The hue Kermit laments it’s not easy being, the color of cold hard cash, and spring’s earliest sign arriving in the form of new growth; we celebrate green today. This is a challenging color to pinpoint, as many plants showcase this vibrant hue. Today, we are presenting a selection of evergreen to semi-evergreen plants in the diverse spectrum of green. We hope to demonstrate that there’s a shade of green suited for everyone.
Many of these “green” plants come with added bonuses like: a fall foliage color change, or berries. Let’s take a look at Evergreen Sumac, Texas Sage, Sunshine Ligustrum, Agarita, Sandankwa Virburnum, and Powis Castle Artemesia.
Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen San Antonio Options
Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens) is a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub that thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it an excellent choice for xeriscapes. It flourishes in well-drained soil and requires minimal water once established. This evergreen plant is cold hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10. Its glossy, dark green leaves provide year-round interest, and in fall, they may turn slightly reddish, adding a touch of autumn color. In late summer, clusters of creamy white flowers appear, followed by red berries that attract birds and wildlife.
Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens), also known as Cenizo, is a striking shrub that features silvery-gray foliage that remains vibrant throughout the year. It thrives in full sun and well-drained, alkaline soils, with excellent drought tolerance once established. Texas Sage is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11 and bursts into a stunning display of lavender or purple blooms following rainfall, earning it the nickname “barometer bush.” The flowers attract pollinators, making it a beneficial addition to eco-friendly gardens.
Sunshine Ligustrum (Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’) is a vibrant, evergreen shrub known for its striking yellow-green foliage that brings brightness to any landscape. And unlike other ligustrum cultivar does not produce flowers, which means it won’t attract bees or produce berries. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade, with its best color achieved in full sunlight. It prefers well-drained soil and is quite adaptable to various soil types. Sunshine Ligustrum is drought-tolerant once established, requiring moderate watering to maintain its vivid foliage. It is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 10.
Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata) is a tough, drought-resistant plant native to the Southwest. It prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in well-drained, rocky soils. Agarita is cold hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9. Its holly-like, spiny leaves create an attractive evergreen presence, turning a reddish hue in winter. In spring, bright yellow flowers bloom, followed by red berries that are a favorite among birds and can be used to make delicious jellies.
Powis Castle Artemesia (Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’) is an elegant, semi-evergreen perennial known for its finely divided, silvery-gray foliage that adds a touch of sophistication to any garden. It typically reaches an average mature height of 2 to 3 feet and spreads 3 to 6 feet wide, making it ideal for use as a ground cover or border plant. Preferring full sun, Powis Castle Artemesia thrives in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils, exhibiting excellent drought tolerance once established. It is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9, providing a reliable, year-round presence in warmer climates. While it does not produce showy blooms, its foliage offers a soft, feathery texture that complements a variety of garden settings. The plant’s aromatic leaves are a standout feature, adding a sensory element to the landscape.
Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) is a versatile, semi-evergreen shrub that grows well in full sun to partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and is adaptable to a range of conditions. Hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9, Abelia showcases glossy green leaves that may develop a bronze tint in colder months. From spring to fall, it produces fragrant, tubular white or pink flowers that attract bees and butterflies, providing continuous seasonal interest.
Sandankwa Viburnum (Viburnum suspensum) is a dense, evergreen shrub that prefers partial shade to full sun and thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soils. It is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10 and is known for its lustrous, dark green foliage that remains vibrant year-round. In spring, it produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers, followed by red berries that mature to black, attracting birds and other wildlife. Its adaptability makes it a popular choice for hedges and privacy screens.
From the bold yellow-green of the Sunshine Ligustrum, to the soft, subtle gray-green foliage of Powis Castle Artemesia, and everything in between, just as there are many colors of the rainbow, there are many ‘greens’ to chose from. We hope you’ve enjoyed this series and that perhaps we’ve been able to offer a little bit of inspiration for your fall planting plans. if you missed any of the blogs in this series, you an find them here, according to their color: Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Purple. Enjoy planting a Rainbow Garden!
~The Happy Gardener, Lisa Mulroy
Do you actually have the evergreen sumac? I didn’t find it in your “plant finder”. I read about it 1st thing this morning in the express news article about Marfa Garden book and had looked fir it in Plant Finder earlier. Then, lo and behold, here it is mentioned in this email from y’all that I just opened! Two “mentions” in 1 day – must be karma. I need to get one of these!
Hi Kimberly,
Our Bandera currently has 4 available, in #10 sized pots for $164.99. We usually carry some smaller sizes but are currently sold out. Evergreen Sumac is fantastic and it’s something we always try to scoop up when we find it available from our growers. I can keep an eye out and let you know if/when some other sizes come in if #10 is too big.