Most trees shed their leaves in fall, leaving behind bare branches through winter. But not all plants follow this seasonal rhythm.
Some keep their foliage year-round, offering constant greenery, structure, and life in the garden.
These evergreen trees and shrubs stay lush regardless of the season, making them excellent choices for landscapes that need dependable color and coverage.
Here are 10 beautiful evergreens you can grow, each with their own unique qualities and care needs.
1. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture
- Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic
- USDA Zones: 3-8
The Eastern white pine is a graceful conifer with soft, bluish-green needles held in bundles.
This fast-growing tree is excellent for windbreaks or as a tall ornamental accent.
Its flexible needles resist heavy snow loads, making it a reliable choice in northern climates.
Long-lived and low-maintenance, it provides cover for wildlife and year-round interest for gardeners seeking evergreen beauty in their landscapes.
2. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
- USDA Zones: 6-10
Southern magnolia is a broadleaf evergreen known for its glossy, dark green leaves and huge, fragrant white flowers.
Unlike deciduous magnolias, this tree keeps its leathery foliage throughout the year, offering constant greenery.
In summer, its blossoms perfume the garden, while in winter, the leaves provide texture against bare surroundings.
Native to the southeastern United States, it thrives in warm climates and adds elegance to any landscape.
3. Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Water: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- Soil: Adaptable; prefers well-draining loam
- USDA Zones: 8-10
Live oak is a majestic evergreen oak tree famous for its sprawling canopy and historic presence in southern landscapes.
Unlike most oaks, it keeps its leathery green leaves all year, offering reliable shade and structure.
These trees are tough, enduring drought and storms with remarkable resilience.
Their wide-spreading branches create dramatic silhouettes, making them stunning statement trees.
4. American Holly (Ilex opaca)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Moderate; evenly moist soil preferred
- Soil: Slightly acidic, well-drained
- USDA Zones: 5-9
American Holly is a classic evergreen with spiny, deep-green leaves and bright red berries that persist into winter.
Unlike deciduous hollies, this species maintains its foliage year-round, providing interest long after other plants go dormant.
Its festive berries feed birds, while its dense canopy offers privacy and shelter.
Perfect for hedges, foundation plantings, or woodland gardens, it adapts to sun or shade.
5. Leyland Cypress (× Cuprocyparis leylandii)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Water: Moderate; tolerates occasional drought
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soils
- USDA Zones: 6–10
Leyland cypress is a fast-growing evergreen tree prized for its dense, feathery foliage.
It holds its dark green color all year, forming thick privacy screens or windbreaks within a few years of planting.
Unlike many conifers, it tolerates a range of soil types and grows vigorously even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Its uniform habit makes it easy to shape into hedges or natural screens.
6. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture
- Soil: Well-draining, neutral to alkaline
- USDA Zones: 5-9
Boxwood is a timeless evergreen shrub with small, glossy leaves that stay vibrant through winter.
Traditionally used in formal gardens, it’s ideal for hedges, borders, and topiary.
Its dense foliage holds shape year-round, making it a reliable choice for structure and design.
Unlike deciduous shrubs, boxwood never leaves gaps in the garden, offering a neat and polished appearance regardless of season.
7. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus and others)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Water: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once mature
- Soil: Well-drained, sandy to loamy
- USDA Zones: 8-11
Eucalyptus trees are evergreen natives of Australia, loved for their aromatic leaves and striking silhouettes.
Their foliage stays year-round, releasing a refreshing scent when crushed.
Depending on the variety, they can range from small shrubs to tall, stately trees.
Adaptable and resilient, they thrive in sunny, warm climates and tolerate dry conditions once established.
The silvery leaves add unique texture to gardens, while their evergreen nature ensures constant greenery.
8. Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
- Sunlight: Partial shade to dappled sun
- Water: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture
- Soil: Acidic, humus-rich, well-drained
- USDA Zones: 4-9 (varies by species)
Rhododendrons are evergreen shrubs prized for their dramatic spring blooms and lush foliage that persists all year.
Even after flowering, their broad, leathery leaves provide structure and greenery through winter.
Perfect for woodland gardens, they thrive in acidic soil and filtered light.
With countless cultivars, they can adapt to a wide range of climates, making them a gardener’s favorite for year-round appeal and seasonal color.
9. Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Water: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- Soil: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soils
- USDA Zones: 3-9 (varies by species)
Junipers are rugged evergreens available in forms ranging from creeping groundcovers to tall trees.
Their needle- or scale-like foliage comes in shades of green, blue, or even gold, staying vibrant year-round.
They thrive in tough conditions, tolerating poor soil and drought with ease.
Beyond their resilience, junipers add texture and color to the landscape even in the coldest months.
10. Lemon Tree (Citrus limon)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Water: Moderate; prefers deep, consistent watering
- Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
- USDA Zones: 9-11
Lemon trees, like many citrus species, are evergreen in warm climates, keeping their glossy green leaves throughout the year.
Beyond the constant greenery, they delight with fragrant blossoms and bright yellow fruit, often all present at the same time.
As evergreens, they add lush foliage and life even during winter months when other trees are bare.
Best suited to frost-free regions, they can also be grown in containers and moved indoors in cooler areas.
