Flowering Evergreen Plants: Blue Flies, Scarlet Milkweed, African Iris, Stokes Aster

Evergreens That Bloom

Evergreens replenish leaves gradually, avoiding the bare look of deciduous plants. Flowering evergreens add color to year-round foliage texture. Four excellent choices for diverse conditions.

Blue Flies (Aristea ecklonii)

Iris family. Evergreen perennial for shade or containers. Grass-like leaves 15–18 inches. Saucer-shaped blue flowers (spring/summer), each lasting one day. Full sun to light shade, rich well-drained soil. Propagate by seed or rooted clump division.

Scarlet Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)

Milkweed family. Annual or perennial evergreen, butterfly magnet. 3–4 feet, 5-inch leaves. Orange/red (rarely yellow) flowers 2–4 inches wide, spring–fall. Any soil, full sun to partial shade. Propagate by cuttings or seed.

African Iris (Dietes iridioides)

Iris family. Evergreen perennial. Sword-shaped leaves to 2 feet. 2–4 foot stalks, 3-inch white/yellow flowers. Light shade to full sun, any soil. Propagate by rhizome division or seed; may self-seed.

Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis)

Aster/daisy family. Evergreen perennial, beginner-friendly. 1–2 feet, 6–8 inch leaves. 3–4 inch flowers in blue, white, pink, lavender. Acidic, well-drained soil, full sun. Propagate by root clump division and seed.

These four bring persistent greenery and seasonal flowers to beds, borders, and containers.