Seattle homeowners know the drill: the weather changes fast, the rain sticks around, and the garden needs plants that look great year-round without constant babysitting. That’s where evergreen shrubs come in. They hold their leaves all winter long, give your yard structure even on gray days, and many can double as privacy screens or low-maintenance borders.
Here are some of the best evergreen shrubs for Seattle yards, with notes on how they grow, how big they get, and where they shine.
🌿 Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)
- Why Seattle loves it: Glossy dark green leaves with a tidy, formal look. Great hedge choice.
- Growth Rate: Fast (2–3 ft per year when young).
- Mature Size: 15–20 ft tall, 10–15 ft wide.
- Care Tip: Keep it pruned once or twice a year to maintain a neat shape.
🌿 English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ or ‘Otto Luyken’)
- Why it works here: Thick, lush, and fast-growing — perfect for privacy.
- Growth Rate: 1–2 ft per year.
- Mature Size: Schip Laurel reaches 10–15 ft, Otto Luyken stays smaller (4–6 ft).
- Seattle Bonus: Handles shade well, which is perfect for cloudy Northwest gardens.
🌿 Rhododendron
- Why Seattle can’t get enough: It’s Washington’s state flower. Evergreen leaves + springtime blooms = classic Northwest garden plant.
- Growth Rate: Moderate (6–12 inches per year).
- Mature Size: 6–20 ft depending on variety.
- Care Tip: Prefers part shade and acidic soil (which our Seattle soil provides naturally).
🌿 Camellia (Camellia japonica or sasanqua)
- Why it stands out: Evergreen shrub with showy red, pink, or white flowers — blooms in late winter when not much else is happening.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate.
- Mature Size: 6–12 ft tall, 5–8 ft wide.
- Seattle Note: Loves our mild winters but appreciates some shelter from heavy rain.
🌿 Pieris japonica (Japanese Andromeda)
- Why Seattle gardeners plant it: Evergreen leaves, pretty white or pink clusters of flowers in spring, and colorful new red growth.
- Growth Rate: Moderate.
- Mature Size: 8–12 ft tall, 6–8 ft wide.
- Care Tip: Works beautifully in part-shade garden beds.
🌿 Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
- Why it fits the Seattle vibe: Native to the Pacific Northwest, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, with holly-like leaves and bright yellow flowers in spring.
- Growth Rate: Moderate.
- Mature Size: 3–10 ft tall depending on species.
- Extra Perk: Produces purple berries that birds love.
🌿 Viburnum tinus
- Why it’s handy: Evergreen with glossy leaves, winter flowers, and berries for wildlife.
- Growth Rate: Moderate (1 ft per year).
- Mature Size: 6–10 ft tall, 6–8 ft wide.
- Seattle Advantage: Tough shrub that can handle a wide range of garden conditions.
Planting & Design Tips for Seattle Evergreen Shrubs
- Spacing: Most evergreen shrubs need 3–6 ft between plants depending on variety.
- Soil: Seattle’s clay can hold water — mix in compost for better drainage.
- Pruning: Prune after flowering for varieties like rhododendrons, camellias, and pieris to encourage healthy growth.
- Layering: Mix tall shrubs (laurel, rhododendron) with medium ones (camellia, viburnum) and low growers (otto luyken laurel, dwarf rhodys) for year-round structure.
Final Word
Evergreen shrubs are the backbone of a Seattle garden. Whether you’re going for a dense hedge, a flowering focal point, or a low-maintenance native planting, you’ll find an evergreen shrub that keeps your yard green through every drizzle, downpour, and summer drought.
