15 Evergreen Shrubs For Zone 7 *

Keep your garden green all year round with evergreen shrubs. Their delicate leaves, bold needles, and varying shapes, sizes and colors will add beauty and interest to your garden landscape. 

Fortunately, you’re on the right page, as this article lists the 15 best evergreen shrubs perfect for a zone 7 garden. Keep reading to learn about these beautiful shrubs and how to grow them. 

1. Agarita (Alloberberis trifoliolata)

Scientific Name	Alloberberis trifoliolata
Common Name	Agarita Apache plum Bearberry barberry Silverleaf barberry
Family	Berberidaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Height	3-6 feet tall and wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Shrub border, groundcover, erosion control, wildlife habitat

Agarita is an evergreen shrub native to Mexico and southwestern United States. It’s widely sought after for its silver-green leaves and small white flowers that bloom during spring.

This is one tough shrub as it can tolerate drought and some pests and diseases, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping in gardens in warm climates. Agarita is also a versatile plant that you can use as a shrub border, groundcover, or for erosion control in your garden. 

2. Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus)

Scientific Name	Origanum dictamnus
Common Name	Dittany of Crete Cretan dittany Diktamo Cretan oregano Greek dittany
Family	Lamiaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Height	1-2 feet tall and wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or division
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Groundcover, herb, ornamental

The Dittany of Crete came from the mountains of its namesake, Crete in Greece. This is a tiny spreading shrub with aromatic gray-green leaves and pink and purple flowers that bloom during spring and summer. 

The leaves of this plant have a long history of medicinal use as they’re used to treat wounds, burns and even stomach problems because of its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. 

You can also use its leaves in the kitchen as an herb or to brew teas. Outside, you can use the Dittany of Crete as a ground cover or an ornamental plant in your garden.

3. Lantana (Lantana camara)

Scientific Name	Lantana camara
Common Name	Lantana Shrub verbena Spanish Flag
Family	Verbenaceae
Light	Full sun
Soil	Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Height	2-4 feet tall and wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Fast-growing
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Border, container plant, groundcover, hedge, cut flower

Lantana is a fast-growing shrub native to the tropical regions of Asia, Africa and America. This is a popular ornamental shrub, and you can grow it in your garden as a border, container plant, groundcover, hedge, or cut flower. 

They produce variegated, ovate leaves and clusters of small tubular flowers. Its flowers change from yellow to orange and finally red, which are the colors of the Spanish Flag, also one of its common names. 

Although it’s a low-maintenance plant, it’s best to place Lantana away from your pets or children because of its toxicity, which may cause them gastrointestinal pain. Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea or difficulty in breathing.

4. Lemon Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’)

Scientific Name	Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’
Common Name	Lemon Cypress Goldcrest Monterey Cypress
Family	Cupressaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Height	10-12 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Shrub border, accent plant, container plant, bonsai

The Lemon cypress is a slow-growing hybrid shrub indigenous to California. It grows in a columnar habit with yellow-green leaves that emit a refreshing lemony scent. 

This shrub also blooms small flowers and 1-inch-long cones. It’s a low-maintenance plant that you can add to your garden as a shrub border, accent plant, container plant, or even as a bonsai tree.

When growing Lemon cypresses, make sure to inspect the plant regularly because it’s susceptible to powdery mildew and scale.

5. Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

Scientific Name	Gaultheria shallon
Common Name	Salal Shallon
Family	Ericaceae
Light	Partial shade to full shade
Soil	Moist, well-drained soil
Height	3-6 feet tall and wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or layering
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Groundcover, border, hedge, erosion control, edible plant

Salal is a slow-growing shrub indigenous to western North America. It has oval-shaped and leathery evergreen leaves that are green on the top but silver on the underside.

During spring, it blooms small white flowers which later turn into edible berries. These berries are a popular ingredient in making syrups, jams and jellies. 

Salal makes a great groundcover, border, hedge, or plant for erosion control. Just make sure to protect the plant from deer and rabbits which are prone to attack it.

6. Mexican Orange (Choisya ternata)

Scientific Name	Choisya ternata
Common Name	Mexican Orange Mexican orange blossom Orange-scented shrub False orange Cinco de Mayo bush
Family	Rutaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Height	4-8 feet tall and wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Shrub border, foundation planting, container plant, cut flower

The Mexican Orange shrub is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It grows palmate evergreen leaves, which have a refreshing citrus scent.

This plant also produces white, star-shaped flowers from spring to early summer. Later on, it produces small orange-like fruits, which are unfortunately inedible. 

The Mexican Orange will make a great shrub border, foundation or container plant in your garden, especially since it’s drought and disease tolerant. However, check this shrub regularly because it’s susceptible to scale and aphid infestation.

7. Spanish Bayonet (Yucca aloifolia)

Scientific Name	Yucca aloifolia
Common Name	Spanish Bayonet Dagger Plant Aloe Yucca
Family	Asparagaceae
Light	Full sun
Soil	Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Height	5-10 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide
Propagation	By seed, pups, or division
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Specimen plant, accent plant, hedge, xeriscape plant

Next on our list is the Spanish Bayonet – a slow-growing shrub indigenous to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It has sword-shaped evergreen leaves that grow in a rosette formation. 

It also produces white bell-shaped flowers during spring and fruits that look like capsules with seeds inside. Its dagger-shaped leaves serve as an effective deterrent to pests and other animals.

The Spanish Bayonet is also drought tolerant, making it an excellent specimen plant, accent plant, hedge, and xeriscape plant in warm climate gardens. Just make sure to keep them away from children and animals, as it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. 

8. Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)

Scientific Name	Ilex crenata
Common Name	Japanese Holly Boxwood Holly Chinese Holly
Family	Aquifoliaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Height	3-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Shrub border, foundation planting, hedge, topiary, bonsai

The Japanese Holly is a slow-growing shrub indigenous to China, Korea and Japan. It grows glossy evergreen leaves with serrated edges, white flowers, and red or black berries. 

This shrub is compact, easy to train and relatively pest and disease-resistant, making them well-suited as a shrub border, foundation planting, hedge, topiary, or bonsai addition to your garden.

Just keep the Japanese Holly away from children and animals because they might experience vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, depression, drooling, and other caffeine-like stimulatory effects.

9. Dwarf Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo var. pumilio)

Scientific Name	Pinus mugo var. pumilio
Common Name	Dwarf Mugo Pine Swiss Mountain Pine
Family	Pinaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Height	3-5 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Rock garden, border, groundcover, container plant, bonsai

The Dwarf Mugo Pine is a slow-growing shrub native to the mountains of central Europe. It’s known for its evergreen needles that grow in clusters of 2 to 5 sharp-pointed needles. 

This plant is sought after because of its compact size, enabling gardeners to bring pine trees into their garden. It’s also a hardy, pest and disease-resistant plant, which makes them great in rock gardens, or as a border, groundcover, container, or bonsai plant.

When growing the Dwarf Mugo Pine, always check and protect it from deer browsing so it can grow healthily. 

10. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)

Scientific Name	Kalmia latifolia
Common Name	Mountain Laurel Calico-bush Spoonwood
Family	Ericaceae
Light	Partial shade to full shade
Soil	Moist, well-drained, acidic soil
Height	3-18 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Shrub border, foundation planting, woodland garden, container plant

The Mountain Laurel is a slow-growing shrub from eastern United States. It grows leathery, oval-shaped leaves with a green top and silver underside. 

It blooms pinkish-white bell-shaped flowers in spring and summer with purple or maroon markings in the middle. Afterwards, they turn to fruits that look like small capsules containing seeds. 

The Mountain Laurel makes a great Shrub border, foundation planting, woodland garden, and container plant. Protect it from deer browsing and do not ingest any part of it to prevent poisoning.

11. Dwarf English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Nana’)

Scientific Name	Prunus laurocerasus ‘Nana’
Common Name	Dwarf English Laurel English Box Cherry Laurel
Family	Rosaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Moist, well-drained soil
Height	3-6 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Shrub border, foundation planting, hedge, container plant

The Dwarf English Laurel is a slow-growing shrub indigenous to Asia and Europe. It has glossy, oval-shaped evergreen leaves with smooth edges. 

During spring, they bloom small white flowers and later produce black berries. This is a popular pest and disease-resistant ornamental plant, especially for small gardens. 

The Dwarf English Laurel also makes an excellent shrub border, foundation planting, hedge, and container plant in gardens. However, keep them away from pets and children to prevent them from suffering poisoning from the plant.

12. Blue Star Juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’)

Scientific Name	Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’
Common Name	Blue Star Juniper
Family	Cupressaceae
Light	Full sun
Soil	Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Height	1-3 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Rock garden, border, groundcover, container plant

The Blue Star Juniper is a slow-growing evergreen shrub found in Taiwan, China and the Middle East. It stands out for its blue-green, needle-like leaves that are arranged in whorls of three. 

One advantage of this plant is its drought tolerance, so you can grow them in gardens in hot, dry climates. You can also train them to keep their compact shape by regular pruning. 

The Blue Star Juniper is an excellent addition to rock gardens and can be used as a border, groundcover, or container plant. Remember, they’re susceptible to scale and spider mites when growing, so check the plant regularly.

13. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens
Common Name	Boxwood Box Box Tree
Family	Buxaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Moist, well-drained soil
Height	4-12 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Shrub border, foundation planting, hedge, topiary, bonsai

Boxwood is a slow-growing shrub indigenous to Asia and Europe that will keep your garden green all year round. It produces oval-shaped evergreen leaves with smooth edges. 

It’s a hardy and dense plant that can tolerate varying conditions, making it great for shrub border, foundation planting, hedge, topiary, and bonsai plants in your garden. 

Make sure to regularly check your Boxwood plant for scale and mealybugs, as they’re prone to their attack, and treat the pest infestation as soon as possible.

14. Winter Daphne (Daphne odora)

Scientific Name	Daphne odora
Common Name	Winter Daphne Wintersweet
Family	Thymelaeaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Moist, well-drained soil
Height	2-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
Propagation	By cuttings or air layering
Growth Rate	Slow to moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning to maintain shape
Uses	Shrub border, foundation planting, container plant, cut flower

Winter Daphne is another slow-growing shrub indigenous to Japan and China. It grows small, oval-shaped leaves and is one of the few plants that bloom fragrant, red-purple flowers during winter. 

They make excellent ornamental plants and are often used as shrub borders, foundation planting, container plants, cut flowers or hedges in gardens. They’re also a good nectar source for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

However, the Winter Daphne is toxic to humans and animals and can cause them vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. They’re also susceptible to powdery mildew, scale and aphids, so inspect them regularly and treat early signs of infestation.

15. Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense)

Scientific Name	Loropetalum chinense
Common Name	Chinese Fringe Flower Fringe Tree Chinese Witch Hazel
Family	Hamamelidaceae
Light	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Moist, well-drained soil
Height	6-12 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide
Propagation	By seed, cuttings, or air layering
Growth Rate	Moderate
Maintenance	Low-maintenance Occasional pruning
Uses	Shrub border, foundation planting, hedge, container plant

The Chinese Fringe Flower is indigenous to Japan and China. They produce oval-shaped evergreen leaves and fragrant fringed flowers during the spring and fall seasons.

So, if you’re looking for a shrub with a pop of color for your landscape, you can add the Chinese Fringe Flower to your garden and enjoy its pink, red, or purple blooms. You can also use them as a shrub border, foundation planting, hedge, or container plant.

Although this shrub is a good source of nectar for bees and butterflies, it’s highly susceptible to powdery mildew, scales, and aphids, so check it regularly to prevent any infestation.

FAQs on Evergreen Plants for Zone 7