Columnar ‘Sky Pencil’ Japanese holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’, Zones 5–7) and low-growing ‘Justin Brouwers’ boxwood (Buxus sinica var. insularis ‘Justin Brouwers’, Z 4–9) hold the fort with their rich evergreen forms.
Sometimes all we need is reliability in the garden—not glitz or glory, just some solid plants that will get the job done. Reliable plants are generally unchanging and well grounded, with dense or tightly grouped leaves and insignificant flowers. They provide calm assurance that all is right with the world and that there will be no surprises: What you see is what you get. They typically look good all year round.
Reliable plants are ideal for highly trafficked, transitional areas, such as near pathways leading to the front door or along a side yard. They are the aristocrats of the plant world and work well in formal or conservative settings, announcing that all is under control and properly in order. They are happy to be grouped together or combined with more flamboyant plant personalities or eccentric garden sculptures. They don’t mind letting others take the stage while they create an unobtrusive backdrop.
Reliable plants to consider — Boxwoods (Buxus sempervirens and cvs., Zones 6–8)
Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica and cvs., Z 6–8)
Heathers (Calluna vulgaris cvs., Z 4–7)
Junipers (Juniperus spp. and cvs., Z 2–9)
Himalayan blueberry (Vaccinium moupinense, Z 5–10)
Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp. and cvs., Z 5–9)
Japanese hollies (Ilex crenata and cvs., Z 5–7)
Spruces (Picea spp. and cvs., Z 2–8)
