If you're like most homeowners, you probably already know that seasonal landscapes that don't include evergreens tend to be uninteresting and bleak during the winter months—but you may be unsure of how to incorporate evergreens into your outdoor living space. After all, evergreen trees typically tower far above their coniferous counterparts, making them a poor choice for many modern home landscapes. However, evergreen shrubs are a different story. 

Landscaping with coniferous evergreen shrubs can add both beauty and practicality to your outdoor space. These shrubs are known for their year-round green foliage and can provide a lush, dense screen or an eye-catching accent in your garden without outgrowing your space or becoming visually overpowering. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes, making it easy to find the right coniferous evergreen shrub for your landscape.

Here are some tips for landscaping with coniferous evergreen shrubs: 

Choose the Right Shrub for Your Space

Coniferous evergreen shrubs come in various sizes, from small and compact to large and sprawling. Be sure to choose the right size for your space, so that the shrub doesn't overpower the area or become too crowded. You also want to consider the growing conditions, such as sunlight and soil type, to ensure that the shrub will thrive in your landscape.

Mix and Match Varieties

Coniferous evergreen shrubs come in many different varieties, each with unique foliage and growth patterns. Mixing and matching different varieties can add visual interest to your landscape and create a more natural look. For example, you might pair a tall, columnar spruce with a low-growing juniper or a rounded cedar.

Use Coniferous Evergreen Shrubs for Privacy

Coniferous evergreen shrubs are often used to create a natural, living privacy screen. They provide a dense, year-round barrier that blocks noise and unwanted views. Plant them along a property line or near a patio or deck to create a private outdoor space.

Create an Evergreen Garden

Coniferous evergreen shrubs can be used to create a beautiful, low-maintenance evergreen garden. Choose a variety of shrubs with different colors and textures, and plant them in a pattern that creates a natural-looking landscape. You can also mix in other evergreen plants, such as groundcovers and perennials, to create a more diverse garden.

Prune Coniferous Evergreen Shrubs Carefully

Coniferous evergreen shrubs don't require a lot of pruning, but when you do prune them, be careful not to remove too much foliage. Pruning too aggressively can cause the shrub to develop brown, bare spots. Instead, focus on removing dead or damaged branches and shaping the shrub to maintain its natural form.

Contact a local landscape design service to learn more.