Texas Evergreens That Do Not Shed

Hold the Water

• Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) is native to Texas and hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9, where it grows quickly to a height of 30 to 40 feet and width of 15 to 25 feet. The foliage is scale-type and blue, green or blue-green with a silver blush. This tree is highly drought-tolerant and grows well in full sun. The soil can be sandy or loamy and acidic to alkaline with a pH of 7.5 or lower. It should not be planted where it will be watered often such as in yards where the grass is watered regularly. It should be given supplemental water for the first year or two but does better without once it becomes established. “Blue Pyramid” (Cupressus arizonica “Blue Pyramid”) is a smaller cultivar that grows to a mature height of 20 to 25 feet and width of 10 to 12 feet with blue-gray foliage.

That’s Just Nuts

• Pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) is a needle-leaved evergreen native to Texas. It is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8, where it grows to a mature height of 25 feet with dark green foliage. Its brown, woody cones contain pine nuts, which are enjoyed by people and wildlife. They ripen and fall from the tree in summer and autumn. This is a highly drought-tolerant tree that grows well in full sun or partial shade in sandy, loamy or clay soil, as long as it drains quickly, with an acidic to alkaline pH of 7.5 or lower. Regular watering after the tree becomes established should be avoided. There are many dwarf cultivars that are ideal for xeriscapes and rock gardens. “Farmy” (Pinus edulis “Farmy”) grows very slowly to a mature height and width of only 2 to 3 feet.

Plant It and Get Out of the Way

• Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a Texas native with deep blue-green, scale-type foliage that will not shed. It is hardy in USDA zones 2 to 9, where it grows quickly to a height of 40 to 50 feet and width of 10 to 20 feet. This tree will thrive in nearly any situation and might become invasive. The soil can be sandy, loamy or clay, swampy wet or rocky and dry, with an acidic to alkaline soil pH of 7.5 or lower. It prefers supplemental water during dry periods but is drought-tolerant and can be planted along the shoreline, where it is exposed to saltwater sprays. Full sun or partial shade are fine. “Canaertii” (Juniperus virginiana “Canaertii”) grows to a height of 20 to 35 feet and width of 8 to 15 feet with green foliage. “Grey Owl” (Juniperus virginiana “Grey Owl”) grows to only 2 to 3 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide with silvery-gray foliage.

Keep It High and Dry

• Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is a Texas native evergreen with blue, green or blue-green, scale-type foliage that does not shed. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9a but is better suited to dryer climates in western or central Texas. High humidity commonly causes disease for this evergreen. It grows slowly to a height of 30 to 40 feet and width of 10 to 15 feet. Sandy or loamy, fast-draining, acidic to alkaline soil with a pH of 7.5 or lower in full sun is ideal. It is highly drought-tolerant. There are many cultivars available, including a weeping form called “Tolleson’s Green Weeping” (Juniperus scopulorum “Tolleson’s Green Weeping”) and a flat-topped form called “Table Top” (Juniperus scopulorum “Table Top”) that is silver-gray.