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Evergreen, Semi-evergreen

evergreen [ EV-er-green ] adjective: having leaves that remain green and functional for more than one growing season, including in winter; not deciduous. noun:  a plant that stays green more than one growing season

semi-evergreen [ sem-ee-EV-er-green, sem-ahy- ] adjective: having leaves that remain green and functional during part of the winter

Evergreens provide winter interest in the landscape <br/>of the Fairlington Community Center in January.

Although many evergreen trees and shrubs are conifers (having needles or scales as leaves and bearing cones aka strobili), some evergreens are not conifers, but broadleaf plants, including many hollies and some shrubs, vines, and ground covers as well as a few grasses, sedges, and ferns. Not all conifers are evergreens — some are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in winter. Species, whose foliage remains unwithered through part of the winter, and then is shed and replaced shortly thereafter, are considered semi-evergreen. In colder climates, semi-evergreen foliage may brown or suffer some loss.

Native Evergreens (Not Conifers) in Winter

Bignonia capreolata leaves
Ilex opaca (American holly) at the Fairlington Community Center on January 5, 2022.
Broadleaf evergreen shrub Kalmia latifolia 'Elf' in February.
Carex plantaginea (Plantain-leaved Sedge) in February

Left to right: Polystichum acrostichoides, Packera aurea, Bignonia capreolata, Ilex glabra, Ilex opaca, Morella cerifera, Kalmia latifolia ‘Elf,’ Carex plantaginea.

INVASIVE Evergreens!

Since in colder winter hardiness zones there are fewer native evergreen than deciduous species, people sometimes turn to non-native evergreen plants for winter greenery. Unfortunately, many of these broadleafs are invasive, escaping cultivation and invading our roadsides, parks, forests, and streams. They displace native vegetation upsetting the ecosystem and damaging the environment. Become aware of and do not purchase the species listed as invasive in your area. Learn more about invasive plants.

Invasive Japanese Barberry
Invasive privet along fenceline
Creeping Liriope
Invasive evergreen vine, English Ivy smothering a tree in November.
Bamboo along roadside in December.
Broadleaf evergreen shrub Nandina domestica (heavenly bamboo) in January.
Stolons and flowers of invasive Vinca minor

Left to right: Japanese Barberry, Privet, Creeping Liriope, Wintercreeper, English Ivy, Bamboo, Heavenly Bamboo, Leatherleaf Mahonia, Japanese Pachysandra, Periwinkle.

Native Conifers in Fall and Winter

Juniperus virginiana, Eastern Redcedar
Eastern hemlock tree in woods
Pinus strobus trees at Fairlington Community Center
Thuja occidentalis (northern whitecedar) in a residential landscape in February.
Taxodium distichum (baldcypress) at Brookside Gardens in October.
Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress) grove in November. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2014-11-08, National Arboretum.
Deciduous Taxodium distichum, almost bald cypress, at Simpson Park Demonstration Garden in December.

Left to right: Evergreen Juniperus virginiana, Tsuga canadensis, Pinus strobus, Thuja occidentalis; DeciduousTaxodium distichum (in October, November, and December),

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References

Burns RM, Honkala BH, tech. coords. 1990. Silvics of North America: 1. Conifers, 2. Hardwoods. Agriculture Handbook 654. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC

Jull L. Revised 8/13/2012. Pruning Evergreens. Item number:  XHT1013. UW-Madison Horticulture, UW-Extension.

Rose N. January 6, 2016. Not All Conifers Are Evergreen. Plant Profiles. Arnold Arboretum.