California’s sunny climate and diverse growing zones make it a perfect place for beautiful evergreen shrubs. Whether you live near the coast or inland, choosing the right plants can transform your yard into a year-round paradise.
Evergreen shrubs keep their leaves all year, providing constant color and structure even during cooler months. Let’s explore some fantastic options that thrive in California’s unique environment.
1. California Lilac (Ceanothus)
Native to the Golden State, California lilac brings stunning blue blooms that butterflies absolutely adore. It grows well in dry conditions once established, making it perfect for water-wise gardens.
Most varieties reach about 3-6 feet tall and spread nicely without much fuss. Plant it in full sun and watch it thrive with minimal watering.
The fragrant flowers appear in spring, creating a gorgeous display that neighbors will notice.
2. Manzanita (Arctostaphylos)
With its striking reddish bark that peels away in curls, manzanita adds sculptural beauty to any landscape. Native Californians have used this plant for centuries, and it remains a garden favorite today.
Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, it asks for very little attention once settled in. The small bell-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds during winter months.
Choose from compact varieties or larger specimens depending on your space needs.
3. Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
Hollywood actually got its name from the abundant toyon that once covered those hills. Bright red berries appear in winter, feeding birds and adding cheerful pops of color when many plants look dull.
Growing 6-10 feet tall, toyon works beautifully as a hedge or privacy screen. It tolerates various soil types and needs little water after establishment.
White flower clusters bloom in summer before transforming into those famous berries.
4. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Beyond adding flavor to your cooking, rosemary creates a fragrant, low-maintenance hedge that thrives in California heat. Bees and other pollinators visit the blue or purple flowers throughout the year.
Upright varieties can reach 4-6 feet, while trailing types work wonderfully along slopes or walls. Brush against the foliage to release that unmistakable pine-like scent.
It practically takes care of itself once established in well-draining soil.
5. Lavender (Lavandula)
Few plants match lavender’s combination of beauty, fragrance, and ease of care in California gardens. Purple flower spikes rise above silvery-green foliage, creating a cottage garden feel that never goes out of style.
Spanish and French varieties handle heat exceptionally well and bloom repeatedly when deadheaded. The dried flowers make wonderful sachets, and fresh stems bring indoor spaces to life.
Plant in full sun for best flowering results.
6. Pittosporum
Gardeners love pittosporum for its glossy leaves and versatile nature as a hedge, screen, or standalone specimen. Small cream-colored flowers release a sweet orange-blossom scent in spring that fills the air.
It handles pruning well, so you can shape it however your landscape demands. Different varieties offer variegated or solid green foliage options.
Moderate watering keeps this shrub looking fresh and full throughout the year without excessive maintenance.
7. Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
When fall arrives and many plants fade, Mexican bush sage explodes with velvety purple and white flower spikes. Hummingbirds can’t resist these blooms, turning your garden into a wildlife sanctuary.
Growing 3-4 feet tall and wide, it fills space quickly without becoming aggressive. Cut it back in late winter to encourage fresh, vigorous growth.
Once established, it survives on rainfall alone in many California regions.
8. Grevillea
Australian by origin, grevillea has become a California favorite thanks to its exotic, spider-like flowers in red, pink, or orange. The fine, needle-like foliage creates interesting texture that contrasts beautifully with broader-leaved plants.
Hummingbirds visit the nectar-rich blooms constantly, providing endless entertainment. Most varieties prefer well-draining soil and full sun exposure.
Drought-tolerant once mature, it’s ideal for xeriscaping projects throughout the state.
9. Escallonia
Coastal gardeners especially appreciate escallonia’s tolerance for salt spray and wind exposure. Clusters of pink, red, or white tubular flowers appear from spring through fall, attracting butterflies and bees.
Glossy leaves stay attractive year-round, and the plant responds well to shaping. It grows 4-6 feet tall, making it perfect for medium-sized hedges.
Regular watering during establishment helps, but mature plants handle dry periods reasonably well.
10. Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
Despite its name, the strawberry tree is often grown as a large shrub in California landscapes. White, bell-shaped flowers and bumpy red fruits appear simultaneously, creating a quirky display.
The fruits are edible but bland, though birds enjoy them immensely. Peeling reddish-brown bark adds winter interest when other features fade.
It handles various soil conditions and needs only occasional deep watering once established in the ground.
11. Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Silvery-gray foliage makes Texas ranger stand out even when not blooming. After summer rains, it bursts into clouds of purple, pink, or white flowers seemingly overnight.
Extremely drought-tolerant, it thrives in California’s inland valleys and desert regions. The compact growth habit keeps it around 4-5 feet in most conditions.
Overwatering actually harms this tough shrub, so let nature handle irrigation whenever possible for best results.
12. Lemon Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)
Bright red flower spikes that look exactly like bottle brushes give this shrub its memorable name. New growth emerges bronze before turning green, adding seasonal color variation.
Hummingbirds mob the flowers, and the lemon-scented foliage releases fragrance when crushed. It tolerates various soil types and handles both drought and occasional flooding.
Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth for the following season.
13. Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica)
Clusters of pink or white flowers cover Indian hawthorn in spring, followed by blue-black berries that birds devour. The rounded, leathery leaves stay attractive throughout the year with minimal care.
Growing 3-6 feet depending on variety, it works well as foundation plantings or low hedges. It tolerates coastal conditions and inland heat equally well.
Occasional pruning keeps it tidy, and established plants need watering only during extended dry spells.