The 15 Best Flowering Evergreen Shrubs for Zone 8 Gardens

In USDA hardiness zone 8, flowering evergreen shrubs are the best way to add color and interest to gardens all year long. They bloom from early spring to fall and make a lush background for other plants. Their flowers also attract pollinators.

When selecting the best flowering evergreens, it’s important to choose varieties suited to zone 8’s warm humid climate. Look for shrubs that can withstand heat, humidity, and occasional freezes. Consider mature size to pick the right shrub for your space. Dwarf cultivars are ideal for smaller areas.

Here are the top 15 flowering evergreen shrubs to grow in zone 8:

Camellia

Many people choose camellias as flowering evergreens for zone 8. From fall to spring, big, showy flowers in shades of red, pink, and white show up. Camellias prefer acidic, well-drained soil and afternoon shade. Regular watering is needed to keep soil consistently moist. Deer tend to leave them alone.

Popular zone 8 camellia varieties include:

• Camellia japonica – Classic camellia with rose-like blooms. Grows 6-10 feet tall.

• Camellia sasanqua – Blooms fall through winter, More heat tolerant Grows 6-8 feet tall

• Dwarf camellia cultivars – Grows 3-5 feet tall, Good for containers

Azalea

Azaleas put on quite the spring display with abundant blooms in colors ranging from white and pink to purples. Encore azaleas will flower again in fall. Azaleas need well-drained, acidic soil and do best with some shade, especially in afternoon. Consistent watering is a must.

Some top azalea varieties for zone 8 include:

• Encore azaleas – Rebloom in spring and fall Grows 2-4 feet tall,

• Old-fashioned Southern azaleas – Very fragrant, large blooms. Grows 8-12 feet tall.

• Kurume azaleas – Profuse blooms on compact shrubs. Grows 3-5 feet tall.

Gardenia

The intoxicating fragrance of gardenia blooms is hard to resist. Large, white gardenia flowers appear from late spring into summer. These plants do well in zone 8, but they need acidic, well-drained soil and sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. Consistent moisture is important. Grow 2-4 feet tall.

Top zone 8 gardenia varieties:

• Gardenia jasminoides – Most popular gardenia species.

• Frost proof gardenia – More cold hardy.

• Dwarf gardenia cultivars – For containers and smaller spaces.

Loropetalum

Loropetalum offers vibrant color with its pink, red, or white fringe-like blooms. Naturally grows 6-8 feet tall but compact varieties are available. Does well in partial shade with well-drained soil. Requires regular watering. Prune after flowering.

Best loropetalum varieties for zone 8:

• Loropetalum chinense – Most popular species. Pink or white blooms.

• Loropetalum chinense ‘Blush’ – Pink blooms. Grows 4 feet tall.

• Loropetalum chinense ‘Ruby’ – Red blooms.

Camellia Sasanqua

Camellia sasanqua is another type of camellia that does well in zone 8. It blooms earlier than C. japonica, starting in fall and continuing through winter. Flowers come in white, pink, and red. Grows 6-10 feet tall. Prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil. Requires regular watering and afternoon shade.

Top zone 8 Camellia sasanqua varieties:

• Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’ – Abundant red blooms for the holidays.

• Camellia sasanqua ‘Kanjiro’ – Profuse light pink blooms.

• Camellia sasanqua ‘Setsugekka’ – White blooms with yellow stamens.

Rosemary

Rosemary is one of the few herbs that grows well in zone 8. It has pretty light blue flowers and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Tolerates drought once established. Grows 2-4 feet tall. Popular varieties include ‘Tuscan Blue’ and ‘Arp’. Use for hedges, borders or containers.

Lily of the Valley Shrub

The lily of the valley shrub (Pieris japonica) blooms in late winter or early spring with pendant clusters of white or pink bell-shaped flowers. New growth is bronze or reddish in color. Does well in partial shade with regular watering and acidic soil. Grows 6-8 feet tall.

Indian Hawthorne

Indian hawthorn is a tough, easy-care shrub with clusters of pink or white flowers in spring. Glossy green foliage provides a nice backdrop. Grows 3-6 feet tall. Tolerates heat, humidity, drought, salt, and poor soil. Prune lightly after flowering.

Best Indian hawthorn varieties for zone 8:

• Raphiolepis indica – Most popular species. Pink or white flowers.

• Raphiolepis indica ‘Majestic Beauty’ – Large pink blooms.

• Raphiolepis indica ‘Enchantress’ – Profuse white blooms.

Tea Olive

Tea olive is prized for its powerfully fragrant white blooms that appear in fall and periodically through winter. Flowers are small but abundant. Grows 10-15 feet tall. Does well in full sun to partial shade and needs well-drained soil. Responds well to pruning.

Top zone 8 tea olive varieties:

• Osmanthus fragrans – Most popular. Sweetly scented blooms.

• Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ – New foliage is tricolored.

• Dwarf tea olive cultivars – For containers and smaller areas.

Breath of Heaven

Breath of heaven (Coleonema pulchellum) is a dainty shrub with tiny green leaves and petite white or pink flowers from late winter into spring. Flowers emit a pleasant, spicy fragrance. Grows just 1-3 feet tall. Tolerates heat, humidity, and dry soil. Great for borders and containers.

Burford Holly

Burford holly is a broadleaf evergreen prized for its glossy green foliage and abundant red berries that attract birds. Spiny leaves deter deer. Small white flowers appear in spring. Grows 10-15 feet tall and does well in sun or partial shade. Requires well-drained acidic soil.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly

Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is a fast-growing, low maintenance native shrub that produces bright red berries. Dwarf cultivars like ‘Schillings’ only reach 2-4 feet tall, making them ideal for hedges, borders, and mass plantings. Tolerates heat, humidity, and drought.

Wax Myrtle

Another tough native shrub, wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) grows 10-15 feet tall in zone 8. It has glossy, aromatic foliage and interesting gray berries on female plants. Thrives in sun or shade and tolerates all soil types. Makes a good screen or informal hedge.

Evergreen Euonymus

Evergreen euonymus varieties add year-round color with variegated leaves in shades of green, yellow, and white. Small flowers give way to red berries. Compact types like ‘Emerald Gaiety’ and ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’ grow just 2-4 feet tall. Tolerates full sun and partial shade.

Coprosma

Coprosma offers colorful evergreen foliage in shades of yellow, orange, red and purple with tiny white flowers. ‘Ruby Glow’ has purple leaves and orange berries. ‘Evening Glow’ has yellow-orange foliage. Grows 2-4 feet tall. Prefers partial shade and well-drained soil.

With this diverse selection of flowering evergreens, you can enjoy vivid blooms and lush foliage in your zone 8 garden year after year. Pay attention to mature size, sunlight needs, watering requirements and soil preferences when choosing shrubs. With proper care, these flowering beauties will thrive and add seasonal interest to your landscape.