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 Pennsylvania and the wider flora of the Mid-Atlantic and hardy through zones 5–7 — proven performers for Pennsylvania's humid continental climate across Appalachian ridge-and-valley & Piedmont, not a generic list. Local standouts include Foamflower and Crossvine. 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.
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.
Tiarella cordifolia
Through Pennsylvania's Appalachian ridge-and-valley & Piedmont country, doesn't drop its leaves — winter green, cover for birds, and structure, reaching 6–12 in and cold-hardy to zone 3.
Bignonia capreolata
Through Pennsylvania's Appalachian ridge-and-valley & Piedmont country, year-round foliage for privacy and shelter when the rest of the garden sleeps, 6–10 ft wide and reaching 25–50 ft.
Phlox subulata
Through Pennsylvania's Appalachian ridge-and-valley & Piedmont country, green in January as in July, for screening and winter cover — 1.5–2 ft wide and hardy in zones 3–9.
Ilex glabra
Through Pennsylvania's Appalachian ridge-and-valley & Piedmont country, an evergreen anchor that never goes bare, reaching 4–8 ft and for sand, clay, and loam ground.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Through Pennsylvania's Appalachian ridge-and-valley & Piedmont country, stays green when everything else drops — pink-white bells flowers and hardy in zones 2–6, good for winter shelter.
Polystichum acrostichoides
Through Pennsylvania's Appalachian ridge-and-valley & Piedmont country, carries the planting through winter with leaves intact, 1–2 ft tall and for rocky and loam ground.
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome 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.