca is growing well and expanding in my shade garden and the deer leave it alone. I would love a video of shade plants including deer resistant ones, and tips for planting on a slope.

[@waynem.7226]

Being more northern 5b/6a, evergreens I've used effectively on some banks are mugo pine 'enci' and cotoneaster dammeri 'coral beauty'. The coral beauty's spring flowers and bright red berries stop you in your tracks if you don't mind a more natural, un-manicured look.

[@AshleySpeaks4U]

Oh thanks for the tip! I was thinking cotoniaster and I'm 6a or b.

[@SandraGrimes-rt9we]

A Great one!! Thank you Jim Sandra from Rocky Mount NC

[@sandyunruh387]

Great timing! I am working on the "bones" of my new ornamental garden. I watched this video twice and took notes. Right now, my go-to evergreen shrub is the nandina. Almost indestructible in our punishing Oklahoma heat. Thanks for some other suggestions, Jim!

[@jeanninemorgan3526]

Jim, I got my first Dragon Prince a couple of years ago when you first talked about it. I LOVE it. I now have several dotted around my borders ❤️

[@lauriep5055]

I'm in zone 9b. Love the dwarf encore azaleas. Thanks to you and Steph for all the great, informative videos!

[@ericaallen2756]

Perfect timing! I have some cottage-like garden beds and I'm looking for some low evergreen borders to frame them in. Dragon Prince Cryptomeria is one of my fave shrubs. Keeps it's shape, tough as nails, I love the weeping habit of the branches and the new growth is so cute. It grows surprisingly fast too, but never need to prune it. I started with a 1 gallon shrub and it's full grown 4 years later. I have so many shrubs in my landscape; lots of flowering hydrangeas and azaleas and butterfly bushes....loropetalums, abelias....that dragon prince cryptomeria gets the most compliments from visitors! So unexpected, all things considered, but it IS an awesome looking plant four seasons of the year.

[@bourgsusan]

What zone are you in? Where do you live?

[@DS-rf7si]

For your higher gardening zone folks, I like Coprosma also known as mirror plant. Rainbow surprise is a beautiful tri-color plant. The leaves are very glossy.

[@dianegentry3255]

I have a lot of shade. I love the plum yews. Have done well with the dry shade.

[@candacewilson6939]

Just purchased some Anna’s Magic Ball arborvitae. Very small shrub. 10-15 inches tall and wide.

[@zullylozano1840]

Great recommendations Jim! I struggle with dry shade on a slope and these are great plants to solve my gardening problems.

[@cherylstrawn9448]

In past landscapes (20+ years ago) carissa holly, firepower nandina, and blue rug juniper had been my hardiest low-growing evergreens. Working on beds from scratch this year, and looking forward to planting some of these dwarf evergreens. Perfect timing! Thanks!

[@Nature-Is-My-Home]

Lemon Lime Nandina is my new fave. Always looks great and zero maintenance!

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Jim. I was just looking up evergreen shrubs to add some winter interest to my garden. While I’m in a zone 6 I did see some that I may try finding to add to my garden. 🌺💚🙃

[@SallyJ401]

Yaupon holly also tolerates occasional flooding which makes it WAY BETTER for low country gardens near wetlands than any kind of boxwood. It is my favorite evergreen - absolutely plant it and never fuss with it again.

[@cece_marie]

Great suggestions! I love cryptomeria, they look so prehistoric to me . Each shot is almost a Where's Holly? game.

[@signaturegardens9788]

Dwarf Yaupon Holly; Nandina 'Firepower,' 'Obsession,' 'Gulfstream'; and almost any Abelia (maybe 'Rose Creek' being top) are my favorite small shrubs for N TX. I find it so baffling that the Dwarf Pittosporums and 'Soft Caress' Mahonia are zoned for 7 and yet they freeze in our zone 7b/8 of N TX. In our high alkaline soils, the azaleas and gardenias are just not practical without heroic soil prep. Curious how the Leucothoe would do -- or if they prefer acidic soil as well. Always enjoy your content and no-nonsense advice.

[@joansmith3492]

sadly, 'Soft Caress' mahonia failed in my north texas zone 8 garden as well.

[@dianetemple4243]

I have quite a few regular and Golden Globe arborvitae, some Mr. Bowling Ball arborvitae and a few dwarf yaupon hollies throughout my garden. Now that they have grown in and are mature, they certainly provide a great deal of evergreen structure during the winter months and are pretty much maintenance free! Zone 7A

[@LorettaT-123]

Love my Blue owl junipers, has done well for three years here zone 6b in both sun and shade, the lighter dusty blue color and the soft lacy texture is beautiful as is the wonderful Christmasy scent when you brush against it!

[@susanbaker2796]

Thanks, Jim. This is the video I didn't know I needed. Lots of great information.

[@summergirl15]

I too love the Purple Daydream Lorapetalum. My go-to evergreen is Steeds Holly. Thanks for your valuable info!

[@abrahamchampagne3083]

Wow! Amazing list, thank you!

[@janicemurphy4373]

JIM I APPRECIATE YOUR ENERGY, YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF PLANTS AND WISDOM AND YOUR SHARING, YOUR EXCITEMENT AND ABILITY TO DESIGN, SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!! I WISH I COULD BE A STUDENT IN A CLASS ROOM OF YOURS (WISHFUL THINKING) YOUR PASSION FOR PLANTS IS INFECTIOUS!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!

[@kathygrieve8416]

Love that you put Zones in as we’re at zone 6

[@esli44]

ahh! just what I needed and was looking for! great video! Loves these!

[@patifitz8629]

Great info on dwarfs, thanks Jim!

[@pennyhall2575]

Just the video I needed. I have to redo our front foundation beds. Always so informative. Problem is finding the plants in our small town of two nurseries.

[@katherinecornette5315]

I have several of these. Agree with the Pittosporum, Soft Caress Mahonia & abelias. Beautiful & tough.

[@lizmorris206]

Thanks. I needed this. Planning to add some in my full sun zone 6b garden. Lots of food for thought.

[@stephaniesharkey3538]

I have a sunny slope and the creeping juniper is doing great .

[@8helenjhouston8]

Fantastic information Jim!!! Thank you for all that you are teaching us.

[@shawnfox7393]

You left out 'Blush Pink' nandina which is my absolute favorite one by far. Really nice maroon color on new growth plus the bright red during winter. I have 'Kaleidoscope' abelia north of my house and it stays mostly yellow all winter, probably due to not getting any direct sunlight except during summertime, but I prefer 'Rose Creek' abelia since you can actually see the flowers on it vs. the variegated abelias the flowers mostly disappear and are really just foliage plants (which is great of course, and the pollinators still can find the flowers even though I can't see them).

[@dustinterry8610]

I've got three goshiki osmanthus planted in my front yard with red mulch to contrast. They're small and compact right now and I just love the color contrast of the green and cream color with a touch of rust (new foliage) and the red mulch. I planted a bouquet of mums to go with them. I couldn't be any happier!

[@kw8501]

Perfect! I am redoing my foundation plantings next spring and this is super helpful. I’ve always been fond of nandinas.

[@sammysworld5485]

I’ve planted both Obsession & lemon lime Nandina last year. I can’t believe how easy they are to grow & just love their texture & color. So I’m going to try the blush pink next.

[@HandcraftedintheFoothills]

Thank you..great options! I'm partial to the smaller distylium and the dwarf nandinas

[@renapunte6591]

Thank you, I’ve been looking for a dwarf purple shrub and when you showed the Purple Dream drawf Loropetalum, I knew it was the one.

[@rcdc966347]

Sasanqua camellias are a favorite for me. I love the dark, glossy leaves, and of course, the beautiful blooms. I’m in zone 8b so they do very well for me with no maintenance.

[@jennifermcduffie6889]

I really like Goshiki Osmanthus. Seems tough as nails and deer resistant.

[@SteveL2012]

This is a great video for those of us planning to do fall shrub planting. We have a big landscape and need no fuss low-growing hedging plants. I found your video on Bordeaux dwarf yaupon holly and going to try them out. We have nothing but green in the landscape, and I think the slight tinge of red will make a nice contrast.

[@luigi298]

Red tip photinias are another good evergreen shrub. You can keep them very small if you wanted to. I like its red leaves in the coldest parts of winter. Birds also love their berries too.

[@colleenvandekraats657]

Wow was this an incredibly informative video Jim!!!!! Thank you so much. Your explanations are concise, detailed and fun. I learn so much from you thank you!!! My favorite right now is Cryptomeria, what a lovely and elegant looking shrub!!!!

[@janschubart4419]

I love nandina goes red in the cold and new growth bright green, never gets disease wonderful plant.

[@galtghost6402]

I had approximately 20 variegated pittsoporum that were over 15 feet tall. For 16 years they did very well. Then we had the TX 100 year freeze and ice storm 19 months ago which killed very pittsoporum on my property,

[@DylanFan51]

My fav is Mojo Pittosporum, hands down! I have a difficult landscape but this Pittosporum looks beautiful and is a winner for me!!

[@desireeg2241]

Perfect timing for this video. We just created a new garden bed area and were looking for some evergreens to put there. I'll be looking up which of these are deer resistant, too!

[@paulbakke2410]

Great video. I really like the Kaleidoscope Abelia because I have so much green, purple and yellow with Sunshine Ligustrum, Lorapetalen, boxwoods that’s the orange color provides something different. I was NOT a gardening person and dug out and planted all new shrubs during Covid based on your videos. Now, I’m adding final touches. Gonna give the Obsession Nandina and Rose Creek Abelia a shot. Thanks Jim!

[@marionallen2222]

Thanks!!!! Found some awesome options now gotta find the plants lol

[@pennyk1943]

I have two Abelias. Absolutely beautiful. Truly, pollinators love them. I used to over prune but now I’m learning from Jim so I will behave🤔

[@nettysenoj3964]

Thanks so much for this video! I’ve added in sprinter boxwoods and a couple of blush nandina this year. I’ve also potted up some Japanese boxwoods and baby gems. Will I need to bring my potted boxwoods in or cover them in a freeze. I’m in central TX zone 8b for reference. Thank again for all the knowledge and info you share with us!

[@susanschellberg4509]

Great advice. I have a lot of these and difficult to decide favorite. Touch of gold holly, pittisforum, lemon-lime and obsession nandinas, daydream lorapetalum, plum yewtopia, boxwood.

[@DeAnne9743]

Great video. There are small arbs like tater tot that work in cooler zones. I would like to submit a request for shrubs and perennials that do well with just a few hours of hot afternoon sun. Full sun plants don't bloom and it's too sunny for part shade. Zone 5b/6a Ohio

[@annakasikkink4842]

I second that. I have a few of those tricky spots too that only get sun when it's right overhead and blazing hot. So far daylilies and liatris have done the best for me there.

[@vickirudolph2941]

My favorite this year is Texas Sage! Love the silver green leaves & tiny purple flowers that appear randomly. I'm in zone 7 (Chesterfield VA)& they seem to like it here ( bought in Myrtle Beach SC).

[@janicesimmons4634]

I have one too and love it. Grows well in zone 8A

[@lehighlinda]

Here in Houston Holly ferns work really well, especially in the shade. They may freeze a little in winter but they grow back, they're drought tolerant and vigorous.

[@patriciarusso1148]

So far, the miniature spirea, coreopis,gardenia & weigela for the front border. Just speculating right now. Also like the skyrocket juniper to plant on the sides of the garage. Thank you for your video on dwarf evergreens. The autumn Fire Azalea & Autumn Lilac Azalea are another consideration so your video was helpful. Thanks,again!

[@christopherhills1609]

Enjoyable and informative ……..esp topical for me as I’m currently selecting plants for a relatively shady spot

[@juliabinford6500]

I planted several touch of gold holly’s this spring in some trouble spots. Trying a few more low shrubs instead of perennials.

[@OlysZoo]

Thanks! For all the tours and infor.

[@JimPutnam]

Thank you so much!

[@maryrussell2010]

Hi Jim, I want to thank you for your KZbin channel. Thanks to you I have learned so much. I am trying so hard to find ceramic pots in my area in Arrington TN. I have been able to find is plastic. I have some spots in a shady area in-between trees that I want to put some potted shade plants in so I have some height. I appreciated your help and attention. God Bless and have a wonderful day.

[@amynelsongreen3243]

Great video! I have been trying to add more evergreens. I have lost a few chamaecyparis varieties I’ve tried, which is discouraging (watering issues I suspect). Definitely have been needing more options for evergreens, so this is well timed. Thanks!

[@rachelsgarden]

Radiance and rose creek abelia as you mentioned. I also love strong box and shamrock inkberry Hollys! I love my encore azaleas too but am still searching for the right spot in the garden. The ones in afternoon sun have healthy leaves but dropped a lot through the summer (maybe need slightly less sun) while my autumn fire in late morning sun is thin with tan speckled areas on the leaf surface.

[@gardeningwithplantworld]

Great video. I like the Cinnamon Girl Distylium.

[@dianeasberry7928]

I like that description...maintainable at...which is so true. I thought you just plant and never have to prune. So wrong. Dwarf Yuphon hollies and Crissia hollies are huge. I'm considering cutting them back hard next Feb. then try to maintain their height.

[@GoodLifeGardening]

Hi Jim, thank you for the great info. My favorite small shrub is the golf ball pithosporum.

[@beatahp335]

I wish you could mention more of those low growing plants for zone 5 gardens

[@webera]

Jim I am in zone 7b. 6 years ago I used kill even a cactus. Today I have planted many in my garden after watching your videos on how to plant in clay soil. They are all doing great. Could you please share the name of the nursery you are in the video?

[@blondeenigma3882]

On your recommendation I bought 2 Nandina Gulfstream, and 3 Arborvitae Fire chiefs for low growing colourful shrubs. I planted them in July 2020, and they have done so well in my Scottish garden. They were all small, but now about 20"x 20", and the Nandina are just getting their dark pink top foliage at last.

[@vickiistre6155]

My go to shrubs are pittosporum and lorapetalum. They’ve never had disease or pests. I can always count on them.

[@Luvyatilyouactup]

I have several varieties of dwarf Nandina, which require virtually no maintenance. Love my Purple Pixie Loropetalum, Wintergreen Boxwoods and dwarf Encore Azaleas.

[@staceytaylor1502]

I really like the Globusa Nana, but am intrigued by the dragon prince! Also, I love Indian hawthorns, so I might try clean sweep!

[@tumbleweed57]

Boxwood love here. I also have the mojo pottosporum and just think they are so cute. Painters stepped in the middle of them last fall but they have recovered. Also the soft touch holly are great. Mine get enough water! I also love the variegated pittosporum I trim them every spring and they get full hot southern sun in Mississippi all day. I rarely water them and they do fine.

[@MsArtistwannabe]

I really like euonymus shrubs. I can leave them and not have to prune at all. Evergreen and healthy shiny foliage .

[@RootyToot123]

Z7a OK - Nandina (fire power & obsession), and yaupon, which is the most non-destructive plant. Also Burford holly & pyracantha. The only small ones in this group are the Nandinas. My fire power nandinas are over 26 years old and have survived some of the harshest extremes in weather. The Hollys have as well. I also have a small hedge of wax leaf privet also 26 years old which have been cut way back twice in their life time due to a whim. So even though they aren’t all low growing they are definitely low maintenance for me. Thought I would try sunshine ligustrum & a small emerald green thuja two years ago. The weather took 4 ligustrums so I replaced them. Tried to bring back the damaged ligustrums and only one came back with vigor. And this year the weather took the thuja - turned them all brown but at the very bottom. Nurseryman said to wait and see if they recover before I replace. It would be nice, wouldn’t it, if gardeners could get a heads-up on the weather two years in advance. The weather for the last two years has been so record breaking extreme.

[@terryhartman9522]

I really like Pieris Cavatine and Prelude. They have nice shiny green leaves all year and pretty white flowers in the spring. Also, Prelude has pretty pink new leaf growth.

[@tiger8linny788]

Very helpful, Jim. No favorite yet, will have to make a decision for my foundation plants❣️

[@nasusmahgnib]

Great video! I'm the same person who wants you to spend a week's worth of videos at the Dallas Aboretum. Infrastructure, water areas, volunteers, evergreens, annuals, perennials. So much stuff I want to know!!! So I have a plan. On one show you said are gearing your garden to plants that will be easy to maintain. Encouraging us to do the same. Go somewhere else and see the other things you said. (Something like that) Well, Dallas Aboretum tulips fit that latter for sure. So to meet the first pragmatic part, after Dallas, mosey on down Texas a wee bit, (3.5 hours) to The Antique Rose Emporium. Antique roses are tough. I have one that has survived these horrible central Texas heats above 110, only watered haphazardly by my dear husband because I can't take the heat, and it is still green, with few leaves. Even tougher than I had expected. And the Antique Rose Emporium is a great nursery with dedicated people. To get the whole trip paid for, let your audience know where you will be. Rent a room at the Aboretum. Add your cost of trip. Divide by number of people you think would make it. 100? Maybe just come meet and greet, audience asks questions, that's all. No prep for you or Stephanie. Yes. I am a very selfish woman. 💜

[@Luvyatilyouactup]

I do enjoy and have Obsession and Lemon Lime Nandina. The color on both are incredibly showy and they’re very easy to grow.

[@5853gh]

Always a wealth of knowledge!

[@dylan8285]

Being in Michigan the only choices are really boxwoods, yews and dwarf arborvitaes, and some hollies. Also barberry but they are shyed away from as they are invasive here. Then there's other plants "deemed" evergreen here but they tend to look horrible through winter such as nandinia, euonymus, Pieris, and leucothoe to name a few.

[@feistycitrus]

Thank you for great info and IDEAS! I appreciate you guys making these videos... and all your videos really. You deserve more subscribers!!!

[@deborah2768]

I have the obsession nandina and I love it. It's interesting, airy and such a pretty dwarf bush. I am in zone 8b

[@chrisogrady4956]

Great topic. So glad I found your videos. Am eager to watch more.

[@laurelsayer7557]

I'm in the UK on neutral clay, and got Nandina Obsession and Lemon lime last Spring, will be interested to see how they perform. My Mahonia Soft Caress was planted 3 years ago in dry shade and is now about 3x3'. Love it. I adore Daphne and they seem to do quite well but can be temperamental. Sarcococca Confusa is tough as old boots and can be kept pruned

[@joyhamilton4248]

Osmanthus Goshiki!! So pretty and because of their sharp pointed leaves the deer have left them alone!!

[@paulinecrispin121]

Hi Jim. Out of all your videos I have watched this is the best 👌. I recently brought some blue evergreen plants like the first ones in your video but some are now losing their blueness and looking a little brown. I have also bought some Chinese Holly to use instead of box wood. This is because in the south of England we have box blite and box caterpillar.

[@BlancaGarcia-wv7rw]

my mojos died, and I loved them. maybe i will plant them again.

[@mt2766]

My favorite foundation plants for zone 11b are azaleas, orchids, and nandinas. I would add soft caress mahonias, but difficult to find.

[@kaybee4590]

Most of these plants are for warmer climates. I'm in Zone 4-5 and would have been helpful to know this.

[@higherintelligence8332]

Wow! So many beautiful plants!

[@juliepardo7767]

Great video, thank you for including some zone 6 shrubs. I have really enjoyed my dwarf Diervilla called, Cool Splash. I believe it is hardy in zone 7 as well? It has such beautiful foliage and flowering blooms. And another favourite of mine is my dwarf Daphne, Eternal Fragrance. It smells amazing!