Small evergreens are ideal for bringing abundant colors and character to any size yard. They can retain their color all year, which helps to make them some of the most valued plants in the landscape. Smaller sized yards are a common sight in Southern California. If you have a tiny yard, don’t worry! The good news is that there are plenty of unique small evergreens that take up little room and create an oasis. These plants will hold onto their leaves year-round so that they can add plenty of color and personality to your landscape.

Our Recommend Small Evergreen Trees for Landscaping in Southern California

We have some of the most beautiful and interesting evergreens available that thrive in Southern California. Some of our favorites can be formed into interesting shapes that are ideal for formal gardens. We can also let them grow as a lush and beautiful hedge. Evergreen trees can be used to hide unsightly things, create privacy hedges, or to create a landscape design that takes your home value to the next level!

Check out the topiary Junipers. They are a favorite in SoCal yards because of their dense foliage. Homeowners love shaping them into spirals, pom-poms, poodles, and other interesting shapes for formal gardens. Another unique evergreen to look for is the Wax Leaf Privet. The Wax leaf blooms beautiful white flowers in spring. Fans of topiary forms will be glad to know that these plants have glossy green foliage that is easy to prune into many shapes and forms. One of the best small evergreens for a landscape is our semi-dwarf citrus trees. If you are looking for something that can bring lots of colors, a pleasant scent, and bear the sweetest tasting fruit, look no further than our citrus trees.

Below are a few of our favorite evergreen trees that are ready to enhance your landscape. Make your outdoor living space more colorful and intimate, no matter what size your yard may be.

Wax Leaf Privet (Ligustrum japonicum ‘Texanum’): These evergreens are a must-have in any topiary garden. They are highly adaptable to topiary forms! People love the pyramidal form, where they are often seen flanking walkways and gateways. They also look lovely in neat, vertical poodle forms growing in elegant pots placed near a front door or porch steps. In spring, a profusion of fragrant, white flowers appear, creating a beautiful landscape scene. One of its key features is its glossy evergreen foliage. We like to use them as lush background foliage. Santa Ana winds can be an issue where we live, so feel free to use them as a large-scale windbreak, too. Their fast growth rate and compact form make Ligustrum ‘Texanum’ one of the most versatile evergreens for any landscape.

Junipers (Juniperus): Not too many plants can match the versatility of this beautiful evergreen. People like to use them as a ground cover, privacy screen, or in vertical forms. These are very durable specimens - junipers stay evergreen even in the coldest winters! There are many varieties available, and you can find them in different sizes and shapes that suit your landscaping needs. Juniper topiaries are excellent for adding artistic flair, and we sell them at our nurseries. Their needle-like and/or scale-like leaves can bring plenty of greenery to your landscape all year long. Homeowners in Southern California are sure to appreciate the little water they require once they are established in your yard.

Braided Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis): We can bring the tropical vibe home with beautiful Braided Hibiscus. We custom-grow the most unique and colorful hibiscus. We have had their stems trained together early in their growth, so they are unique and bound to create a lasting impression. Yes, these plants are works of art! They bloom bold and beautiful flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and bi-color. And, since they stay small, they are the perfect fit for any place in your landscape. Their trunks are exposed so that the braided feature adds an element of style. We like to use them as a focal point in an entryway or to brighten up a sunny spot in your yard. Take in the lush, glossy foliage and beautiful flowers!

Plumeria (Plumeria var.): Summertime is a glorious time to enjoy Plumeria. They put on a show when the fragrant flowers appear. These scented flowers can fill the air with color and aromas with hints of jasmine, citrus, spices, gardenia, and more! These small trees are tropical and thrive in a location with full sun exposure. They offer a gorgeous display of green leathery leaves and thick stems. Plant them anywhere and bask in the beauty that these trees add to any landscape. A wide range of varieties and colors are available. So, visit any of our nursery locations and allow our nursery pros to help you find the perfect small evergreen tree for your landscape.

Citrus: Grow food your way! Our semi-dwarf citrus trees are beautiful compact trees that can fit in almost any situation in your landscape. These evergreen trees have many benefits, including beautiful flowers, tasty fruit, and a compact size. Their foliage can provide shade and privacy. Of course, you cannot forget about the nutritious fruit! At Moon Valley Nurseries, we grow our citrus from Carrizo rootstock. This rootstock is vigorous and resistant to many diseases. Best of all, these evergreen trees bear the sweetest fruits anywhere! Plant these small trees near windows to take advantage of the pleasant aroma and view.

Some of our favorites include:
Lemons: Meyer, Lisbon, and Eureka varieties are the best varieties for our area, and we have them available! Perfect small trees with green foliage and juicy fruit that is ideal for cocktails and meals.

Tangerines: We grow sweet tasting tangerine trees with fruits that are bursting with juicy flavor! We sell the best varieties for our area including Satsumas, Clementine, Mandarin, and Sunburst.

Oranges: Orange trees are a must-have in any edible garden. Moon Valley Nurseries has been growing the best varieties from only registered rootstock for over 20 years! These are magnificent landscape trees, and when the flowers bloom, you can’t help but be taken by the fragrance!

Kumquats: The “little gold gem” of the citrus family, Kumquats offer numerous health benefits including anti-oxidants and essential oils. These beautiful landscape trees are shrubby and compact so that they are ideal for any size yard.

We Can Plant Unique Small Evergreen Trees That Make a Positive Impact in Your Landscape

Moon Valley Nurseries has what you need to increase property value. We offer value-engineered evergreen trees that save you money. We have been custom-growing the world’s best trees for over 20 years and counting. If you are on the search for unique small evergreens, look no further. We have lush and beautiful trees that are ready to adorn your landscape. Visit your nearest nursery location and allow our nursery pros to help you find the perfect tree for the perfect spot in your yard. We make it easy!