The Best Slow Growing Shrubs for Long Term Gardening

By Calin Oancea and Florin Gabriel

4/13/20246 min read

Slow-growing shrubs are a great way to provide long-term sustainability to your home similar to photovoltaic panels from a company like positive.net.au.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the best slow-growing shrubs that are ideal for your garden like evergreen varieties and shrubs suitable for pots, planters, and diverse light conditions. Our experts have grown and tested these shrubs and afterward ranked them so we have experience with them.

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a slow growing shrub with green leaves and bushy purple flowers
a slow growing shrub with green leaves and bushy purple flowers
bushy English Yew evergreen plant stems slowly growing
bushy English Yew evergreen plant stems slowly growing

Yew

Yews are bushy, slow-growing evergreen trees that reach heights of 1-20 m (3-65 ft) most of the species are perfect evergreens for shaded areas. After growing them we concluded that they thrive in well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade. Yews are often used for hedges or as foundation plantings, which provide a year-round dark green backdrop.

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one slow growing Dwarf Alberta Spruce in a planter
one slow growing Dwarf Alberta Spruce in a planter

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

This miniature spruce called Dwarf Alberta Spruce grows about 1-1.8 m (3-6 ft) tall. Ideal for small gardens or planters, it enjoys full sun and well-drained soil. The long-lived perennial has a dense foliage that makes it a great plant in landscapes, and its slow growth minimizes the need for frequent pruning.

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dark green design
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a Japanese Holly bush with leaves and white flowers
a Japanese Holly bush with leaves and white flowers

Japanese Holly

Japanese Holly or Ilex crenata, with a height of 1-2 m (3-6 ft), is an excellent slow-growing alternative to boxwood. It's ideal for creating formal shapes or hedges in front of houses. This shrub prefers full sun to partial shade and adapts well to container living so it's great for different garden designs.

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an evergreen boxwood hedge with small green leaves
an evergreen boxwood hedge with small green leaves

They grow between 0,6m and 1,2m (2 and 4 ft) and have a lush, evergreen foliage and dense, rounded form. Boxwoods are a classic choice for formal gardens, and their tolerance to pruning makes the bushes a favorite for creating topiary designs and ornamental shrub gardens.

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Boxwood

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a slow growing Ceanothus with a leafy foliage and flowers
a slow growing Ceanothus with a leafy foliage and flowers

Ceanothus

Ceanothus or California Lilac has deep blue flowers and glossy green foliage. It reaches a height of around 1-2 m (3-6 ft) and loves full sun. This drought-tolerant shrub is perfect for adding a splash of color to dry, sunny areas. It counts to the slow growers, not the fast growing shrubs because the growing time frame of this bush is longer.

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white-pink Kalmia Latifolia flowers bloomng on a bush
white-pink Kalmia Latifolia flowers bloomng on a bush

Kalmia Latifolia

Mountain Laurel is a stunning evergreen that features clusters of pink or white flowers. Growing to about 1.5-2.5 m (5-8 ft), it thrives in acidic, well-drained soil and prefers partial shade. This shrub is known for its glossy leaves and cup-shaped flowers, making it a beautiful addition to woodland gardens.

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dark green design
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white pink flowers blooming on a slow growing bush
white pink flowers blooming on a slow growing bush

Winter Daphne

Winter Daphne, with its fragrant, pink-tinged flowers, is a real garden treasure. Growing up to 1 m (3 ft) in height, it prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. This slow grower is ideal for small spaces or near walkways where its scent can be enjoyed.

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dark green design
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a bush with hanging red flowers in a sunny garden
a bush with hanging red flowers in a sunny garden

Enkianthus Campanulatus

This unique shrub is known for its bell-shaped flowers and brilliant fall color. It can reach 1.5-2.5 m (5-8 ft) and prefers acidic soil in full sun to part shade. Enkianthus campanulatus is a great choice for adding vertical interest and seasonal color while also being a semi evergreen bush.

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dark green design
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a tall Silk Tassel bush
a tall Silk Tassel bush
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dark green design

Silk Tassel

Silk Tassel Bush has long, tassel-like flowers and leathery leaves. It does well in full sun to partial shade and offers a unique texture and form in the garden while the bush grows to about 3-4 m (10-13 ft).

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an evergreen Japanese Camellia bush with one coloful flower
an evergreen Japanese Camellia bush with one coloful flower

Japanese Camellia is famous for its large, rose-like flowers in winter and spring. It grows slowly to about 1.5-2.5 m (5-8 ft) and prefers well-drained, acidic soil in partial shade. Camellias add a touch of elegance to any garden setting and are slow-growing bushes that are great for full or partial shade.

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dark green design
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Japanese Camellia

Sources

Nature and Sustainability uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, and other fact-dense and highly trusted sources to support the facts that we use in our articles. Please read our editorial policy to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 

  1. Boxwood: Buxus - Wikipedia

  2. Dwarf Alberta Spruce: Picea glauca 'Conica' | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

  3. Japanese Holly: Ilex crenata - Wikipedia

  4. Ceanothus: Ceanothus - Wikipedia

  5. Yew: Taxus canadensis | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

  6. Winter Daphne: Daphne odora | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

  7. Silk Tassel: Garrya elliptica (Silk Tassel Bush) (gardenia.net)

  8. Japanese Camellia: How to Grow and Care for Japanese Camellia (thespruce.com)

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Calin Oancea
Calin Oancea
Green Box
Green Box

Article By:

Calin has been gardening for 5 years now and has learned a lot about gardening and plants. The gardening expert is the owner of this website and is responsible for most of the content.

Reviewed By:

Florin is responsible for reviewing most of the articles, some of the web design and occasionally making improvements so that everyhing we publish looks deam good.