The Difference Between Evergreen and Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Beginning gardeners often ask, what’s the difference between an evergreen and a deciduous tree or shrub? The short answer is, a deciduous tree or shrub sheds its leaves in fall and the plant grows new foliage again in spring; an evergreen tree or shrub retains all or most of its foliage year round.

But as with nearly everything in gardening, the definition isn’t so clear cut. The long answer is, there are also semi-evergreen and semi-deciduous plants.

Why you need to know the difference between evergreen and deciduous

Evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs play different roles in the landscape, especially in winter. Evergreens can be used for year-round windbreaks and all-season protection from severe weather. Along with evergreen shrubs, they also add some green to an otherwise gray landscape in the coldest months.

Deciduous trees can be planted to strategically shade your home from late afternoon sun in summer. When their leaves are absent in winter, along with the shade, the sun warms your home in the afternoon. Aside from the utilitarian functions, aesthetics play a role too. Before planting, think about how you’d like your landscape to look in all 4 seasons, which plants compliment each other, and plant accordingly (please choose native plants for your area). There are also reasons for planting evergreens and deciduous plants to benefit your local ecosystem and wildlife habitat.

What is an evergreen tree or shrub?

An evergreen is a perennial that retains its leaves throughout the year and into the next growing season. Actually, evergreens only appear to keep their leaves all season. They lose their leaves gradually throughout the year, and not all at once like deciduous plants (hence, pine needles on the forest floor).

Some evergreens have leaves we call “needles” – long and thin and sometimes sharp, like those on pine trees or blue spruce. Others have thick, broad leaves that are leather-like, such as the foliage on rhododendrons. Some evergreens produce cones instead of flowers and are referred to as conifers – like pine, cedar, and spruce trees. Most conifers are evergreens, but not all.

Semi-evergreen plants

A plant is said to be semi-evergreen when their growth pattern falls between evergreen and deciduous. They may shed their foliage for only a short time in winter, and then regrow leaves a month or two later. Other semi-evergreens may lose some but not all of their leaves for only a fraction of a season. A semi-evergreen might also be evergreen in a mild climate but deciduous in a colder climate.

Examples of evergreens

What is a deciduous tree or shrub?

Typically, deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves at the end of the growing season. In temperate areas, this occurs in the fall, and in tropical and sub-tropical areas in the dry season. Usually, leaves turn from green to orange, yellow or red, and then brown right before they fall. Deciduous plants also may lose their leaves when under stress from poor planting, extended heat, drought, pests, or disease. The deciduous tree or shrub can lose leaves at anytime when conditions send the plant into dormancy.

Semi-deciduous plants

A plant is semi-deciduous if they shed leaves (go into dormancy) for only part of summer or winter.

Examples of deciduous trees and shrubs