NatureMan's Official Blog: Most Cold Hardy Broadleaf Evergreen Shurbs

In this post I will show you the most cold hardy Broadleaf evergreen shrubs, all of which are hardy to USDA Zone 5. A couple varieties are hardy down to USDA Zone 4. There are several more species hardy to USDA Zone 6 or warmer. But for those who live in Zones 4-5, you can still grow these tropical like plants for your landscape!

1. 'Blue Princess' and 'Blue Prince' Holly

The Blue Princess is the female that produces the berries, but the male one ("Blue Prince") is needed to pollinate in order for the female to form the berries. Both of which are one of the most cold hardy Holly bushes available. They are hardy to -30°F (USDA Zone 4)

2. 'Honey Maid' Holly

For those wanting a variegated Holly, but the famous variegated English Holly is not hardy to your area. Worry no more! "Honey Maid" Holly is a great alternative! Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F). Have a "Blue Prince" nearby if you want berries on it come Christmas time.

3. Variegated English Boxwood

This outstanding plant is perfect for your landscape! With it's variegated leaves, it adds great contrast, and is for perfect Christmas decor! Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F)

4. Boxwood

All Boxwood's are hardy to at least USDA Zone 5 (-20°F). There are a few hardy to USDA Zone 4 (-30°F). I am not going to name all Boxwood's (since there are so many!). I will name some of the most popular. "Winter Gem" is a Boxwwod with a bigger thicker leaf than it's cousins. It forms a light bronze in the winter, but doesn't harm the plant. It is hardy to USDA Zone 4 (-30°F). The rest I will name are hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F). "Green Mountain" Dee Runk" "Green Tower" "Sprinter" "Green Velvet" "Graham Blandy"

5. 'Sky Pencil' Holly

Sky Pencil Holly is a variety of Japanese Holly. Very similar to the "Graham Blandy" Boxwood. It has an upright growth, more so than the "Green Tower" and "Dee Runk" Boxwood. It is like a pencil growing straight up. Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F).

6. 'Steed's' Japanese Holly

This Japanese Holly is an upright growing. It has a good spread to it, so it's nothing like the 'Sky Pencil' Holly or 'Graham Blandy' Boxwood. It can be formed into the perfect Christmas tree shape, or great to form tall hedges. Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F)

7. 'Castle Spire' Holly

USDA Zone 5 (-20°F) is too cold to grow the popular tall growing Hollies like 'Oakleaf' or 'Nellie Steven's' Hollies. They grow to 10'+ to make a nice tall Broadleaf evergreen hedge, or dwarf broadleaf evergreen tree for the landscape. For those in USDA Zone 5 (-20°F) wanting to grow that kind of Holly, fret no more! The 'Castle Spire' Holly grow over 8' tall and a good spread to make the perfect hedge or dwarf tree

8. Inkberry Holly

This plant is a great alternative to boxwood, just like the Japanese Holly is. This is more cold hardy than most other Zone 5 Boxwoods. The Inkberry Holly has been known to withstand temperatures down to -30°F USDA Zone 4 for good periods of time. A North American and US native Boxwood alternative! It is native across a good chunk of the eastern US. There are several varieties available, some newer varieties offer a more compact look, instead of it's original kind that would get leggy over time.

'Blue Princess' Holly