18 Sun-Loving Evergreen Shrubs That Never Go Out of Style

Garden centers always push those flashy annual flowers — and though I love a good petunia display, even I find myself drawn to those colorful blooms every spring. You can’t deny the appeal of popular choices like impatiens and marigolds, but high-maintenance plants like these can also mean constant watering, frequent replanting, and little long-term payoff, especially during those scorching summer months.

Thankfully, there are plenty of evergreen shrubs that thrive in full sun, as well as low-maintenance options that stay green year-round, plus hardy varieties that provide structure and interest even when other plants have given up. There’s a lot to choose from — and love — beyond the typical seasonal flowers as well. Here’s my list of some of the best evergreen shrubs for sunny spots in your garden.

Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

Boxwood makes a reliable choice for gardeners who want year-round structure in their landscape. This hardy perennial shrub keeps its small, glossy green leaves through all seasons, making it perfect for hedges and borders. Most varieties grow slowly and stay compact, which means less pruning work for you. Popular cultivars include ‘Green Velvet’ with its bright green foliage, ‘Winter Gem’ known for good winter color, and ‘Green Mountain’ which forms a nice pyramid shape. Boxwood tolerates drought once established and handles heat well in most climates. Hardy in zones 4-9, it thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica)

Japanese Pieris offers year-round interest with its glossy evergreen leaves and clusters of bell-shaped flowers. This hardy perennial blooms in early spring, producing white, pink, or red blossoms that dangle like tiny lanterns. The new growth often emerges in shades of bronze or red before maturing to dark green. Prefers acidic, well-draining soil and can handle partial sun to light shade better than full sun in hot climates. Deer and rabbit resistant but toxic to pets and humans. Hardy in zones 4-8. Look for: ‘Mountain Fire’ with red new growth, ‘Valley Valentine’ with deep red flowers, and ‘Flaming Silver’ with variegated foliage.

Rhododendron

Most rhododendron varieties are perennials that bloom in late spring to early summer, producing clusters of flowers in shades of pink, white, red, or purple. The evergreen foliage stays glossy and green year-round in most climates. These shrubs prefer cooler temperatures and struggle in intense heat, making them better suited for northern gardens or areas with mild summers. They need well-draining, acidic soil and consistent moisture. Hardy in zones 4-9, depending on the variety. Look for sun-tolerant types like ‘PJM Elite’ with purple-pink blooms, ‘Olga Mezitt’ featuring bright pink flowers, and ‘April Rose’ with rose-colored blossoms.

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)

Mountain laurel grows as a broad evergreen shrub that thrives in partial to full sun locations. This hardy perennial blooms in late spring with clusters of cup-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, or rose. The thick, leathery leaves stay green year-round and provide excellent structure to the landscape. Popular varieties include ‘Olympic Fire’ with deep pink buds opening to pale pink flowers, ‘Sarah’ featuring red buds and pink blooms, and ‘Elf’ which stays compact with white flowers. Prefers acidic, well-draining soil and moderate moisture. Shows good heat tolerance once established. Hardy in zones 4-9.

Juniper (Juniperus chinensis)

Chinese juniper makes a reliable choice for sunny spots where you need year-round greenery. This hardy perennial shrub thrives in zones 4-9 and handles heat, drought, and poor soil without much fuss. The needle-like foliage ranges from bright green to blue-green depending on the variety you pick. Since it’s an evergreen, you won’t see seasonal flowers, but the consistent foliage provides structure through all seasons. It resists deer browsing and adapts to various climates. Look for popular varieties like ‘Pfitzeriana’ with spreading green foliage, ‘Blue Point’ featuring blue-green needles, and ‘Spartan’ with dense dark green growth.

Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

Barberry brings year-round color to your garden with its thorny branches and colorful foliage. This hardy perennial shrub thrives in zones 4-8 and handles both heat and drought conditions well. The small yellow flowers appear in spring, but the real show comes from the leaves that range from bright green to deep red or purple. Most varieties keep their foliage through winter in milder climates. Barberry grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade and poor soil conditions. It’s also deer resistant thanks to its sharp thorns. Look for: ‘Red Chief’ with burgundy leaves, ‘Golden Rocket’ with bright yellow foliage, and ‘Crimson Pygmy’ with red-purple color.

Nandina (Nandina domestica)

Nandina makes a reliable choice for sunny spots with its bamboo-like stems and compound leaves that shift from green to red-orange in fall and winter. This hardy perennial produces white flower clusters in summer, followed by bright red berries that birds love. The shrub handles heat well and tolerates drought once established, though it prefers regular watering. Works great in most climates and resists deer browsing. Hardy in zones 6-9. Look for: ‘Fire Power’ with intense red winter color, ‘Gulf Stream’ staying compact with bronze-red foliage, and ‘Harbour Dwarf’ offering reliable red winter tones in a smaller package.

Holly (Ilex crenata)

Japanese holly makes an excellent choice for sunny spots where you need reliable evergreen coverage. This hardy perennial shrub thrives in zones 5-9 and handles both heat and cold well. The small, glossy leaves stay green year-round, and tiny white flowers appear in late spring. Popular varieties include ‘Compacta’ with dense, dark green foliage, ‘Golden Heller’ featuring bright yellow-green leaves, and ‘Sky Pencil’ which grows upright with narrow form. Deer tend to avoid this shrub, making it perfect for problem areas. Prefers well-draining soil and tolerates drought once established.

Yew (Taxus baccata)

Yew shrubs grow slowly but live for centuries, making them perfect for gardeners who want a long-term investment. The dark green, needle-like foliage stays attractive year-round and responds well to pruning and shaping. Female plants produce bright red berries in fall, though all parts except the berry flesh are toxic. These hardy perennials thrive in zones 6-7 and tolerate both full sun and partial shade, plus they handle drought once established. They’re deer resistant and adapt to various soil types. Popular varieties include ‘Hicksii’ with upright growth, ‘Densiformis’ for spreading groundcover, and ‘Repandens’ for low, wide coverage.

Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

Red Robin photinia brings year-round interest with its bright red new growth that matures to glossy green. This hardy perennial shrub produces clusters of small white flowers in spring, followed by red berries. The foliage creates a nice contrast as red tips emerge throughout the growing season. Thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, handling heat and drought once established. Resistant to most pests and diseases. Hardy in zones 7-9, making it perfect for warmer climates. Look for: ‘Red Robin’ with brilliant red new leaves, ‘Pink Marble’ with variegated foliage, and ‘Little Red Robin’ for compact spaces.

Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)

Privet makes a reliable hedge plant that thrives in sunny spots and handles tough conditions without much fuss. This hardy perennial shrub produces small, glossy green leaves that stay put most of the year in mild climates. Small white flowers appear in early summer, followed by dark berries that birds enjoy. The plant tolerates drought, pollution, and poor soil once established, making it perfect for urban gardens. It handles heat well and grows in zones 5-8. Regular pruning keeps it looking neat and prevents it from getting too wild. Look for: ‘Aureum’ with yellow-edged leaves, ‘Argenteum’ with white margins, and the classic green ‘Ovalifolium.’

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary brings wonderful fragrance and year-round greenery to sunny gardens. This hardy perennial thrives in zones 7-10 and loves hot, dry conditions once established. The needle-like leaves stay green through winter, and small flowers appear in spring through fall. Most varieties produce blue or purple blooms, though some offer white or pink flowers. The aromatic foliage ranges from dark green to silvery-green depending on the type. Rosemary handles drought well and actually prefers poor, well-draining soil. It’s also deer resistant, making it perfect for problem areas. Look for: ‘Tuscan Blue,’ ‘Arp’ and ‘Miss Jessup’s Upright.’

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender brings wonderful fragrance and purple blooms to sunny gardens from late spring through summer. This hardy perennial thrives in zones 5-9 and loves hot, dry conditions once established. The narrow, silvery-green leaves stay attractive year-round in milder climates. Deer and rabbits avoid this aromatic shrub, making it perfect for problem areas. It needs well-draining soil and can handle drought beautifully after the first year. Popular varieties include ‘Hidcote’ with deep purple flowers, ‘Munstead’ offering lighter purple blooms, and ‘Royal Velvet’ featuring rich violet spikes. All varieties maintain their compact, bushy shape with minimal care.

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Gardeners love this hardy perennial herb for its gray-green, fuzzy leaves that stay attractive year-round in most climates. The small purple, pink, or white flower spikes appear in late spring to early summer, adding color to sunny spots. Sage thrives in hot, dry conditions and actually performs better with less water once established. It’s naturally resistant to deer and most pests, making it a low-maintenance choice for busy gardeners. Hardy in zones 4-8, this Mediterranean native handles heat well but may struggle in humid climates. Look for: ‘Purpurascens’ with purple leaves, ‘Tricolor’ with variegated foliage, and ‘Berggarten’ with broad silver leaves.

Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)

Oregon grape works well as a foundation planting or natural hedge in sunny spots. This hardy perennial shrub produces clusters of bright yellow flowers in spring, followed by blue-black berries that birds love. The spiny, holly-like leaves start bronze-red and mature to glossy green, turning reddish-purple in fall. Drought tolerant once established but prefers some summer water. Handles heat well and thrives in zones 5-9. Deer and rabbit resistant thanks to those prickly leaves. Look for ‘Compactum’ with dense, low growth, ‘Apollo’ with bronze new growth, and ‘Orange Flame’ featuring orange-tinted foliage.

Camellia

Camellia shrubs are hardy perennials that bloom from late fall through early spring when most other plants are dormant. These evergreen shrubs produce waxy flowers in shades of pink, red, white, or yellow, depending on the variety. The glossy, dark green leaves stay attractive year-round. ‘Yuletide’ offers red blooms with bright yellow centers, while ‘Winter’s Snowman’ produces pure white flowers. ‘April Kiss’ blooms later with soft pink petals. Camellias prefer partial shade and need protection from harsh afternoon sun and drying winds. They thrive in acidic, well-draining soil with consistent moisture. Hardy in zones 6-9.

Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)

Glossy abelia brings year-round interest to sunny spots with its small, fragrant white or pink flowers that bloom from late spring through fall. This semi-evergreen perennial shrub keeps most of its leaves through winter in warmer zones, though it may drop them in colder areas. The foliage ranges from bright green to reddish-bronze depending on the season and variety. Thrives in full sun and handles heat well once established. Deer tend to avoid it, and it adapts to various soil conditions. Hardy in zones 6-9. Look for: ‘Edward Goucher’ with pink flowers, ‘Kaleidoscope’ featuring yellow-green leaves, and ‘Rose Creek’ with white blooms.

Escallonia

Escallonia brings year-round color to sunny gardens with its glossy green leaves and abundant flowers. This hardy perennial blooms from late spring through fall, producing clusters of small tubular flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Popular varieties include ‘Apple Blossom’ with pink and white blooms, ‘Red Dream’ featuring bright red flowers, and ‘Pride of Donard’ showing rose-pink blossoms against dark green foliage. Thrives in moderate climates and handles coastal conditions well, including salt spray. Prefers well-draining soil and regular water during establishment. Hardy in zones 7-10, though some varieties tolerate zone 6 with protection. Look for: ‘Apple Blossom,’ ‘Red Dream,’ and ‘Pride of Donard.’