Beautiful homes don’t rely on their exterior appearances alone, even if they have unique architecture. It’s actually the landscaping around the homes that draws the eye. Landscaping can create a huge difference in curb appeal – and unique evergreens go a long way in this effort.

How to use these unique evergreens? Frame your entryways, of course. Whether they’re kept in containers on the porch or planted in the ground, evergreens provide bursts of color to attract attention.

And entryway trees aren’t limited to smaller picks with a pyramidal shape like Christmas trees. Here is a list of unique evergreens and entryway plants that will set your landscape ahead of the pack.

1. The Dwarf Hinoki Cypress

The Dwarf Hinoki Cypress has a fluffy green canopy that sits in a pyramidal shape on top of a single, bare trunk. It has an explosion of color all year with its unique, soft curling foliage that provides texture in the landscape.

Plus, this spirited evergreen won’t take over your yard, because it grows 5 feet tall and 1 foot wide. They’re the perfect size to be kept in containers on the porch or patio, but they will also fit perfectly anywhere in the landscape as an accent piece or main attraction.

2. The Wintergreen Boxwood

Trees aren’t the only plants that are perfect for framing entryways, because shrubs and hedges also play a major role in framing and shaping the landscape. For example, the Wintergreen Boxwood has thick foliage perfect for topiary design, the practice of clipping plants into ornamental shapes.

If you want to shape a bush into an elephant, then the Wintergreen Boxwood is the best choice. However, they can be used in less dramatic shapes as well. They can also be kept in containers and easily shaped into perfect circles, pyramidal shapes, squares, tree forms and more!

Best of all, you don’t have to constantly trim your Wintergreen Boxwoods to keep them at a specific height or in a certain shape. Simply plant your boxwoods in the ground or in containers, and watch them thrive and glow with their vibrant green hue.

3. The Pygmy Date Palm

Turn your patio into a tropical getaway with Pygmy Date Palms, famous for their ability to easily grow in containers. They are so low-maintenance that they can even be grown inside. If your area gets too cold for these palms, bring them indoors during winter.

Pygmy Date Palms have a textured brown trunk that leads up to an arched green crown. Each green frond arches over with an elegant curve. And the fronds are covered with slender green leaf blades that pop against the palm’s dark trunk for a stunning color contrast.

If left unpruned, Pygmy Date Palms will grow to be about 6 to 9 feet tall and about 5 feet wide, making them a medium-sized pick. With a little sunlight, Pygmy Date Palms will grow without fuss.

4. The Italian Cypress

For a tall, elegant tree at your entryway, look no further than the Italian Cypress. They quickly grow upwards about 3 feet per year to give your landscape a stunning and unique look.

An upright growth pattern with thick, dense foliage means this Cypress doesn’t grow outward very far, giving it a narrow, columnar shape. By growing up to 40 feet tall and 5 feet wide, they get large enough to make a dramatic change in your landscape.

However, if you don’t want a tree that reaches monstrous heights, that’s all right. It’s very low-maintenance and easy to maintain, so you can simply trim your Italian Cypresses back to your desired height. Also, these unique evergreens stay smaller when they’re planted in pots.

Other excellent columnar trees are the Sky Pencil Holly and the Slender Hinoki Cypress.

5. Sunset Glow Bamboo

Add luck and zen to your landscape with the Sunset Glow Bamboo. It has beautiful green leaves that pop against orange and yellow stalks, making it one of the more colorful types of bamboo.

This bamboo variety is a dwarf variety, so it doesn’t grow as large or fast as other types of bamboo. It only gets about 6 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. Place it around your home and garden without the fear of it taking over.

Sunset Glow Bamboos are easy to manage and maintain, and best of all, thrive in pots. Place them by the front door to give your home a clean look with a sense of relaxation and calm.

Bamboo is tough, and doesn’t need a lot of maintenance to stay healthful. With a little sunlight and water, it will take off with an alluring look.

Frame It

To make your home even better, frame the entryways with low-maintenance plants and unique evergreens that aren’t fussy. These plants can be placed in containers, and in little-to-no-time, give your home an updated and attractive look.