Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree) is a charming, broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree with four-season ornamental interest. From fall to midwinter, a profusion of drooping clusters of fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers hang at the tip of the branches. Pollinated by bees, the round fruits appear in winter and gradually ripen to yellow to red in twelve months. They are often in color when the new attractive flowers begin to bloom in fall. Equally interesting is the gray-brown bark on mature trunks and branches, which peels and flakes to reveal an attractive cinnamon-colored inner bark.

Extremely winter hardy, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry) is a slow-growing, creeping, evergreen shrub with trailing red stems studded with small, leathery, glossy, obovate, dark green leaves, up to 1 in. long (2.5 cm). The foliage turns red or purple in winter before becoming green again in spring. Pretty clusters of lantern-shaped, white-to-pink flowers hang gracefully from the short red stems in mid to late spring. They last several weeks and are followed by edible, smooth, and glossy berries which ripen to bright red in the fall.

Perfect for shady gardens, Aucuba japonica (Spotted Laurel) is a dense, upright, rounded, evergreen shrub prized for its lush foliage of leathery, glossy, rich green leaves mottled with golden yellow. In early to mid-spring, small purple flowers, adorned with creamy white anthers, appear from the leaf axils (female plants) or in terminal panicles (male plants). When pollinated, the female blooms give way to ornamental, glossy, bright red berries that ripen in fall and often persist until spring.

Extremely hardy, Berberis koreana (Korean Barberry) is a fabulous addition to the landscape thanks to its four seasons of interest. In mid-spring, this small, multi-stemmed, semi-evergreen shrub produces striking pendulous clusters of golden-yellow flowers. They are followed by an abundance of egg-shaped, bright red berries, which often persist well into winter. The summer foliage of elliptical, medium green leaves, turns dramatic maroon to deep purple shades in the fall.

Prized for its lovely flowers and brightly colored fruit, Cornus capitata (Evergreen Dogwood) is a bushy evergreen tree or shrub of spreading habit, forming a low canopy of ovate, leathery, dark green leaves, that may take on purplish and reddish shades in fall. In early to midsummer, showy creamy-white, petal-like bracts surrounding insignificant, true flowers are on display, contrasting nicely with the evergreen foliage. Grabbing attention, they are followed by clusters of fleshy, strawberry-like, red berries in fall. Ornamentally attractive, they are also edible and hungry birds feast on them. A great choice for mild coastal areas.

Cotoneaster dammeri (Bearberry Cotoneaster) is a vigorous, dense, evergreen shrub with trailing stems studded with small, leathery, glossy, rounded, dark green leaves. The foliage turns reddish-bronze or purplish in winter before becoming green again in spring. Small, 5-petaled, white flowers adorned with purple anthers are produced in late spring to early summer. They are followed by brilliant berries which ripen to bright red in the fall and persist through winter unless devoured by hungry birds or animals.

Vigorous and well-branched, Ilex 'Red Beauty' is a compact, upright, evergreen shrub of pyramidal habit with excellent year-round interest. When pollinated by a male blue holly, it produces a profusion of attractive bright red berries from fall into winter. Extremely showy, they enliven the winter landscape and attract birds. The shiny foliage of small, spiny leaves remains dark green throughout the winter. 'Red Beauty' is a female plant and needs a male pollinator to produce attractive red berries, such as 'Blue Prince', 'Blue Boy', or 'Blue Stallion' (any male blue holly - Ilex × meserveae). Ideal for hedges, foundation plantings, or even as a dramatic specimen, this is an outstanding plant for the winter landscape.

One of the most popular female hybrid holly selections, Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Princess' is a bushy, spreading, broadleaf evergreen shrub with excellent year-round interest. It produces abundant small white flowers in spring that give way to a profusion of attractive bright red berries in fall. Extremely showy, they enliven the winter landscape and persist throughout winter. This holly variety also offers dark purple stems and glossy, dark blue-green, spiny-toothed leaves.

Vigorous and well-branched, Ilex x meserveae Castle Spire® is a compact, upright, evergreen shrub of pyramidal habit with excellent year-round interest. It produces small white flowers in spring that give way to a profusion of attractive bright red berries in fall. Extremely showy, they enliven the winter landscape and persist throughout winter. The shiny foliage of small, oval, serrated leaves remains dark green throughout the winter. Castle Spire® is a female plant and needs a male pollinator to produce attractive red berries, such as Castle Wall®. Ideal for hedges, foundation plantings, or even as a dramatic specimen, this is an outstanding plant for the winter landscape.

Noted for its red berries and excellent foliage color, Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo) is a small, evergreen, or semi-evergreen shrub adding multi-season interest to the garden. In spring, a profusion of tiny, white flowers adorned with golden anthers appear in long arching panicles at the tips of the branches. Rich in nectar, they attract bees and other pollinators. The flowers are followed by abundant clusters of green berries which ripen to bright red and persist throughout fall and winter. Ornamental, they are held against the lacy foliage which emerges purple, matures to soft green, and turns purple to reddish-purple in fall. Popular in the landscape, Heavenly Bamboo is one of the toughest and most adaptable plants, its berry-laden branches providing a pleasing vertical accent.

Noted for its disease resistance, Pyracantha coccinea ‘Red Cushion’ (Scarlet Firethorn) is a thorny, evergreen shrub of compact and tidy habit with glossy, oval, dark green leaves. From late spring to early summer, a profusion of white flowers held in dense clusters cover the spiny branches and contrast nicely against the dark green foliage. They are followed by masses of shiny berries that ripen to bright red in fall and persist well into winter. Hungry birds feast on them. Versatile, this Scarlet Firethorn cultivar is perfect for use as an impenetrable hedge or screen or in shrub borders. It can also be grown against a wall or fence.

Noted for its heat and drought resistance, Pyracantha koidzumii 'Victory' (Formosa Firethorn) is a thorny, evergreen shrub of spreading habit with glossy, oval, dark green leaves that emerge bronze. In late spring to early summer, a profusion of white flowers held in dense clusters cover the arching branches, and contrast nicely against the dark green foliage. They are followed by masses of large, shiny berries that ripen to bright red in fall, and persist well into winter. Versatile, this Formosa Firethorn cultivar is best planted as a specimen or as an impenetrable hedge.

Perfect for shady gardens, Skimmia japonica (Japanese Skimmia) is a lovely, dense, mounded, evergreen shrub prized for its fragrant flowers, aromatic leaves, and showy fruits. In mid-spring, large clusters of fragrant, star-shaped, creamy white flowers, occasionally tinged pink, appear at the branch tips. The pretty blooms of female plants give way to ornamental, glossy, bright red berries that ripen in fall and persist through winter. They contrast beautifully with the evergreen foliage of leathery, lance-shaped, rich green leaves, which are clustered in whorls at the branch ends. When crushed, the aromatic leaves exude a pleasant scent.

Ugni molinae (Chilean Guava) is a lovely, bushy evergreen shrub of upright habit with four-season ornamental interest. In spring, exquisitely fragrant, bell-shaped, pale pink and white flowers hang in profusion. Slowly through the summer, they are followed by sweet and delicious, dark red berries, 1/2 in. across (1 cm), which are fabulous eaten either raw or cooked. Equally handsome is the lush foliage of glossy and leathery dark green leaves, adorned with occasional seasonal flushes of red-purple. As the scent of Chilean Guava is intoxicating, grow this terrific plant where you can enjoy its wonderful fragrance and pick its sweet fruits!