What “evergreen” means in Texas
Texas spans humid pine forest in the east to desert in the west, so a shrub that stays green in Houston may behave differently in the Panhandle. Some shrubs commonly sold as evergreen are really semi-evergreen and drop some or all leaves in a hard freeze. This article notes where that applies.
Region matters
- East Texas and the Gulf Coast (Houston): Humid, with acidic to heavy soils in places. Plants that need sharp drainage can struggle.
- Central Texas (Austin, San Antonio): Limestone soils, hot summers and variable rainfall.
- West and South Texas: Dry conditions, where silvery-leaved natives do well.
- North Texas and the Panhandle: Colder winters, so choose cold-tolerant selections.
Your county extension office and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s native plant database are good sources for a specific location.
Native evergreen and near-evergreen shrubs
Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria). A native evergreen of the Southeast and eastern Texas. It takes shearing and is used as a hedge or screen, and female plants bear red berries for birds. Dwarf selections are compact and are often used where a boxwood look is wanted. Wild-type plants can grow into small trees.
Southern wax myrtle (Morella cerifera). A fast-growing evergreen with aromatic leaves and gray waxy berries that birds eat. It tolerates a range of soils including wet ones and is often used for screening, especially in eastern Texas.
Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora, sometimes listed as Dermatophyllum secundiflorum). A slow-growing evergreen for the Edwards Plateau and well-drained soils, with fragrant purple spring flowers. The red seeds are poisonous, so take care around children and pets. It dislikes poorly drained soil.
Texas sage or cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens). A silver-gray shrub that flowers after humidity or rain. It is usually described as evergreen, though it may lose some leaves in cold or wet winters. It wants full sun and sharp drainage, so it may be a poor choice in clay or heavily irrigated beds.
Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata). A tough, spiny native with blue-green leaves, yellow early spring flowers and red berries. It suits dry, well-drained sites; the spines make it a barrier plant.
Evergreen sumac (Rhus virens). A glossy-leaved shrub for dry, rocky soils in central and western Texas, sometimes grown as a small multi-trunk tree.
Dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor). A native low palm for part shade in moister soils, which brings a different texture.
Semi-evergreen options. Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) keeps some leaves in mild winters. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is deciduous, but it is often paired with evergreens because its purple fruit feeds birds.
Shrubs for privacy screening
A common question is what is the best tall plant to block out neighbors. Wax myrtle and yaupon holly are frequently used as native screens. Plant them in a staggered row, give them their mature width, and avoid planting a single species along a long boundary where a disease or freeze could affect all of it.
Houston and the humid east
Gardeners in the Houston area often look for shrubs that tolerate clay, heat and summer rain. Yaupon holly, wax myrtle and Virginia sweetspire are commonly recommended there. Cenizo and mountain laurel may need raised beds or gravelly soil to avoid root rot.
What plants survive a Texas winter?
Most of the shrubs above handle typical Texas freezes. A prolonged hard freeze can damage even tough plants, as happened in the February 2021 event, so treat damaged shrubs patiently. Wait until spring growth shows before pruning back apparently dead wood.
Planting and care
- Plant in fall for the best root establishment before summer heat.
- Water deeply and infrequently during the first year.
- Mulch, but keep it away from trunks.
- Avoid overwatering the dry-region natives.
Evergreen trees
Common evergreen trees in Texas include live oak, loblolly pine, eastern red cedar and southern magnolia. Larger yaupon and wax myrtle can also be grown as small trees.
FAQ
Are these shrubs deer resistant? No plant is deer proof. Texas mountain laurel, agarita and cenizo are often described as less palatable, but local deer pressure varies. See our guide to deer resistant annuals for more on how “resistant” is used.
What flowers pair well? See perennials for East Texas for companion plantings.