Evergreen shrubs often referred to as “cedar bushes” are popular choices for gardeners seeking year-round color, structure, and low-maintenance landscaping. These plants are valued for their varied textures and forms. Selecting the right variety requires understanding the common names and matching the plant’s natural growth habit to the specific conditions of your yard. This guide navigates the different types of these hardy evergreens and provides the criteria for making a successful choice.
Understanding the Cedar Bush Family
The term “cedar bush” is a common name that often leads to botanical confusion. True cedars belong to the genus Cedrus and are typically large trees, not shrubs. The plants commonly sold as dwarf cedars or cedar bushes are actually members of the Cypress family (Cupressaceae). This group primarily consists of Arborvitae (Thuja), Juniper (Juniperus), and False Cypress (Chamaecyparis).
The foliage texture is the clearest way to differentiate these groups. Arborvitae (Thuja) features tight, flattened sprays of scale-like needles, giving the plant a soft, fan-like appearance. Junipers (Juniperus) can have two types of foliage: sharp, needle-like juvenile growth and soft, scale-like mature growth. False Cypress (Chamaecyparis) also displays scale-like foliage, but it is less formally structured than Thuja, often having a more layered or thread-like texture.
Popular Dwarf and Shrub Varieties
Arborvitae (Thuja)
Arborvitae varieties (Thuja) are characterized by dense, upright, or globe-like shapes, making them ideal for formal plantings and screens. Cultivars often derive from species like Western Red Cedar (T. plicata) or Northern White Cedar (T. occidentalis).
Globe and Mounding Forms
The variety ‘Danica’ is a popular selection, forming a compact, rounded globe typically reaching only 1 to 2 feet in height and width with shiny emerald-green foliage. For a slightly larger, mounding habit, ‘Anna’s Magic Ball’ features bright golden needles and matures to about 2 to 3 feet tall.
Columnar Forms
Columnar forms, like ‘North Pole’ or ‘Smaragd’, maintain a narrow, pyramidal shape. These usually mature around 10 to 15 feet tall but remain only 3 to 4 feet wide, making them valuable for narrow spaces. The density of Thuja foliage makes it exceptional for creating a solid visual barrier or hedge.
Juniper (Juniperus)
Junipers (Juniperus) offer the widest range of forms, from low-spreading groundcovers to tall, narrow columns, often featuring distinct blue, silver, or gray-green foliage.
Mounding and Accent Forms
The ‘Blue Star’ Juniper (J. squamata) is a classic example, forming a slow-growing, dense mound of striking steel-blue needles that reaches about 1 to 2 feet in height. This mounded habit is a favorite for rock gardens or as an accent plant.
Groundcover and Columnar Forms
For ground-hugging coverage, varieties like ‘Buffalo’ Juniper (J. sabina) spread widely, creating a soft, feathery mat of bright green that stabilizes soil on slopes. When height is desired, the ‘Skyrocket’ Juniper (J. chinensis) grows into an extremely narrow, columnar accent, often reaching 15 to 20 feet tall while maintaining a spread of only 2 to 3 feet. Junipers are known for their resilience and are often more drought-tolerant than other evergreens once established.
False Cypress (Chamaecyparis)
False Cypress varieties (Chamaecyparis) are sought after for their unique, often whimsical textures and vibrant color variations.
Hinoki Cypress
The Hinoki Cypress (C. obtusa) has dwarf cultivars, such as ‘Nana Gracilis,’ which develops shell-like, dark green foliage on layered branches. It grows slowly into an elegant, broad pyramid, often maturing around 3 to 5 feet tall, lending a refined texture to the landscape.
Sawara Cypress
The Sawara Cypress (C. pisifera) includes cultivars with thread-like or “mop-top” foliage. ‘Golden Mop’ is a notable example, forming a slow-growing, bright golden-yellow mound with soft, pendulous branches. This cultivar typically reaches about 3 to 5 feet high and wide, offering year-round color that contrasts well with darker green plants.
Selecting the Right Bush for Your Yard
Choosing the correct evergreen shrub requires matching the plant’s requirements to the specific conditions of your yard. The first consideration is the intended function: a dense screen, a low foundation planting, or a distinct focal point.
If the goal is a privacy hedge, the dense, upright growth of Thuja cultivars like ‘Smaragd’ is the most effective choice. For ground coverage to prevent erosion on a slope, the wide, prostrate forms of Juniperus, such as ‘Calgary Carpet,’ are appropriate. For a specimen plant or accent, a Chamaecyparis variety like ‘Nana Gracilis’ provides unique texture. The desired role dictates the necessary size and shape, narrowing the field of potential candidates.
Environmental factors must be assessed before planting. Sun exposure is primary, as most conifers perform best in full sun, which promotes dense foliage and best color. While some types tolerate light afternoon shade, Junipers prefer full sun for optimal health.
Soil quality is also important; all evergreens require well-drained soil, as poor drainage is a common cause of decline. Junipers are highly adaptable to rocky or sandy soils and are known for their drought tolerance once established. Thuja and Chamaecyparis prefer consistent moisture and humus-rich soil, requiring more attention to watering during dry periods. Matching the plant’s hardiness zone to your region ensures the shrub will survive winter temperatures reliably.
A frequent mistake involves underestimating the mature size of a “dwarf” plant. Dwarf often means the plant grows slowly (perhaps 1 to 6 inches per year), but it will continue to grow for decades and eventually reach its specified mature height and spread. Research the plant’s mature size and ensure the planting location can accommodate its full dimensions without requiring constant, aggressive pruning, which damages the plant’s natural form.