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Connecticut · Zones 5–7

Native Evergreen Plants in Connecticut

Native shrubs, groundcovers, and ferns that hold their leaves through winter for year-round green, screening, and cover. Every species here is genuinely native to Connecticut and the wider flora of the Northeast and hardy through zones 5–7 — proven performers for Connecticut's cool, humid continental climate across Northeastern Coastal Forest, not a generic list. Local standouts include Foamflower and Inkberry Holly. Evergreen natives carry the garden through the bare months, giving structure, privacy, and winter shelter for birds when the deciduous plants have dropped their leaves. Site broadleaf evergreens out of harsh winter wind and afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch, and water them deeply going into a dry fall so they enter winter fully charged.

The plants

5 native species for Connecticut

Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.

Perennial wildflower

Foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia

Carries the planting through winter with leaves intact, hardy in zones 3–8 and spreading 1–2 ft.

  • Part shade
  • Average
  • 6–12 in
  • Blooms Apr–May
Evergreen shrub

Inkberry Holly

Ilex glabra

Year-round foliage for privacy and shelter when the rest of the garden sleeps, reaching 4–8 ft and inconspicuous flowers.

  • Full–part sun
  • Average–wet
  • 4–8 ft
  • Blooms May–Jun
Evergreen groundcover

Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

An evergreen anchor that never goes bare, 4–8 in tall and cold-hardy to zone 2.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry
  • 4–8 in
  • Blooms Apr–May
Groundcover

Creeping Phlox

Phlox subulata

Year-round foliage for privacy and shelter when the rest of the garden sleeps, spreading 1.5–2 ft and reaching 4–8 in.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry–average
  • 4–8 in
  • Blooms Apr–May
Fern

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Evergreen structure and privacy through the bare months, 1–2 ft tall and good through zone 9.

  • Part shade
  • Dry–average
  • 1–2 ft
  • Evergreen
Sourcing

Where to find these in Connecticut

Seeds & live plants on Amazon

Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.

Browse on Amazon

Some links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.