Designing a beautiful landscape in a small yard doesn’t mean sacrificing impact. The right compact evergreen trees, narrow privacy trees, and small-space shrubs can bring color, structure, and year-round greenery — without overwhelming your space.
At Simply Trees, we specialize in premium evergreens for small yards, grown and shipped with care. Today, we’re spotlighting our top compact picks: spruce trees, cedar trees, and evergreen shrubs that stay manageable, look stunning, and fit beautifully into tight outdoor spaces.
Spruce Trees for Small Yards
Spruce trees are among the most popular evergreens for small yards thanks to their neat shape, vibrant color, and predictable growth habits. They add instant architecture and thrive in a wide range of climates.
Baby Blue Spruce
Shop our Baby Blue Spruce
If you love the classic Colorado blue spruce but need something smaller and tidier, the Baby Blue Spruce is your go-to.
Why it’s perfect for small yards:
- Compact pyramidal growth
- Iconic icy-blue needles
- Slow-growing and low-maintenance
- Excellent as a front-yard focal point
- Perfect for colder climates
Best uses: Entryway focal points, foundation beds, driveway accents, or as a year-round landscape anchor.
Columnar Norway Spruce
Shop our Columnar Norway Spruce
If you need height but don’t want to lose width, the Columnar Norway Spruce gives you that elegant, narrow look ideal for tight spaces.
Why small yards love it:
- Ultra-slim footprint
- Ideal for small or narrow privacy screens
- Cold-hardy and fast-establishing
- Beautiful, architectural shape
Best uses: Side yards, property lines, skinny privacy screens, or modern landscapes needing vertical interest.
Cedar Trees for Small Yards
Cedar trees bring a soft, airy texture and rich evergreen color, but not all cedars stay compact. One of the best choices for small landscapes is this sculptural favorite:
Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar
Shop our Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar
If you’re looking for an evergreen with personality, the Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar shines. This slow-growing cedar is known for its powder-blue needles and artistic form.
Why it’s great for small spaces:
- Controlled, compact growth
- Striking blue color
- Naturally sculptural branching
- Works beautifully as a specimen tree
Best uses: Front yard showpiece, modern landscapes, or near patios where you want a tree that stands out without taking over.
Evergreen Shrubs for Small Yards
Evergreen shrubs are the backbone of small-space landscaping — adding structure, greenery, privacy, and softness year-round. These compact shrubs are perfect for borders, foundations, or containers.
Boxwoods
Shop Our Boxwoods
Classic, compact, and incredibly versatile, boxwoods are ideal for creating clean lines and evergreen structure.
Best uses:
- Low hedges
- Container planters
- Foundation borders
- Formal or modern landscapes
Boxwoods stay neat with minimal pruning, making them perfect for low-maintenance landscapes.
Waxleaf Privet
Shop our Waxleaf Privet Tree
The Waxleaf Privet brings glossy evergreen foliage, a polished shape, and heat tolerance that makes it perfect for Southern climates.
Why small yards love it:
- Can be shaped as a hedge or topiary
- Handles heat and drought well
- Clean, compact growth habit
- Great along fences or patio edges
Sky Pencil Holly
Shop our Sky Pencil Holly
One of the best narrow evergreen shrubs for small spaces, Sky Pencil Holly grows tall and thin — sometimes only 2 feet wide.
Perfect for:
- Tight entryways
- Patio corners
- Urban and townhouse landscapes
- Narrow privacy screening
Camellias
Shop our Camellia Shrubs Collection
Camellias blend evergreen structure with stunning seasonal blooms. They bring color when most other plants are dormant.
Why they’re perfect for small gardens:
- Evergreen leaves
- Beautiful blooms in fall, winter, or early spring (variety depending)
- Compact rounded shape
- Thrive in partial shade
They pair beautifully with spruces, cedars, and boxwoods.
How to Choose the Right Evergreens for a Small Space
Before adding evergreens to a compact yard, consider:
Height & Width
Choose plants with naturally compact or columnar growth (like Columnar Norway Spruce or Sky Pencil Holly).
Sunlight
Spruces and cedars love full sun. Camellias do best in partial shade.
Climate
Spruces thrive in cooler zones. Privet, camellias, and hollies shine in warmer areas.
Purpose
Do you want privacy? Structure? A focal point? Each evergreen has its own strengths.
Maintenance
Slower growers = less pruning = better for busy homeowners.
Planting & Care Tips for Evergreens in Small Landscapes
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist for new trees. Once established, most evergreens are drought-tolerant.
Soil: Ensure well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Mulch: Add a 2–3 inch layer to maintain moisture and temperature.
Sunlight: Full sun for spruces and cedars; partial shade for camellias.
Pruning: Minimal for spruces and cedars; occasional shaping for boxwoods, privet, and hollies.
Why Evergreens Are Perfect for Small Yards
Evergreens provide:
- Four-season greenery
- Natural privacy
- Structure and balance
- Instant curb appeal
- Low-maintenance beauty
And compact varieties mean you get all these benefits without losing valuable space.
Build a Beautiful Small Yard with Simply Trees
We grow and ship high-quality evergreens — including Baby Blue Spruce, Columnar Norway Spruce, Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar, Boxwoods, Waxleaf Privet, Sky Pencil Holly, and Camellias — directly to your door.
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Your small yard deserves big beauty — and we’re here to help you bring it to life.
