The Best Cedars & Evergreens for the South

Eastern Red Cedar

• The eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) has superior resistance to drought when compared to other conifers growing in the eastern half of the United States, notes the Missouri Botanical Garden. Eastern red cedar grows in the northern states, but also as far south as the Florida Panhandle and central parts of Texas. Eastern red cedar is a tree that develops to 50 feet, but with multiple cultivars that are much smaller. Eastern red cedar is a full-sun species, adaptable to nearly all types of soils. Use it as a specimen plant or create hedges, screens and windbreaks with this tree.

Virginia Pine

• Northern sections of South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama fall within the range of the Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana). This evergreen tree is useful as a buffer between properties and even as a Christmas tree. Growing to between 10 and 50 feet, Virginia pine has dark green needles up to 2 inches long. Virginia pine does not handle exposure to salt well, making it a poor choice for coastal areas in the South. The tree does adapt to poor soil. It grows best in the sun and Virginia pine requires little if any serious pruning, according to the University of Connecticut Plant Database.

Atlantic White Cedar

• The coastal plains of the Deep South, from the Carolinas to Florida and west to Mississippi, are the home of Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoide). The species of evergreen tree grows to 50 feet, featuring blue-green needles with sharp ends. Atlantic white cedar can easily develop in wet sites, with the tree a natural fit for areas around swamps and ponds. Atlantic white cedar hybrids include one known as Variegeta, which has foliage with golden spots; it grows best in shade, unlike most other forms of this species.

Dahoon Holly

• While dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) will grow in dry sites with frequent watering, it develops to full potential in wet areas. Dahoon holly is a shrub or tree, with some able to grow to 40 feet. Dahoon holly grows from the Carolinas to Florida and into Texas. Suitable as a hedge or screen as long as you keep it pruned to size, dahoon holly's evergreen foliage is shiny and has serrations close to its tips.