Maple Leaf Farms - Garden Center & Country Store in Manalapan, NJ

Welcome to Maple Leaf Farms, your local destination for premium plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, garden decor, mulch, and expert horticulture support in Central New Jersey. Our extensive plant nursery offers high-quality Emerald Green Arborvitae, Green Giant Arborvitae, Boxwoods, Hydrangeas, Rhododendrons, Viburnums, Crape Myrtles, Japanese Maples, and hundreds of seasonal varieties. Whether you're a landscaper, homeowner, or DIY gardener, we serve both retail and wholesale needs with unbeatable prices and massive inventory.

We specialize in horticulture support, offering custom landscape designs, consultations, plant selection guidance, and site-appropriate recommendations. From perennials and ornamental grasses to flowering trees and privacy hedges, we help you build long-lasting, vibrant landscapes that thrive in the Northeast. Our knowledgeable team includes certified horticulture professionals and landscape designers who can work with you directly or coordinate with your contractor.

Visit our rustic country store for home and garden decor, seasonal goods, soil amendments, fertilizers, bagged mulch, and more. Our farm hosts seasonal events, family attractions, fall festivals, and Christmas markets with hayrides, photo ops, and specialty gifts. Our mission: deliver horticulture with heart, expertise, and unbeatable value. Stop by today or explore our services online.

Services we offer:

Our plants include arborvitae, boxwoods, hollies, azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, ornamental grasses, perennials, roses, flowering trees, Japanese maples, fruit trees, native plants, pollinator plants, shade trees, flowering shrubs, evergreen screening trees, and much more. Stop in and experience why Maple Leaf Farms is Central New Jersey’s top-rated garden center, trusted by landscapers and home gardeners alike.

Popular categories: Emerald Green Arborvitae, Green Giant Arborvitae, Boxwood Varieties, Hydrangeas (Endless Summer, Limelight, Little Lime), Perennials (Catmint, Salvia, Coral Bells, Black Eyed Susan), Grasses (Maiden Grass, Karl Foerster, Zebra Grass), Trees (Red Maples, Dogwoods, Serviceberry, Kousa Dogwood, Cherry Trees), and Seasonal Flowers (Pansies, Petunias, Marigolds).

New Jersey’s Premier Wholesale Nursery, Garden Center & Plant Specialist

Maple Leaf Farms is your one-stop horticulture destination in New Jersey for everything related to trees, shrubs, perennials, privacy plants, native plants, tropicals, houseplants, and decorative garden products. We serve both retail and wholesale customers, with one of the most diverse and complete selections of plant material in Central NJ. Whether you’re planting a new landscape, adding privacy to your yard, or sourcing plant material for commercial jobs, Maple Leaf Farms delivers value, quality, and expert guidance you can trust.

We are known for our high-volume stock of arborvitae, including 6-10 ft Green Giants, Emerald Green Arborvitae, Nigra Arborvitae, and Degroot’s Spire – available by the dozen or in bulk for privacy hedges. Landscapers, municipalities, property developers, and homeowners turn to us for affordable wholesale pricing and consistent availability.

Looking for perennials and native plants? Our native plant selection includes Echinacea (Coneflower), Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan), Baptisia, Bee Balm, Asters, Coreopsis, Amsonia, and Solidago – all grown to thrive in the Northeast. We also carry native ornamental grasses, ferns, and sedges. Our pollinator and butterfly gardens feature Buddleia (Butterfly Bush), Milkweed, Yarrow, and more. Each perennial is selected for bloom time, durability, and its ability to support bees, butterflies, and birds.

Inside our greenhouse, you’ll find a curated collection of houseplants including Peace Lilies, Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, Ficus, Dracaena, Palms, Philodendron, Pothos, Alocasia, and rare collector varieties. Whether you’re furnishing an office, home, or storefront, our healthy, established tropical and indoor plants are ready to impress.

In addition to retail-ready material, we specialize in sourcing large caliper specimen trees and field-grown material. We offer on-site pickup or flat-rate delivery with experienced loaders and the ability to assist contractors with large-scale planting jobs. Our country store complements our outdoor sales yard with fertilizers, soil conditioners, mulch, and garden products. And our seasonal farm events bring in thousands of visitors each year for festivals, farm fun, and live entertainment.

Don’t settle for average. Discover why Maple Leaf Farms is the trusted name in NJ for wholesale plants, horticulture expertise, and personalized customer service.

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Best Landscape Evergreens & Layout Options in NJ

  • Writer: Maple Leaf Farms
    Maple Leaf Farms
  • May 22
  • 6 min read

Privacy, Foundation Plantings, Shade Evergreens, Poolside Screening & Year-Round Color


Evergreens are what make a landscape look finished. Flowers come and go, perennials sleep in winter, and deciduous trees drop their leaves — but evergreens keep your property full, structured, private, and beautiful year-round.


At Maple Leaf Farms, we carry a wide selection of landscape evergreens, privacy trees, conifers, hollies, boxwoods, laurels, shade-tolerant shrubs, specialty conifers, and colorful evergreen accents. Our inventory includes Emerald Green Arborvitae, Green Giant Arborvitae, Southern Magnolia, Skip Laurel, Rhododendron, Andromeda, Gold Dust Aucuba, Hollies, Boxwoods, Hinoki Cypress, Blue Spruce, Globosa Blue Spruce, Serbian Spruce, Omorika types, Junipers, Globe Arborvitae, Gold Thread Cypress, Rheingold Arborvitae, Blue Star Juniper, and many more options.


Whether you want privacy, curb appeal, shade planting, poolside screening, or a full high-end landscape design, evergreens are the foundation.


privacy trees in field at maple leaf farms

Best Privacy Evergreens

Emerald Green Arborvitae

Emerald Green Arborvitae is one of the best choices for clean, narrow privacy.


Best for: property lines, fences, pools, tight spaces

Look: upright, dense, formal

Layout: straight row or staggered privacy wall


It stays more compact than larger screening trees, making it perfect when you need privacy without losing too much yard space.


Green Giant Arborvitae

Green Giant Arborvitae is ideal when you need faster, larger screening.


Best for: larger properties, road screening, tall privacy

Look: wide, fast-growing, natural evergreen screen

Layout: staggered rows, large back borders, windbreaks


Green Giants need more room than Emerald Greens but create a strong, full privacy screen.


Other Arborvitae Options

We also carry other arborvitae varieties that work well for accents, color, and smaller spaces, including:

  • Golden Globe Arborvitae

  • Rheingold Arborvitae

  • Forever Goldy Arborvitae

  • Tiny Tim Arborvitae

  • Fire Chief Arborvitae

  • Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae


These are great when you want golden color, rounded form, or smaller evergreen accents without using a full privacy tree.


Southern Magnolia

Best Broadleaf Evergreens

Southern Magnolia

Southern Magnolia is a premium evergreen tree with large glossy leaves and a bold, upscale look.


Best for: specimen planting, screening, large foundation areas

Look: glossy green foliage, brown-backed leaves, large white flowers

Layout: use as a focal point, corner anchor, or evergreen backdrop


Southern Magnolia gives a landscape a more mature, high-end feel.


Skip Laurel

Skip Laurel is one of the best broadleaf evergreens for softer privacy.


Best for: hedges, poolside privacy, foundation screening

Look: glossy green leaves, dense growth

Layout: hedge row, layered mixed border, softer alternative to arborvitae

Skip Laurel is excellent when you want privacy without the “wall of arborvitae” look.


Rhododendron

Rhododendrons are evergreen shrubs that bring both foliage and flowers.


Best for: shade, part shade, foundation beds, woodland edges

Flower colors: white, pink, purple, lavender, red

Layout: use under trees, along shaded foundations, or mixed with andromeda and hollies


They are a strong choice for areas where full-sun evergreens may struggle.


Andromeda / Pieris

Andromeda is a beautiful evergreen shrub for part shade.


Best for: foundation plantings, shade gardens, woodland-style beds

Look: glossy foliage, spring flowers, colorful new growth

Layout: pair with rhododendron, azalea, holly, and boxwood


Great for adding texture and seasonal interest without relying only on flowers.


Gold Dust Aucuba

Gold Dust Aucuba is one of the best evergreen shrubs for shade.


Best for: shade, covered entries, north-facing foundations

Look: green leaves speckled with gold

Layout: use in shady corners where color is needed


This is a strong option when a customer says, “Nothing grows here.”


A holly close up

Best Hollies for Structure, Privacy & Accents

Hollies are some of the most versatile evergreens in the landscape.


Oakleaf Holly

Oakleaf Holly gives strong upright structure and glossy foliage.

Best for: privacy, corners, foundation height

Look: bold leaves, upright form

Layout: use as vertical anchors near homes or property lines


Japanese Hollies

Japanese hollies are excellent boxwood alternatives and foundation plants.

Good options include:

  • Compacta Holly

  • Soft Touch Holly

  • Sky Pencil Holly

  • Steeds Holly

  • Helleri Holly

  • Hoogendorn Holly


Best for: foundation beds, low hedges, formal layouts, narrow accents


Inkberry Holly

Inkberry is a great native-style evergreen shrub for natural landscapes.


Best for: foundation planting, native-style beds, massing

Look: softer rounded evergreen form

Layout: use in groups for a clean but natural look


Blue Hollies & Hybrid Hollies

Blue Holly, Blue Maid, Blue Princess, Dragon Lady, Mary Nell, and Nellie Stevens are excellent for structure and screening.


Best for: privacy, berries, winter interest, strong evergreen form


A gold thread cypress plant in 3 gallon container

Best Evergreen Shrubs for Foundation Planting


Boxwood

Boxwoods create clean structure and polish.

Good options include:

  • Green Mountain Boxwood

  • Green Velvet Boxwood

  • Winter Gem Boxwood

  • Baby Gem Boxwood

  • Green Gem Boxwood

  • Graham Blandy Boxwood

  • Fastigiata Boxwood


Best for: front foundations, walkways, low hedges, formal beds


Gold Thread Cypress

Gold Thread Cypress adds bright color and soft texture.


Best for: foundation accents, front beds, color contrast

Look: golden, thread-like foliage

Layout: use with boxwood, holly, blue spruce, or burgundy foliage plants


Blue Star Juniper

Blue Star Juniper is a compact blue evergreen accent.


Best for: small beds, rock gardens, foundation color

Look: blue-gray foliage, low rounded form

Layout: pair with gold cypress, boxwood, and boulders


Rheingold Arborvitae

Rheingold brings orange-gold evergreen color.


Best for: accent plantings, small foundations, mixed beds

Look: rounded golden foliage

Layout: use where you need color without flowers


Globe Arborvitae

Globe arborvitae varieties are great for rounded evergreen structure.


Best for: low maintenance foundation planting

Look: naturally rounded form

Layout: repeat in groups for clean rhythm


Weeping Norway Spruce

Best Spruce & Conifers for Bold Landscapes


Colorado Blue Spruce

Blue Spruce gives strong color and structure.


Best for: focal points, front yards, large beds

Look: blue-gray needles, pyramidal shape


Globosa Blue Spruce

Globosa Blue Spruce is a compact version with strong blue color.


Best for: foundation accents, island beds, specimen plantings

Look: rounded blue form


Serbian Spruce / Omorika Types

Serbian Spruce and Omorika varieties offer a refined evergreen look.

Best for: specimen planting, privacy, mixed evergreen borders

Look: elegant, narrow, graceful branching


Norway Spruce

Norway Spruce is excellent for larger landscapes.

Best for: windbreaks, natural privacy, large properties


Dwarf Alberta Spruce

Dwarf Alberta Spruce is a classic formal evergreen.

Best for: entrances, containers, foundation symmetry



Best Shade Evergreens

Not every landscape area gets full sun. These evergreens work better in shade or part shade:

  • Rhododendron

  • Andromeda / Pieris

  • Gold Dust Aucuba

  • Mountain Laurel

  • Japanese Holly

  • Inkberry Holly

  • Yew

  • Camellia

  • Otto Luyken Laurel

  • Skip Laurel


These are excellent for north-facing foundations, wooded edges, shaded patios, and under-tree plantings.



Best Poolside Evergreens

Poolside plantings need privacy, structure, and clean design.


Good poolside options include:

  • Emerald Green Arborvitae

  • Green Giant Arborvitae

  • Skip Laurel

  • Holly

  • Boxwood

  • Japanese Holly

  • Southern Magnolia

  • Gold Thread Cypress

  • Blue Star Juniper

  • Hinoki Cypress


Best layout: tall screening in the back, medium shrubs in the middle, lower evergreen accents in the front.



Deer-Resistant Evergreen Options

No plant is completely deer-proof, but some evergreens are generally better choices in deer-heavy areas.


Stronger options include:

  • Boxwood

  • Juniper

  • Blue Star Juniper

  • Blue Arrow Juniper

  • Spartan Juniper

  • Spruce

  • Blue Spruce

  • Norway Spruce

  • Dwarf Alberta Spruce

  • Hinoki Cypress

  • Gold Thread Cypress

  • Pieris / Andromeda

  • Mountain Laurel


Use these where deer pressure is a concern, especially near wooded lots.



Best Evergreen Layout Ideas

A modern home with evergreens in front and side yard

1. Clean Privacy Wall

Use Emerald Green Arborvitae for tight spaces or Green Giant Arborvitae for larger areas.


2. Mixed Evergreen Privacy Border

Use Green Giants or Skip Laurel in the back, then layer hollies, boxwoods, gold cypress, and blue junipers in front.


3. Shade Foundation Layout

Use Rhododendron, Andromeda, Aucuba, Japanese Holly, and Leucothoe.


4. Poolside Screening Layout

Use Emerald Greens or Skip Laurel for privacy, then add boxwood, holly, and colorful evergreen accents.


5. High-End Specimen Layout

Use Southern Magnolia, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Hinoki Cypress, Globosa Blue Spruce, and Japanese Maples nearby for contrast.


6. Color Contrast Evergreen Bed

Use:

  • Blue Star Juniper

  • Gold Thread Cypress

  • Rheingold Arborvitae

  • Globosa Blue Spruce

  • Boxwood

  • Holly


This gives blue, gold, deep green, and rounded texture year-round.


Round globe evergreen bush in modern small landscape design

Visit Maple Leaf Farms for Landscape Evergreens in NJ

If you’re searching for:

  • best evergreens for landscaping NJ

  • privacy trees near me

  • arborvitae for sale NJ

  • evergreen shrubs for foundation planting

  • shade evergreens NJ

  • poolside privacy plants

  • deer resistant evergreens

  • blue spruce, hollies, laurels, boxwoods, and conifers


Maple Leaf Farms has the selection, quantity, and variety to help you build the right landscape.


From privacy screens to foundation plantings, shade gardens, poolside layouts, and specialty evergreen accents, we carry the plants that make landscapes look complete all year.

 
 
 

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Follow us for updates, seasonal sales, planting tips, and farm events!

We’re open year-round, 7 days a week. Family-owned, customer-trusted. Serving Manalapan, Freehold, Marlboro, Howell, Colts Neck, Old Bridge, Jackson, Monroe, and all of Central New Jersey.

Thank you for choosing Maple Leaf Farms – Growing with Passion, Rooted in Tradition.

Serving New Jersey With the Widest Selection of Plants

From our extensive selection of landscape shrubs such as Boxwoods, Hollies, Viburnum, Spirea, Forsythia, and Hydrangea to our towering shade trees like Oaks, Maples, Birch, and Redbuds, we offer premium-grade nursery stock at pricing that reflects our grower-direct approach. Homeowners come from all over the tri-state region because we carry large, mature plants at lower prices than big box stores.

Maple Leaf Farms is also the go-to source for businesses seeking commercial planting solutions. We carry DOT-approved trees, deer-resistant options, and drought-tolerant species. We offer bulk flat pricing on hundreds of shrubs and perennials and stock top brands like Proven Winners, Monrovia, First Editions, and hand-selected growers.

Our team includes certified horticulturists and plant specialists who provide free in-store consultations and paid design services for advanced projects. Whether you need curb appeal, foundation coverage, color through the seasons, or solutions for wet, shady, or rocky areas, we’ll help you build a custom plant list that performs. From new construction to historic restoration, we’re with you from soil to success.

Visit Maple Leaf Farms at 525 Route 9 South, Manalapan, NJ. Call us at 732-851-4400 or email mapleleaffarmsnj@gmail.com. Open daily from 9AM to 5PM. Check out our inventory in person – we do not sell online. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for live inventory updates, garden inspiration, and event news.