1. Juniper
Small cultivars of this tough evergreen tree take on dry, rocky soil with ease and will tolerate periods of drought. The finely textured foliage of junipers (Juniperus spp.) is somewhat prickly, so position plants where you’re not apt to brush up against them. Look for cultivars with green, blue, or yellow-green foliage.
**Size:** Small tree cultivars are 5 to 20 feet tall and 2 to 8 feet wide
**Growing conditions:** Full sun and well-drained soil. Juniper tolerates lean, rocky soil and periods of drought.
**Zones:** 4–9
**Recommended cultivars:**
‘Blue Point’ has blue-green foliage and a broad, pyramidal form. It’s a slow-growing plant that eventually reaches 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
‘Skyrocket’ is an exceptionally narrow cultivar with bluish-green foliage. It grows just 2 to 3 feet wide and 15 to 20 feet tall. It is perfect for narrow planting beds where height is not an issue.
2. Arborvitae
Soft, deep green foliage makes arborvitae (Thuja spp.) a favorite evergreen. To make a living screen that provides cover year-round, plant several of these densely branched trees close together. Small arborvitae cultivars have a narrow, pyramidal shape. Unlike many other evergreens, arborvitae thrives in heat and humidity.
**Size:** 6 to 20 feet tall and 1 to 6 feet wide
**Growing conditions:** Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil. Plants will be most dense in full sun.
**Zones:** 4–8
**Recommended cultivars:**
‘Emerald Green’ is a favorite cultivar for screening. It has a narrow pyramidal form and grows 15 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.
‘Sting’ is just 12 to 18 inches wide. Perfect for exceptionally narrow spaces, it grows 15 to 20 feet tall. It resembles an exclamation point in the landscape.
‘Fluffy’ has yellow new foliage that persists into winter when it eventually turns green. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide.
3. ‘Little Gem’ Southern Magnolia
If your yard is too small to plant a southern magnolia, go for the cultivar 'Little Gem' to enjoy the beloved attributes of this classic charmer. Narrow and compact, this magnolia has large, glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers.
**Size:** 20 to 25 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide
**Growing conditions:** Full sun and deep, well-drained soil
**Zones:** 7–9
4. False Cypress
False cypress (Chamaecyparis spp.) is a genus of six easy-care evergreen trees. Their hallmark is feathery, soft foliage. Small cultivars have a generous pyramidal habit, and their soft appearance is a welcome addition to landscapes with extensive hardscaping. Unlike arborvitae, which boasts similar soft foliage, false cypress has notable deer resistance. Try pruning as a topiary for an extra touch of elegance.
**Size:** 3 to 50 feet tall and 3 to 15 feet wide
**Growing conditions:** Full sun and average, well-drained soil
**Zones:** 4–8
**Recommended cultivars:**
‘Soft Serve’, a cultivar of C. pisifera, has foliage with a delicate, fringe-like appearance in a pleasing medium green color. It grows 6 to 10 feet tall and wide.
‘Koster’s' (C. obtusa 'Kosteri'), also known as ‘Koster’s Hinoke Falsecypress', has fan-like sprays of foliage that give it a ruffled appearance. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and wide with a pyramidal shape.
5. ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ Holly
While most hollies are considered shrubs, this fast-growing upright evergreen holly is a small tree. It features glossy, leathery foliage and a broad, pyramidal outline. Its prickly foliage makes it a good barrier plant. To create an impenetrable hedge, plant several hollies together.
**Size:** 15 to 30 feet tall and 8 to 25 feet wide
**Growing conditions:** Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil. After it's established, it will tolerate mild drought.
**Zones:** 6–9
## What Are Dwarf Conifers?
The term dwarf conifer refers to certain species of evergreen trees and shrubs. Selected for their ultra-slow growth habit (some grow less than 2 inches a year) and small mature size, dwarf conifers are well-suited for small spaces.
From dwarf Alberta spruce to ‘Little Rick’ Mugo pine, there are dwarf conifer cultivars of many traditionally large evergreen trees. And despite their name, some dwarf conifers can end up getting quite large over the years. Read plant labels carefully to ensure you are purchasing a dwarf conifer that won't eventually outgrow the space you have.
