Top 10 Cold-Hardy trees

As a Garden Enthusiast on a frosty Winter morning, now is a great time to plant out that landscape. The trees and plants are safely sleeping and the air clear and fresh. Winter is the perfect time for planting and thinking ahead for soon to arrive lush Spring new growth and blossom. As a fourth-generation tree nursery business, we know this well! So, we have compiled these ten Evergreens – five Native and five Exotics, that consistently hold their foliage and structural form through subzero temperatures.

Here are our top 10 Cold-Hardy Evergreens, proven performers for the Deep South and cool conditions:

New Zealand Natives

1. Carpodetus serratus – Putaputāwētā NZ Native (Marbleleaf)
2. Cordyline australis – Tī Kōuka NZ Native (Cabbage Tree)
3. Griselinia littoralis – Kāpuka NZ Native Broadleaf
4. Nothofagus solandri cliffortioides – Tawhai NZ Native Mountain Beech
5. Pittosporum tenuifolium – Kohuhu NZ Native

Exotic Evergreens

6. Eleagnus ebbingei – Silver Laurel
7. Osmanthus fragrans – Sweet Olive
8. Prunus lusitanica – Portuguese Laurel
9. Quercus ilex – Holm Oak
10. Viburnum tinus – Winter Flowering

Queenstown -White Frost - June 2020 (5)
Winterscape – Queenstown

NZ Native

Carpodetus serratus July 2025

CARPODETUS serratus – Putaputāwētā NZ Native (Marbleleaf)

Thriving in frost-prone areas once established. Its flexible zig-zag branchlets and marbled leaves shed frost crystals with minimal damage. A generous layer of organic mulch around the base buffers root temperatures against freeze-thaw cycles.

CORDYLINE australis – Tī Kōuka NZ Native (Cabbage Tree)

Enduring sudden temperature drops. In late Autumn, its leaves accumulate sugars that lower their freezing point. A note is not to pull off lower foliage, but trim in frosty zones. This acts as a under coat for stem protection.

Cordyline australis July 2025
Griselinia - Lot 3 Mica Ridge - June 2019

GRISLENIA littoralis – Kāpuka NZ Native Broadleaf

Withstanding frosts in both coastal and inland sites. Its thick, leathery leaves resist ice formation, while a dense branching habit reduces wind chill. High salt tolerance also helps it recover rapidly after cold, sea-breeze events.

NOTHOFAGUS solandri cliffortioides – Tawhai NZ Native Mountain Beech

Naturally occupying cold tree-line environments and resists frosts when Winter-hardened. It synthesises cryoprotectant sugars that stabilise cell membranes through sub-zero exposure. Evergreen foliage endures frost and roots remain viable under snow cover.

Nothofagus cliffortioides July 2025
Pittosporum tenufolium Wrinkled Blue & Hebe odora (1) Northlake Wanaka Sept 2022-2

PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium – Kohuhu NZ Native

Making a reliable frost-tolerant hedge once established. Planted in free-draining, moisture-retentive soil and mulched 5cm deep, it weathers light to moderate frosts. Any browned new shoots are swiftly replaced by vigorous growth as temperatures rise.

Exotic Evergreens

ELAEAGNUS ebbingei – Silver Laurel

A robust evergreen shrub prized for its silvery foliage and rapid growth. Its reflective leaves shedding ice crystals with minimal damage. A generous mulch around the base helps buffer roots against freeze-thaw cycles. It thrives in both full sun and sheltered spots, shrugging off coastal winds and urban microclimates.

Eleagnus Hanley Farms Sept 2024
ILEX ‘Hendersonii’ Smooth Leaf Holly

OSMANTHUS fragrans – Sweet Olive

Weathering moderate frosts, its dense, dark Evergreen foliage provides a frost. Position it in a sunny, sheltered spot to aid recovery and prune immediately after flowering to remove frost-killed growth. Tough Northern European plant that excels in frosty sites. Added bonus of clusters of small white beautifully fragrant flowers in mid-Summer.

PRUNUS lusitanica – Portuguese Laurel

Its dense habit and glossy evergreen leaves make it a go-to hedge or screen for frost-exposed sites. A proven hardy and popular evergreen with its dark green foliage.

Prunus lusitanica hedge - March 2024
Quercus ilex Queens Park - May 2024 (1)

QUERCUS ilex – Holm Oak

Remarkably hardy, enduring sub-zero temperatures down to around -12°C. Its leathery, holly-like leaves resist ice formation, and an extensive root system accesses moisture beneath frost-bound ground. A beautiful hardy tree that trims well into a pleached screen or left to grow into a majestic specimen.

VIBURNUM tinus – Winter Flowering

Tolerates frosts to about -10°C and often blooms through light snow cover. Free-draining soil and a 5cm mulch layer prevent ice-heave around feeder roots, while sturdy stems resist frost-induced splitting. A light trim after flowering maintains shape without compromising its frost resilience.

VIBURNUM

In Southern conditions, these Evergreen species continue to perform

From the clean, structural lines of Mountain Beech to the architectural impact of NZ Cabbage Tree silhouetted against frost, they offer dependable form and seasonal interest. Silver Laurel creates a dense, refined hedge with year-round appeal, while other selections contribute texture, screening and Winter charm. Discover how these hardy options can bring clarity, definition and lasting value to your landscape. Whether you’re establishing a sheltered woodland, enhancing a courtyard with Winter fragrance or building reliable garden structure, our team is here to support you – from plant selection to expert guidance in planting and aftercare. Be sure to check out our tree guides page for other tips, suggestions and helpful advice https://easybigtrees.co.nz/tree-guides/

Harry Winter planting tips: One way to keep your hands warm in Winter is to keep them busy with some planting! It might sound like a strange time to do this but we’re operating on nature’s timeline here, and nature is making sure the soil is moist, while keeping bugs and plant diseases at bay. Your new plants will appreciate the time getting used to their new home before Spring kicks in.
Harry Winter Fruit Tree Pruning Tips: It's true alright. Some work now will reap a bountiful harvest next Summer, when you really do get to enjoy the fruits of your labour. The key is to stick to the 3 D's of pruning, getting rid of anything that's dead, diseased or damaged. Go about your work on a dry day and wear a few layers, so you can take them off as needed. Different fruit trees need to be pruned slightly differently but in general, just remember to not get too carried away. Trimming back by about 20% is a good rule of thumb.
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