The 7 Best Evergreen Shrubs

Agarista populifolia (Lam.) Judd (Florida Hobblebush, Pipestem leucothoe)

Also known as Fetterbush, this evergreen shrub is highly toxic if ingested. Florida Hobblebush grows from 8-12 feet tall and will produce bell shaped cream flowers from May to June. It is nearly disease and pest free. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist soil. It is a graceful multi-stemmed, arching branch shrub that will spread out to around 6 feet. It makes a good specimen shrub for your landscape.

Befaria racemosa Vent. (Tarflower)

Tarflower will get up to 6 feet tall and needs a spacing of 4 feet across. It loves sun to partial shade and is an aromatic evergreen. White blooms are seen from late spring to mid-summer. Remember to plant this one in mildly acidic soil. This shrub shouldn't be planted by concrete, as the concrete makes the soil alkaline.

Ilex cassine L. (Dahoon)

This shrub has a tall structure, often getting to 30-40 feet. It requires a spacing zone of 15-20 feet. Full sun to partial shade is needed and the soil needs are adaptable. It has inconspicuous white blooms and female shrubs have red or yellow berries in winter. It is an evergreen, drought tolerant, and is a great gem for xeriscaping. This can be a smaller narrower tree, but is generally a shrub. To propagate you can direct sow seed outside in the fall.

Ilex glabra (L.) Gray (Inkberry)

An evergreen shrub this will grow 2-12 feet tall with dense foliage. Tiny white flowers form from February to June and red berrylike fruit shows from September to November. It occurs in bogs/wetlands and would be a nice addition to a bog project with some Sarracenia.

Ilex opaca Ait. (American holly)

This is an evergreen shrub/small tree that will reach maturity at up to 50 feet. Greenish white flowers start in April and orange/red four-seeded fruits appear September to December. This fruit is loved by over 18 species of game and song birds, so this is a favorite for people creating birding sanctuaries. The holly is very shade tolerant but heavy shade will affect its crown area.

Kalmia latifolia L. (Mountain laurel)