Big thick bush mature

Broadleaf evergreen shrubs enliven the dreary winter landscape with their lush greenery. Like coniferous evergreens , they create an everlasting framework for seasonal garden plantings. Some varieties produce attractive flowers in the spring and colorful berries in the fall, broadening their year-round appeal. However, most of the shrubs featured here are valued for their resilient foliage and ability to flourish in cold climates, where their display of winter greenery is most welcome. Why we love it: This dwarf evergreen is native to North America and makes a great alternative to boxwood.

The best shrubs for privacy grow densely, require little maintenance and block a view completely. There are two kinds of privacy shrubs - those that are evergreen and those that are deciduous and lose their leaves each fall. Decide which type will work best for your yard.

The soft, fine-textured foliage is great-looking when sheared as a formal hedge or left to grow more naturally as a large accent with minimal trimming required. Because of its moderate growth rate it won't work as a hedge-in-a-hurry. But given enough time these shrubs become thick, luxurious, full to the ground - and large enough to work as hedge bushes, privacy screens, or plants to camouflage unsightly things around the house.