Regarding residential landscape design, there is no question that evergreens make the best foundational plants. These plants create the most effective privacy screens and can be used to maintain harmonious boundaries. I’ve heard it said that fences make good neighbors, but no one said that a fence couldn’t be made from evergreen shrubs or trees.
As much as I love trees that flower in spring and turn shades of red, gold, and rust in the fall, the plants I appreciate most in my yard are the ones that can be relied upon to maintain a living backdrop when all of the other plants are taking their long winter naps.
The word evergreen often brings to mind the coniferous, pine-like trees that we commonly associate with the holiday season, and many of them are. But there are also many types of broadleaf evergreen trees. Let’s take a look at some beautiful evergreens of all kinds.
Douglas Fir
With pale, blue-green needles, Douglas fir is an ideal Christmas tree and landscaping addition.
 | botanical name Pseudotsuga menziesii |
|---|---|
 | sun requirements Full sun |
 | height up to 80’ |
 | hardiness zones 5-9 |
Douglas fir is a common species chosen as a Christmas tree and a wonderful addition to the landscape. With its pale, blue-green needles and nicely proportioned pyramidal growth habit, this tree makes an excellent backdrop or privacy screen.
This cool climate tree prefers moist, well-drained soil on the alkaline end of the pH scale. It can grow in full sun or partial shade, reaching 40′ to 80’ tall at maturity. It has a moderate growth rate of one to two feet per year, so give this tree some space in the yard.
Deodar Cedar
This tree is prized for its blue-green foliage, pyramidal shape, and low clearance.
| | botanical name Cedrus deodara |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height up to 50’ |
| | hardiness zones 7-8 |
In its native range, Deodar cedar can reach towering heights of up to 150 feet. However, they are more likely to top out around 50 feet in your yard. Your tree should mature within 25-30 years with moderate growth.
This tree is prized for its attractive blue-green foliage. It maintains a wonderful pyramidal shape, even when it gets quite tall. The clearance remains low, and the branches have an attractive weeping quality. For a conifer, Deodar cedar is surprisingly drought tolerant.
Eastern Red Cedar
Found in 37 US states, eastern red cedar is a versatile tree that withstands heat, drought, and extreme cold.
| | botanical name Juniperus virginiana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height up to 50’ |
| | hardiness zones 2-9 |
Eastern red cedar has a large native range in the United States, found in 37 states. Pyramid-shaped when it is young, the mature shape and size can vary widely. This tree has smooth grey bark and scale-like foliage that is aromatic and can be blue-green, dark, or light green but turns brown in winter.
Eastern red cedar is amazingly versatile if you’re looking for a sturdy tree that can withstand heat, drought, and extreme cold. Keep this one away from your apple tree, as they can both be affected by the same disease, cedar-apple rust.
Leyland Cypress
Leyland cypress is a fast-growing hybrid ideal for privacy screens.
| | botanical name Cupressus x leylandii |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height up to 70’ |
| | hardiness zones 6-9 |
The most popular trees for creating a privacy screen are hybrid cypresses that grow very quickly, up to five feet per year in some instances. The foliage is dark green, feathery, and extremely dense, making it desirable for privacy.
Leyland cypress likes full sun and plenty of water. In times of drought, water this tree deeply once per week. While it is easily pruned into your desired shape and size, this cypress will naturally grow in a neat, symmetrical shape if you prefer to let them do as they will.
Southern Magnolia
The southern magnolia is a majestic, large tree ideal for spacious landscapes.
| | botanical name Magnolia grandiflora |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 30’-70’ |
| | hardiness zones 7-9 |
I promised you some broadleaf evergreens, and here is the first one. The southern magnolia is one of the most stately trees in the south. Reaching up to 70 feet in height and spread, the full-size variety requires a large space but is worth giving it room if you have it. My husband’s grandmother has an enormous southern magnolia in her front yard that I love to collect leaves from for garlands during the holidays.
Alas, I don’t have the space for another tree that size, so I settled for a dwarf variety: the ‘Little Gem’ magnolia. It’s the spitting image of a full-sized tree but only about half the size at maturity. Large glossy leaves and creamy, fragrant, white flowers make this a very special tree and stunning in the landscape.
American Arborvitae
This is ideal for windbreaks or privacy screens due to its dense foliage.
| | botanical name Thuja occidentalis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height up to 70’ |
| | hardiness zones 2-7 |
American arborvitae is another tree that makes an excellent windbreak or privacy screen. It grows in an elegant, narrow pyramid shape and looks great planted in a row along an avenue or property line. They also make nice architectural landscape elements with their well-defined shape.
The foliage is bright green, feathery, and soft to the touch. It will grow nicely if left to its own devices but also takes very well to shaping with its dense foliage. American arborvitae prefers cool weather and is very cold-tolerant.
American Holly
Also known as Christmas holly, American holly boasts vibrant red berries and glossy green leaves.
| | botanical name Ilex opaca |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height up to 60’ |
| | hardiness zones 5-9 |
Another beautiful broadleaf evergreen American holly is a very attractive tree with its bright red berries that add special interest to the winter landscape. This species is also referred to as Christmas holly. It has glossy, deep green, spine-tipped leaves that are pushed out to make way for new growth in the spring.
American holly is slow-growing but can become very large over time. There must be a male and female of the same species close to each other for these trees to bear fruit, but they do not need to be next to each other. You should be fine as long as there is one within range of the same pollinators.
If you’d like a smaller North American native holly, try the beautiful ‘Winterberry’ holly. It thrives in a wide range of climates in zones 3-9.
Italian Cypress
Italian cypresses are tall, slender evergreens reaching 40 feet in height.
| | botanical name Cupressus sempivirens |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height up to 40’ |
| | hardiness zones 7-10 |
This unmistakeable evergreen is best known for its use as an architectural element in Tuscan landscaping. Tall spires can reach up to 40 feet tall but stay quite thin, with only about a five-foot spread. These are fast-growing trees, gaining up to three feet of height per year.
Although they are often considered hardy only to zone 8, Italian cypress can typically withstand frost and grow just fine in zone 7 if you give the roots some protection via a thick layer of mulch. The trees are easy to maintain; when you are happy with their height, simply cut off the top.
Tea Olive
These offer a fragrant welcome at doorways due to their heavenly-scented, small flowers.
| | botanical name Osmanthus fragrans |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height up to 30’ |
| | hardiness zones 8-11 |
The tea olive tree has special significance in the South, and so, of course, I have an anecdote and two of them in my yard. According to my grandmother-in-law, who was quite an amazing lady, every home should have one of these evergreens by the front door.
The reason? Tea olives produce tiny flowers with a giant fragrance. By planting this tree by the front door or walkway, guests to your home are welcomed by its heavenly perfume. Tea olive trees are not fussy and need little maintenance. They grow moderately and reach up to 30 feet tall over time.
False Cypress
False cypress prefers cooler climates and requires sun protection in warmer areas.
| | botanical name Chamaecyparis spp. |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height up to 75’ |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
Although not a true cypress, a false cypress has a similar appearance and serves a similar purpose in the landscape. Many cultivars have been bred to remain smaller, so they make wonderful residential landscaping trees.
False cypress has soft, bright green, feathery foliage growing in a conical or pyramidal shape. It adds a wonderful textural element to the landscape. This one prefers cooler climates and is not tolerant of hot summers. When planting in warmer climates, give it some shade in the afternoon.
Chinese Juniper
This tree offers over 100 varieties, varying in height and shape.
| | botanical name Juniperus chinensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 50’ |
| | hardiness zones 4-9 |
Chinese juniper comes in many forms, with over 100 different varieties. It is a very popular landscaping tree. Some cultivars remain low to the ground, while others can reach as tall as 40 feet. Plant this tree away from walkways, as the needles can be prickly and unpleasant.
Give your Chinese juniper plenty of sunlight, and don’t stress about soil type, as this is an adaptable tree. It can be trimmed into various shapes, made into topiaries for more ornamental value, and produces pretty blue berries.
Blue Spruce
Blue spruce, ideal for cold climates, features a pyramidal shape and upturned branches.
| | botanical name Picea pungens |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 30’-60’ |
| | hardiness zones 1-7 |
For cold climates, blue spruce is a wonderful landscape tree. This tree can grow to 75 feet tall in its natural environment but typically doesn’t surpass 50 feet in parks or gardens. This tree’s pyramidal shape and upturned branches make it a wonderful live Christmas tree that can be planted in the yard after the holidays.
Blue spruce has bluish-green leaves that are sharply pointed at the ends. The dense branching and foliage make this a good privacy or windscreen. This tree was used as a traditional medicinal source by the Navajo and many Puebloan tribal groups. It retains its attractive shape even in maturity.
Bay Laurel
Bay laurel is ideal for culinary purposes or ornamental gardening.
| | botanical name Laurus nobilis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height up to 60’ |
| | hardiness zones 8-10 |
You might recognize this tree for the culinary use of its leaves. Bay leaves are a common kitchen ingredient that helps add flavor to many different cuisines. Some varieties remain closer to shrubs in size, and others reach as tall as 60 feet.
Native to the Mediterranean region, bay laurel is drought tolerant and doesn’t mind sandy or rocky soil. It likes humidity and is not highly cold tolerant, but can withstand frost for a short period. It can be used as a hedge or trained into a topiary.
Japanese Cedar
This showcases attractive bark and vibrant green needles as it matures.
| | botanical name Cryptomeria japonica |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 40’ |
| | hardiness zones 5-9 |
Japanese cedar is an attractive conifer often beloved for its highly trainable growth habit. It is not uncommon to see a bonsai made from this tree species. It prefers moist, rich, well-drained soil but adapts well to other soil types and can be planted in full sun, partial shade, or dappled light.
As the tree grows and more clearance appears beneath the pretty, ornamental bark is revealed. Rich brown and exfoliating, this tree has many good qualities and is interesting in the landscape. The dense, deep green needles come in lighter green at the ends of branches, adding dimension to the tree.
Southern Wax Myrtle
A bayberry family member, southern wax myrtle emits a delightfully spicy fragrance.
| | botanical name Morella cerifera |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 20’ |
| | hardiness zones 7-10 |
This member of the bayberry family is a smaller tree with a wonderful spicy aroma when the leaves are crushed. It makes a very nice screen or hedge plant, as it has an attractive domed shape and tops out around 20 feet tall.
If left to its own growth habit, southern wax myrtle will grow as a large shrub, but the bottom branches can be pruned away to create a nicely balanced small tree. Since it ends up at about 20 feet when mature, its rapid growth rate of three to five feet per year makes it a great tree for filling a space quickly.
White Pine
North American white pine is a fast-grower that tolerates cold winters and boggy soil.
| | botanical name Pinus strobus |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 20’-80’ |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
White pine is a great tree for larger residential landscapes. It does a great job of filling a space quickly. This fast-growing, long-lived tree is native to North America and doesn’t mind a cold winter.
The canopy of a white pine tree is large and billowy. You will undoubtedly draw in birds that want to nest in the boughs of this wonderful evergreen. It prefers acidic soil and can tolerate full sun or partial shade. White pine trees like high humidity and well-drained soil but have also been known to thrive in boggy areas.
Black Hills Spruce
This mid-sized evergreen resembles a Christmas tree and offers wildlife nesting spots.
| | botanical name Picea glauca var. densata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height up to 45’ |
| | hardiness zones 2-6 |
Another attractive pyramidal conifer is the Black Hills spruce. This mid-sized evergreen has that pleasant Christmas tree appearance, which it maintains throughout its lifespan. Birds and other small animals love to nest in the dense foliage. If you need a tree that is tolerant of salt, this is also a great choice.
As Black Hills grows taller, its horizontal branches have a pleasing form. They branch out uniformly and turn up at the ends, bearing pretty, brown pinecones. Give this tree moist, well-drained soil, and plant in a space with good air circulation for best results.
Western Red Cedar
Long-lived western red cedar can reach 230 feet in height in its native habitat.
| | botanical name Thuja plicata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height up to 50’ |
| | hardiness zones 5-7 |
Western red cedar is not a true cedar but is instead a member of the Thuja genus. In its native habitat, it can grow incredibly large at up to 230 feet tall. However, it is unlikely to get this large in your residential garden. It is a very long-lived tree, with some specimens living as long as 1,000 years or more!
The wood from this tree is highly desirable and has a wide range of practical uses. The wood is rot-resistant and aromatic, so it has commonly been used in the construction industry for shingles and siding. The foliage is soft and bright green, and small cones form at the base of leaves.
Korean Fir
This tree features striking large purple cones at branch ends.
| | botanical name Abies koreana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 10’ |
| | hardiness zones 5-7 |
The cones are a major focal point in the Korean fir. This pretty evergreen produces large purple cones that stand up vertically at the ends of branches. This winner of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society is very useful as an ornamental plant, as it remains compact but still has a treelike form.
As fir trees go, Korean fir is more tolerant of heat and humidity than most, but it prefers cool weather and moist, acidic soil. It is very slow-growing, gaining only about six inches of height per year. The needles are silvery underneath, creating a beautiful, multi-dimensional appearance.
Eastern Hemlock
Eastern hemlock has soft, chartreuse needles maturing to a deep blue-green shade.
| | botanical name Tusga canadensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 40’ |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
The eastern hemlock is nature’s Christmas tree, with a nicely symmetrical pyramid shape and attractive brown cones that hang like ornaments. This tree makes a wonderful addition to the garden landscape. It is a medium to large-sized tree and will need a bit of space in the yard, but it is well worth the space it takes up.
The foliage consists of soft needles that appear bright chartreuse when new and mature to a lovely, deep blue-green shade. The trunk grows nice and straight, and the branches have a pendulous nature, giving the tree a graceful appearance.
Olive
With its rich history and symbolism, the olive tree reaches 20-30 feet at maturity.
| | botanical name Olea europeae |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height up to 30’ |
| | hardiness zones 8-11 |
The olive tree is rich in symbolism and has a long and useful culinary and healthcare use history. It is also a very nice little evergreen tree if you live in a warmer climate. It typically reaches between 20’-30 at maturity, with a variable but typically slow growth rate. Olive trees usually take about 15 years to mature.
Olive trees have attractive pointed, elliptical foliage, and a gray-green cast with a silvery underside. As it ages, the smooth grey trunk becomes gnarled, adding another interesting element as an ornamental tree. Birds and deer will be attracted to this tree for its tasty leaves and fruits.
Japanese Blueberry Tree
The Japanese blueberry tree is ideal for warmer climates like Florida.
| | botanical name Elaeocarpus decipiens |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 10’ |
| | hardiness zones 8-11 |
Japanese blueberry trees don’t usually make many top evergreens lists. It’s lesser-known and best in warm regions (hardy from zones 8-11). It makes a wonderful addition to the residential landscape in the right climates. It has a slow growth rate, but the form of the tree is quite lovely.
In zones 8-11, Japanese blueberry is an ideal landscape tree. It slowly reaches a height of about 10 feet tall while maintaining an attractive pyramidal shape. This is a broadleaf evergreen with wonderful dark green leaves. A row of trees makes an excellent privacy screen and beckons pollinators to the garden when in flower.
Japanese Umbrella Pine
The Japanese umbrella pine is a unique and slow-growing tree with long needles.
| | botanical name Sciadopitys verticillata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 25’ |
| | hardiness zones 5-8 |
As the only member of its genus, the Japanese umbrella pine is a special plant. This is not a tree for the impatient gardener, as it is a slow grower. However, its long, attractive needles and conical shape make it a zine textural and well-shaped element in the landscape.
Japanese umbrella pine prefers cool climates and full sun. It grows best in areas of high humidity and acidic soil. The needles or leaves grow in rosette-like sprays at intervals on the branches and small cone clusters among the needles.
Scots Pine
This changes shape as it matures, developing a unique, broad crown from its initial pyramid form.
| | botanical name Pinus sylvestris |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 60’ |
| | hardiness zones 2-9 |
Scots pine, or Scotch pine, is a popular evergreen conifer that lives for a long time and grows fairly tall with time. Although it starts life in a neat pyramid or conical shape, as this tree ages, the clearance becomes very high, and the branches tend to even out, creating a very different shape from the young tree. Try Columnar Scotch pine if you’re a fan of the columnar shape for a denser hedge.
The fact that the clearance expands so much isn’t always desirable. Still, Scots pine has attractive and scaly, brownish-orange bark that breaks apart into plates as the tree ages, adding a different aesthetic element to the landscape. The needles are bluish-green and grow in a slightly twisted fashion.
Yaupon Holly
This holly is a compact, winter-color choice for stunning landscape designs.
| | botanical name Ilex vomitoria |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height up to 30’ |
| | hardiness zones 7-9 |
Yaupon holly is a wonderful option for winter color in your residential landscape. This holly is smaller, rarely growing taller than 25 feet in residential gardens. It produces a bounty of bright red berries on female plants as long as a male tree is within its pollinator range.
This plant will make a very nice hedge and noise screen in its early years. The foliage is softer than most hollys and has rounded edges, so there is no risk of getting scratched, and it can be safely planted in high-traffic areas.
Live Oak
Live oak trees thrive in mild to warm climates and have impressive size and longevity.
| | botanical name Quercus virginiana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height up to 80’ |
| | hardiness zones 8-10 |
This is another tree that is near and dear to my heart. It won’t grow just anywhere, but in mild to warm climates, this is one of the most spectacular evergreens I can imagine. Live oak trees get enormous over time, and I don’t just mean tall. These trees can have a spread that matches their height, sometimes larger.
Live oak trees are very long-lived, with many living beyond 300 years or more. Their gracefully curving branches often play host to Spanish moss and ferns, creating a fascinating ecosystem all under the canopy of these stunning trees. This is a wonderful tree for the residential landscape if you have the space.
Siberian Spruce
Siberian spruce thrives in the Midwest, adapting well to residential areas.
| | botanical name Picea omorika |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 50’ |
| | hardiness zones 4-7 |
In the Midwest, Siberian spruce adapts very well to life in residential areas. Although it is threatened in its native Serbia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, this drought-tolerant tree thrives in cultivation.
Dense, dark green foliage is glossy, creating an excellent windbreak or privacy screen. The upward-facing branches and pyramidal growth habit give this tree a lovely and unique shape. The tree is fast growing, at up to two feet per year, and bears attractive purple cones.
Final Thoughts
These beautiful evergreen trees can create a wonderful foundation and backdrop for your residential garden. They look great as a supporting role in the spring, summer, and fall landscape and play center stage in the winter. You can’t go wrong planting evergreens in your residential landscape. These trees will bring joy throughout the year for many years to come.
