Best Winter-Blooming Evergreen Shrubs for Fayetteville, NC

In Fayetteville, NC, where winters can be chilly but generally mild, gardeners often seek ways to keep their landscapes vibrant and alive throughout the colder months. While many plants enter dormancy in winter, there are a variety of winter-blooming evergreen shrubs that can bring color, fragrance, and interest to your garden even in the depths of winter. These hardy beauties not only thrive in our USDA Hardiness Zones 7b to 8a but also brighten up the season with their vibrant blooms and lush foliage.

If you’re looking to add some winter interest to your Fayetteville garden, here are some of the best evergreen shrubs that bloom during the colder months:

1. Camellia (Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua)

One of the most popular evergreen shrubs in Fayetteville, Camellias are known for their beautiful, large blooms and glossy, dark green leaves. These shrubs bloom from late fall to early spring, depending on the variety.

• Camellia japonica (Japanese Camellia): This variety tends to bloom from late winter to early spring. The flowers come in shades of pink, red, and white, and their waxy texture adds a touch of elegance to the landscape. Camellias do best in partial shade, making them ideal for areas with some protection from the hot summer sun.
• Camellia sasanqua (Sasanqua Camellia): These bloom earlier in the season, typically from fall through early winter. Sasanquas are more tolerant of sun and heat than japonicas and can grow a bit larger, making them perfect as specimen plants or hedges.

Tip: Camellias thrive in well-drained, acidic soil, so if your soil is more alkaline, consider amending it with organic material to improve drainage and acidity.

2. Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)

Winter Jasmine is a deciduous shrub that can be grown as an evergreen in Fayetteville’s relatively mild climate. While it’s technically deciduous, its stems retain some leaves throughout winter, offering a bit of greenery when much of the landscape is bare. What really makes Winter Jasmine stand out is its bright yellow flowers that bloom from late winter to early spring.

• This shrub is known for its vigorous growth and sprawling habit, making it perfect for ground covers or cascading over retaining walls or trellises.
• Winter Jasmine thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It’s relatively low-maintenance, which makes it ideal for gardeners looking to add winter color without a lot of extra effort.

3. Hellebore (Helleborus spp.)

Though technically not a shrub, Hellebores are evergreen perennial plants that provide winter interest, especially in shaded garden areas. They bloom from late winter to early spring, with large, cup-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, and green. Hellebores have leathery, dark green foliage that remains through the winter, creating a contrast with their delicate blooms.

• Helleborus orientalis, also known as the Lenten Rose, is particularly popular in Fayetteville gardens for its long-lasting blooms. Hellebores do best in rich, well-drained, acidic soil and thrive in partial to full shade, making them perfect for woodland gardens or shady borders.

Tip: While Hellebores are tolerant of a variety of growing conditions, they are best protected from harsh winds in winter, so choose a planting spot that offers some shelter from the elements.

4. Daphne (Daphne odora)

Daphne odora, commonly called Winter Daphne, is a fragrant evergreen shrub that can brighten up any winter garden. Its small, pink to white flowers appear in late winter to early spring and emit a delightful fragrance that fills the air during the cooler months. The glossy, dark green leaves provide year-round appeal, making this a wonderful shrub to place near entrances or outdoor living spaces where you can enjoy its scent.

• This shrub is compact, typically growing 2 to 3 feet tall, and prefers well-drained soil and partial sun. Daphne is a bit finicky when it comes to soil quality, so make sure to plant it in slightly acidic, well-amended soil for the best results.

Tip: Daphne is best planted in a sheltered area, as it can be sensitive to cold winds, which can damage the plant.

5. Sweetbox (Sarcococca spp.)

Sweetbox is an evergreen shrub that produces small, fragrant white flowers in the late winter or early spring. The flowers have an intense, sweet fragrance that is perfect for brightening up the garden when most other plants are still dormant. The foliage of Sweetbox is dark green and glossy, providing year-round interest.

• Sarcococca ruscifolia (Fragrant Sweetbox) is the most common variety for Fayetteville gardens. It typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and is perfect for shady areas, as it thrives in full to partial shade. Sweetbox also makes an excellent ground cover or low hedge.

Tip: This low-maintenance shrub is an excellent choice for shaded or woodland gardens and is perfect for planting beneath larger trees where other plants might struggle.

6. Mahonia (Mahonia bealei and Mahonia japonica)

Mahonia, also known as Oregon Grape Holly, is an evergreen shrub that produces bright yellow, spiky flower clusters in late winter, followed by blue-purple berries. Mahonias are tough, deer-resistant plants that add year-round interest to your landscape with their holly-like foliage and winter blooms.

• Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf Mahonia) and Mahonia japonica (Japanese Mahonia) are two varieties that perform well in Fayetteville’s climate. They thrive in partial to full shade and are ideal for planting under trees or in areas with dappled sunlight.

Tip: Mahonias prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Make sure to keep the soil consistently moist, especially in dry spells.

7. Winter Heath (Erica carnea)

Winter Heath, also known as Snow Heath, is a small evergreen shrub that blooms in late winter, often when snow is still on the ground. The flowers are typically pink, purple, or white, and they provide a cheerful pop of color against the winter landscape. This compact shrub is perfect for adding color to garden beds, containers, or hanging baskets during the cold months.

• Winter Heath thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires acidic, well-drained soil. It’s a low-maintenance shrub that can tolerate light frost, making it a good choice for Fayetteville gardens.

8. Pieris (Pieris japonica)

Pieris japonica, also known as Japanese Andromeda or Lily-of-the-Valley shrub, is an evergreen shrub that blooms in early spring. The plant features clusters of bell-shaped flowers that are white to pink, and it has attractive red-tipped new growth in the spring.

• This shrub does well in part shade, especially in areas with some protection from the midday sun. It thrives in well-drained, acidic soil and has a compact growth habit, making it ideal for foundation plantings or borders.

Tip: Pieris is somewhat sensitive to extreme heat, so be sure to plant it in a spot with afternoon shade to protect it from the hot summer sun.

Conclusion: Keep Your Fayetteville Garden Alive All Winter Long!

While winter in Fayetteville may not be as harsh as in other regions, it can still be a time when the garden feels a bit quiet. Adding winter-blooming evergreen shrubs is a fantastic way to inject color, texture, and fragrance into your landscape during the coldest months of the year. Whether you choose a fragrant Daphne, a bright Camellia, or a cheerful Winter Jasmine, these plants will help keep your garden alive and interesting, even when the rest of the world seems to be in hibernation.

By selecting the right winter-blooming evergreen shrubs for your Fayetteville garden, you’ll ensure that your landscape remains beautiful and vibrant throughout the season—and when spring finally arrives, you’ll be ready to enjoy the burst of new growth and color! Happy gardening, and don’t forget to take some time to savor the beauty of your winter garden.

Happy Gardening from Green Side Up!