Finding the perfect evergreen plants that thrive under trees needn’t be hard.
Take a look at all of the fantastic options that will turn the understory of your trees into a lush masterpiece.
Perfect Evergreen Plants for Shady Tree Areas
1. Christmas Rose
Loved for its winter blooms, Christmas Rose thrives in shaded spots under trees.
These evergreen plants are known for their white flowers that often appear in the colder months, bringing a touch of brightness to winter gardens.
Ideal for adding year-round interest beneath tree canopies.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Flowering Season: Late winter to early spring
Average Mature Size: 1-1.5 feet tall, 1-1.5 feet wide
Botanical Name: Helleborus niger
2. Carpet Bugle
Brighten up shaded areas under trees with Carpet Bugle. This hardy ground cover offers striking foliage and vibrant blue flower spikes in spring.
It’s perfect for creating a dense, colorful mat that thrives in low-light conditions.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-10
Flowering Season: Spring
Average Mature Size: 6-9 inches tall, 12-24 inches wide
Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans
3. Wintergreen
Add a touch of greenery under your trees with Wintergreen.
Known for its glossy, dark green leaves and vibrant red berries, this plant brings year-round interest to shady spots.
Plus, the berries are edible and often used in herbal teas.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Flowering Season: Spring to Summer
Average Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 12-24 inches wide
Botanical Name: Gaultheria procumbens
4. Japanese Spurge
Ideal for shady areas, Japanese Spurge forms a lush carpet of green with its glossy leaves.
This low-maintenance ground cover is perfect for adding texture under trees.
It also produces small white flowers in spring, adding a subtle touch of beauty.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Flowering Season: Spring
Average Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 12-18 inches wide
Botanical Name: Pachysandra terminalis
5. Bird’s Nest Fern
Create a tropical vibe under your trees with Bird’s Nest Fern. This evergreen plant features large, glossy fronds that radiate from a central point, resembling a bird’s nest.
It thrives in shady, moist environments, making it an excellent choice for under tree planting.
USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
Flowering Season: Non-flowering
Average Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
Botanical Name: Asplenium nidus
6. Strawberry Begonia
Liven up shady areas with Strawberry Begonia, an attractive ground cover that thrives under trees.
Its round, velvety leaves display beautiful variegation, and it produces delicate white flowers in late spring.
This plant spreads via runners, creating a lush, green carpet.
USDA Growing Zone: 6-9
Flowering Season: Late Spring
Average Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 12-18 inches wide
Botanical Name: Saxifraga stolonifera
7. Sand Myrtle
Enhance shaded areas with Sand Myrtle, an evergreen shrub with dense, glossy foliage.
It produces clusters of small, white to pink flowers in spring, adding a touch of elegance under trees.
This hardy plant is perfect for creating a lush, green ground cover.
USDA Growing Zone: 6-8
Flowering Season: Spring
Average Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall, 2-4 feet wide
Botanical Name: Leiophyllum buxifolium
8. Brazilian Plume
Bring vibrant color to shaded areas with Brazilian Plume, an evergreen plant with striking pink or red flowers.
Its lush, green foliage and long blooming season make it an excellent choice for adding a tropical feel under trees.
USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
Flowering Season: Spring to Fall
Average Mature Size: 3-5 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
Botanical Name: Justicia carnea
9. Hosta
Transform shady spots under trees with Hosta, known for its large, lush leaves in various shades of green, blue, and gold.
This hardy perennial adds texture and beauty, with occasional spikes of lavender or white flowers.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
Flowering Season: Summer
Average Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-4 feet wide
Botanical Name: Hosta spp.
10. Coral Bells
Add a splash of color under trees with Heuchera, featuring vibrant foliage in shades of purple, red, and green.
This evergreen perennial also produces delicate, bell-shaped flowers on tall stems in late spring to summer.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Flowering Season: Late Spring to Summer
Average Mature Size: 8-18 inches tall, 12-24 inches wide
Botanical Name: Heuchera spp.
11. Lenten Rose
Brighten up shaded areas with Hellebore, known for its early spring blooms in shades of white, pink, and purple. This evergreen perennial boasts attractive, leathery foliage and thrives in woodland settings.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Flowering Season: Late Winter to Spring
Average Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
Botanical Name: Helleborus spp.
12. Christmas Fern
Create a lush, green ground cover with Christmas Fern, a hardy evergreen fern perfect for shady spots.
Its dark green, leathery fronds add year-round interest and thrive under trees.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
Flowering Season: Non-flowering
Average Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
Botanical Name: Polystichum acrostichoides
13. Sweet Woodruff
Enhance shaded areas with Sweet Woodruff, a charming ground cover known for its fragrant, star-shaped white flowers in spring.
Its delicate, whorled leaves add a touch of elegance under trees.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
Flowering Season: Spring to Early Summer
Average Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 12-18 inches wide
Botanical Name: Gallium odoratum
14. Lilyturf
Add texture and color to shaded areas with Lilyturf, featuring grass-like foliage and spikes of purple or white flowers.
This hardy evergreen plant is ideal for creating dense ground cover under trees.
USDA Growing Zone: 5-10
Flowering Season: Late Summer to Fall
Average Mature Size: 12-18 inches tall, 12-24 inches wide
Botanical Name: Liriope muscari
15. Barrenwort
Brighten up the base of your trees with Epimedium, an evergreen perennial with heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers in spring.
Its colorful foliage provides year-round interest in shaded areas.
USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
Flowering Season: Spring
Average Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 12-24 inches wide
Botanical Name: Epimedium spp.
16. Coralberry
Liven up the area under your trees with Coralberry, an evergreen shrub known for its vibrant red berries.
Its arching branches and small pink flowers in late summer add texture and color to shaded spots.
Perfect for providing year-round interest.
USDA Growing Zone: 2-7
Flowering Season: Late Summer
Average Mature Size: 2-5 feet tall, 4-8 feet wide
Botanical Name: Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
17. Italian Arum
Brighten shaded areas with Italian Arum, featuring striking arrow-shaped leaves and unique spathes of creamy white flowers.
This evergreen plant adds year-round interest with its vibrant foliage and red berries in the fall, making it perfect for under trees.
USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
Flowering Season: Late Spring
Average Mature Size: 12-18 inches tall, 12-18 inches wide
Botanical Name: Arum italicum
18. Dwarf Scouring Rush
Add texture and intrigue to shaded spots with Dwarf Scouring Rush, an evergreen plant known for its tall, reed-like stems.
This unique ground cover thrives under trees, offering a striking vertical element and year-round interest.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Flowering Season: Non-flowering
Average Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 6-12 inches wide
Botanical Name: Equisetum scirpoides
19. California Barberry
Enhance shaded areas with California Barberry, a hardy evergreen shrub known for its glossy, holly-like leaves.
Bright yellow flowers in spring followed by dark blue berries make this plant a standout under trees.
Perfect for adding year-round beauty and interest.
USDA Growing Zone: 8-10
Flowering Season: Spring
Average Mature Size: 3-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
Botanical Name: Berberis pinnata
20. Shallon
Enhance shady areas with Shallon, an evergreen shrub known for its leathery, dark green leaves.
This versatile plant produces delicate white to pink flowers in spring, followed by edible dark blue berries.
It’s a great choice for adding year-round interest under trees.
USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
Flowering Season: Spring
Average Mature Size: 3-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
Botanical Name: Gaultheria shallon
21. Partridge Berry
Add charm to shaded spots with Partridge Berry, a low-growing evergreen plant.
It features tiny white flowers in spring and bright red berries in fall, making it a delightful ground cover.
Its trailing vines and vibrant foliage are perfect for under trees.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Flowering Season: Spring
Average Mature Size: 2 inches tall, 6-12 inches wide
Botanical Name: Mitchella repens
Things To Consider Before Planting
Soil Quality
Check the soil under your trees. It can often be dry and lacking nutrients due to tree roots. Adding organic matter or compost can help improve soil quality and support your new plants.
Root Competition
Be mindful of the competition for water and nutrients between the tree roots and your evergreen plants. Opt for plants with shallow root systems that can coexist with the tree roots.
Watering Needs
Newly planted evergreens may need extra watering until they establish, especially if the tree’s canopy prevents rain from reaching them. Water deeply and regularly at first.
Mulching
Adding a layer of mulch around your plants can help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed competition. Just be careful not to pile mulch against the tree trunk.
Space Planning
Give your plants enough space to grow. Even though they’re under a tree, they still need room for their roots to spread and their foliage to develop fully.
Seasonal Interest
Choose a variety of evergreen plants that offer different textures, colors, and bloom times to keep your garden looking vibrant year-round. Think about how each plant will look in every season.
Maintenance
Regularly check for signs of stress or disease, especially in the first year. Prune dead or damaged foliage to keep your plants healthy and looking their best.
Native Options
Consider using native plants, as they are typically well-adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, and they often require less maintenance.
Want More?
If you enjoyed selecting your favorite evergreen plants for under your trees, you’ll love exploring these topics.
Discover the best plants for full sun under trees, and add a splash of color with vibrant options for shady spots.
Learn which plants thrive under oak trees and which ones are perfect for under maple trees.
These articles will guide you in making your garden vibrant and flourishing.
