How can you increase your home’s year-round curb appeal and still keep maintenance low? One simple answer comes in the form of low-growing evergreen shrubs. They add interest, structure, and color, regardless of the season. And they’re the perfect plant for a low-maintenance garden keeping weeds down.
Low-growing evergreens can provide the bones of your foundation plantings, cover tricky slopes, soften your home’s lines and corners — and do it all without blocking any views from indoors. These fabulous four are just the tip of what’s in store:
Arcadia Juniper
This beautiful classic foundation evergreen holds its stiff branches like outstretched arms, for an appealing, layered look. Unlike many dwarf junipers, Arcadia has bright, lacey, grass-green foliage that complements other evergreens and flowering ornamentals. A dense, spreading shrub, Arcadia stays just 12 to 18 inches tall as it spreads 3 to 5 feet in width. For best performance, plant it where it receives full sun. (USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7). Buy this arcadia juniper now!
Blue Star Juniper
Blue Star is one of McKay’s all-time top-selling compact trees and shrubs. Contrasted to the green tones in the upright Star Juniper, the Blue Star Juniper shrub sports steel-blue needles that create star-like patterns at the branch tips. This specimen grows 18 to 24 inches tall and spreads, very slowly, up to 3 feet wide. We also offer the Blue Star Juniper tree-form. At about 5 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide, it’s the perfect small specimen tree for entry plantings that receive full sun to partial shade. (USDA zones 4 through 8, for both forms) Buy this Blue Star Juniper now!
King's Gold False Cypress
A gorgeous burst of unexpected color, like this shrub’s golden yellow needles, injects a shot of excitement to any evergreen scheme. The soft, feathery, delicate-looking branches are elegant counterpoints to the greens and blues of more traditional evergreens. It’s a great choice for foundation plantings, rock gardens, and Asian-inspired garden design. For the best color, plant it in full sun. Allow enough room for its mature size of 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. (USDA zones 4 through 8) Buy this King's Gold False Cypress now! Also check out or Golden Mop False Cypress for similar features.
Wisconsin Juniper
Don’t let the name fool you! This delightful little juniper was developed at the University of Wisconsin, but it flourishes far outside our state’s boundaries. An outstanding ground cover, Wisconsin Juniper has dark, feathery, blue-green foliage during summer. In winter, it adds a sweet plum hue. Its height seldom exceeds 6 inches, but the spread reaches 4 to 6 feet when mature. Got a hard-to-mow or rocky slope in full sun? This is a great low-maintenance choice. (USDA zones 3 through 8) Buy this Wisconsin Juniper now!
For Father’s Day — or any day — we have plenty of plants to boost your home’s curb appeal, minimize maintenance and maximize your fun. Shop our evergreens online now and add some year-round color to your space. Our smaller pot sizes ship FedEx shipping nearly anywhere in the continental United States.
If you’re in the Madison or Oshkosh, WI areas, stop in at one of our retail garden centers, McKay Garden Center. We can help you pick out just the right gift for Mom or Dad — or for you!