Evergreen plants—trees and shrubs that retain foliage through all seasons—form the permanent architecture of gardens. Their consistent presence provides structure, privacy, windbreaks, and wildlife habitat while deciduous plants cycle through dormancy.
Why Choose Evergreens?
- Year-round screening and privacy
- Winter color and structure
- Wind and noise reduction
- Bird nesting and shelter
- Low maintenance once established
- Adaptable to various soils and climates
Top Evergreen Trees for Landscaping
Arborvitae / Thuja (Thuja occidentalis)
Fast-growing, columnar to pyramidal; excellent for hedges and screens.
- Popular cultivars: 'Emerald Green', 'Green Giant', 'Techny', 'Nigra', 'Hetz Midget', 'Little Giant', 'Woodward', 'Pyramidalis', 'Spring Grove'
- Size range: 3-60 feet depending on cultivar
- Conditions: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil
Cypress (Cupressus, Chamaecyparis)
- Leyland Cypress: Extremely fast (3-4'/year); tall screen
- Italian Cypress: Narrow columnar; Mediterranean look
- Arizona Cypress: Blue-gray foliage; drought tolerant
- Hinoki Cypress: Elegant, slow-growing; dwarf forms available
Spruce (Picea)
- Dwarf Alberta Spruce: Perfect cone; 6-8 feet; slow
- Bird's Nest Spruce: Compact, depressed center; 3-4 feet
- Blue Spruce: Striking silver-blue needles; 30-60 feet
- Norway Spruce: Fast, graceful; weeping forms available
Holly (Ilex)
- American Holly: Classic red berries; 15-30 feet
- 'Nellie Stevens': Heavy berries; fast; 15-25 feet
- 'Castle Spire': Narrow pyramidal; 8-10 feet
- 'Soft Touch': Spineless; compact; 2-3 feet
Pine (Pinus)
- Eastern White Pine: Soft long needles; fast; 50-80 feet
- Austrian Pine: Tough, pollution tolerant; 40-60 feet
- Mugo Pine: Shrubby; 3-20 feet; many dwarf forms
- Japanese Black Pine: Picturesque; coastal tolerant
Juniper (Juniperus)
- 'Skyrocket': Narrow column; 15-20 feet
- 'Blue Point': Dense pyramidal; blue-green
- 'Spartan': Fast, heat tolerant; 15 feet
- Groundcovers: 'Blue Rug', 'Bar Harbor', 'Wiltonii'
Fir (Abies)
- Fraser Fir: Christmas tree favorite; fragrant
- Balsam Fir: Dark green; dwarf 'Nana' for gardens
- Korean Fir: Purple cones young; compact
- Nordmann Fir: Glossy dark needles; popular Christmas tree
Other Notable Evergreen Trees
- Yew (Taxus baccata): Shade tolerant; excellent for hedges/topiary
- Southern Magnolia: Large glossy leaves; fragrant white flowers
- Live Oak: Spreading canopy; iconic southern tree
- Cryptomeria: Elegant Japanese cedar; 'Yoshino' fast-growing
- Olive (Olea europaea): Silvery foliage; edible fruit; drought tolerant
- Bamboo: Running or clumping; dramatic vertical element
Top Evergreen Shrubs for Landscaping
Boxwood (Buxus)
- Cultivars: 'Green Velvet', 'Green Mountain', 'Green Gem', 'Winter Gem', 'Variegata', 'Faulkner', 'Korean Box'
- Uses: Formal hedges, topiary, edging, knots
- Conditions: Sun to shade; well-drained; protect from winter wind
Pieris / Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub (Pieris japonica)
- Cultivars: 'Mountain Fire', 'Forest Flame', 'Valley Valentine', 'Cavatine', 'Snow Queen'
- Features: New growth red/bronze; white/pink bell flowers; evergreen
- Conditions: Part shade; acidic, organic soil
Holly Shrubs (Ilex)
- Blue Holly series: 'Blue Princess', 'Blue Prince', 'Blue Maid'
- Meserveae hybrids: 'China Girl/Boy', 'Castle Wall', 'Dragon Lady'
- Inkberry (I. glabra): Native; spineless; black berries; wet tolerant
Juniper Shrubs
- Spreading: 'Blue Star', 'Grey Owl', 'Calgary Carpet', 'Bar Harbor'
- Upright: 'Mint Julep', 'Old Gold', 'Scandia', 'Hughes'
- Features: Drought tolerant; deer resistant; varied colors
Yew (Taxus)
- Cultivars: 'Hicksii' (columnar), 'Densiformis' (spreading), 'Tauntonii' (compact)
- Features: Shade tolerant; red arils; very long-lived
- Caution: Foliage and seeds toxic
Azalea (Rhododendron)
- Kurume hybrids: Compact; early spring bloom; 2-4 feet
- Satsuki hybrids: Late spring; diverse colors
- Encore series: Reblooming; spring, summer, fall
Rhododendron
- Large-leaved: 'Catawbiense', 'Roseum Elegans', 'English Roseum'
- Yakushimanum hybrids: Compact; indumentum (fuzzy leaf undersides)
- Conditions: Dappled shade; acidic, well-drained, organic soil
Camellia
- C. japonica: Winter-spring bloom; larger leaves/flowers
- C. sasanqua: Fall-winter bloom; smaller; sun tolerant
- Colors: White, pink, red, bicolors; single to formal double
Other Valuable Evergreen Shrubs
- Nandina: Bamboo-like; red winter berries; 'Fire Power', 'Gulf Stream'
- Euonymus: Variegated forms; 'Emerald Gaiety', 'Emerald 'n Gold'
- Mahonia: Holly-like; fragrant yellow winter flowers; blue berries
- Daphne: Intensely fragrant; 'Carol Mackie', 'Eternal Fragrance'
- Pittosporum: Glossy leaves; 'Variegatum', 'Silver Sheen'
- Viburnum: Many evergreen species; 'Pragense', 'Leatherleaf'
- Sarcococca: Sweet box; winter fragrance; shade lover
Design Principles
- Mix textures: needle vs. broadleaf; fine vs. coarse
- Vary heights: groundcovers (12"), mid-shrubs (3-6'), tall screens (10'+)
- Consider mature width—allow space for natural form
- Group in drifts of 3, 5, 7 for naturalistic effect
- Use as backdrop for seasonal color (bulbs, perennials, annuals)
- Site for winter viewing from windows
