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Evergreen trees for gardens


Evergreen trees for gardens: 10 of the best choices

Finding out about the best evergreen trees for gardens and adding a few to your plot will totally transform your outdoor space year-round, and especially during the desolate winter months. 

As the red and orange leaves fall off deciduous trees, leaving bare, skeletal bones, it is in winter that we come to truly appreciate the beauty of evergreen trees. Bringing life and color to the now sleeping garden, they are a stalwart that see us through winter and provide the backbone of our backyard ideas.

Evergreen trees for gardens

With their thick green leaves that last all year-round, evergreen trees are some of the best trees for privacy in a backyard. Not only do they hide unsightly views and offer a feeling of seclusion in your garden, but they can also reduce sound pollution, helping to create a sanctuary where you can immerse yourself in nature.  

What to consider when choosing evergreen trees for gardens

When selecting the right evergreen tree for your plot, it is vital that you consider the climate in which you live – some trees are evergreen in one climate but deciduous in another.  

You also need to think about the tree's size and the amount of shade it will cast. In the winter, light is limited, so you need to be careful not to cast large shadows over your house, as this will make it colder and can even increase your heating bill – in which case, you might want to research the best trees for a small garden – or the best trees for front yards, which will be naturally more compact.

Before you start searching, select the spot for your new tree as this will inform the size and growth rate that you require. Think about where it will cast its shadows and how it will look when fully grown. 

It is also key to consider your soil type and the light levels of your spot – picking a tree that is well-suited to both of these conditions will help it to thrive. You might also want to learn how to plant a tree so that you can give your evergreen tree the best start.

Having worked out these parameters, you are then ready to find the best evergreen tree for your garden.  

1. Magnolia grandiflora

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Magnolias are one of the prettiest evergreen plants for gardens. With verdant green leaves and their fragrant citrusy flowers blooming in the spring, magnolia trees make a statement in every season. 

However, many magnolia trees are deciduous, so if you're looking for evergreen trees for gardens, be sure to select the Magnolia grandiflora variety. Native to the South Atlantic states, they are a highly adaptable tree and grow in a wide variety of soils, though they thrive best in moist but well-drained, mildly acidic soils. 

'Magnolia grandiflora is a large plant with an average height and width of 30-45 feet. The broad leaves are glossy green and held at a 45 degree angle from the stems. In spring, it bears white to pink blooms that add to the appeal of its landscape value,' explains Lindsey Hyland, founder of Urban Organic Yield . 

2. Fraser’s Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

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A fast growing tree, Fraser’s Photinia can grow up to 3ft per year making them one of the best trees for privacy and screening in a backyard. Thriving best in full sun and hardy in zones 7 to 9, they offer a profusion of color all year round. Their new foliage emerges bright red, adding a firey hue to the rich green of the older leaves, and then explodes in white blooms come the spring. 

Taking around 12 years to grow to full size, they are an extremely versatile addition to the garden, and can be grown as a shrub, hedge or standard tree. They can even be espaliered against a wall for added architectural interest. If you do clip them into a standard shape, as above, it makes them a great choice if you are planning on landscaping around trees in your backyard.

3. Holly trees 

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There are two main types of evergreen holly that are popular throughout the US. The first are the English hollies, which are the typical festive holly tree, recognizable by its slightly curled spiky leaves. Variegated English holly trees have dark leaves with white edges creating an interesting and unusual addition to the garden. Their thick canopy but smaller size, usually around 25ft, makes them ideal evergreen trees for gardens.

American holly trees are very similar though there are some key differences. These trees are larger, growing to around 60ft, and have a lighter leaf color and subtly different berries. 

With both of these holly trees, if you want to produce berries – which are great for feeding birds in winter – then be sure you have 'one male for every one to five females for fruit to form,' advises garden expert and arborist Melinda Myers .

For best results, Melinda advises that you plant in moist acidic soil and select a variety that is suited to your growing conditions, 'for easy care and best results, shelter from drying winter winds.'

4. Juniper 

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Best known as the key ingredient in gin, juniper trees are actually a worthwhile addition to the garden in their own right. A type of conifer, they are praised for their versatility and hardy in zones 3 through to 9.  

'Junipers come in various colors and can grow in soils that are difficult to grow other plants. With all of the different varieties available, you’ll easily be able to find one that fits in with your garden. Most junipers do best in full sun, though a few like the shade in the late afternoon,' recommends Emilly Barbosa Fernandes, small space gardener at House Grail .

Junipers also suit a variety of different styles, the tree can be pruned into a neat triangular shape, or can be left to grow more naturally for a more rustic appearance. 

5. Hemlock (Tsuga)

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Hemlock is a type of evergreen fir tree praised for its versatility. There is a variety to suit almost all conditions throughout the US, from the Canadian Hemlock which thrives from zones 3 to 8; to the Western Hemlock which grows in zones 6 to 8 and will even grow in the densest shade. Plus, there are the Eastern and Caroline hemlocks which are also great evergreen trees for gardens.

Loved for their pyramidal shape, dark, evergreen needles and decorative cones, they are a popular evergreen tree for backyards. 

'More shade tolerant than most evergreens, they need protection from drying winter winds and sun. Therefore it is important to plant in an appropriate location with adequate moisture, good drainage and cool acidic soil,' advises gardening expert and arborist Melinda Myers.

6. Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

Characterized by deep red berries, thorny stems and dense foliage, Pyracantha coccineas offer a host of benefits to the garden. Their berries are loved by birds, and the vivid red of them makes them one of the best trees for autumn color. The thorny foliage offers a safe space for our feathered friends to nest during the spring and summer, too. 

Growing up to 10 feet tall and offering a host of sharp stems and thick foliage, Pyracantha coccineas can be grown to increase the security and privacy of your home and garden. What's more, Pyracantha coccinea is one of the most durable evergreen trees for gardens making it perfect for those who are less confident in gardening. They grow well in both full and partial sun and can thrive in almost all soil types including chalk, clay, loam and sand.

7.  Shore Pine (Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph')

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Pines are one of the most popular evergreen trees for gardens, however, Shore Pines offer something a little different. Unlike their larger relatives, Shore Pines are fairly petite with a slow growth rate. This makes them great evergreen trees for gardens that are on the smaller side – they can even be grown in a pot. 

However, what makes these evergreen trees really special is their color. Throughout summer and fall, the leaves are not particularly noteworthy, though they do offer a rich green backdrop for other plantings, but come the winter and spring, they are transformed into a captivating golden hue that brightens even the darkest plot. Consider pairing with hellebores for a beautiful winter border.

8. Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)

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A rather understated choice, strawberry trees are amongst the best evergreen trees for gardens due to their unusual character. With peeling bark, evergreen foliage, and small white flowers blooming from October to December, they brighten up the darkest fall and winter days. The strawberry tree's slow growth rate also makes it one of the best trees to grow in small gardens.

Following flowering, they produce bright red fruit – the same color as strawberries – though different in shape and flavor. 

'The scarlet red fruits only fully ripen in the following year, as a new set of flowers emerge,' explains Sue Sanderson, horticultural executive at Thompson & Morgan . While the berries can be eaten off the tree, they are best preserved in jams, liqueurs and syrups. 

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9. Giant arborvitae (Thuja plicata)

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Giant arborvitae also known as Thuja plicata is one of the easiest evergreen trees to introduce to your backyard. Native to western North America, the giant arborvitae is relatively hardy, 'it grows well in zones 5-9 and does exceptionally in zones 6 to 8,' says Tammy Sons garden expert and CEO at Online Plant Nursery .

When it comes to finding a spot for your Giant arborvitae, it is vital to consider the plants needs. 'It prefers full sun though will tolerate light shade and fertile, moist well-drained soil. However, it is somewhat tolerant of heat of dry conditions once established,' advises Melinda Myers.

As a quick growing tree you will either need to factor in a large amount of growing space or you can use it for topiary. Giant arborvitae are one of the best evergreen trees for topiary and will create a beautiful focal point in your garden. Simply prune to shape in the spring, and then prune to maintain come the fall.

10. Olive tree

(Image credit: Christopher Lee)

With their Mediterranean heritage, you would assume that humble olive trees are deciduous. However, they are one of the best evergreen trees for gardens for zones 8 to 10.   Though they are hardy down to around 10°F, though anything below 45°F  will inhibit their fruit production. As a result, they are one of the best trees to grow in pots, as you can move them into a greenhouse for the coldest winter spells. 

When purchasing an olive tree, Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the RHS, stresses the importance of buying from a reputable supplier that gets stock from areas free of the notifiable disease, Xylella; 'so long as you purchase from a reputable supplier, olives are generally free of pests and diseases'.

Despite being evergreen trees, Guy explains that you shouldn't be surprised if many leaves fall in April, 'this is natural turnover of older leaves to make way for new ones'.

What is the most beautiful evergreen tree?

Magnolia grandiflora is the most beautiful evergreen tree. Erupting in a profusion of blooms in the spring adding beauty and scent, these trees are at their best at the start of spring, heralding the warmer days ahead. However, for the rest of the year, they are elegant additions to  gardens as their broad, glossy leaves offer year-round interest and brings continual life, even in the dead of winter. 

What is the best evergreen tree for a small garden?

Holly is the best evergreen tree for a small garden as it offers vibrant leaf color, visual interest and a great source of food for visiting wildlife, all the while maintaining a small stature. 

While there are some larger varieties, there are also plenty of smaller options, like the Chinese dwarf holly, that are slow-growing. If your garden is particularly small, consider growing evergreen trees in pots as this will help you to keep control of their size. 

12 Evergreen Trees for Residential Landscapes

Modest in size and showy in all seasons, these 12 evergreen trees provide year-round color and structure By Anne Balogh

Evergreen trees, including needle-bearing conifers and broadleaf evergreens, are a welcome sight in any garden because they offer greenery and interest during the dead of winter, when the branches of deciduous trees are bare. In addition to their ornamental value, evergreen trees can serve as windbreaks, privacy screens, and winter shelter for birds and other wildlife. Many conifers also have fragrant foliage and colorful berries, and some broadleaf evergreens will produce showy blossoms and edible fruit.

Perhaps the only downside to some evergreen trees is their size. Certain varieties can grow to towering proportions, quickly overwhelming residential gardens that have limited space. The good news is that many types of evergreen trees have space-saving alternatives that offer all the attributes of their larger cousins but will stay in scale with their surroundings, even when mature. Some dwarf varieties can even be grown in containers if you keep them well pruned. Here are some of our favorite options, chosen for their distinctive foliage, tidy forms, and tolerance to a wide range of growing conditions.

On this page:

CONIFERS

Photo by: Proven Winners.

POLAR GOLD® Arborvitae

— Buy from Proven Winners
Thuja occidentalis

Zones: 3-7
Exposure: Full to partial sun
Height/Spread: 12 to 15 feet tall, 4 to 6 feet wide
Suggested uses: Screening, mass planting, borders, specimen plant

A narrow, space-saving habit and vibrant golden-yellow foliage that naturally grows into a pyramid shape, so little pruning is required. Adapts to a variety of soil types and weather conditions, but beware of foraging deer, which are attracted to the soft, lacy, aromatic needles.

Learn more about how to grow and care for arborvitaes.

Photo by: Proven Winners.

PINPOINT® BLUE & GOLD False Cypress

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Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Zones: 5-7
Exposure: Full to partial sun
Height/Spread: 15 to 20 feet tall, 5 to 6 feet wide
Suggested uses: Specimen plant, narrow hedge or privacy screen

Feathery two-toned foliage emerges with bright golden tips in the spring before maturing to a soft bluish green. Naturally grows to form a narrow column, so it rarely needs pruning to maintain its shape. A good deer-resistant alternative to arborvitae.

Learn more about how to grow and care for false cypress trees and shrubs.

Photo by: Edita Medeina / Shutterstock.

HORSTMANN'S SILBERLOCKE Korean Fir

Abies koreana 'Horstmann's Silberlocke'

Zones: 5-7
Exposure: Full to partial sun
Height/Spread: 6 to 10 feet tall (after 10 years), up to 10 feet wide
Suggested uses: Specimen plant, Zen gardens

Soft green needles with silvery white undersides give this unique conifer a flocked appearance. Prominent purple cones in winter contrast beautifully with the silver foliage. Very slow growing up to 20 feet tall, but can be pruned to retain a shrublike appearance.

Photo by: Tim Ludwig / Millette Photomedia.

BLUE ARROW Juniper

Juniperus scopulorum 'Blue Arrow'

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun
Height/Spread: 16 to 20 feet tall, 2 feet wide
Suggested uses: Narrow privacy screen or hedge, formal garden, flanking an entryway

This super-svelte conifer grows to a width of only 2 feet, taking up little garden space to show off its finely textured, silvery-blue foliage. Covered with blue berries in winter that add ornamental interest and serve as an important food source for foraging birds.

Learn more about how to grow and care for junipers.

Also try:

SILVER WHISPERS™ Swiss Stone Pine

Pinus cembra 'Klein'

Zones: 3-7
Exposure: Full sun
Height/Spread: 10 to 12 feet tall, 6 to 8 feet wide
Suggested uses: Specimen plant, mass planting, screening, windbreak

Compact, columnar form is densely packed with whiskery plumes of white-striped needles, creating fullness despite the narrow footprint. Adorned with small violet-blue cones in winter. Very cold hardy and drought tolerant.

SLENDER HINOKI Cypress

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Gracilis'

Zones: 4-8
Exposure: Full sun
Height/Spread: 8 to 12 feet tall, 4 to 5 feet wide
Suggested uses: Screening, hedge, background plant

A narrow, upright cultivar of Hinoki cypress with ferny dark-green foliage that mellows to bronze in winter. The open, alternate branching adds structural interest and is a nice change of pace from the tightly packed, uniform rows of many other conifers. Very slow growing, reaching a height of 6 feet after 10 years.

GOLDEN DUKE® Eastern Hemlock

Tusga canadensis 'MonJers'

Zones: 4-8
Exposure: Full sun or partial shade
Height/Spread: 6 to 10 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Suggested uses: Privacy screen, specimen plant, windbreak, woodland garden, container

Offering greater sun tolerance than other golden hemlock varieties, this attractive cultivar features gracefully arching branches and luminous golden-yellow foliage that becomes even more intense in color with increased sun exposure. In winter, the foliage deepens to orange, creating a stunning focal point against a backdrop of snow.

BROADLEAF EVERGREEN TREES

Photo by: Masini / Shutterstock.

LITTLE GEM Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

Zones: 7-9
Exposure: Full sun
Height/Spread: 15 to 20 feet tall, 8 to 10 feet wide
Suggested uses: Specimen plant, espalier

A dwarf southern magnolia with lush, glossy, two-toned foliage that’s dark green on top and reddish brown on the flip side. Unlike most magnolia trees, it has a narrow, upright form ideal for smaller gardens. From late spring through summer, it bears an abundance of large, fragrant white flowers.

Learn how to grow and care for magnolia trees.

Photo by: Janet Loughrey.

OLIVE

Olea europaea

Zones: 8-11
Exposure: Full sun
Height/Spread: Varies, depending on the cultivar
Suggested uses: Mediterranean-style garden, water-wise garden, container, espalier.

With silvery foliage, gnarled trunks, and fragrant white flowers in spring, olive trees are beautiful garden focal points in all seasons. Although many olive trees can grow to a height of 30 feet, their growth rate is slow and they respond well to pruning to control their size. Or plant a space-saving dwarf variety that grows no taller than 15 feet, such as Little Ollie®. (O. europaea ‘Montra’) or Arbosana (O. europaea ‘Arbosana’).

Learn how to grow and care for olive trees.

Photo by: Marietta Paternoster Garr / Millette Photomedia.

SKY PENCIL Japanese holly

Ilex 'Sky Pencil'

Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Height/Spread: 8 to 10 feet tall, 2 feet wide
Suggested uses: Narrow privacy screen or hedge, formal garden, flanking an entryway, container.

With a spread of only 2 feet, gradually tapering at its base, this aptly named holly maintains its slender form without the need for shearing because of the upward-growing branches. The shiny green foliage holds its color all year and is accented by dark blue berries in fall.

Learn how to grow and care for holly trees.

Also try:

DWARF STRAWBERRY TREE

Arbutus unedo 'Compacta'

Zones: 7-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Height/Spread: 6 to 8 feet tall, 5 to 6 feet wide
Suggested uses: Specimen plant, informal hedge, Mediterranean-style garden, water-wise garden

A handsome multi-trunk tree with glossy dark-green foliage and cinnamon-colored bark. Covered with small, bell-shaped white flowers from fall through late winter followed by plump, edible, strawberry-like fruit that often appears while the flowers are still blooming. Very drought-tolerant once established.

LITTLE EMPEROR® JAPANESE BLUEBERRY TREE

Elaeocarpus decipiens 'MonProud'

Zones: 8-11
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Height/Spread: 8 to 10 feet tall and wide
Suggested uses: Privacy screen, hedge, Zen garden, container, topiary

A beautiful, compact evergreen tree for warmer climates, featuring glossy green leaves, fragrant white flowers, and colorful non-staining blue fruit. New leaves emerge bronze, mature to green, and then change to deep red just before dropping. The dense foliage and tight branching make this a good choice for a hedge or privacy screen.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING AN EVERGREEN TREE

The size of an evergreen tree at maturity is only one of many factors to consider when choosing the best specimen for your garden. Here are other important parameters you should include in your decision-making process.

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Trees for Privacy
Best Flowering Trees for Residential Gardens
Top Trees for Colorful Fall Foliage
More Trees for Your Garden

7 evergreens for the garden: photos and names, what to plant in the country

Evergreens - a win-win option for decorating the site. In summer, their juicy greenery sets off the bright inflorescences of flowering plants, in winter it looks great against the backdrop of white snow. At any time of the year, they decorate the local area. We will understand the features of "undying" cultures and get acquainted with their best species.

All about evergreens for the garden

What it is
7 best garden varieties
— Coniferous
- Deciduous

Many people think that only conifers belong to evergreen crops, and even then not all of them. In fact, this is not so. Many plants retain their greenery all year round, but they do it in different ways. In evergreen foliage "lives" for several years. It does not fall either in the warm or in the cold season. This group includes mostly trees and shrubs.

There are also winter green crops. Their foliage remains throughout the winter season, and it completely retains its color. New leaves appear in the spring, after which last year's leaves fall off. This group includes mainly shrubs and herbaceous perennials.

Both groups can be used to decorate your garden with perennial greenery. It is important not to confuse them, because the care of crops should be different. Evergreens are less whimsical, better adapt to various conditions. Therefore, they are often chosen for growing on the site. They are suitable for spacious areas and for small areas. There are many varieties of them: from tall to dwarf.

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All crops that preserve greenery all year round can be divided into two groups. Let's talk about each of them.

Coniferous

Their main difference from other plants is the leaves in the form of thin long needles. Some conifers have flat, scaly foliage. The seeds of almost all ripen in cones, the shape, size and shade of which depend on the species. We list the most popular evergreen conifers among gardeners.

1. Spruce

Beautiful fluffy tree with short needles and brown cones. The average tree height is 25-30 m, under favorable conditions it grows up to 50 m. Spruces tolerate shading well, can grow in partial shade and in the sun. Sensitive to humidity and air purity. Prefer slightly alkaline light soils and moderately moist loams. There are more than 45 varieties of conifers. For the site, you can recommend such types.

Spruces are good in single and group plantings, for example, at the main entrance to the house or as the central figure of a multi-tiered composition. Dwarf and undersized specimens are planted in mixborders or rockeries, they make up hedges.

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2. Cypress

Tall conifer with scaly leaves. The crown can be pyramidal or spreading. Dislikes bright sunlight and strong shade. The best option is penumbra. Prefers loose fertile soil mixtures. It does not tolerate waterlogging, in the lowlands it is planted only on drained soils. We list the best varieties for decorating the local area.

Cypresses are undemanding and tolerate pruning well. Low-growing varieties can be used as the basis for a topiary.

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3. Yew

Beautiful slow growing conifer. There are shrub and woody varieties. The needles are short, soft, very pleasant to the touch, deep green. Forms fruits in the form of scarlet berries. Yew shade-tolerant and unpretentious. It takes root well on any soil, but prefers a fertile neutral substrate without excessive moisture. We list the best varieties for landscaping the site.

All cypress trees tolerate pruning well, which is used in landscape design to create topiaries and park sculptures. You need to know that cypress cones, bark and needles contain substances that are toxic to humans and animals. Therefore, it is necessary to plant it with caution where children and pets will walk.

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4. Thuja

Decorative conifer with many varieties. Among them there are dwarf shrubs growing up to half a meter, and seventy-meter giant trees. Tui are unpretentious, frost-resistant, grow well in partial shade and shade. Young seedlings have soft needles, which eventually turn into scaly needles. For the adjacent territory, such varieties can be recommended.

Tui are very different, which makes it possible to choose the most suitable type for your site. They go well with other plants, especially boxwood, juniper, barberry. Suitable for arranging hedges, flower beds and single plantings.

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Deciduous

Deciduous plants differ from conifers in the presence of lamellar petiole foliage. Its shape and size can be very different. We offer names and photos of deciduous evergreens for the garden.

1. Heather

A monotypic creeping shrub from 25 to 70 cm high. It has many upwardly directed branches covered with small triangular leaves. They are bright green in color, slightly rolled into a tube. Heather blooms in mid-summer. It is covered with bells of a lilac-pink hue. The plant is unpretentious, prefers open areas and slightly acidic soils. Feels good on poor soils. For landscape decoration, you can recommend these varieties of heather.

Heather is suitable for uniform plantings. For a greater decorative effect, you can choose different varieties. The evergreen bush goes well with other crops, for example, with juniper or thuja.

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2. Boxwood

These are slow growing shrubs or trees from 2 to 10 m high. The crown is compact and very dense. The branches are covered with glossy dark green leaves of round or oval shape. Starting from the age of 15-18, boxwood blooms with small yellowish flowers with a pronounced honey aroma. Prefers a slightly acidic or neutral fertile substrate of moderate humidity. Here are the varieties recommended for landscaping.

Boxwood goes well with flowering plants such as hydrangeas, roses or rhododendrons. It is planted in multi-tiered flower beds, in mixborders. It easily tolerates pruning, so it is used to create topiaries, hedges.

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3. Honeysuckle

Differs in great species diversity. It happens one- and perennial, grows in the form of a liana or shrub. There are deciduous and leafy varieties in winter. Honeysuckle is decorative and edible. In the latter case, in addition to greens, you can also get a crop of large sweet and sour berries. The shrub is covered with oval-shaped leaves with wavy edges. The flowers, depending on the variety, can be white, pink or reddish. We list the best representatives of decorative honeysuckle.

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Undersized honeysuckle looks good in rockeries, upright bushes are used in group plantings. Creepers are planted along arbors, other small architectural forms on the site or in the form of a hedge.

Prepared by

Inna Yasinovskaya

Country house Plants

name and description. Landscaping use

Contents

  1. Where evergreens grow
  2. Evergreen species
  3. Conifers
  4. Cypress
  5. Juniper
  6. Glauca rokona 0033
  7. Pine
  8. Thuja
  9. Columnaris
  10. Cedar
  11. Argenta
  12. European Maxwelli
  13. Nana
  14. Sequoia
  15. Inverse
  16. Deciduous trees and shrubs
  17. Laurel cherry
  18. Holly - evergreen shrub
  19. Lavender
  20. Periwinkle
  21. Hedera-Helix ivy
  22. Oleander
    23. Yuk3
  24. Choisia
  25. Guayacum
  26. Olive
  27. Badian
  28. Japanese Akuba
  29. Barberry Yuliana
  30. Badan
  31. Camellia
  32. In garden design
  33. The role of ornamental trees in a modern garden
  34. How to calculate the number of seedlings?
  35. How to arrange trees in a garden
  36. How to plan a garden?
  37. Garden Style
  38. Care

Where Evergreens Grow

Needle evergreen forests grow on our beautiful planet, predominantly forests of the Northern Hemisphere. Evergreen trees such as spruce, pine, fir, podocarp and others are widespread here. In addition to needle evergreens, there are also deciduous evergreen trees, creepers and shrubs that inhabit the temperate rainforests of the Southern Hemisphere. The xerophilic (with thickened, hardened foliage that resists water loss) coastal forests of the Northern Hemisphere are home to evergreen rhododendrons (Pontus, dense rhododendron), laurel cherry, and holly.

Most tropical rainforests contain broad-leaved evergreens. Their foliage is usually thicker and more leathery than that of the deciduous trees we are accustomed to. In addition, each leaf can remain on an evergreen tree for two or more years. An example is the evergreen cocoa tree. In cold-temperate and arctic regions, cone-shaped shrubs or coniferous trees, such as pines and firs, usually grow.

Species of evergreens

The range of evergreens is very diverse. There are not only well-known conifers, but also deciduous shrubs with powerful and beautiful flowering. Diverse in height, size, growth rate, evergreens are suitable not only for large areas. Low-growing and miniature varieties do not take up much space and are very popular with owners of small plots.

Conifers

Conifers were once used exclusively for planting on city streets, but now they are often found in home gardens. Many gardeners have become true fans of these plants. The most common varieties of evergreen conifers:


  1. Spruce. An evergreen tree with hard needles, resistant to severe frosts, tolerates shading. Can grow on any soil, easily tolerates waterlogging. In garden design, medium-sized varieties are most often used, which are planted in mixborders, hedges. Dwarf spruces are located in alpine hills, used in indoor floriculture.
  2. Cypress. Spectacular tree with original needles, giving the yew a special decorative effect. There are species with a pyramidal and curved crown. The monumental form of cypress has found application in the design of alleys on the territory of sanatoriums and recreation centers. Dwarf varieties of cypress are common in indoor floriculture.
  3. Fir. The tree has a dense, cone-shaped crown, long, curved, bright green needles and beautiful purple buds. The tree is moisture-loving and in the dry period it needs abundant watering. In addition to the usual varieties, fir has miniature forms that take root perfectly in a small area and can withstand shading. Fir is planted in hedges, group compositions, paths, alleys are decorated.
  4. Boxwood. A small tree (10−12 m) with small dense leaves. In the axils of the leaves are small white flowers, collected in the form of a spikelet. The shiny foliage of boxwood is very decorative. The tree is planted in parks to frame roads, and various bizarre shapes are given to boxwood by shearing. The tree grows slowly, retains its shape for a long time.
  5. Tis. An unpretentious tree with dark green needles and bright red berries. The most shade-tolerant tree among conifers. Yew does not have a specific smell of needles.

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