Yews

Yews:  Versatile Low-Growing Evergreens

If your landscaping plans call for a low growing evergreen bush, just look to the various yews (genus Taxus) to provide what you need.  They tend to grow slowly and spread wide, and can be used either in their natural state or pruned into a formal hedge.  One thing that yews must have to do well is good drainage.  They do not like "wet feet."  If you are thinking about placing a yew somewhere in your yard, make sure the spot has good drainage to start with.

If you pick a good spot, a yew hedge can live for hundreds of years!  In fact there are yews in the British Isles that are thought to be thousands of years old.  Because of their long life, they are often found planted around cemeteries.