10 Blooming Evergreens: Flowering Evergreens For Year Round Color
Every garden should have evergreens to provide year-round color and visual interest. In addition to some of the typical evergreens, like spruce trees or boxwood hedges, you can find flowering plants that hold onto their leaves all year. Add greenery and pretty blooms with these evergreen flowers.
Flowering Evergreen Trees
These trees provide glossy, green leaves all year in the right climate, as well as pretty spring flowers:
- Southern magnolia. For southern states, this tree is a classic. Magnolia grandiflora are native beauties, but they do take several years or growth before they begin blooming.
- Mandarin orange. In a warm climate, this fruiting tree is evergreen. They also produce tasty fruit and white spring flowers that attract pollinators and have a gorgeous fragrance.
- Rhododendron. Most species of this forest-growing evergreen flower are shrubs, but some grow as small trees. Rosebay can grow up to 12 feet (3.6 m), while McCabe rhododendron may ultimately become 50 feet (15.2 m) tall.
Flowering Evergreen Bushes
Use evergreen flowering shrubs as hedges or borders, or in a more natural state in a native bed or planting.
- Azaleas. Most botanists consider this showy shrub a subspecies of rhododendron. They produce masses of bright flowers in a range of colors.
- Mountain laurel. This is a large shrub that prefers partial shade. Native to the eastern U.S., it is evergreen and produces unusual and showy spring flowers.
- Rosemary. In climate zones 7 through 10, this woody herbal shrub remains evergreen. It produces delicate lavender flowers that attract pollinators. A similar option is lavender. Both can be shaped into hedges or borders or left to grow naturally.
- Chinese fringe flower. Enjoy early spring flowers on this evergreen shrub that grows up to three feet (.9 m.) tall.
Flowering Evergreen Ground Cover
As a grass alternative, try these evergreen ground covers that stay green all year and bloom in winter or spring.
- Winter heath. Growing no taller than about six inches (15 cm.), this evergreen plant produces striking purple flower for months, including in the winter.
- Creeping myrtle. Also known as periwinkle, this is a vine that many people use as groundcover in shady areas. It has evergreen leaves in zones 4 through 8 and produces delicate, blue-purple flowers.
- Creeping phlox. For masses of flowers and evergreen leaves in a sunny location, try this plant. While the leaves are evergreen, the showy masses of bright flowers are the stars.
When choosing flowering evergreens, keep in mind that some are deciduous in colder climates. Some may also be invasive in your area, so do your homework first.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Mary Ellen Ellis has been gardening for over 20 years. With degrees in Chemistry and Biology, Mary Ellen's specialties are flowers, native plants, and herbs.
-
Best States For Gardening – These Places Are The Top Spots For Gardeners
Looking for a change? These parts of the country are the best places to live for gardeners, according to the data.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Best Seeds For Survival – Grow A Garden That Can Outlast Almost Anything
Uncertain about the future? Why not try seeds? They’re easy to save and provide a safety net for good times and bad.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
20 Hard-to-Find Spring Flowers & Plants That Look Amazing All Season
It’s finally beginning to look like spring! If you’re eager to find some unique, hard-to-find varietals to satisfy your spring fever, look here first.
By Caroline Bloomfield
-
How Wildflower Strips Help Attract Pollinators To Your Yard
If you have a small garden spot or strip available, fill it with wildflowers for our hungry pollinators. Click to learn more.
By Tonya Barnett
-
10 Knockout Native Flowers To Add A Punch Of Color To Your Garden
Growing native is the way to go. See our list of ten native wildflowers that will knock you out with color.
By Amy Grant
-
Pretty Plants For A Pastel Flower Bouquet
Roses aren’t the only romantic flower. Some romantic pastel flowers can fill in beautifully.
By Tonya Barnett
-
Soft Yellow Plants For A Sunny Pastel Garden
Click here for ideas on some pale yellow flower varieties for pastel garden designs.
By Tonya Barnett
-
Most Common Flower Color In The World
What are the most common and least common flower colors in the world? Click here to find out.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Pastel Plants For A Lovely, Light Purple Flower Garden
Click here for ideas on some light purple plants for a pretty, pastel garden display.
By Tonya Barnett
-
Plant Wildflower Seeds In Fall for A Stunning Spring Display
Can you plant wildflower seeds in fall? What makes fall the best time to sow wildflower seeds? Click here for more.
By Tonya Barnett