Evergreens That Tolerate Hot Sunny Spots

Cypresses

• The Italian cypress, Cupressus sempervirens, is a native of western Asia and southern portions of Europe. It handles the heat between U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 and 10, but does best in a dry climate where humidity is not a factor. This evergreen for full sun grows between 40 and 60 feet in cultivation, with a narrow form. The Leyland cypress, X Cupressocyparis leylandii, is an option for hot, sunny regions as a windbreak. It tolerates shearing and pruning, growing to heights of 70 feet when left alone. This evergreen thrives in many kinds of soils.

Evergreen Oaks

• Small landscapes are suitable scenarios for the ring-cupped oak, Quercus glauca, an Asian oak growing to 30 feet as a cultivated tree. It features oblong, leathery evergreen foliage, acorns and brown-black bark. Ring-cupped oak is appropriate for USDA zones 7 through 9. Huge branches that develop horizontally are characteristics of the live oak, Quercus virginiana, a potentially massive broadleaf evergreen for USDA zones 8 through 11. Live oaks grow to 50 feet high, but with canopies much wider than the tree's height. They work as shade trees in hot, sunny settings.

Junipers

• The Chinese juniper, Juniperus chinensis, comes in multiple forms, including as a tree, shrub or even ground cover. Tolerant to the heat as warm as USDA zone 9, Chinese juniper thrives in sunny areas, growing to 60 feet as a narrow evergreen tree. Adult forms possess scale-like foliage that is different shades of green. Shore juniper, Juniperus conferta, is an evergreen of the Japanese coastline, growing only 24 inches tall but to as wide as 9 feet. This salt-tolerant evergreen works as a ground cover in full sun; it does well in sandy soil, notes the University of Connecticut Plant Database.

Pines

• Northern Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico are home to the southwestern white pine, Pinus strobiformis. "Coronado" is a dwarf form of this tree, adapted to hot, sunny weather. Blue-green needles are the highlight of this evergreen, which grows to 8 feet and serves as a foundation or accent plant. Low-lying damp grounds in hot climates with plenty of sunshine accommodate the loblolly pine, Pinus taeda. Use it to create effective privacy screens. Noted for its straight trunk, it can grow as high as 90 feet.