Red is the color of love, passion, and excitement. It’s no wonder that so many people choose to plant red evergreen shrubs in their yards! These plants are beautiful and provide a pop of color in the wintertime.
In this blog post, we will discuss 11 different types of red evergreen shrubs. We’ll give you information on each one so that you can decide which one is right for your yard!
11 Red Evergreen Shrubs
Below are 11 popular types of red evergreen shrubs:
1. Photinia × Fraseri ‘Red Robin’
This plant is dark red when young, maturing to a deep green. It’s an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 4m high and wide. The Fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is perfect for hedges, screens, or foundation planting.
It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Plant the Fraseri in soil that is moist but well-drained. Leave the shrub unpruned to admire the beautiful white flowers that appear in spring.
2. Photinia Serratifolia Crunchy ‘Rev100’ Photinia
This is a compact bush that grows to be about 2.5m tall. It has dark green leaves with red margins. The new growth of this plant is a beautiful crimson color. It’s a great choice for hedges or foundation planting.
The margins of the leaf are serrated, or finely toothed, which gives a unique look that sets it apart from other types. Plant the Photinia Serratifolia in soil that is moist but well-drained. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade when grown in hot climates.
Water the Photinia Serratifolia regularly during the first growing season to help establish a deep, extensive root system. Once established, this plant is relatively drought tolerant. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer.
3. Cordyline Australis ‘Red Star’
Excellent as a container plant on a patio or as part of a landscape, the Cordyline Australis ‘Red Star’ is a striking plant. It has long, thin leaves that are burgundy with cream variegation. The new growth of this plant is a beautiful crimson color.
It grows best in well-drained soil and full sun. This makes it perfect as a border plant or as a specimen in a garden bed. It’s also salt tolerant, so it’s a good choice for coastal gardens.
4. Pieris ‘Forest Flame’
This is one of the most vibrant red evergreen shrubs available when young. It starts with a cream and pink variegation that matures into a deep red, before finally turning green. It can reach heights of up to 4m
The Pieris ‘Forest Flame’ is perfect for use as a specimen plant or in a foundation planting. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Plant the Pieris in soil that is moist but well-drained.
5. Coprosma Repens ‘Pacific Dawn’
The Coprosma Repens ‘Pacific Dawn’ is a low-growing shrub that reaches about 0.75m in height. It has variegated leaves with burgundy, cream, and green colors. These colors turn into a deep maroon hue in winter.
It’s perfect for use as a groundcover or in rock gardens. The Coprosma Repens ‘Pacific Dawn’ reaches heights of 1.5m, making it slightly shorter than the previous two plants. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade.
It’s a good idea to plant the Coprosma Repens in a container. This allows you to control the soil moisture and drainage, as well as take it inside during cold winters.
6. Nandina Domestica Obsessed ‘Seika’
This is a beautiful shrub that has red, laciniate leaves. The Nandina Domestica Obsessed ‘Seika’ can grow up to 1m in height and width.
It’s perfect for use as a groundcover or in rock gardens. This plant prefers full sun, so make sure to plant it in an area that gets plenty of sunlight. The soil should be well-drained to mimic its natural habitat.
7. Leucothoe Scarletta (‘Zeblid’)
This is a compact shrub that reaches approximately 60cm in height. It has dark green leaves with a red margin when mature, but grows as dark red when young. The Leucothoe Scarletta is perfect for use as a groundcover or in rock gardens.
Wait until spring to be blessed with the beautiful, bell-shaped white flowers. Plant the Leucothoe Scarletta in soil that is moist but well-drained. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade.
8. Photinia x Fraseri ‘Canivily’
For some of the deepest red evergreen foliage, look no further than the Fraseri ‘Canivily’. The leaves are dark red when young, maturing to a deep green.
The shrub flowers in spring, with white flowers that appear before the leaves. If you’re lucky, the shrub will also reveal red berries that last into winter. It can grow up to 4m high, so this is no small plant.
Plant the Photinia x Fraseri ‘Canivily’ in full sun for the best color. It will tolerate some shade but won’t be as vibrant. The soil should be moist but well-drained.
9. Euonymus Alatus
Deciduous or evergreen, the Euonymus Alatus is a beautiful plant that can grow up to 12m in height. It has captivating red leaves and produces small, yellow-green flowers.
Wait until the autumn for the plant to produce fruits that are pink before they eventually turn red. These fruits contain seeds that birds love to eat. Plant the Euonymus Alatus in full sun for the best growth potential.
10. Phormium ‘Sundowner’
This is a striking, evergreen plant that can be found in red and orange hues. It has long, thin leaves that can grow up to one meter in length. The total height can reach up to 1.5m.
Just like the many other shrubs on this list, the Phormium ‘Sundowner’ prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Interestingly, the soil can be acid, alkaline, or neutral. This is one of my favorite red evergreen shrubs for sure!
11. Abelia × Grandiflora Sunshine Daydream
The Abelia × Grandiflora Sunshine Daydream is a compact, evergreen shrub that reaches approximately 1.2m in height. It has beautiful, variegated leaves with shades of yellow, green, and pink.
This plant grows flowers that are a lovely shade of pink, as well as have a sweet fragrance. They appear in the late spring and early summer. Give the plant full sun for full growth potential.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many red evergreen shrubs to choose from. Hopefully, this list has helped you narrow down your choices. Be sure to take into account the plant’s height, as well as its sun and shade preferences. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy your new plants. Happy gardening!
Do you have a favorite red evergreen shrub? Let us know in the comments below.
Tim is an avid gardener from the UK. He was the founder of PlantCarer.com from 2021 to Sep 2023. He sold PlantCarer.com to Aaron. He has since started his own business called Seed To Supper, which provides new gardeners all the materials you need in a box (pots, seeds, compost and instructions) to grow your own delicious and nutritious vegetables and herbs from start to finish – no garden required.
