Freeze-Resistant Evergreen Shrubs for the South

Dwarf Shrubs

• Dwarf evergreens help define beds and borders within the landscape and can be used as ground covers. The "Northern Beauty" dwarf Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) grows to 3 feet tall and wide and is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9. Its dark foliage is offset by white spring blossoms. Plant dwarf Japanese holly in full sun to light shade and a variety of soil conditions. Dwarf nandina (Nandina domestica) cultivars are hardy in USDA zones 6 to 10 and grow in a variety of sizes, many of which turn colors in fall. Choices include the 2-foot-tall, red-leaved "Firepower," the 2-foot-tall, copper-leaved "Harbor Dwarf," and "Lowboy," a 3-foot cultivar with red fall foliage. Nandina grows in partial shade but produces the best color in sunny sites.

Small Shrubs

• Small evergreen shrubs grow as foundation plants and help delineate outdoor living spaces. The kurume azalea (Rhododendron obtusum) grows to 4 feet tall and blooms with pink, red, white or peach blossoms in spring in cooler Southern states and in fall in Florida. This compact evergreen is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10a. The "Carissa" holly (Ilex cornuta "Carissa") grows to 4 feet tall with a 6-foot spread. Aromatic, white spring blossoms, followed by red berries, brighten this holly's lustrous, dark foliage. The "Carissa" holly is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10 and prefers acidic, well-draining soil.

Medium Shrubs

• Medium evergreen shrubs create textured backdrops for shorter flowering plants. The 12-foot-tall Formosa azalea (Rhododendron simsii) is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10. It blooms in spring with white, pink and red blossoms that almost obscure its foliage. This evergreen thrives in shaded sites with moist, acidic soil. The Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica) also grows to 12 feet tall. This Asian native blooms through the winter in warmer climates and in spring in cooler areas, producing fragrant white, red and pink flowers. It has glossy foliage and is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9.

Tall Shrubs

• Tall evergreen shrubs form living hedges, blocking unwanted sights and increasing your yard's privacy. Cold-hardy varieties include the Chinese fringe bush (Loropetalum chinensis), a 15-foot-tall evergreen with a native range that includes China, Japan and the Himalayas. Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10a, this shrub has dense foliage and blooms with white flowers in summer. Walter viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) reaches heights to 25 feet and is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10. This evergreen has aromatic, shiny foliage and blooms early in the season with white flowers, followed by red-black berries. Plant the Walter viburnum in sun to shade and acidic soil.