A garden without evergreen structure looks empty for six months of the year. Evergreens provide the backbone — the framework that holds the garden together when deciduous plants have dropped their leaves and perennials have died back.
In London gardens, where outdoor space is used year-round, evergreen structure is not optional — it is essential. Here are our top picks for reliable, low-maintenance evergreens that perform in London conditions.
8 Essential Evergreens for London Gardens
1. Pittosporum tenuifolium
Best for: Screening and structure
Compact, elegant evergreen with small, glossy leaves. Excellent for hedging and screening. Handles London conditions well and responds to trimming.
2. Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)
Best for: Climbing and wall coverage
Evergreen climber with fragrant white flowers in summer. Glossy foliage year-round. Ideal for walls, fences and pergolas.
3. Sarcococca confusa (Sweet Box)
Best for: Shade and fragrance
Compact, shade-tolerant evergreen with intensely fragrant winter flowers. Perfect for north-facing borders and sheltered spots.
4. Taxus baccata (Yew)
Best for: Formal hedging
The classic English hedge plant. Dense, dark green foliage that clips beautifully. Slow-growing but incredibly long-lived and elegant.
5. Phormium tenax (New Zealand Flax)
Best for: Architectural accent
Bold, sword-like leaves in green, bronze or variegated forms. Adds instant drama and structure to modern planting schemes.
6. Buxus sempervirens (Box)
Best for: Topiary and edging
The traditional choice for clipped balls, hedging and formal edging. Compact, dense and versatile. Monitor for box blight in humid conditions.
7. Fatsia japonica
Best for: Bold shade planting
Large, glossy, hand-shaped leaves that thrive in deep shade. Architectural and tropical-looking. One of the best shade evergreens for London.
8. Viburnum tinus
Best for: Winter flowering screen
Evergreen with clusters of white flowers from November to March. Excellent for informal hedging and boundary planting.
Design Principles for Evergreen Structure
Start with the backbone. Place evergreens first, then layer seasonal plants around them. The evergreen framework should look good even when everything else is dormant.
Vary heights and textures. Combine tall screening plants (Pittosporum, Viburnum) with mid-level structure (Phormium, Fatsia) and low edging (Box, Sarcococca).
Use evergreens for screening. Rather than relying entirely on fencing for privacy, evergreen planting softens boundaries and adds depth.
Want a planting scheme designed for your garden?
We design planting plans tailored to your garden's conditions, style and maintenance preferences. Get in touch for a consultation.
Request a Quote