28 Evergreen Shrubs to Plant for Year-Round Beauty
Give your garden or landscape some evergreen attraction!
Expert consulted: Erin McCormick
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Planting evergreen shrubs in your garden is a wonderful way to create texture and height, have foliage and color year-round, and be an active participant in the ecosystem.
Evergreen shrubs, like flowering shrubs, come in varying sizes, shapes and colors so you should be able to find one for your area that fits your needs and landscape.
You'll need to consider your geographical region, sunlight needs, soil type, and spacing before bringing an evergreen shrub home. Choose an evergreen shrub that grows well in your climate based on the USDA hardiness zone. Some can withstand extreme cold or hot temperatures while others need moderate climates to thrive. (Note that the Hardiness zones map was updated last year, so you may be in a different zone.)
What to Do Before Planting a Shrub
Before planting a shrub in a space, take some time to note how much light it gets each day. Some shrubs need a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day, while others can handle—or even prefer—partial shade.
"People need to think about sunlight and shade because proper light exposure ensures healthy growth and foliage density," says Erin McCormick, Senior Horticulturist at Mt. Cuba Center. "Sunlight impacts the shrub's ability to photosynthesize effectively."
She adds that an evergreen shrub that has too much shade could lead to disease susceptibility or sparse growth. The opposite can also be problematic, too. If an evergreen shrub receives too much sun, this could lead to leaf burn or may need to be watered more frequently.
Another important consideration that is often overlooked is to understand how tall and wide the evergreen shrub will be at maturity. The small shrub you bring home isn't going to stay that size. Make sure it has ample space to grow without other plants or even a wall hindering it.
"It's crucial to consider mature size because overcrowding can lead to poor air circulation and disease issues," says McCormick. "Shrubs planted too close together may compete for nutrients and water."
Native vs Non-Native Shrubs
If you want more success in your garden, grow native evergreen shrubs. These plants are adapted to your geographical region and will naturally grow well in the climate and typical soil conditions.
Plus, they provide important food sources and nesting habitats for wildlife, including birds, bees, butterflies, moths and other beneficial insects.
"Evergreen shrubs are important for ecosystems because they provide year-round shelter and nesting sites for birds and small animals," says McCormick. "Their dense foliage offers protection from predators and harsh weather." Plus, flowers, seeds and berries are important food sources for wildlife, especially in the winter when there is less available.
One important factor before purchasing an evergreen shrub is to check if it's an invasive species in your region. Invasive shrubs can be difficult to manage once they start growing in your garden and can adversely impact the ecosystem. For example, McCormick doesn't recommend planting wintercreeper, Chinese privet, or mahonia because some species can be invasive in some parts of the country. Be careful and check the species before planting in your area.
Mountain Laurel
A native evergreen shrub in eastern North America, Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), has glossy leaves and has flowers that attract butterflies and bees.
Why We Love It: Clusters of pink or white flowers in the spring
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Read more: How to Make a Pollinator Garden That Actually Works
Eastern Redcedar
This is typically an evergreen tree and there are also cultivars that grow as evergreen shrubs. Look for ‘Hillspire’ for a plant that grows to about 8 feet tall, or ‘Grey Owl’ for a low-growing shrub that stays 3 to 6 feet tall; Be aware that other varieties can grow 30 to 4o feet.)
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a native species in the eastern U.S. but can be found pretty much across the country. If you're growing to attract wildlife, make sure to plant a female species, which will produce berries.
Why We Love It: Produces berries that ripen in the fall
Hardiness Zones: 2 to 9
American Holly
American holly, also known as Christmas holly (Ilex opaca), produces beautiful bright red and sometimes orange berries.
Why We Love It: Provides important food for many bird species.
Learn more: How to Grow and Care for a Holly Bush
Pyracantha
Bright white blooms and glossy green foliage make this evergreen a winner. Some gardeners grow it a barrier hedge, because its thorny branches can cause painful inflammation, making it great for defense.
The berries, which come in shades of red or orange, persist into winter, so you'll get double the beauty.
Why We Love It: Striking winter color.
Southern Wax Myrtle
Southern Wax Myrtle, also known as Bayberry (Morella cerifera) is an important native shrub in the Southeastern United States for wildlife. Both the blooms and blue-colored berries provide food for insects and birds and shelter. This will do much better in warmer climates—at the northern end of its hardiness, it's only semi-evergreen.
Why We Love It: It has a fragrant smell.
Hardiness Zones: 7 to 10
False Cypress
This cold-tolerant shrub has graceful limbs and flat, lacy needles. Many varieties grow in a pyramidal or roughly pyramidal shape, which makes a nice, low-maintenance accent plant.
Why We Love It: Soft fern-like needles
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Privet
Long used for formal hedges in Europe, this handsome shrub makes a wonderful screen.
It has pretty, fragrant white flowers in spring. It thrives in warmer climates. Watch for Chinese privet, as the species is invasive in some areas.
Why We Love It: Can be pruned or left natural
Hardiness Zones: 7 to 11
Pittosporum
This mounding evergreen shrub grows well in warm climates. It has solid green or variegated foliage with orange-scented blossoms.
Why We Love It: Good border or accent plant
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Cherry Laurel
The shiny leaves of this evergreen add interest to the dull winter landscape. Plus, it has pretty linear flowers in spring that have a delicious almond or cherry scent.
Why We Love It: Sweet springtime scent and shiny leaves
Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
Pieris
Also called Japanese andromeda, this beautiful evergreen has clusters of blooms in late winter. It's also one of the few evergreens which tolerates mostly shade.
Why We Love It: Gorgeous clusters of winter flowers
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Gardenia
With glossy green foliage and stunning creamy-white or ivory flowers, this evergreen belongs in every warm climate garden. The fragrance is divine, too!
Why We Love It: Lush, fragrant flowers
Hardiness Zones: 7 to 11
Hemlock
Dense branching and finely-textured foliage make this shrub a winner as a specimen or planted in a mass to create an interesting screen. Unlike many evergreens, most tolerate some shade.
Why We Love It: Graceful appearance with cute little cones
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Mirror Bush
This evergreen has super-shiny leaves in shades of bright lime green or pink! It's suited only to warm climates, but in colder parts of the country, you can keep it potted and bring indoors to enjoy as a houseplant over the winter.
Why We Love It: Interesting, shiny leaves
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
Inkberry
Upright branches and a cute round shape make this lesser-known native holly a good plant for foundation planting or along walks.
Why We Love It: Good substitute for boxwood
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 11
Blue Holly
Featuring sharp, pointy leaves and bright red berries, this is the type of holly most commonly associated with the holidays. Make sure you have both “female” and “male” plant types so berries will form.
Why We Love It: Winter color and a classic holiday feel
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 7
Arborvitae, Pyramidal Form
These pyramidal forms include many different heights, ranging from a few feet to 30 feet tall or more. Bonus: Most don’t need shearing to maintain their conical shape!
Why We Love It: Hardy and fast-growing evergreen
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Arborvitae, Globe Form
These rounded arbs are so fun to grow! Many stay in the 12- to 24-inch-tall range, so you can tuck them just about anywhere in the landscape.
Why We Love It: Doesn't need to be sheared to keep its round shape
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Azaleas
These shrubs with glossy green leaves put on a show in early spring with lovely shades of pinks, peach, coral, purple, or white flowers. Some types re-bloom. Make sure to purchase an evergreen (not a deciduous) variety if you want it to retain its foliage year-round.
Why We Love It: Evergreen shrub with beautiful spring flowers
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Juniper
Junipers come various shapes and sizes with colors ranging from blue-green to gold. Some are creeping varieties, while other types are more upright.
Why We Love It: Extremely cold-hardy evergreen
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Boxwood
Tiny rounded leaves that keep their deep green color through the coldest months make boxwood an all-time favorite for landscapes. Most types can be sheared into a hedge, ball form, or left to grow in a more naturalized shape.
Why We Love It: Classic shrub that works in many garden settings
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Erin McCormick is currently a Senior Horticulturist at the Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware, a botanic garden focused on conservation of native plants and their habitats.
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