Most beautiful evergreen tree
Evergreen trees for gardens: 10 of the best choices
(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)
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)
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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
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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.
Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature four years ago, Holly started her career as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, Homes & Gardens' sister title. Working on Period Living brought with it insight into the complexities of owning and caring for period homes, from interior decorating through to choosing the right windows and the challenges of extending. This has led to a passion for traditional interiors, particularly the country-look. Writing for the Homes & Gardens website as a content editor, alongside regular features for Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines, has enabled her to broaden her writing to incorporate her interests in gardening, wildlife and nature.
10 Evergreens for Beautiful Foliage All Year
Give your landscape consistent color and structure with the emeralds, chartreuses and blues of evergreen trees and shrubs
Evergreens are the structural backbone of the garden in warmer weather, providing a backdrop for showier blossoms and foliage. But in winter evergreens take the spotlight, delivering visual interest in an otherwise barren landscape.
The following 10 trees, shrubs and plants will keep your garden looking vibrant through even the coldest of months.
Kim Gamel
Not all evergreens are green. The 'Fat Albert' variety of Colorado spruce is a beautiful blue specimen. It's slow growing, forming a perfect cone with a distinguished silver-blue needle color.
Colorado Spruce
(Picea pungens 'Fat Albert')
USDA zones: 3 to 7 (find your zone)
Mature size: 10 to 15 feet tall and 7 to 10 feet wide
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Medium
Kim Gamel
A lovely evergreen that looks great alone or in a grouping is false cypress 'Soft Serve'. This is a more compact, cone-shaped evergreen with soft, lacy branches. Bonus: It’s deer resistant.
False Cypress
(Chamaecyparis pisfera 'Soft Serve')
USDA zones: 5 to 7
Mature size: 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide
Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
Kim Gamel
If you’d like a smaller evergreen for container gardens or as a hedge, boxwood 'Green Gem' makes a good choice. It's a broadleaf evergreen shrub that forms a dense 2-foot sphere at maturity.
Boxwood
(Buxus 'Green Gem')
USDA zones: 4 to 9
Mature size: 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall and wide
Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
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If a bright yellow-green would look better in your landscape, consider false cypress 'Lemon Thread'. It has delicate chartreuse thread-like foliage that offers a bright pop of color during the often bleak winter.
Japanese False Cypress
(Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Lemon Thread')
USDA zones: 4 to 8
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Water requirement: Medium
Frank Organ
Another consistently green option for hedging is cherry or English laurel. The one shown in this photo has been pruned judiciously to keep it at a lower height. Otherwise, it can grow to 10 feet tall.
The variety 'Otto Luyken' has shiny green leaves and creamy white fragrant flowers that appear in the spring.
Cherry Laurel
(Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken')
USDA zones: 6 to 8
Mature size: 6 to 10 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Water requirement: Medium
Another chartreuse option that would make a nice low-growing hedge is Japanese holly. For the best yellow color, plant it in full sun.
Find out where this shrub is invasive here.
Japanese Holly
(Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem')
USDA zones: 5 to 8
Mature size: 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall and wide
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Water requirement: Medium
Kim Gamel
With its unconventional weeping habit, blue atlas cedar would work well as a specimen plant in your garden. Use the dramatic form to draw the eye to a desired spot in the landscape.
Blue Atlas Cedar
(Cedrus atlantica, Glauca Group, 'Glauca Pendula')
USDA zones: 6 to 7
Mature size: 3 to 12 feet tall and wide
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Medium
Kim Gamel
If you're looking for a ground cover that carries its color through winter, consider creeping juniper. It spreads by long branches to form a thick mat over time. The cultivar 'Emerald Spreader' holds its bright emerald-green color through the winter.
Creeping Juniper
(Juniperus horizontalis)
USDA zones: 3 to 9 (find your zone)
Mature size: 1/2 foot to 1 1/2 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
Kim Gamel
And if you'd like some constant color in a shady perennial garden, Christmas fern is a good bet. Clumps grow to 2 feet tall and slowly spread by rhizomes to provide excellent evergreen color perfectly suited to a dry shade area.
Christmas Fern
(Polystichum acrostichoides)
USDA zones: 3 to 9
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Light requirement: Partial shade to full shade
Water requirement: Dry to medium
Tell us: What are some of your favorite evergreens?
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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.
- Ohlendorf. A multi-vertex undersized Christmas tree with needles of a golden-green hue. Grows up to 200 cm.
- Akrokona. Compact spruce up to 400 cm, grows very slowly. The needles are dark green, the cones are lilac-raspberry.
- German Nau. Dwarf Christmas tree no more than 150 cm high. The crown is cushion-shaped, the needles are grayish-blue.
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.
- Large-fruited. Tall tree with beautiful yellowish needles. It can grow up to 35-40 m, so pruning is required. It has a very pleasant lemon scent.
- Tuiform. Compact tree with a pyramidal crown of bluish-green color. Its feature is the presence of needle needles, which gradually turn into scaly ones.
- Leyland. Tall fast-growing hybrid with a columnar crown and scaly needles. The trunk is covered with a glossy bark of dark red or brown tone.
Cypresses are undemanding and tolerate pruning well. Low-growing varieties can be used as the basis for a topiary.
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3.
YewBeautiful 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.
- Pointed. Tree-like varieties can reach 20 m, but on average do not grow above 6 m. Shrub species are low, creeping. The needles are crescent-shaped, dark green on top and light on the back.
- Short-leaved. A multi-stemmed slow growing tree growing from 5 to 15 meters. The crown is wide, shaped like a pin. The needles are flat, straight. Berries are bright scarlet.
- Canadian. Frost-resistant variety of shrub type. It grows up to 100-150 cm in height and up to 300-400 cm in width. In winter, the needles acquire a red-brown hue.
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.
- Brabant. Refers to Western varieties. Frost-resistant fast-growing thuja with emerald needles. The crown is pyramidal in shape. Under natural conditions, it can grow up to 40 m, in decorative plantings it does not exceed 4 m.
- Biota. Oriental variety with small needles tightly pressed to the branches. The crown is openwork-pyramidal. Cones are small, greenish-blue, dark brown when ripe.
- Japanese. An ornamental coniferous tree up to 9 m high. The crown is pyramidal, the branches are directed upwards. The needles are emerald green with a silvery sheen, and have a strong pleasant aroma.
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.
- Erica. It grows as a semi-shrub, shrub or tree with small, needle-like leaves. Pink or white flowers resemble drooping bells, collected in large brushes.
- Yana. Compact shrub up to 30 cm high. Branches are very dense, straight, directed upwards. The flowers are large, double, bright pink. Flowering begins in early autumn, ends in November.
- Carmen. A compact rounded bush 30-40 cm high. The shoots are covered with very small leaves of a rich dark green tone. Purple or pink flowers are collected in long, up to 10 cm, peduncles.
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.
- Small-leaved. Dwarf bush with a compact crown and densely branched stems. Covered with small rounded leaves. It grows very slowly, a few millimeters per year.
- Colchis. A tree 12-15 m high. Young specimens are not higher than 2 m. The branches directed upwards are covered with oval leaves of emerald green color. It does not tolerate frost well, winter shelter is required.
- Balearic. The largest variety. It occurs as a tall shrub or tree with a pyramidal crown. The leaves are ellipsoid, up to 5 cm long. It grows quickly, tolerates frosts down to -18°C.
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.
- Brown. An ornamental vine used as an evergreen climbing plant for hedges. The leaf blade is rich green above and gray below. Flowers in the form of an elongated bell up to 5 cm in length are collected in brushes. Blooms several times during the season. The fruits are inedible.
- Honeysuckle. A climbing shrub that, when supported, gives rise to creepers up to 6 m long. The leaves are large, elliptical, grayish-green in color. Openwork flowers of blue, purple, yellow or red. The fruits are inedible.
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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.
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Inna Yasinovskaya
Country house Plantslist of plants for garden landscaping
When choosing evergreens for the garden, most prefer needles. There is nothing surprising in this, because coniferous plants retain their appearance for a long time, they are easy to cut, so they are perfect for creating hedges or “living” sculptures. However, needles are not the only crop that can please the eye in winter, because there are many horticultural crops that perfectly tolerate even severe frosts.
Evergreens adorn our gardens in any season, at any time of the year
Evergreens in landscape design
Western
The most spectacular garden compositions are based on a harmonious combination of various forms of evergreens
Winter-hardy plants are planted not only in open areas, but also in flowerbeds and flower beds. Evergreens are combined with many annual or perennial crops. In flowerbeds, it is better to plant them in such a way that they act as the main decoration of the created composition. This is important, because otherwise they will not be noticeable against the background of those plants that “fall asleep” for the winter.
Evergreens can improve the microclimate. Such cultures relieve the site of monotony, go well with other garden crops.
Coniferous evergreen trees and shrubs - description with photo
The choice of evergreens is very rich. Among them are not only conifers, but also evergreen deciduous shrubs and trees. Different in size, growth rate and height, evergreen crops will be appropriate not only in large areas. Low-growing varieties are no less popular, especially when the size of the plot does not allow planting other types of crops. The list of evergreen conifers is long, consider the most common.
When choosing conifers, you should pay attention to the most unpretentious plants that do not require special care.
The popularity rating among conifers is headed by spruce
Pine
Despite the dense crown, pines begin to thin out over time. The trunk of the tree is quite long, and the bark has a dark brown tint. As a rule, there are no problems with pruning, only the crown is given the desired shape in the summer, until the movement of the juice has stopped. To obtain side shoots, pinching is carried out in the spring. It is not recommended to choose pine trees for making a hedge, as they thin out, which can ruin the entire composition as a whole.
Pine trees are drought-resistant and thrive on poor sandy soils
Mountain pine with a squat crown is often planted on alpine hills. Thanks to a large selection of varieties and a variety of decorative forms, arborvitae today can be found in almost every landscape project.
Western thuja does not do well as an ornamental shrub and natural hedge
Along with tall thujas, there are low-growing and spherical plants. The latter grows well in the shade of tall trees
Thuja occidentalis is the best suited for creating a green hedge. It grows rapidly and after 3-4 years allows you to get a full-fledged "live" fence.
Since the thuja has a shallow root system, it can be transplanted at any time of the year. However, the ideal period for this would be spring. You need to know that thuja does not grow quickly in order to get an even crown, it needs uniform lighting.
Yew
This plant can rightfully be called a long-liver among evergreen crops. The tree has been growing for three millennia. It is characterized by rich green needles, as well as small red cones. Yew loves the shade, so a site where there is not enough sun will be an ideal place for him.
Yew is the leader among conifers in terms of shade tolerance and unpretentiousness to the soil
Bark, needles and cones contain toxic substances, it is strictly forbidden to eat them. Wash your hands thoroughly after completing the work.
The yew is easy to cut, which makes it possible to give it absolutely any shape.
Cedar
Like other conifers, cedar is decorative all year round. Of course, this is a real decoration of the site, because its bright green branches look especially beautiful against the backdrop of white snow.
Siberian and European cedar are distinguished. The first is more suitable for mild climates, the second can easily withstand the most severe frosts
Cedar is considered an unpretentious plant, its stem is small but powerful. In height, the tree can reach 40 m, and its diameter is about 2 m.
Despite its impressive size, this evergreen tree will look good not only on a large plot. A free-standing cedar will also become a real decoration of even a compact area.
Hem
This is a small evergreen tree from the pine family. Despite the fact that hemlock is a short tree, this evergreen plant attracts attention with its beautiful wide crown. In landscape design, hemlock is often chosen if it is necessary to add zest to a rocky area.
Canadian Hemlock has a weeping crown shape and prefers moist, fertile soils
Even in a small area, this conifer will look great. Hemlock can be planted both separately and together with other conifers.
Many people make the mistake of planting conifers too close together. Despite its large growth, hemlock takes a lot of nutrients from the ground. It's worth considering!
Juniper
There are coniferous plants that have both shrub and tree forms. Juniper is one of them. Its height can reach 3 m, but the tree can grow up to 12 m. The bark of seedlings is mostly reddish-brown in color, in an adult plant it is brown in color.
Junipers grow well both in sun and partial shade. The photo shows a spectacular composition of juniper and fern
Rocky junipers look great as single compositions
The needles of the juniper are in pairs, between the conifers you can see large cones that look like berries. Ephedra can be planted together with other ornamental plants, such as tapeworm. Juniper fits perfectly into various styles of landscape design. It is planted in flower beds, lawns are filled with it, and the conifer also looks great as a hedge.
Cypress
When planting cypress on the site, you should know that this conifer does not like shade. Otherwise, the tree is unpretentious, can be planted on any soil, easily tolerate drought. Separately, it is worth highlighting the types of cypress that have a pyramidal and curved crown. Very often, a monumental cypress can be seen on the territory of sanatoriums and recreation centers.
Cypress - a resident of the southern regions and does not tolerate severe frosts
Deciduous trees and shrubs - description with photo
Evergreen deciduous trees and shrubs native to tropical countries, most of them require warmth. Consider the most popular types.
Boxwood
This is a small tree, rarely exceeding 10-12 m in height, the leaves are small and dense. In the axils of the leaflets you can see small white flowers forming a spikelet. Boxwood is ideal for framing roads, and thanks to easy pruning, the tree can be given a variety of shapes. However, it grows rather slowly.
Boxwood is often recommended for beginners, because it is extremely difficult to ruin it by negligence. The plant is not afraid of both short-term drought and waterlogging of the soil
Guayacum
This is a low plant (6-10 m) with a diameter of 0.7 m. The tree has many curved branches that form a dome shape. The leaves are a rich green hue, leathery dense. Guayacum is unpretentious, tolerates drought well, and can be planted on any soil.
Guaiac tree is cultivated for ornamental and medicinal purposes
Laurel
A low tree with dense glossy leaves that have a pleasant aroma. All parts of the laurel contain essential oils. The flowers are small, the fruits are similar to berries.
Laurels are ideal for shearing, suitable for creating hedges and garden compositions of the most diverse forms. The leaves are dark green in color. Inflorescences in diameter no more than 6 cm. This is a heat-loving plant, all year round in open areas can only be located in the south, where the air temperature does not fall below + 8 degrees.
Oleander is used as a specimen, in group plantings, when decorating alleys, stairs and terraces
Star anise
An evergreen shrub that can grow up to 15 m in height. Leaves are dense, their length reaches 15 cm. Flowers come in different shades: burgundy , red, yellow. Star-shaped fruits. The plant is unpretentious, but prefers partial shade. To form a beautiful bush, it is regularly pruned.
Star anise prefers partial shade, blooms from March to May
Camellia
This evergreen shrub will make a spectacular addition to any garden. Dark green foliage retains its appearance throughout the year. Camellia flowers, which are very similar to roses, come in different shades: red, white, pink. Due to the rapid development, the shrub will embellish the site in a short time.
Blooming camellia brightens up every corner of the garden
Japanese camellia often used as a hedge
Ivy
With this climbing plant, you can create amazing compositions that will transform any site. The plant is tall, grows up to 30 m. More often, common ivy or the Hedera helix species is used in landscape design. Another famous species is Hedera colchica. Ivy has large leaves (up to 25 cm) of green, yellow color, and brown color is also found. In autumn you can see umbrella-shaped inflorescences, in spring black berries appear.
Many landscapers choose ivy for vertical gardening
This evergreen creeper is often used to decorate fences, terraces and balconies.
Holly
The leaves of the holly are dense with teeth on the edges, saturated green. The plant also ripens berries, which come in different shades: black, white, yellow, red. Among the decorative forms, it is worth highlighting the common holly, which has a domed shape. The culture is not demanding, it makes excellent hedges. Planted singly or in groups with other plants.
Bright holly berries remain on the branches until spring
Olive
Deciduous shrub resembling a small tree. It reaches a height of 2-4 m, the branches are grayish-brown in color, on the shoots there are spines 5 cm long. The foliage is silvery in color and has an ovoid shape.