Here are some basics to help you understand the differences between them. The Sargent crabapple and staghorn sumac have spreading branches. Coniferous shrubs are cone-bearing, primarily evergreen plants with needlelike or scalelike leaves. They may be low and trailing, spreading, rounded or upright. These plants' leaves are usually thick and waxy.
Evergreens do a good job of hiding heat pumps, dog runs or garbage cans year-round.
Tall evergreens can be used to guide the eye up and over permanent landscape features such as fences and walls.