Evergreen Shrubs For Zone 5 (10 Evergreen Zone 5 Shrubs)

Some evergreen shrubs cannot tolerate severe cold, while others can survive winter temperatures well below freezing. Some evergreen shrubs can survive the frost and snow that is common in Zone 5.

So, what are some evergreen shrubs for Zone 5? Evergreen shrubs for Zone 5 include: American Holly, Fetterbush, Firestorm Rhododendron, Giant Flowered Purple Sage, Golden Privet, Japanese Pieris, Sawara Cypress, Shrubby Gromwell, Tall Oregon Grape, and Wintercreeper. Some of these shrubs have attractive foliage and can grow quite tall!

Of course, some of these shrubs prefer full sun, while others tolerate partial or full shade.

In this article, we’ll talk about 10 evergreen shrubs for Zone 5. We’ll also take a look at what they need for light, water, and other important growth factors.

Let’s get started.

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10 Evergreen Shrubs For Zone 5

There are plenty of evergreen shrubs that can thrive in Zone 5, but here is a list of 10 to start with:

American Holly
Fetterbush
Firestorm Rhododendron
Giant Flowered Purple Sage
Golden Privet
Japanese Pieris
Sawara Cypress
Shrubby Gromwell
Tall Oregon Grape
Wintercreeper

Let’s begin with the American Holly.

American Holly

American Holly (Ilex opaca) is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces fragrant tiny (less than 1 inch) white flowers in spring or early summer.

American Holly needs moderate moisture levels, and it is salt tolerant. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.

American Holly prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic soil (pH of 6.1 to 6.5).

American Holly can tolerate harsh cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 20 to 50 feet, with a width of 10 to 20 feet.

You can propagate American Holly by stem cuttings, tip cuttings, or seeds.

You can learn more about American Holly from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.

You can find American Holly from the Tree Center.

Fetterbush

Fetterbush (Leucothoe fontanesiana) is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces showy fragrant white flowers in late spring or early summer.

Fetterbush needs wet moisture levels, and it can tolerate humidity.

Fetterbush prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers acidic soil (pH of 4.5 to 6.5).

Fetterbush can tolerate harsh cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet, with a width of 3 to 6 feet.

You can propagate Fetterbush by suckers or tip cuttings.

You can learn more about Fetterbush from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.

You can find Fetterbush from Wilson Bros Gardens.

Firestorm Rhododendron

Firestorm Rhododendron is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces showy medium (3 to 4 inch) deep red flowers in spring or early summer.

Firestorm Rhododendron needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.

Firestorm Rhododendron prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers acidic soil (pH of 5.1 to 5.5).

Firestorm Rhododendron can tolerate harsh cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet, with a width of 3 to 4 feet.

You can propagate Firestorm Rhododendron by layering or tip cuttings.

You can learn more about Firestorm Rhododendron from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.

You can find Firestorm Rhododendron from Monrovia.

Giant Flowered Purple Sage

Giant Flowered Purple Sage (Salvia pachyphylla) is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces showy lavender or blue flowers in late spring, summer, or early fall.

Giant Flowered Purple Sage needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.

Giant Flowered Purple Sage needs full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).

Giant Flowered Purple Sage can tolerate harsh cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet, with a width of 2 to 2.5 feet.

You can propagate Giant Flowered Purple Sage by division or cuttings.

You can learn more about Giant Flowered Purple Sage from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.

You can find Giant Flowered Purple Sage from High Country Gardens.

Golden Privet

Golden Privet (Ligustrum x vicaryi) is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces showy tiny (less than 1 inch) white flowers in late winter, spring, or early summer.

Golden Privet needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.

Golden Privet prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).

Golden Privet can tolerate harsh cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 8 to 10 feet, with a width of 8 to 10 feet.

You can propagate Golden Privet by stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Golden Privet from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.

You can find Golden Privet from Nature Hills.

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Japanese Pieris

Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica) is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces showy white flowers in spring.

Japanese Pieris needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.

Japanese Pieris prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial or even full shade. It prefers acidic soil (pH of 5.1 to 6.5).

Japanese Pieris can tolerate harsh cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 9 to 12 feet, with a width of 6 to 8 feet.

You can propagate Japanese Pieris by stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Japanese Pieris from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.

You can find Japanese Pieris from Wilson Bros Gardens.

Sawara Cypress

Sawara Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces stringy, thread-like needles instead of leaves (they turn yellow during the year).

Sawara Cypress needs moderate moisture levels, and it can be used for xeriscaping. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.

Sawara Cypress needs full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly neutral soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).

Sawara Cypress can tolerate harsh cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 4 to 6 feet, with a width of 6 to 8 feet.

You can propagate Sawara Cypress by stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Sawara Cypress from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.

You can find Sawara Cypress from Conifer Kingdom.

Shrubby Gromwell

Shrubby Gromwell (Glandora diffusa or Lithodora diffusa) is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces vivid deep blue flowers in late spring, summer, or early fall.

Shrubby Gromwell needs moderate moisture levels, and it can be used for xeriscaping. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.

Shrubby Gromwell prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers acidic soil (pH of 5.6 to 6.5).

Shrubby Gromwell can tolerate harsh cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 4 to 12 inches, with a width of 2 to 3 feet.

You can propagate Shrubby Gromwell by stem cuttings, tip cuttings, or seeds.

You can learn more about Shrubby Gromwell from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.

You can find Shrubby Gromwell from Monrovia.

Tall Oregon Grape

Tall Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces showy fragrant tiny (less than 1 inch) yellow flowers in spring.

Tall Oregon Grape needs moderate to dry moisture levels, and it can tolerate drought. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.

Tall Oregon Grape prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers acidic soil (pH of 5.6 to 6.5).

Tall Oregon Grape can tolerate harsh cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet, with a width of 3 to 6 feet.

You can propagate Tall Oregon Grape by stem cuttings or seeds (the plant is self-fertile).

You can learn more about Tall Oregon Grape from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.

You can find Tall Oregon Grape from Plantas Nativa.

Wintercreeper

Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces tiny (less than 1 inch) greenish-white flowers in late spring or early summer.

Wintercreeper needs moderate to dry moisture levels, and it can tolerate drought. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.

Wintercreeper prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers acidic to neutral soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.3).

Wintercreeper can tolerate harsh cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet, with a width of 3 to 6 feet.

You can propagate Wintercreeper by layering, stem cuttings or stolons and runners.

You can learn more about Wintercreeper from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.

You can find Wintercreeper from Wilson Bros Gardens.

Conclusion

Now you know about 10 evergreen shrubs for Zone 5 and how to take care of them. They might provide inspiration to help you to improve your landscape and provide more shade in your yard – even if the winters are cold!

You can find 10 evergreen trees for shady locations in my article here.

I hope you found this article helpful. If so, please share it with someone who can use the information.

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