What Type of Evergreen Has Purple Berries?

Ground Covers and Vines

• A low-growing evergreen that reaches heights of 12 inches, the creeping mahonia (Mahonia repens) blooms with yellow flowers in spring, followed by purple-blue berries in late summer. These fruits, though sour, can be eaten in jams and jellies. Plant the creeping mahonia in full sun to partial shade in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 8. The asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus) produces dark purple berries. This evergreen vine grows to 20 feet and has light green, fern-like foliage. Hardy in USDA zones 9 to 12, this African native thrives in partial shade and rich, moist soil.

Shrubs

• The paleleaf barberry (Berberis candidula) bears purple berries in late summer and early fall. This 2- to 4-foot-tall evergreen shrub has spiny, tough leaves that take on a copper or burgundy hue in winter. Hardy to USDA zone 6, the paleleaf barberry prefers moist, acidic soil and light shade. The salal or shallon (Gaultheria shallon) shrub has lustrous, dark leaves offset by white spring flowers, followed by edible purple berries. This evergreen grows to 6 feet tall and is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 8. A North American native, this shrub grows best in partial shade and acidic soil. For dark purple fruit, plant a "Charity" mahonia (Mahonia x repens "Charity"). This hybrid shrub blooms from late fall through winter and produces deep purple fruits that attract birds in spring. Hardy in USDA zones 8 and 9, this 15-foot-tall shrub grows well in shady sites with rich, moist soil.

Trees to 30 Feet

• The lanceleaf azara (Azara lanceolata) blooms with aromatic yellow flowers in spring that mature to small, purple berries in summer. This South American native tree grows to 20 feet tall and has light foliage. Hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10, it grows well in shady, moist sites. A North American native, the Pacific wax myrtle (Myrica californica) grows to 25 feet tall and has lustrous, dark foliage. After blooming in spring, this evergreen tree bears purple-gray berries in autumn. Pacific wax myrtles are hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10 and grow in sun or partial shade.

Trees Over 30 Feet

• For large spaces in the landscape, plant a yew pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus). Reaching heights of 50 feet, this shade-loving tree bears edible purple berries in fall. It's hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10 and prefers acidic soil. The glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) grows to 40 feet tall with a wide canopy of lustrous foliage. This evergreen bears clusters of purple berries in fall that attract birds. Plant the glossy privet in USDA zones 8 to 11 in sun or partial shade.