7 Best Evergreen Perennials for Year-Round Color

Looking for a way to keep your garden looking lush even when the temperature drops? These popular evergreen perennials are guaranteed to brighten up your outdoor space with beautiful foliage all through the winter months.

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++Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
Lady's Mantle
Lady’s Mantle is a total garden workhorse—it’s hardy, evergreen, and incredibly low-maintenance. What makes this plant stand out aren’t just the year-round green leaves, but how impressively large they grow. It’s a fantastic choice for filling in empty spots or acting as a lush groundcover. But it’s not just about the foliage! During its blooming season, it produces frothy yellow flowers that are a magnet for pollinators. By adding this perennial to your garden, you’re giving a nice little boost to your local ecosystem.

++Japanese Sedge (Carex morrowii ssp. foliosissima)
Japanese Sedge
If you’re after that sleek, grassy look that stays green all year, Japanese Sedge is exactly what you need. It has the elegant, long leaves of an ornamental grass and adds great texture to any perennial bed. It’s a team player, too—it looks wonderful when paired with other plants. Plus, it’s tough as nails and very easy to care for. It’s fully winter-hardy and won’t demand much of your time at all.

++Gentian Speedwell (Veronica gentianoides)
Gentian Speedwell
Gentian Speedwell is another winner that keeps its lovely green leaves even in the depths of winter. As soon as spring rolls around, the plant gears up for a stunning display of flowers. This perennial offers a soft, pale blue bloom—a color that’s actually pretty rare to find in the wild. If you want something unique for your flower beds, this is a great pick.

++Creeping Thyme (Thymus cherlerioides)
Creeping Thyme
Did you know some herbs double as beautiful flowering perennials? Creeping Thyme is a perfect example. This easy-going plant is happy even in poor, sandy, or gravelly soil. It comes back year after year and makes for an excellent evergreen groundcover. One of the best perks? The amazing fragrance it releases whenever you’re working nearby in the garden.

++Rock Cress (Aubrieta)
Rock Cress
During its blooming season, Rock Cress puts on a spectacular show with flowers ranging from deep blue to vibrant purple. It’s a popular choice for groundcover because it fills in gaps beautifully, and since it’s evergreen, you won’t be looking at bare dirt in the winter. Many gardeners love using it to soften the edges of stone walls or slopes. When it’s in full swing, it has a charming, almost whimsical look.

++Cottage Pink (Dianthus plumarius)
Cottage Pink
The Cottage Pink (or Feathered Pink) is another evergreen favorite. Its foliage stays a lovely deep green even when it’s freezing out. People love this perennial for two main reasons: the gorgeous, colorful blooms and the incredible scent. In fact, the carnation family has long been seen as a symbol of affection and solidarity. If you want a garden that smells as good as it looks, don’t skip this one.

++Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley is an absolute classic. Its broad green leaves stay vibrant and look very similar to Wild Garlic (Ramps). However, keep in mind that unlike Wild Garlic, Lily of the Valley is toxic, so it’s strictly for looking, not eating! That said, its delicate, bell-shaped white flowers are so beautiful and fragrant that it remains a garden staple. Just make sure you know how to tell the difference between Lily of the Valley and Wild Garlic before you start foraging!

%%Barrenwort (Epimedium)
Barrenwort
If you’re looking for an evergreen perennial with a bit of a magical vibe, you have to try Barrenwort (often called “Fairy Wings”). The name says it all—this plant adds a fairytale touch to any shady corner. The delicate, unique flowers have a dreamy, romantic look that really stands out in the spring.