Best Evergreen and Flowering Shrubs for Hedges

As with privets, azaleas can be either evergreen or deciduous, but their flowers are far superior to those on privets. So if you're looking for an evergreen hedge with flowers, see which azalea varieties can grow in your area. Stewartstonian azalea has it all: Its dense branching structure makes it a good hedge plant (in contrast to the Exbury-type azalea, which has a looser branching structure). And it is a shrub that blooms in early spring and offers good fall color.

Arborvitae shrubs are a popular evergreen hedge plant. They have a dense growth habit that makes them good privacy screens or windbreaks. There are many types of arborvitae that come in various sizes, shapes, and colors. '​North Pole' and 'Emerald Green' are just about the right size for most landscapes. But 'Green Giant,' which can become 60 feet tall, is likely too big for small properties.

Although Canadian hemlocks grow as trees in the wild, they are often sold in shrub form for use in hedges. They are evergreen, so your hedge can provide privacy year-round.

The Acoma crape myrtle is a hybrid that grows smaller than the main crape myrtle species plant at around 2 to 15 feet high with a slightly smaller spread. Thus, it can make for an excellent flowering hedge with white flowers to add visual interest.

Ninebark is a fast-growing flowering hedge plant that comes in several size varieties. You can form a small flowering hedge, or get one of the larger varieties that top out at around 10 feet high.

The mountain laurel is another broadleaf evergreen that makes one of the best flowering hedges. It blooms in late spring to early summer with showy, colorful flowers. The pink-flowering types are the most popular.

Boxwoods make a very nice hedge plant. These broadleaf evergreens were adored by aristocratic Europeans for centuries as defining elements in formal garden design. North Americans living in deer country have found a new reason to love boxwood hedges: They are deer-resistant shrubs.5

Sharp thorns line the barberry's branches, making it a traditional choice for security hedges. Its bright red berries persist through the cold-weather months to provide visual interest in winter. The thorns are present year-round.

English holly, with its prickly leaves, makes a better hedge plant than Japanese holly if you wish to combine security with aesthetic considerations. This is one type of holly that grows big enough to serve as a privacy screen (the 'Ferox Argentea' cultivar is 15 feet tall by 8 to 10 feet wide). However, note that holly berries are toxic and should be kept away from children and pets.3

Japanese holly looks more like a boxwood shrub than a holly shrub, bearing small, oval leaves. Many cultivars of this broadleaf evergreen are available. For hedge plants, most people select those that reach 3 to 4 feet in height with a similar spread. While this is a hedge with white flowers, it's usually not grown for its small blooms. Instead, it is the decorative fruits that make a showy statement in the garden.