By Jennifer Poindexter
Some people have certain aesthetics they’d like to include in their landscape. One option commonly preferred is evergreen trees.
These trees are an excellent way to keep your home vibrant no matter the time of year. However, you may take this one step further by including evergreen trees which produce red berries.
Not only is this a great snack for wildlife, but it’s also an excellent way to add even more color to your landscape.
Here are your options for evergreen trees with red berries:
What You’ll Learn:
- The aesthetic benefits of evergreen trees in a landscape, especially those producing red berries.
- A variety of evergreen trees that can add vibrancy and color to your yard all year round.
- Key features, ideal growing conditions, and hardiness zones for each tree variety.
Evergreen Trees with Red Berries
Growing an evergreen tree may be a great way to keep your yard looking lively no matter the time of year.
Check out these options when landscaping your yard with evergreen trees which produce red berries:
1. Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster trees are smaller options as they only grow to be approximately seven feet tall and have a girth a little wider than their height.
These trees are known for growing slowly at first, but then speed up their growing process over the years. Cotoneasters grow best in areas with rich soil that’s well-draining and desire ample sunlight. These trees should remain hardy in planting zones four through eight.
2. Holly
Holly trees are a classic option that add charm to any landscape they’re included in. These trees are hard to miss due to their rich green coloring with pops of red berries between the foliage.
Expect holly trees to be a medium-sized tree, reaching heights averaging around thirty feet. These trees prefer sunlight and soil that’s well-draining. Holly trees don’t transplant well, so be mindful that you plant them in the proper location the first time. With adequate care, holly trees should remain hardy in planting zones five through nine.
3. Strawberry Tree
The strawberry tree is a unique option that produces round, bumpy berries. This tree could be a wonderful option for most any landscape since it’s on the smaller side.
In fact, strawberry trees can be grown as either a tree or shrub since they only reach heights around eighteen feet. These trees remain hardy in planting zones eight through eleven and can be grown in a container in colder planting zones. Be sure to provide a growing space with full sunlight and soil that’s well-draining and loamy.
4. Carolina Cherry Laurel Tree
The Carolina cherry laurel tree is a beautiful green tree that could be a nice fit for various locations. This tree ranges in height from fifteen to forty feet, making it a good choice for large and smaller yards alike.
If you’re interested in adding this tree to your landscape, be sure to supply it with soil that’s evenly damp and well-draining. Carolina cherry laurel trees aren’t particular about soil types and can thrive in almost any type of lighting. With adequate care, this tree should remain hardy in planting zones seven through ten.
5. Heavenly Bamboo
Heavenly bamboo can be pruned to either be a small tree or a shrub. This plant has a rounded shape with elongated foliage. It produces beautiful colored leaves along with red berries. When growing heavenly bamboo, provide it with rich, well-draining soil. This plant isn’t picky about soil types as long as it isn’t left in oversaturated conditions.
Heavenly bamboo will grow in various types of lighting as well. This tree ranges in height from four to eight feet and remains hardy in planting zones six through nine.
6. Winterberry
Winterberry is a smaller variety of holly. This tree isn’t evergreen, but it does put on a gorgeous show from spring through early winter. For this reason, I thought it should still have a place on this list. The leaves remain vibrant and colorful from spring through fall. Then the berries begin to put on their own display from fall through early winter.
Plus, winterberry is another good fit for most landscapes, as this tree only reaches heights between six and ten feet and is hardy in zones three through nine. However, be sure to supply winterberry trees with partial sunlight and well-draining soil that remains evenly damp for optimal growth.
7. Spindle Tree
Spindle trees put on quite the show. They produce lighter green foliage that turns a deep red later in the year. The tree also produces small blooms which give way to tiny, deep red berries.
If you’d like to grow this tree, be sure to supply a shaded growing space and soil that’s loamy and well-draining. Spindle trees remain hardy in planting zones four through seven and can become as tall as eight feet.
8. Chilean Guava
Chilean guava trees are an adorable option for your landscape. This is a smaller tree that only grows to be between three and six feet tall. The tree becomes equally as wide.
Should this tree be a good fit for your landscape, be sure to provide it with partial sunlight in warmer climates. In cooler climates, more sun is helpful. This tree also needs well-draining soil. Chilean guava trees should remain hardy in planting zones nine and ten.
9. Korean Barberry
Korean barberry plants are another gorgeous sight to behold. This tree produces beautiful foliage and dazzling yellow blooms which then give way to red berries.
If you’re interested in growing this plant, be sure to supply it with full to partial sunlight and soil that’s evenly damp and well-draining. This is a smaller tree that only reaches an approximate height of six feet and remains hardy in planting zones three through seven.
10. Yew
Yew trees produce needles in the place of traditional leaves and round red berries. They grow to be approximately sixty-five feet tall.
They’re also low-maintenance trees that grow in most types of sunlight (anything from full sunlight to complete shade) and tolerate most soil types as long as they’re well-draining. Yew trees remain hardy in planting zones three through eight.
11. Hawthorn
Hawthorn trees frequently have branching trunks which grow into limbs with green foliage. Little red berries pop out from amongst the leaves.
If this sounds interesting to you, and you’d like to incorporate this tree into your landscape, be sure to supply it with ample sunlight and well-draining soil. Be mindful that hawthorn trees can grow to be as tall as fifty feet, so ensure you have enough room. They also remain hardy in planting zones four through eight.
12. Scarlet Firethorn
The scarlet firethorn is another evergreen option which can be grown as a tree or shrub, depending upon your preferences and pruning techniques. This plant contains beautiful green leaves and red berries.
When growing scarlet firethorn, select a growing location with full to partial sunlight and soil that’s well-draining and evenly damp. It’s better for scarlet firethorn to grow in dry soil than in overly damp conditions. Scarlet firethorn grows to be between six and eighteen feet tall and should remain hardy in planting zones six through nine.
13. Sumac
Sumac is a smaller tree which produces pointier leaves that turn to shades of green and then red, purple, or orange in the fall. This tree also produces clusters of red berries.
Expect sumac trees to range in height from three to eight feet. They need well-draining soil and full sunlight to thrive. Sumac trees are hardy in planting zones three through nine.
14. Evergreen Dogwood
An evergreen dogwood tree grows to be between twenty and forty feet tall. It produces gorgeous green leaves, white blooms, and a rounded canopy. The white blooms give way to unique red berries.
When adding this tree to your landscape, supply it with rich, well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight. This tree should remain hardy in planting zones eight and nine.
15. Peruvian Pepper Tree
Our last evergreen tree to discuss is the Peruvian pepper tree. This is a medium-sized tree with fern-like foliage. The berries this tree produces are more of a shade of pink, but it’s still a beautiful tree. The Peruvian pepper tree reaches heights between twenty-five and fifty feet.
When growing a Peruvian pepper tree, it’ll need plenty of sunlight along with well-draining soil. Peruvian pepper trees should remain hardy in planting zones eight through eleven.
You now have quite a few options for evergreen trees with red berries which can be added to your yard.
Enjoy adding these plants to your landscape and see what a difference an evergreen can make in the look of your home year-round.
Key Takeaways:
- Evergreen trees with red berries offer a dual advantage: they stay vibrant throughout the year and attract wildlife.
- Cotoneasters, Holly trees, and Strawberry trees are just a few options that can beautify a landscape with their green foliage and red berries.
- Different trees have specific requirements, from sunlight preferences to soil types.
- The right evergreen can enhance the appeal of your home’s landscape year-round, providing both aesthetic and ecological benefits.
Quick Reference Growing Chart for Evergreen Trees with Red Berries
| Tree Name | Height | Lighting | Soil | Planting Zones | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotoneaster | 7 feet | Ample sunlight | Rich, well-draining | 4-8 | Slow growth initially, speeds up over years |
| Holly | 30 feet | Sunlight | Well-draining | 5-9 | Classic look, red berries |
| Strawberry Tree | 18 feet | Full sunlight | Well-draining, loamy | 8-11 | Can be tree or shrub |
| Carolina Cherry Laurel | 15-40 feet | Various lightings | Evenly damp, well-draining | 7-10 | Versatile tree |
| Heavenly Bamboo | 4-8 feet | Various lightings | Rich, well-draining | 6-9 | Can be pruned to tree or shrub |
| Winterberry | 6-10 feet | Partial sunlight | Well-draining, evenly damp | 3-9 | Variation of holly |
| Spindle Tree | 8 feet | Shaded | Loamy, well-draining | 4-7 | Deep red foliage in the fall |
| Chilean Guava | 3-6 feet | Partial (varies by climate) | Well-draining | 9-10 | Small tree |
| Korean Barberry | 6 feet | Full to partial | Evenly damp, well-draining | 3-7 | Yellow blooms, red berries |
| Yew | 65 feet | Varies (full sun to shade) | Well-draining | 3-8 | Produces needles and red berries |
| Hawthorn | Up to 50 feet | Ample sunlight | Well-draining | 4-8 | Branching trunks, red berries |
| Scarlet Firethorn | 6-18 feet | Full to partial | Well-draining, evenly damp | 6-9 | Can be tree or shrub |
| Sumac | 3-8 feet | Full sunlight | Well-draining | 3-9 | Pointy leaves, red berries |
| Evergreen Dogwood | 20-40 feet | Full to partial | Rich, well-draining | 8-9 | White blooms, red berries |
| Peruvian Pepper Tree | 25-50 feet | Ample sunlight | Well-draining | 8-11 | Fern-like foliage, pinkish berries |
Learn More About Evergreen Trees
https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/choosing-evergreens-your-landscape
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/evergreen-trees-7-403/
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/selecting-evergreen-trees.html
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