Cold Hardy Edible Evergreen Shrubs for the Permaculture Garden

In a temperate, cold-climate permaculture garden, choosing plants that are both hardy and useful year-round is an important aspect. Evergreen shrubs provide food, medicine, and ecological benefits while also offering shelter for wildlife and stabilizing soil. In this post, we’ll explore cold-hardy evergreen shrubs that produce edible fruit, nuts, and tea while thriving in temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) or colder.

Fruiting Evergreen Shrubs

In a cold-climate permaculture garden, evergreen shrubs that produce edible berries are a valuable resource. Not only do they provide fresh or preserved food throughout the year, but they also support pollinators, birds, and soil health. The following shrubs are hardy, reliable, and thrive in temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) or colder, making them excellent choices for a resilient food forest.

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)

Hardiness: Down to -40°C (-40°F)
Edible Parts: Berries
Uses: Fresh eating, jams, sauces, syrups
Growing Conditions: Prefers acidic, well-drained soil and partial shade but tolerates full sun

Lingonberries are a staple in Nordic and boreal regions, thriving in poor soils where other fruiting plants struggle. The tart, antioxidant-rich berries are perfect for preserves and pair well with meats and cheeses.

Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

Hardiness: Down to -30°C (-22°F)
Edible Parts: Berries and leaves
Uses: Berries can be eaten raw; leaves make a minty tea
Growing Conditions: Prefers acidic, well-drained soils and partial to full shade

This low-growing shrub provides wintergreen-flavored berries in the colder months when fresh food is scarce. Its leaves can also be brewed into a tea with mild pain-relieving properties.

Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)

Hardiness: Down to -20°C (-4°F)
Edible Parts: Berries
Uses: Fresh eating, jams, desserts
Growing Conditions: Prefers acidic soil and partial shade but can tolerate sun

A relative of the blueberry, huckleberries are prized for their small but intensely flavorful fruits. The shrub is a good understory plant, thriving beneath taller trees in a food forest setting.

Next Read: Best berries for your Permaculture Garden

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Hardiness: Down to -40°C (-40°F)
Edible Parts: Berries
Uses: Best when mixed with other fruits for jams or medicinal infusions
Growing Conditions: Tolerates dry, sandy, and rocky soils; prefers full sun

Bearberries are incredibly cold-hardy groundcover plants, used both as food and in traditional medicine. While the berries are astringent, they can be mixed with sweeter fruits for palatable preserves.

Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum)

Hardiness: Down to -40°C (-40°F)
Edible Parts: Berries
Uses: Fresh eating, preserves, added to baked goods
Growing Conditions: Prefers acidic, moist soil and full to partial sun

Crowberries are a highly resilient species, common in boreal forests and Arctic tundra. Their berries are not as sweet as blueberries but still offer an excellent source of nutrients late in the season.

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)

Hardiness: Down to -40°C (-40°F)
Edible Parts: Bright orange berries
Uses: Juices, jams, medicinal oils, and teas
Growing Conditions: Tolerates poor, sandy, and dry soils; needs full sun

This nitrogen-fixing shrub is a powerhouse in cold-climate permaculture. The berries are extremely rich in vitamin C and often used for juices, syrups, and skin-healing oils.

Next Read: Do I need a greenhouse in a cold climate?

Nut-Producing Evergreen Shrubs

Nuts are an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients, making them a valuable addition to any permaculture garden. While most nut-producing trees take years to mature, certain cold-hardy shrubs and small trees can provide edible seeds much sooner. These plants not only offer high-energy food but also contribute to soil health and biodiversity. The following nut-bearing shrubs thrive in cold climates and can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) or colder.

Siberian Peashrub (Caragana arborescens)

Hardiness: Down to -40°C (-40°F)
Edible Parts: Seeds and young pods
Uses: Seeds can be dried and cooked like lentils
Growing Conditions: Drought-tolerant, thrives in poor soils

This fast-growing nitrogen-fixer is an excellent windbreak and livestock fodder plant. While not a traditional nut tree, its protein-rich seeds can be dried and used like chickpeas or lentils.

Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra)

Hardiness: Down to -40°C (-40°F)
Edible Parts: Pine nuts
Uses: Snacking, baking, pesto
Growing Conditions: Thrives in cold, mountainous regions

Swiss Stone Pine is a slow-growing conifer that produces delicious and nutritious pine nuts. While it takes time to mature, it is a valuable long-term addition to any permaculture system.

Evergreen Shrubs for Tea

In a permaculture garden, having plants that can be used for herbal teas adds both practical and medicinal value. Many evergreen shrubs have aromatic leaves that can be brewed into warming teas, offering benefits like digestive support, relaxation, and immune boosting properties. The following cold-hardy evergreen shrubs thrive in colder temperatures and provide flavorful, nutrient-rich teas straight from your garden.

Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum)

Hardiness: Down to -40°C (-40°F)
Edible Parts: Leaves
Uses: Brewed into a mild, aromatic tea
Growing Conditions: Prefers acidic, wet soils; thrives in boggy areas

Labrador Tea has been used by Indigenous peoples for centuries. Its leaves create a mildly relaxing herbal tea, and it thrives in cold, wet conditions where other plants may struggle.

Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina)

Hardiness: Down to -35°C (-31°F)
Edible Parts: Leaves
Uses: Leaves make a fragrant tea similar to green tea
Growing Conditions: Tolerates poor soils and thrives in dry conditions

Despite its name, Sweetfern is not a true fern but a nitrogen-fixing shrub. The leaves have a warm, resinous scent, and the tea is often used for digestion and relaxation.

Permaculture Resilience

Selecting the right evergreen shrubs for your cold-climate permaculture garden ensures year-round productivity and ecological resilience. By incorporating fruiting shrubs, nut-bearing plants, and tea-producing species, you can create a self-sustaining, diverse food forest that thrives even in harsh winters.