Evergreen bedding plants
Best Evergreen Flowering Plants
From Ground Covers to Shrubs
By
David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. He was in the nursery business for over a decade, working with a large variety of plants. David has been interviewed by numerous newspapers and national U.S. magazines, such as Woman's World and American Way.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 04/05/22
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Evergreen flowering plants represent the best of both worlds. Many gardeners seek plants with pretty flowers, just as many seek specimens with evergreen leaves. Both are important: Great floral displays give your yard eye-popping color in spring and summer, while evergreen foliage offers a year-round constancy that saves your landscape from the feast-or-famine syndrome.
Sure, you can grow different plants to satisfy these dual needs. But, in small yards, you would eventually run out of space doing it that way. It would be much better to have these needs satisfied with one and the same plant wherever possible.
Evergreen shrubs of the broadleaf variety multitask nicely to fill this need for evergreen flowering plants. But it is nice to have other options, too, especially when a problem area in the yard demands a ground cover, or when there is a vacant spot in a flower bed that could really use a perennial that has both beautiful flowers and evergreen leaves.
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The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Rhododendron flowers can come in many colors, including lavender, white, pink and a reddish hue.
Their evergreen leaves are valued almost as highly as the blooms and can be quite large. Those on 'Cynthia,' a cultivar of the Catawba rhododendron shrub, are 6 inches long. Cynthia (zones 5 to 8) grows 8 to 15 feet tall and wide and has rose-pink flowers. Grow it in full sun to partial shade.
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Azalea Shrubs
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
The Rhododendron genus includes not only its namesake shrubs but also azaleas. Only some of the latter are evergreen. A magnificent example of an evergreen azalea is the Stewartstonian.
What's so great about Rhododendron x Gable 'Stewartstonian' is that it offers beauty during three seasons of the year: Red flowers in the spring, red folliage in the fall, and evergreen leaves in the winter months.
The plant becomes 4 to 5 feet tall, with a similar spread. Grow it in zones 5 to 8.
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The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Evergreen foliage can provide fabulous visual interest even when it is no longer attached to its plant.
Crafts enthusiasts appreciate the time-honored practice of harvesting evergreen boughs (whether broadleaf or needled) to make wreaths, kissing balls, swags, Christmas garlands, and other outdoor Christmas decorations. The broadleaf evergreen leaves of Kalmia latifolia (zones 4 to 9) are especially valued for use in garlands. The flowers are equally magnificent. They appear in large clusters in late spring. The unusually-shaped buds are of a darker color than the opened flowers (which are often white or light pink) and draw just as much interest.
Mountain laurel shrub (5 to 12 feet tall x 5 to 6 feet wide) does well in full sun to part shade.
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Andromeda
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Pieris japonica is a shrub that blooms in early spring. Its new foliage is orange-bronze. Cultivars have been developed that have new leaves that are a bright red; they typically have "fire," "red," or the like in their names, including:
- 'Red Mill'
- 'Mountain Fire'
- 'Red Head'
Even during the winter, Pieris japonica offers:
- Red flower buds, before they open to become hanging clusters of white blossoms
- Evergreen leaves
Grow it in partial shade in zones 5 to 7.
It becomes 6 to 8 feet in height, with a similar spread. -
05 of 11
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Erica carnea and its hybrid, Erica x darleyensis 'Mediterranean Pink' (hardy to zone 6, full sun, 1-foot tall x 2 feet wide), are small evergreen shrubs that offer pink "flowers" for months on end. The trick here is that those flowers are really made up of long-lasting sepals rather than short-lived petals. But when you are treated to their beauty in the winter, during a time when nothing else is in bloom, you won't mind being "tricked" at all.
"Heath" is not only a genus (Erica) but also a family. Erica, Rhododendron, Kalmia, and Pieris all belong to this great family of evergreen flowering plants. But compared to the other three, the leaves of Erica are quite needle-like. The heath family loves acidic soil.
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Lijuan Guo Photography / Getty Images
Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' (3 feet tall x 4 feet wide) is technically only semi-evergreen at the northern extreme of its range (zones 4 to 8), but it more than makes up for it by being variegated.
The flowers are very fragrant, white to light-pink, tubular, and grow in clusters. Grow this bush in partial sun to partial shade. -
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Joshua McCullough / Getty Images
Loropetalum chinense 'Pipa's Red' (5 feet tall x 6 feet wide) is a good choice for an evergreen flowering plant where winters aren't terribly harsh, as it's listed for zones 7 to 9 (partial to full sun). Its flowers are hot-pink, but it's best known for its burgundy-tinged, evergreen leaves and arching branches.
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The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Vinca minor is a blue-flowering vine. But it is most valued as a ground cover for shade, where its broadleaf, evergreen leaves will always look nice. Before planting it, do check, though, to see if it's invasive locally. Creeping myrtle (zones 4 to 8) becomes 3 to 6 inches tall, with a spread of 18 inches.
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The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Like creeping myrtle, Phlox subulata is an evergreen flowering ground cover.
But whereas the former creeper can be grown in shade, the latter needs full sun. This zone-3-to-9 plant bears tiny, needle-like leaves. But this ground-hugger (6 inches tall x 2 feet wide) is grown more for its outstanding floral color and number of blooms, which is why it's more popular than the related-but-plainer Phlox stolonifera. Flowers can be pink, red, rose, white, blue, purple, lavender, or bicolored. -
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The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Technically a subshrub, most gardeners treat Iberis sempervirens 'Purity' (10 inches tall x 12 inches wide) as a perennial. Flowers are white, with tinges of lavender. Prune it to keep new evergreen leaves coming, as these look better than the older leaves. Grow candytuft in zones 4 to 8 in full to partial sun.
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The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Helleborus orientalis (18 to 24 inches tall and wide) is a perennial with shiny, leathery, evergreen leaves.
Like winter heath, what we think of as its flowers are really sepals (and they last for months). Flowers come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, yellow, green, blue, lavender, and red. But the foliage is so attractive in its own right that it's tempting to call this early-spring bloomer a foliage plant. Grow Lenten rose in zones 4 to 9 in partial to full shade.
10 beauties for year-round interest |
(Image credit: Future)
Surely everyone wants the prettiest evergreen plants for their backyard? Because while it's important to have color and scent in summer, and greenery at the very least in the winter, why not get the best of both worlds with the most beautiful of evergreens year-round?
‘Every planting scheme should have some beautiful evergreen shrubs to create interest all year round and act as the backbone to the garden design,’ advises Chris Bonnett, founder of Gardening Express .
‘There are lots to choose from and it’s always important to check your soil type so you get the right for the conditions in your garden,’ notes Chris.
‘Generally, these are pretty hardy and can withstand most growing conditions. So when you make your choices, think about your overall garden design or theme, consider your soil type and most importantly pick a plant you love and you know you’ll enjoy whatever the season.’
Below, we've picked out the prettiest evergreen plants for your backyard.
Prettiest evergreen plants
The prettiest evergreen plants aren't just limited to shrubs. You can plant evergreen climbers and evergreen trees for your garden, too, to get color and beauty throughout your space.
1. Hebe
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Sun-loving shrubs from New Zealand, hebes are highly decorative evergreens, and one of the best plants for pots all year round. Instantly recognizable for their mass of perfect, tiny leaves you can choose from variegated varieties or those that are tinged with pink, silver, blue or purple. Sending out purple, white, mauve, blue or pink flower spikes throughout the summer, they are a magnet for bees and butterflies and provide a valuable habitat for other insects too.
Their dense leaf cover makes them ideal for topiary too.
Guy Watts, founder of Architectural Plants says, 'Hebe Sutherlandii has a neat compact little leaf which will give you crisp and defined lines when you clip them as a pillow or ball.
For a looser, fluffier and incredibly dynamic shape to either complement a finely defined cloud pruned or raised head tree, we love to use Hebe paviflora ‘Angustifolia’. Clipped into a pillow they move with sublime elegance in the breeze.'
2. Ceanothus
(Image credit: Alamy)
Also known as Californian lilac, this dazzling shrub puts on a stunning show of vibrant blue or white fuzzy blooms every spring and summer. But it’s not just its floral display that can entertain, the mass of deeply crinkled leaves come in both the deepest glossy green and other variegations including the yellow-green ‘Pershore Zanzibar’ and ‘El Dorado’ and the white-edged green-leaved ‘Silver Surprise’.
Tough and fairly fast growing, Ceanothus come in many different shapes and sizes.
Select from low growing – prostrate varieties, that are brilliant ground cover, spreading up to 6-8ft (180-240cm) wide or tall, upright specimens that can reach anywhere from 6ft (180cm) to 15ft (450cm) – check out ‘Sierra Blue’ and ‘Ray Hartman’. This drought-tolerant plant does vary in its temperature tolerance though, so do check your chosen plant is compatible with your local HDSA zone.
Portland Nursery specialize in West Coast natives and have a wide range of differing ceanothus. ‘What they all have in common, however, is their need for excellent drainage, lack of summer watering and nutritionally lean soil. Overwatering and overfeeding will shorten the lifespan of your Ceanothus considerably. In their native habitat, they reside in dry forests, dry rocky slopes, and dry wooded canyons.’
3. Camellia
One of the best shrubs for shade, you can grow camellias for their showy blooms, though the gorgeous camellia flower, so associated with luxury brand Chanel, only bloom during the spring months.
However, the plant is a beautiful touch year-round, as the leaves stay green throughout. ‘Camellias bring a real show to the garden and make fantastic specimen shrubs, to bring a focal point to borders,’ says Charles Carr, Head of Hillier Wholesale Nurseries .
Place in large containers on your patio, or use in borders as part of a mixed planting scheme.
‘Many camellias can be grown as wall shrubs which makes them invaluable for smaller gardens or for placing beside a narrow walkway,’ says Crocus ’s Plant Doctor Helen Derrin. ‘Simply secure a sturdy support or trellis to a wall or fence, and tie on the pliable stems – ideally in a fan shape to get even coverage.’
Learn to prune camellias to get this shape perfectly formed.
4. Aucuba
(Image credit: Getty Images)
For a shrub that looks slightly tropical the lovely aucuba can actually cope well with most growing conditions.
The large, eye-catching speckled leaves will stay pretty and green all winter.
'Spotted laurel will grow in deep shade or full sun, making it one of the most resistant and easily-established hedging types available,’ says Morris Hankinson founder of Hopes Grove Nurseries .
Extremely fast growing and unfussy about most soils, it’s perfect if you need shade and is one of the best shrubs for privacy. The green glossy leaves are splashed with yellow, and once established needs very little attention or pruning. Hardy down to 5℉ (-15℃).
5. Fatsia japonica
(Image credit: Getty Images)
For a plant that will grow in most conditions, check out the Fatsia japonica.
The hardy shrub will bloom unique white flowers in late fall, but the large, glossy leaves are the real star here.
Perfect for adding an architectural edge to any size garden, this relatively slow-growing shrub can reach up to 8-13ft (2.5-4m) high. It also grows happily in a large container.
‘Fatsia japonica looks fantastic planted amongst other plants with a particularly tropical feel, such as bamboo or palms,’ say the team at The Palm Centre .
6. Yew
(Image credit: The Woodland Trust)
The Yew is very easy to grow, and a lovely alternative to a traditional topiary plant, such as buxus.
The deep green foliage-laden plant will grow almost anywhere as long as the soil drains well. As a bonus, the yew will produce bright red fruit in fall.
‘Yew hedges are incredibly dense, offering protection and nesting opportunities for many birds,’ say the team at Woodland Trust .
‘The fruit is eaten by birds, such as the blackbird, mistle thrush, song thrush and fieldfare; and small mammals, including squirrels and dormice. The leaves are eaten by caterpillars of the satin beauty moth.’
7. Magnolia grandiflora
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The magnolia grandiflora is a beautiful evergreen with glossy leaves, large creamy white flowers, which bloom between late summer and fall.
Slow growing – it can take nearly 100 years to reach a maximum height of 26ft (8m) – and with its dense canopy and only occasional leaf loss, its perfect for providing privacy.
Experts at Paramount Plants say, ‘It grows best in sheltered warm positions – sunny or partial shade will be good provided not exposed to cold drying winds.’
They also add, ‘Native to and symbolic of South-Eastern America the Magnolia grandiflora is amongst the oldest trees on the grounds of The White House, USA.’
Once the flowers have dropped, the dark green leaves and their rusty coloration underneath become the star of the show, and learn how to prune a magnolia tree to help them keep their shape.
8. Box
(Image credit: Annaick Guitteny)
Box, with its pretty tiny green leaves, is a highly popular plant for hedges, as it's easy to trim, and can even be used as topiary.
A large shrub or small tree, it grows best in well-drained soil and a sheltered spot in partial shade, as its leaves are prone to scorching in strong sun and winds.
‘Left untouched, this tree will reach around (7m) over about 40 years, however it is most commonly seen clipped into shapes, hedges and used in gardens for screening,’ say hedging specialists at Practicality Brown .
‘Clip in the spring, after the last frost to stimulate new foliage development, which will be soft when it emerges, and then hardening to protect itself before the colder weather returns.’
9. Lavender
The perennially popular lavender is a great choice for all year-round interest for both humans and bees alike with its with its scented foliage and flowers.
Grow lavender in a border, edging or place in various pots on the patio. There are numerous varieties available so make sure to choose the best suited to your plot. Flowers range from deepest navy blue, purple through to pale lilac and white. They do vary in strength of fragrance, with the hybrid lavandine and some English varieties such as Hidcote and Munsted amongst the most potent.
‘The care of lavender is especially easy,’ says the team at Red Rock Lavender Farm. ‘It does not require a lot of nurturing and in fact too much watering after established and also using the incorrect fertilizer will often destroy the plants.
’
Learn how to prune lavender to keep the plant dense and well-shaped.
10. Holly
Holly isn’t just for Christmas, although the famous red berries do look extra special with a touch of frost.
The deep green, sharp pointed leaves add of interest to your yard all year round, and you'll always have foliage for a holiday centerpiece to hand.
Nibble resistant and perfect grown as a hedge, tree or shapely shrub, there are many tempting holly varieties to grow, each with their own distinct characteristics.
Specialists Holly Ridge Nursery suggest Ilex Opaca is ‘The aristocrat of evergreens, this very deer-resistant holly has been overshadowed in recent years, although the popularity if the plant remains strong. This pyramidal keeps its vibrant fruit through the winter when the red of the berries contrasts against the green foliage and is a striking specimen all year.’
Other must -grow hollies include the exceptionally hardy ‘Carnival’ with its deep green leaves and large red berries and slow-growing ‘Old Heavy Berry’ that produces dense clusters of dark red fruit.
What is the most beautiful evergreen plant?
We think the magnolia grandiflora is the most beautiful evergreen plant. It is endowed with a profusion of huge blooms in the spring, which give off a gorgeous scent.
What is an evergreen shrub with large flowers?
The camellia is an evergreen shrub with large, beautiful flowers, which appear in early spring.
Jill Morgan has spent the last 20 years writing for Interior and Gardening magazines both in print and online. Titles she has been lucky enough to work on include House Beautiful, The English
Home, Ideal Home, Modern Gardens and Gardeningetc.com. Although much of her career has involved commissioning and writing about reader homes and home improvement projects, her
everlasting passion is for gardens and outdoor living, which is what she writes about for Homes & Gardens.
Bed linen. Bags and backpacks. Pavilion 51 at the city market, Kingisepp
We sell: bed linen, blankets, pillows, blankets, towels.
Also: backpacks, sports bags, youth su mki , work bags , e travel bags and cases.
Bamboo duvets and pillows
1. Environmentally friendly. Bamboo is an environmentally friendly material. The technological process of its cultivation does not include various types of fertilizers and chemicals;
2. Thermoregulation. Bamboo filling is highly breathable. Sleep under such a blanket will be comfortable both in cold winters and hot summers;
3. Antibacterial effect. Harmful microorganisms will never appear in bamboo blankets. This is possible thanks to the component bamboo kun, which is part of the fiber;
4. Practical. Bamboo duvets are hand and machine washable. They retain their original appearance for a long time, even with frequent washing and prolonged use.
The only thing you should not forget about is the “gentle spin” mode;
5. Versatility. Products filled with bamboo are suitable for both adults and children;
6. Health. The use of a bamboo blanket helps to normalize sleep, reduce muscle tension and relax.
Camel wool blankets and pillows are a type of wool blanket. But their individual characteristics are sometimes unique:
• Help in the treatment of diseases. With the help of a camel blanket, or rather its “dry” heat, diseases such as sciatica, arthritis, fever can be treated. Healthy people with its help will be able to improve the metabolism and nutrition of tissues in the body;
• Light weight. Camel wool is two times lighter than sheep wool, which also applies to the weight of finished products with these fillers;
• Have a positive effect on the skin. Camel wool contains lanolin (wax), which can be absorbed into human skin and positively affect its appearance;
• Good moisture absorption. Products made of camel wool are hygroscopic - perfectly absorb moisture from the human body;
• Durable. These blankets will last you more than 10 years, so you will forget about this item of family expenses for many years to come.
Sheep wool blankets and pillows
The healing properties that sheep wool is famous for have been known to mankind for a long time. It is believed that the sheep blanket contributes to the overall healing of the body and has a calming effect. Woolen products are extremely practical. With regular ventilation, the use of special products and compliance with the temperature regime of washing, they will retain their shape and original appearance for many years. Sheep blankets from Ivanovo are able to give a comfortable sleep at any time of the year.
This is facilitated by the properties of air permeability and hygroscopicity. Filler fibers pass air well and remain dry, absorbing moisture up to 30% of its own weight. A large number of curls of sheep's wool make the blankets airy, elastic and soft. Under them you will not only be warm, but also very comfortable. Woolen blankets are versatile and will give a pleasant sleep to both adults and children of any age.
Swan down duvets and pillows
The filling is the finest polyester microfiber created in laboratories. Its surface is treated with silicone, as a result of which individual threads become like balls. Intertwined with each other, the balls form a soft, springy structure, thanks to which the products are able to retain their original shape for a long time. Soft and incredibly gentle to the touch, bedding with such a filler resembles an air cloud. They have a large volume, and at the same time are almost weightless. Artificial swan down eliminates the (possibility) of the formation of harmful micro-organisms inside the product.
Such blankets can be safely used by allergy sufferers and asthmatics. Filler fibers promote air circulation. Due to this, an optimal microclimate is created under the blanket. In addition, the material has antibacterial properties and does not absorb odors. Ivanovo blankets made of swan down will be the best purchase for those who appreciate functionality. Even during prolonged use, the filler fibers do not clump and do not require regular whipping.
Eucalyptus blankets
Thanks to a special treatment, the eucalyptus fiber completely preserves the natural structure of the evergreen stem. The natural essential oils contained in the threads have a beneficial effect on the skin and body of a sleeping person. Inhaling the light aroma of eucalyptus groves, you will be surprised how serene your sleep will become. Soft and silky to the touch, eucalyptus duvets are a great alternative to synthetic bedding. They do not absorb foreign odors and are suitable for children and adults of any age.
Due to the unique structure of the material, the products are highly breathable, they perfectly absorb moisture and allow you to create an optimal microclimate during sleep. Your rest will be comfortable both in winter frosts and in stuffy summer nights. Eucalyptus blankets are not afraid of numerous washes. They are highly durable and require only compliance with the washing and spinning cycles indicated on the label. One of the basic rules for caring for a product is its periodic airing after sleep.
7 ways to add a touch of spring to your home...
7 ways to add a touch of spring to your home...As spring begins to show in the outdoors, you can bring a touch of spring to your home. It's perfect to bring a hint of what's going on outdoors inside. There are many ways that you can do this. These are 7 ideas to inspire you.
Table of contents:
- change your bedding
- paint number
- Hang a wreath
- Buy fresh flowers
- Change to quit pillows
- Write out candles
- Change your napkins
1 Change your bedding
9000 One way to add to your house, you can add to your house, you can add to your home your bed.
Choose bed linen with flowers light, airy. You can go with yellow, sea foam green, lilac or a shade of coral. All of them are great choices for spring decor. Having a bedding set for cold weather months and a bedding set for warm weather months will give you a new look to enjoy twice a year.
2 paint number
Painting is a way to make a big impact on the look of a room. It is also a cost effective way to change things up. Choose a lighter shade of paint that makes you think of spring. If you want something that has a spring feel but works well all year round then stick with light neutrals. Light shades of beige or gray are good choices.
3 hang wreath
A wreath welcomes you when you come home every day and is the first decoration that greets your guests as they arrive at your home. I love to change the wreath on my door with the seasons. Spring is a great time to hang a wreath with tulips or other colorful spring flowers.
Of course there are other options if you are not into the floral wreath type. You can make your own, or buy one that's ready to hang.
4 buy fresh flowers
Fresh flowers add a little, something special to your home. Your dining table is a great place to display them. It's true that they don't last long, but they are nice to enjoy while they are in their prime. You don't have to wait for someone else to buy you flowers; buy a bouquet you love for yourself. You deserve the little joys of life, like fresh flowers.
5 change throw pillows
Change throw pillows can change the whole look of your living room. Just like out of your bed, having a cold weather set and a warm weather set will give you a new look. Just in harmony with the seasons, it can help make sure you don't get bored with your decor. No need to completely renovate when you can change a few things to give the room a different feel. Guests will probably notice that something looks new, but won't be able to lay their finger on what it is.
