When in bloom, flowering evergreens add a splash of color to your surroundings and provide greenery throughout the year. Evergreen perennials offer both aesthetic and spiritual benefits during the cold, dreary winter months. Although individuals residing in warmer climates have a wide variety of evergreen perennials to choose from, there are fewer options for those in colder regions. Nevertheless, long-lasting green foliage can still be enjoyed in chilly locations. To ensure inclusivity for every hardiness climate, we have compiled a list of evergreen perennials by zone. Why Plant Evergreens? 5 Reasons To Include Them In Your Landscape Evergreens are not only visually appealing but also have multiple benefits. They provide year-round greenery, retain soil, reduce noise pollution, minimize glare, and act as windbreakers. These reasons make evergreens a must-have in your landscape. Hardiness Zones and Why It’s Important Hardiness zones are defined as areas with a particular climate, specifically in terms of how well plants can survive the winter. It is essential to know your hardiness zone because it determines which plants can thrive in your area. Evergreen Perennials By Zone In zones 3-5, recommended evergreens include Mountain Rock Cress, Sea Thrift, Basket of Gold, Mountain Andromeda, Evergreen Candytuft, Bergenia, Mountain Laurel, Dalmatian Bellflower, Coral Bells, and Rhododendron. For zones 6-8, suggested evergreens are Lungwort, Rock Cress, Seaside Daisy, Japanese Hardy Orchid, Rose Sage, Lenten Rose, Fumewort, Dianthus, and Yarrow. In zones 9-11, Gerbera Daisy, African Lily, Pineapple Guava, Red Bird of Paradise, and Bigleaf Lantana are excellent options.
Evergreens are named for their ability to remain green for an extended period, seeming almost everlasting. These perennial plants survive for more than a single growing season and keep their leaves all year round. Including evergreens in your landscaping has numerous benefits. Here are five reasons why you should plant evergreens:
There are various roles that evergreen plants play in gardens and landscapes beyond providing visual appeal throughout the year. These plants can serve practical purposes, such as acting as windbreaks against cold, snow, and strong winds. Taller evergreen perennials like shrubs and bushes can be planted near a house to protect the property and add insulation. Evergreens can also create natural privacy screens that look better than chain-link fencing or wooden fences.
Another benefit of evergreens is that they help to reduce noise levels by acting as a year-round buffer against sound. Deciduous shrubs cannot provide this service since they lose their leaves during certain seasons. If you like to bring nature indoors, evergreen plants are perfect for snipping off a flower or leaf stem to add to a vase throughout the year.
In addition to the practical benefits, evergreens provide year-round shelter for birds and wildlife. They also supply food sources for these creatures in many cases. With so much natural habitat being destroyed by development, it’s important to create safe spaces for our wild friends.
Finally, hardiness zones are an essential consideration when selecting evergreens for your garden or landscape. It’s crucial to choose plants that can thrive in the climate and soil conditions in your area to ensure their survival.
To make sure that you have the right evergreens for your garden, it’s important to know your garden’s hardiness zone. However, many evergreen plant guides only provide options for warmer climates, leaving those in cooler zones feeling out of luck. But don’t worry, there are still options! We’ve compiled a list of perennial evergreens broken down into zones so that you can easily find the best options for your area. Keep in mind that while some plants may be evergreen in one zone, they may not be in another. Climate plays a big role in a plant’s ability to retain its leaves year-round. In zones 3-5, Mountain Rock Cress is a great evergreen option to consider.
Mountain Rock Cress is a resilient, evergreen plant that grows close to the ground. Its unique foliage forms a mat that adds a stunning touch to any garden landscape. The leaves have a grayish-green color, and it produces abundant, fragrant, snowy white flowers in spring. This native plant can reach a height of 8-10 inches and thrives in zones 4-7, and possibly zone 3. Additionally, it is drought tolerant and resistant to deer and rabbit damage. Another great option for garden enthusiasts is Sea Thrift, also known as Armeria maritima.
The sea thrift plant is a resilient and undemanding perennial that boasts eye-catching clusters of pink or purple blossoms. With slender stems towering over its vivid green, grass-like foliage, this charming native plant typically grows to a height of 6-12 inches. Sea thrift blooms in mid to late spring and requires little maintenance, making it an ideal choice for those who want low-effort gardening. It is also evergreen to zones 3-9, deer-resistant, and attracts butterflies and bees. Another great option is the basket of gold (Aurinia saxatilis).
Basket of Gold is an evergreen perennial that adds a touch of golden brilliance to rock gardens and borders. Its flowing, mounding habit makes it a perfect addition for those who appreciate natural beauty. When in full bloom, this plant looks like a golden masterpiece with its bright-yellow flowers that appear in large numbers above gray-green foliage during springtime. With a height of 6-12 inches, Basket of Gold is a charming border plant that cascades over stone walls. Suitable for zones 3-7, it thrives in full sun and is deer resistant. Additionally, this perennial attracts beneficial insects, bees, and butterflies. Another great option for enhancing your garden’s beauty is Mountain Andromeda, also known as Pieris floribunda.
The stunning Mountain Andromeda boasts a rich green hue that perfectly complements the snowy winter backdrop. Despite often being overlooked, this native plant deserves recognition for its impressive hardiness and beautiful evergreen foliage. The glossy, leathery leaves add a splash of color to the winter landscape, while in early spring, clusters of small white bell-shaped flowers attract bees and butterflies. Birds also benefit from the plant’s seeds and habitat. Fetterbush, or Mountain Andromeda, can grow up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, making it an ideal border or hedge shrub, as well as a striking centerpiece. It thrives in zones 5-8, and is deer-resistant. Another evergreen option is the Candytuft, which also boasts striking foliage that retains its color year-round.
Candytuft is a sure way to add some pizzazz to your garden all year round. The striking perennial features flowers that are so white, they resemble a blanket of snow when they’re in full bloom. Additionally, the dark-green and leathery foliage of Candytuft provides an interesting texture and aesthetic appeal to any garden. Throughout late spring and early summer, Candytuft produces abundant clusters of delicate white flowers with a captivating yellow dot on each petal. This evergreen perennial usually grows to about 6-12 inches tall and looks exceptional as a border plant along walkways, garden edges, paths, or as ground cover. Not only is Candytuft evergreen for zones 3-9, but it is also drought tolerant and resistant to deer and rabbits. Another great option for your garden is Bergenia (Bergenia sp.).
Bergenias are a versatile and low-maintenance option for filling up any space. With a variety of species to choose from, it’s easy to find one that suits your needs. This evergreen perennial is also one of the hardiest out there, making it perfect for Northern climates. The plant grows in clumps, with large lettuce-like leaves that change color in winter depending on the species. Bergenia ranges in size from 12-24 inches and bears nodding flowers atop stout stems. Winter-blooming Bergenia, Heartleaf Bergenia, and Bergenia cultivars hybrids are just some of the many options available, each with their unique beauty. These plants can thrive in full sun, partial shade, or full shade, and they’re also deer and rabbit resistant. Another option for those looking for an evergreen option is Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia).
The Mountain Laurel is a much-loved plant not only for its evergreen foliage but also for its stunning flowers. This perennial shrub is a hardy and beautiful addition to any garden, with its attractive foliage that remains green throughout the year. During late spring and early summer, the bush boasts clusters of light pink or white bell-shaped blooms that are simply breathtaking. The leaves of the Mountain Laurel are oval, glossy, leathery, and dark-green in color. As the seasons change, the foliage transitions from light-green to dark-green before turning purple. Aside from its stunning appearance, the Mountain Laurel also attracts a variety of wildlife, including butterflies, birds, and hummingbirds, thanks to its native flowers and fruits. Growing up to 15 feet tall, this plant makes an excellent border plant and is evergreen in zones 4-9. It thrives in partial shade and is resistant to deer and rabbits. Native to the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast regions, the Mountain Laurel is undoubtedly a must-have for anyone looking to add some beauty to their garden. Another stunning plant worth considering is the Dalmatian Bellflower, also known as Campanula portenschlagiana.
The Dalmatian Bellflower is a stunning option for evergreen ground-covering. This perennial flower is incredibly vigorous and boasts beautiful bell-shaped flowers that bloom all summer long. The upward flaring blossoms are deeply colored and turn the garden into a vibrant sea of color. Additionally, the tiny heart-shaped leaves form a rosette as it spreads across the ground, making for an enthralling foliage display. Standing at 8-12 inches tall, the Dalmatian Bellflower is perfect for use as a groundcover, edging, or filling in wall or fence crevices. It’s important to note that not all bellflower species and cultivars make good evergreen choices, so make sure to choose wisely. This plant is evergreen to zones 3-9 and thrives in both full sun or partial shade. It’s also rabbit resistant. Another lovely option for your garden is Coral Bells, which belong to the Heuchera species.
Coral Bells are a great addition to any landscape, providing year-round interest with their striking foliage. Depending on where you live, they can be either evergreen or semi-evergreen. These plants are definitely worth planting for their dramatic leaf shapes and colors. The lobed and deeply veined foliage comes in various shades ranging from red to pink to dark purple to lime green, often featuring eye-catching contrasts. Although Coral Bells produce tiny bell-shaped flowers in late spring, it’s the foliage that steals the show. These plants thrive in partial or full shade and attract butterflies and hummingbirds while also being deer-resistant. Another plant to consider for your garden is the Rhododendron, or Rhododendron sp.
Rhododendrons have gained popularity as an evergreen landscape classic due to their impressive blooming capabilities and ability to withstand cold climates. With dense, glossy foliage that remains green all year round, these shrubs are perfect for hedges, accent plants, and privacy screens. There are several cultivars to choose from, each with a unique color and bloom time. However, it’s worth noting that not all Rhododendrons are evergreen, and confusion often arises between Azaleas and Rhododendrons. While Azaleas are mostly deciduous, Japanese species are evergreen. Therefore, it’s essential to pay attention to the plant’s foliage when selecting a shrub from this family. Rhododendrons typically grow 6-8 feet tall and spread as wide, making them an excellent choice for various landscaping purposes. They also attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and birds, making them a favorite among nature lovers. Rhododendrons thrive in partial shade and are evergreen in zones 4-8. Another shrub that does well in similar conditions is the Lungwort (Pulmonaria).
The Lungwort plant is a delightful addition to any garden, offering aesthetic value with its fascinating foliage. As a semi-evergreen perennial, it boasts a wide range of colors for flower enthusiasts, including pink, white, purple, blue, and bi-color options. However, the silver-spotted or speckled green leaves are the plant’s real attraction. It grows up to 15 inches tall, spreading out along the ground, and is well-loved for its low-maintenance nature and effectiveness as a shade plant. It is also deer and rabbit resistant, thriving in partial or full shade within zones 5-8. Another plant worth considering is the Rock Cress (Aubrieta deltoidea).
A great option for enhancing the beauty of your pathway, wall or border is rock cress. This amazing semi-evergreen perennial blooms so beautifully in late spring that it can almost cover its foliage underneath. Rock cress is a low-growing, mat-forming plant that is ideal for planting between stones, along walkways and stone walls. The stunning purple-red flowers of rock cress are hard to miss, but there are also many cultivars with different flower colors ranging from pink to red and purple. With an average height of 4-10 inches, rock cress can spread out up to 2 feet. It is a perfect addition to your garden if you want to attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies while keeping deer at bay. If you live in zones 5-7, then you can enjoy the beauty of semi-evergreen rock cress in full sun. Another beautiful plant to consider is the seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus).
The Seaside Daisy is a lovely evergreen perennial that blooms for a long time and has attractive foliage when not in bloom. Its gorgeous cushion of lavender flowers makes it a great addition to rock gardens, coastal gardens, or as ground cover. With its multitudes of petals and bright yellow center, it resembles a daisy and is native to the west coast of the United States. This plant blooms from spring through summer, and its blueish-green spoon-shaped leaves are an additional attraction. Seaside Daisies grow 6-12 inches tall and are loved by butterflies. They are drought tolerant, deer resistant, and native to the Pacific Northwest. Another hardy orchid that is worth mentioning is the Japanese Hardy Orchid, also known as Calanthe discolor.
The Japanese Hardy Orchids are a beautiful and unique addition to any garden, especially for those living in high-mid to higher zones. These small orchids have charming white and mahogany flowers that resemble little butterflies along the stem. They have 2-3 long, deep-green leaves that are pleated and add an exotic touch to your landscape. Depending on the climate, these perennials can be evergreen or semi-evergreen. They are typically 12-18 inches tall and definitely stand out in any garden. One of the species of Japanese Hardy Orchid, Calanthe sieboldii, has yellow flowers and grows taller at 18-24 inches. The hybrid, ‘Katane,’ is a combination of C.sieboldii and C.discolor and has lovely yellow, apricot, and cream-colored blooms. These orchids thrive in partial shade or a sheltered site and are evergreen in zones 7-9. Additionally, Rose Sage (Salvia pachyphylla) is another plant that can complement the beauty of Japanese Hardy Orchids in your garden.
One of the benefits of planting Rose Sage is its ability to attract busy pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its beautiful purple flower spikes. This perennial plant maintains its attractiveness all year round thanks to its evergreen quality and delightful fragrance. An added bonus is that it requires little maintenance, making it a hassle-free addition to any landscape. With its stunning silvery-gray foliage, Rose Sage can reach up to an average of 2-3 feet in height and width. It is also suitable for zones 5-9, thrives in full sun, and can endure harsh weather conditions, including drought and extreme temperatures. Additionally, Rose Sage is resistant to deer and rabbit damage and is native to the Southwest region. Another excellent plant to consider is Lenten Rose or Hellebore.
Do not be deceived by the delicate appearance of hellebores as they are surprisingly resilient plants. These lovely evergreen perennials, also known as Lenten Roses, add visual interest to your garden all year-round with their stunning blooms that emerge in late winter or early spring. Their flowers, which bear a striking resemblance to roses, are quite large and eye-catching and grow in clusters on strong stems above the foliage that has a leathery texture and blue-green hue. While the average height of Lenten Roses is 10-24 inches, there is a range of hybrids and cultivars offering a wide variety of flower colors, including pink, purple, red, peach, white, and even black. These plants thrive in zones 5-9 and require partial or full shade while being resistant to deer. Another great plant to consider is the Fumewort, scientifically known as Corydalis elata.
Butterflies are attracted to Fumewort, but rabbits tend to avoid it. Fumewort is a popular choice for gardens due to its stunning blue hue and delightful scent. Its yellow-green foliage adds a lovely contrast to the colorful flowers, which bloom from late spring through midsummer. This evergreen perennial grows to be 12-18 inches in height and is easy to cultivate. It thrives in partially shaded areas and is resistant to rabbits. Another great addition to any garden is Dianthus.
Before purchasing Dianthus, it’s important to note that not all varieties are evergreen. These flowers, commonly called Pinks, are delightful and resilient plants. Dianthus blooms for a lengthy period, spanning from late spring until fall in some cases. The blue-green foliage is compact in nature and resembles grass. With a vast selection of over 100 options to choose from, Dianthus can provide an array of hues ranging from pink, purple, red, burgundy, to white. Consider planting Dianthus for a vibrant pop of color in your garden, and enjoy the sweet, fragrant smell of many of its varieties. Dianthus is perfect for zones 5-9, requires full sun, and can tolerate both drought and heat. Additionally, it is deer and rabbit resistant and attracts butterflies and bees.
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant to add some beauty to your garden, consider yarrow! This perennial plant blooms almost all year round and requires very little care. Plus, it’s drought and heat tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant, and rarely affected by pests. Not to mention, it’s a butterfly magnet! Yarrow is a tall plant, often growing up to 2 feet high, with lovely green fern-like foliage. It produces dense clusters of sweet-smelling flowers in various colors – yellow, pink, red, and white. Yarrow is evergreen in zones 6-9 and thrives in full sun or light shade. In zones 9-11, you may want to consider the Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) as another low-maintenance option for a beautiful garden.
The Gerbera Daisy is a much-loved flower due to its vibrant and beautiful appearance. It is a popular perennial worldwide that is sure to impress with its long blooming season and dazzling colors. With a wide range of color combinations that include red, orange, pink, white, and yellow, this evergreen plant from South Africa stands tall at 24 inches and thrives in sunny areas. The flowers, which measure 4-5 inches wide, bloom on top of slender leafless stems that sit high above the dark green foliage. Gerbera Daisies are quite eye-catching and look especially stunning when planted together in large groupings. They remain evergreen in zones 8-11 and enjoy full sun or some light shade. Another beautiful African plant is the African Lily (Agapanthus africanus).
The African Lily is a unique and striking plant that adds a touch of flamboyance to any garden. With its tall, sturdy stems and rounded clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white, this evergreen perennial is a real showstopper. The foliage is also attractive, with dense clumps of sword-shaped green leaves. These plants bloom in early summer and look especially stunning when planted in large groups or mixed borders. They are also deer and rabbit resistant and attract a variety of pollinators, including butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and birds. If you live in zones 8-10 and have a sunny spot in your garden, the African Lily is definitely worth considering. Another great choice for a unique and delicious addition to your garden is the Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana).
The pineapple guava plant is truly remarkable and has a lot to offer. This perennial is a sight to behold, with its stunning grayish-green leaves and white undersides that contrast beautifully with the bi-color flowers and delicious sweet fruit. With a height of 6-15 feet, it’s an excellent choice for those with ample space. The flowers are a vibrant red with white tips and striking crimson stamens, and they’re even edible. During the summer months, you can expect green egg-shaped fruits that taste like a combination of pineapple and spearmint when fully ripe. This plant is evergreen and thrives in zones 8-11. It requires full sun exposure and is drought tolerant while attracting birds to your garden. Another plant worth mentioning is the Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima).
The Red Bird of Paradise gets its name from its eye-catching appearance. This plant is a versatile shrub or small tree that can bloom throughout the year in tropical climates. The flowers are simply stunning, with bowl-shaped clusters that come in bright orange and gold hues – perfect for attracting hummingbirds. As an evergreen perennial, it has thorns that make it an ideal natural barrier or hedge. Additionally, the foliage is feathery and green, making it easy to prune into the desired shape. This plant is evergreen in zones 9-11 and prefers full sun while also being drought tolerant. Another noteworthy plant is the Bigleaf Lantana or Lantana camara.
The Lantana flowering bush is a stunning addition to any garden, but it can only thrive as an evergreen in the warmest areas. This sun-loving shrub boasts brilliantly colored flowers and remains attractive with its dark-green foliage all year round. It’s no wonder that hummingbirds and butterflies are drawn to it, while deer and rabbits avoid it. The bi-color flowers transition beautifully from one color to another as they mature, making for a truly unique display. However, gardeners should be wary of its invasive nature and keep it contained or plant it with care.
If you’re looking to add some color and interest to your landscape all year round, consider incorporating evergreen plants. Not only do they improve the aesthetic appeal of your yard, but they also provide privacy and protection from natural elements. Additionally, evergreen perennials benefit local wildlife, making them a smart choice for any garden.