I have a very small front yard (small city lot). I am removing grass from the front yard and replacing with perennials. (I hate grass.) I think I need a hedge of some sort between the walks and the plantings. The mulch is staying in place for the most part, but aesthetically, it just looks like it needs a defining boundary. Anyway, I can't find something that I like that I think would be ok with snow shoveled on it in the winter. Ideally I would like something evergreen (boxwood would be fantastic!) but I would be afraid of winter damage. A neighbor has barberry, but that's a bit taller (and scratchier) than I'd like. I'm thinking a perennial might be a safer bet...daylilies maybe?

Surely someone else has had this issue before and found a good solution. If so, I would love to hear it!!

Thanks.

Shrubs are not my forte, but certain kinds of boxwood are less prone to winter damage than others. I have heard that Korean boxwood handles our winters fine.

There is always yew, grows in sun and shade.

Holly if this is a part shade site. Might be a bit fussier to get going than yew.

Rhododendron "PJM" (PJM Rhododendron)

Zone 4 Mature size: 3-4' h

Small, dark-green leaves and abundant, purple-pink flowers adorn this broad, fast-growing plant. Leaves turn bronze in winter.

Rhododendron "PJM Elite" (Elite PJM Rhododendron)

Zone 4 Mature size: 3-4' h

Similar to "PJM", but flowers later in spring - the last of the PJM clones to bloom.

http://www.hortsales.com/catalog/broadleaf_evergreens.htm

Marilyn

And the spirea might be just the ticket! I considered it before, but thought it would get taller than I wanted...it never occurred to me to cut it back each year! :)

Thanks everyone!