Last updated on December 21st, 2024 at 11:51 am

Shrubs that stay green all year.

Evergreen shrubs and trees for the Southwest.  Evergreen shrubs and trees that thrive in the Southwest include options like Texas sage, juniper, and live oak. These plants are well-suited to handle the region’s intense sun, heat, and dry conditions. Many also provide year-round greenery, making them a popular choice for homeowners looking to reduce water use without sacrificing beauty. When choosing, consider mature sizes and growth habits to ensure they fit your space.

The Waxleaf Privet “Ligustrum japonicum” is a good evergreen plant or shrub.  Excellent to use as a stand-alone plant or place in a row for a great border privacy wall.

They can also be trimmed to almost any shape.  A round ball or square shape is perfect for that special contemporary look.  They grow to about 8 ft. tall and 6 ft. wide.  Small white flowers during the early spring seasons.  They like regular watering with good, loamy composted soil.  Use them in pots and trim or purchase them as a tiered plant. The photo above nicely trimmed into a square shape.  They are not drought-tolerant plants.  Use a good drip system to water regularly.

USDA zones 7-11

Evergreen shrubs and trees for the Southwest

Boxleaf Euonymus “Euonymus japonicus Microphyllus”.  An excellent choice for a small short hedge as they will only grow to about 2 ft. tall.  You can also use them in pots and place them at the front entrance. They like regular watering.  It is a dense evergreen shrub that has small creamy white flowers in early spring.  They can take the full or partial sun.  They tolerate poor soil but will do better with composted soils.

USDA zones 6-9

Red Tip Photinia “Photinia fraseri”.

Full Sun or partial shade.  A fast-growing shrub that can be used for a large hedge or stand-alone plant. The red-tip leaves provide great color throughout the seasons.  Moderate water once established. Easily grown in good well composted soil.  This evergreen plant does well in the American Southwest

USDA zones 7-9

The Texas Sage

There are many varieties and all are evergreens. However, younger plants take 2-3 years before they stay evergreen.  They are drought tolerant once established and will bloom mainly in mid-summer or after the monsoon season starts. Most will grow to about 5-7 ft. tall and wide.  Profuse purple blooms numerous times throughout the summer months.  More about Texas Sage Bushes.

USDA Zones 7-11

Texas Mountain Laurel “Sophora secundiflora”

A showy multi-stemmed shrub can be used as a small tree. Very fragrant violet-blue flowers. Clusters of flowers for a wonderful display. Slow-growing and easily trained as a nice espalier or patio tree. It’s an easy-to-grow evergreen specimen.  A drought-tolerant tree is well suited for the Southwest area.  It is best to plant in full sun.

USDA Zones 8-11

Cherry Carolina Laurel – ‘Prunus caroliniana’

It gets its name from the maraschino cherry-like flower fragrance it gives during the spring season.  Great looking evergreen shrub or tree.  Perfect for a screen border.  Gets about 15 ft. tall and 7 ft. wide.  Fragrant creamy-white profuse flowers during spring are followed by small black non-edible berries.  Learn more about the Carolina Laurel Tree.

USDA Zones 7-11

Viburnum – Viburnum tinus ‘Compactum’

There are many Viburnum varieties but the most common in the Southwest is the “tinus” variety.  A nice evergreen shrub should be used as a stand-alone plant or planted several in a row for a nice short border plant.  It can be planted in a large container.  It does have a slight fragrance with pinkish-white flowers. More information on this shrub is here. 

USDA Zones 7-11

The Pyracantha Plant is an evergreen plant

Pyracantha coccinea – It will generate a lot of berries mainly during the fall season and will have them all the way to late winter. All varieties will produce nice little white profuse flowers during the spring season.

They love the full sun but can tolerate some shade. Pyracantha plants are not really drought-tolerant it is recommended to water regularly even after establishment.  Read more about Pyracantha Varieties.

USDA Zones 7-9

Pine Trees for evergreen landscape

Pine trees are evergreen throughout the Southwest.  Most are drought-tolerant.  There are many types of pine trees learn more here… “Pine Trees Southwest“.

The Italian Cypress is a handsome evergreen tree.  Grows to 3-4 ft. wide and 80 ft. tall.  Most Cypress trees are moderate to low-watering trees once established. It will take about 2-4 years before these trees become established.  Learn more about Cypress Trees for the desert Southwest.

The Arborvitae tree is a beautiful lime-green conifer tree.  Pictured above is the Golden Dwarf Arborvitae a compact dwarf evergreen shrub. It will still grow 8-10 ft. tall. With a pointed globe that rarely needs pruning. The Arborvitae tree. 

These are evergreen shrubs and trees that can be used in your Southwest home for landscaping purposes.

Do you have questions or want to comment on the above plants?  Please do so below!  We would love to hear from you.

Paul Guzie

Greenhouse Manager, Master Gardener, and Webmaster.

If you have any questions or enjoyed this post, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

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