One of the best ways to add visual interest and color to your garden is with evergreen flowering shrubs. Their lush greenery persists through winter, while flowers in spring, summer or fall provide seasonal blooms.
For gardeners in zone 6, there are many beautiful options that thrive in the chillier winters and warmer summers. The key is choosing varieties proven to be cold hardy and heat tolerant.
In this article, we’ll countdown the top 10 evergreen flowering shrubs ideal for zone 6 gardens. You’ll find tips on planting, care, and how to maximize these beauties for non-stop color. Let’s dive in!
1. Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are prized for their showy spring blooms and large, glossy leaves that remain emerald green year-round They prefer well-drained, acidic soil and partial shade Give them wind protection and avoid planting in areas with late spring frosts. Prune after flowering.
Try: Pink Ruffles, Roseum Elegans, English Roseum
2. Camellia
Camellias bloom in late winter and early spring with rose-like flowers ranging from white to pink to red. Their handsome foliage provides lush texture. Site in part to full shade with shelter from wind and cold winter sun. Camellias prefer moist, well-drained, acidic soil.
Try: April Remembered, Kramer’s Supreme, Professor Charles Sargent
3. Pieris Japonica
With panicled clusters of white bell-shaped blooms in spring and brightly-colored new growth, pieris offers year-round appeal. They thrive in zones 6-8 with partial shade and evenly moist, acidic soil. Prune after flowering to shape and stimulate new growth.
Try: Mountain Fire, Katsura, Little Heath
4. Azalea
Azaleas are closely related to rhododendrons and ideal for zones 6-9. They flower in spring in colors ranging from fuchsia to orange to white. Plant in dappled shade with rich, acidic, moist soil. Mulch to keep roots cool. Prune immediately after blooming.
Try: Northern Hi-Lights, Weston’s Sparkler, Trailing Azalea
5. Leucothoe
Leucothoe offers graceful, arching stems dotted with white, urn-shaped blooms in late spring. The glossy foliage takes on rich red and purple hues in winter. Leucothoe thrives in part shade with well-drained acidic soil. Keep the root zone cool and moist.
Try: Scarletta, Zeblid, Curly Red
6. Winter Daphne
A compact gem for zones 6-9, winter daphne produces extremely fragrant, pinkish-white flowers from late winter into spring over dark evergreen foliage. Site in partial sun with well-drained, fertile soil. Prune immediately after blooming to promote new growth.
Try: Carolina Purple, Brigg’s Moonlight, Fragrantissima
7. Mahonia
Mahonia is prized for cheery yellow blooms in late fall and early winter followed by clusters of edible blue berries. The holly-like foliage is striking. Mahonias thrive in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Avoid hot afternoon sun. Prune to shape in spring after flowering.
Try: Charity, Soft Caress, Arthur Menzies
8. Sarcococca
Also known as sweet box, sarcococca is a shade-loving shrub that produces incredibly fragrant small white flowers in winter. The bushy shrub keeps its leaves year-round. Plant in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Prune after flowering.
Try: Winter Gem, Fragrant Mountain
9. Helleborus
Hellebores bloom very early – sometimes during winter thaws – with gorgeous, nodding flowers in shades of white, pink, burgundy and green that last for months. The leathery evergreen foliage is also attractive. Site in partial shade with rich, moist soil.
Try: Anna’s Red, Peppermint Ice, Hollyhock
10. Lonicera
A honeysuckle relative, lonicera blooms in late winter with yellow or white and pink tubular flowers followed by red berries. Their adaptability to shade and devotion to continuous flowering makes them a staple for zones 6-9. Prune old wood in spring to stimulate new growth.
Try: Winter Honeysuckle, Baggesen’s Gold
Tips for Growing Evergreen Flowering Shrubs
Follow these guidelines to get the most out of your evergreen flowering shrubs:
- Select a site with the proper sun exposure, soil moisture, and drainage as needed for that variety.
- Prepare the planting area well by amending with compost and acidic fertilizers if required.
- Plant in fall or early spring to give roots time to establish before heat or cold sets in.
- Space plants properly to allow for growth. Check tag or description for mature size.
- Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around plants to insulate roots and prevent weeds. Replenish as needed.
- Water thoroughly after planting and as needed during dry periods.
- Prune most varieties immediately after flowering to promote new growth and blooms.
Designing With Evergreen Flowering Shrubs
Here are some tips for incorporating evergreen flowering shrubs into your landscape design:
- Use as a colorful backdrop for perennial gardens or annual beds
- Place them along foundations or borders for structure and interest
- Mass in groups of 3-5 for bolder color impact
- Use large varieties as focal points, anchors, or screening
- Underplant with bulbs and perennials that flower at different times
- Combine varieties with bloom times in different seasons for continuous color
Enjoy Year-Round Curb Appeal and Color
There’s nothing more depressing than a drab winter landscape. But evergreen flowering shrubs banish the blahs and provide year-round visual appeal.
Select varieties suited specifically to thrive in your zone 6 climate. Then provide the proper planting site and care. Before long you’ll have lush, colorful shrubs gracing your garden regardless of the season.
What are your favorite evergreen flowering shrubs? Share your recommendations and experiences in the comments!