Knowledgebase
Evergreen Shrubs that Drape #868083
Asked May 12, 2024, 2:28 PM EDT
I have a row house in DC with a small front garden. It is about 12 feet wide with an unattractive cement border. I want to plant an evergreen shrub that will drape over the border. We have a difficult space to maintain since we get leaves blown into our space pretty much year round from Lincoln Park across the street.
District of Columbia County District of Columbia
Expert Response
Hi Michele,
Thanks for this great question. Finding the right plant that solves a problem in a difficult spot can be one of the joys of gardening!
Luckily there are some good options for this scenario, including some native species that are low maintenance and good for our local ecosystem. Here are a few options that may work for you. Make sure that you pick something with sunlight requirements that match your front garden. Generally anything listed as requiring "full sun" will need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
1. Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera) - this native groundcover is crawls (or “creeps”) and drapes over walls. In the spring it has a blooms like a carpet of flowers and comes in multiple colors. This species can handle light shade.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/phlox-stolonifera/
2. Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) - very similar to creeping phlox but generally prefers a little more sunlight.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/phlox-subulata/
3. Creeping Juniper(Juniperus horizontalis) - this native looks more like a typical evergreen plant, with needle leaves. There are a number of different cultivars with different attributes, such as different color foliage or berries.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-horizontalis/
4. Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana) - this native is not evergreen but can handle a lot of shade and has a beautiful floral display in the fall.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/clematis-virginiana/
These are just a few suggestions, but there are plenty of other options out there, including non-natives. Here is a link to an article that mentions some other possibilities, most of which require some sun. https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=5652
And finally a warning about a common choice that you may see in your neighborhood, but that can be damaging to the local ecosystem. English Ivy (Hedera helix) quickly escapes cultivation and can choke out other plants, both in your garden and in nearby areas. It is often chosen because it grows so quickly, but that characteristic is what makes it so harmful. We recommend you avoid this option or anything else described as "invasive" in our region.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/english-ivy/
Good luck and don't hesitate to reach out with more questions!
Best,
Andrew
