Low work, high rewards? Got You Covered.

Low work, high rewards? Got You Covered.

Bet that got your attention!

For me, the secret to being a happy gardener is ensuring some percentage of my garden can fend for itself. Once these plants are established, there will be plenty of time to fuss over the less self-sufficient species. To that end, here's a selection of evergreen shrubs (always such problem solvers) that you can plant and forget about. These also provide months and months of beauty and interest.

If you have questions or need additional selections, please don’t hesitate to comment below.

DarkStar® Creeping Oregon Grape

New and exclusive to Monrovia. Low, spreading shrub with exceptional purple foliage, yellow spring flowers, followed by showy blue-black fruit clusters. Perfect for small groupings, or mass for large-scale ground cover. Tolerates dry shade once established. Zone: 5 – 9

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Southern Moon® Yedda Hawthorn
Zone: 7 – 10

Ideal back of the border or foundation shrub that’s easy care, but also has some pizzazz. Notably disease resistant, excellent for humid climates. Partial to full sun.

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Sienna Sunrise® Heavenly Bamboo
Zone: 6 – 11

Adds interest to all green shrub borders (and really good with conifers) needing a boost. This one has fiery red highlights in fall and winter. Partial to full sun.

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Nordicâ„¢ Inkberry Holly
Zone: 3 – 9

If you like the look of boxwood but want something different, this compact, rounded male holly is a great option. Partial to full sun.

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Mountain Pepper
Zone: 7 – 10

Tall enough for a hedge, but open and airy, too with red stems, glossy leaves, and early spring fragrant flowers. From Dan Hinkley Collection. Partial shade to full sun.

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Kimberly’s Double Pink Evergreen Azalea
Zone: 4 – 8

Yes, it’s a cold-tolerant azalea! Use under open-canopy trees where it will bloom before trees fully leaf out. Partial sun.

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Schipka Cherry Laurel
Zone: 6 – 9

Hardier than English laurel. Plus, with the same tall and wide habit that makes an ideal tall hedge or foundation shrub in dappled shade. Fragrant spring flowers. Filtered sun.

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Little Ollie® Dwarf Olive
Zone: 8 – 11

A small olive with all the Mediterranean look and feel without the size or the fruit. Heat, drought, and salt tolerant. Shear or leave in natural form as a specimen. Full sun.

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Previous Post  Next Post 
2017-08-31 11:27:00
sharon jacob
where can you find you're zone map?
reply Reply
l j sufri
So excited about the dark Oregon Grape ground cover. How cool!!!
reply Reply
Alexander Paffenroth
Looking for shrubs that can be planted in the fall in new york
reply Reply
Chris Jensen
Hi there.....just a question about Tsuga.....some time ago you posted a picture of a dwarf gold Tsuga that I'm interested in, and I can't find it in this posting. Do you limit these to just specific items in your inventory? I'd like more info on the gold Hemlock I saw before, and might ask a local nursery that orders from you to get me one. Always interested in what Monrovia has to offer. Thanks, Chris
reply Reply
Lib Pitino
I do not know what zone would work for Myrtle Beach/North Myrtle Beach, SC. I have areas that are full sun. I am the president/manager of an HOA. Need plants that are low maintenance. Thanks
reply Reply
Judy Dawson
My local nursery, Eisleys, in Auburn, CA tells me that DarkStar Creeping Oregon Grape is not available for California.
reply Reply
Nancy Rice
Only interested in deer and drought resistant plants. Thank you
reply Reply
jennifer
Mahonia repens DarkStar Creeping Oregon Grape. In zone 7, can it do well as woodland perennial with more shade than light? and will deer eat it? Thanks.
reply Reply
Jacqueline orzell
not happy to see wintercreeper, olive and nandina on this list. Please advise and plant resposibly aa these plants are highly invasive in some areas and on state banned list.
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Maxine Mingle
Thank you for this very good article. I would love to get your monthly plant inspiration.
reply Reply
Angela Bennett
I live in Savannah, Ga. zone 8b. Am interested in your Dark Star creeping Mahonia for a morning sun area that receives appx. 4hrs of sun. Concerned that summer heat, humidity and soil temperature could be a problem. There is a sprinkler system. Also interested in your Pearly Twirly Helwinga for shade area under oak tree. Limbs on oak are not real low. Area they would go is pretty much south facing. Would those do well there? Are they an easy maintenance plant?
reply Reply
sglenn
I am looking for a shrub on the North side of my home which gets minimal sun coverage. Will the Elf Dwarf Mountain Laurel for me in Zone 7? Can you send me any recommendations? Thanks
reply Reply
sglenn
I am looking for a shrub on the North side of my home which gets minimal sun coverage. Will the Elf Dwarf Mountain Laurel work for me in Zone 7? Can you send me any recommendations? Thanks
reply Reply

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