Small Evergreen Trees for the Houston Area
- American Holly grows well in the Houston area.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
The city of Houston, Texas has a warm, humid subtropical climate. With considerably greater annual rainfall than west Texas, choosing small evergreen trees in Houston requires different considerations than other parts of the state. Houston is located in USDA hardiness zone 8a. Talk to a local expert to help you decide which evergreens are just right for the conditions in your backyard. - American holly is perhaps the quintessential holly tree, with its spiky green leaves and red berries earning it the nickname "Christmas holly." The tree usually reaches 25 feet and is capable of growing to 50 feet or more. Slow-growing and long lived, this evergreen grows best in sandy, loamy and acidic soils that are well-drained and receive full or partial sunlight. You must have both a male and female plant to grow berries. Though the fruit is poisonous to humans, it is eaten by birds, deer and other wildlife. American holly is also a good nesting tree for many birds.
- This versatile member of the holly family is capable of growing in conditions all over Texas, including the Houston area. Also referred to as evergreen holly or Indian blackdrink, yaupon can reach 45 feet but rarely exceeds 25. Its glossy green leaves keep their color all year, and the tree blooms in springtime with small flowers that by fall turn into red berries that are relished by birds. For berry production, you must have both a male and a female plant. Yaupon thrives with ample sunlight and moist but well-drained soil, but can tolerate drought or excess moisture.
- Wax Myrtle is a small, shrubby, multi-trunked tree that can quickly grow to a height of 12 feet in the Houston area. Its foliage is olive green and aromatic, and female trees produce fragrant flowers in spring and small and pale blue berries in winter. As with hollies, you must have a male tree nearby for berry production. A Texas native, wax myrtle is also known as southern bayberry. This tree needs ample water and thrives in moist, slightly acidic soils with partial shade or full sun. Wax myrtle is commonly used as an ornamental tree in residential areas.
