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Missouri · Zones 5–7

Native Evergreen Plants in Missouri

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 Missouri and the wider flora of the Midwest and hardy through zones 5–7 — proven performers for Missouri's humid continental to subtropical climate across Ozarks, glades & prairie, not a generic list. Local standouts include Crossvine and Foamflower. 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

6 native species for Missouri

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

Vine

Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata

In Missouri's Ozarks, glades & prairie, evergreen structure and privacy through the bare months, reaching 25–50 ft and orange-red flowers.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry–average
  • 25–50 ft
  • Blooms Apr–May
Perennial wildflower

Foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia

In Missouri's Ozarks, glades & prairie, evergreen structure and privacy through the bare months, spreading 1–2 ft and 6–12 in tall.

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

Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

In Missouri's Ozarks, glades & prairie, carries the planting through winter with leaves intact, reaching 4–8 in and pink-white bells flowers.

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

Inkberry Holly

Ilex glabra

In Missouri's Ozarks, glades & prairie, holds its leaves through winter for year-round green and cover, happy in sand, clay, and loam soil and good through zone 9.

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

Creeping Phlox

Phlox subulata

In Missouri's Ozarks, glades & prairie, evergreen structure and privacy through the bare months, 4–8 in tall and cold-hardy to zone 3.

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

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

In Missouri's Ozarks, glades & prairie, doesn't drop its leaves — winter green, cover for birds, and structure, reaching 1–2 ft and good through zone 9.

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

Where to find these in Missouri

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.