Living in a warmer climate has its benefits! While some areas are receiving freezing temps from December – February, here in Hampton Roads, we generally have above freezing temperatures and therefore, a wide range of evergreens to choose from. These include some coniferous options, but also we have a good selection of broad-leaf evergreens that do very well in our area. Here are a few of our favorites for year-round structure in your landscape:
Camellias
Both sasanqua & japonica camellias are evergreen in our climate here in Hampton Roads. The sasanquas are a group we highlighted in our September blog, 8 Must-Have Landscape Plants for Fall. These tend to flower earlier in the season (usually October – January) than the japonica types, and they like more sun. Japonica camellias tend to flower from January – March, have larger leaves, and like a bit more shade. If you have the right conditions, you should try both types throughout your garden and enjoy a beautiful evergreen backdrop with gorgeous flowers!
Favorite Varieties: Black Tie Japonica Camellia, Peppermint Japonica Camellia, Autumn Moon Sasanqua Camellia, Setsegekka Sasanqua Camellia.
Loropetalum
Loropetalum are a wonderful addition to your landscape as many of them have gorgeous deep purple to almost black leaves, and interesting fringed flowers in spring. The flowers range from white to hot pinks, and some a fiery red color. This is a great alternative to barberry, which is deciduous. The foliage of loropetalum provides that unique purple color, while remaining evergreen. Barberries also have thorns, and loropetalums do not, making them a softer addition to the landscape.
Favorite Varieties:Cerise Charm Loropetalum, Jazz Hands Variegated Loropetalum, & Crimson Fire Loropetalum.
Distylium
An interesting shrub with oval shaped matte blue-green to bronze-green leaves and a cascading branching habit. They are very heat and drought tolerant once established, a great evergreen shrub for a shady spot in the landscape. It also flowers with small ruby red blooms along the stems in winter, creating added interest. Try out one of the dwarf varieties as an evergreen hedge in front of a line of Endless Summer Hydrangeas to provide some coverage and structure while the hydrangeas are dormant.
Favorite Varieties: Blue Cascade Distylium, Cinnamon Girl Distylium, Vintage Jade Distylium.
Abelia
Abelia is a great, low-growing, evergreen with small white-pink flowers in spring and summer. This plant works great in a sunny foundation, or as a colorful hedge with the added bonus of those cute flowers. It takes very well to pruning and has a range of color options with advancements in plant breeding including shades like peach, tangerine, and lemon-yellow variegation.
Favorite Varieties: Kaleidoscope Abelia, Radiance Abelia, Peach Perfection Abelia, Vanilla Brandy Abelia.
Gardenia
Who doesn’t love a fragrant plant? Gardenias are such a wonderful addition to the landscape, not only for their smell but also lucky for us, they are an evergreen in our climate. Giving you year-round coverage and a bonus of those beautiful white blooms in summer that smell so great. Gardenias like a sunny location with good drainage and acidic soil. This is a great shrub to plant along a high-traffic pathway or by a seating area near a pool, so you can enjoy those fragrant blooms as much as possible.
Favorite Varieties: Frost Proof Gardenia, August Beauty Gardenia, Diamond Spire Gardenia
Fatsia
Fatsia, or Japanese Aralia, are really great evergreens for our area. It features large palmate leaves (resembling a hand with the fingers spread) and very interesting globe-like white flowers in fall. This plant lends a fun tropical appearance to the landscape and likes to be in shady to part sun locations. There is even a variegated variety called ‘Spider’s Web’ which features white splashed along the edges of the leaves.
Favorite Varieties: Fatsia Japonica & Spider’s Web Fatsia.
Pittosporum
Pittosporum is another great evergreen for sandy soil and coastal winds. This evergreen features glossy rounded leaves and small white flowers. It takes well to pruning, and makes great hedges.
Favorite Varieties: Cream de mint Pittosporum, Mojo Pittosporum, Wheeler’s Dwarf Pittosporum
Indian Hawthorn
Indian hawthorn is a great evergreen for sandy soil and near the ocean, as it is naturally very salt and wind tolerant. It flowers in the spring with small pink or white blooms, and has a nice rounded shape, especially with light shearing twice a year.
Favorite Varieties: Princess Indian Hawthorn, Snowcap Indian Hawthorn, & Georgia Petite Indian Hawthorn
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