Which trees are evergreen

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know – FastGrowingTrees.com

What are evergreens? For starters, evergreen trees typically have foliage year-round unlike deciduous trees that shed all their leaves annually. The term evergreen means that trees will keep growing leaves as other leaves fall off. For that reason, most people think of Pines and Christmas Trees when they think of the word evergreen. However, any tree that keeps its green foliage year-round, enduring the cold weather and dry seasons or hot, humid temperatures, is an evergreen.

And needless to say, there's a ton of options. Our guide below explains how to choose the right evergreen trees for your yard, so keep reading to learn more!

What are the Best Evergreen Trees for Privacy?

First, we recommend that you determine the purpose of trees for your landscape. Will your evergreen trees be used for windbreaks, screening and privacy, or will they be decorative trees? Evergreens come in many different shapes, sizes, colors and leaf types. Knowing the purpose of these trees will help you determine which evergreens will work best for your yard.

Prior to buying evergreens, it’s also important to understand their chances of survival in your area. Knowledge of your growing zone can help you decide on which evergreen will work for you. Some trees and shrubs are hardier than others, so it's important to check the zone rating on trees you're interested in. Also, it’s best to know what type of soil type the evergreen prefers.

Some plants can tolerate drier soil types, while others need moist soil. Knowing the pH balance of your soil prior to purchasing a tree can be helpful too. Certain trees prefer acidic soil, while others need more alkaline soil.

• Alkaline soils are drier soil types, so it’s best to buy drought tolerant trees
• Acidic soils hold moisture better – most evergreens like acidic soil.

How Do You Plant Evergreen Trees?

Most evergreens thrive in full to partial sunlight. Some trees have a higher tolerance than others for factors like poor soil drainage, salt spray from snow plows, extreme weather conditions, and pest or insects. Most evergreens don’t require a lot of maintenance as far as upkeep.

Some trees require minor pruning and annual fertilization. There's a few varieties that will drop needles and seeds at certain times of the year. Cypress and Spruce Trees are examples of evergreens that shed their foliage yearly, so if a messy yard is a concern, you may want to avoid those varieties.

How Fast Do Evergreen Trees Grow?

Furthermore, you should consider how tall you want the trees to be in your yard. Make sure to anticipate the size of the trees once they mature. A tree’s growth rate will also have a bearing on your choices. Are you okay with a slow-growing tree, or do you need something that will establish height quickly? If shade or privacy screening is important, you may want to choose a fast-growing tree. Many evergreen trees can reach mature heights of 20 to 60 feet, whereas some dwarf varieties of evergreens only reach heights of 4 to 6 feet.

In order to choose your evergreen trees wisely, keep in mind the actual size of your yard and the allotted space for these trees. It's important to fit trees to their surroundings. Some evergreens will not look as attractive if they outgrow the area you’ve chosen for them. When a tree grows too large for its space, it may require regular pruning or removal.

We recommend using small to medium-sized varieties for smaller homes and yards. You can place smaller trees near your home and taller trees farther out in your landscape.

Cypress trees will make excellent additions to your landscape. They can be recognized by their pyramidal shape, small, rounded, woody cones, shoots and scale-like leaves. Their foliage can range from yellowish green to green or a grayish color. They can reach mature heights of up to 60 feet. Cypress trees can be grown in zones 4 to 11. In order to grow, they require full to partial sunlight.

Popular Cypress Trees:

• Leyland Cypress: Zones 6-10; 40-60 ft. tall by 20-25 ft. wide
• Italian Cypress: Zones 8-10; 35-40 ft. tall by 5 ft. wide

Planting: We recommend planting your cypress trees 10 to 12 feet apart from each other, unless you're planting a hedge. When creating a hedge, plant the trees 5 to 6 feet apart. Water your trees regularly and keep the soil moist at all times, but not soggy. You can fertilize your trees if you choose, but they don't require fertilization. If you choose to fertilize, use a balanced tree and shrub fertilizer.

Cypress Diseases

Cercospora Needle Blight: This is a fungus caused by cercospora sequoia, most common on Leyland Cypresses. However, it can affect other species of cypresses like Thujas, and Junipers. This causes browning of the needles on the lower part of the tree next to the stem. The infection eventually spreads upward and outward until only the needles on the tips of the branches are green. You can recognize this disease by the green pustules on the surface of the needles. This will spread mostly during the spring and summer by the wind. You can treat these trees by spraying them with a copper-based fungicide. Continue spraying the tree until new growth pushes out.

Seiridium Canker: This canker is one of the most damaging diseases to Cypress Trees. The canker can form on the stem or the branches, causing them to die back. They appear as brown or purple patches on the bark with resin coming out of them. Eventually the twigs and branches will turn bright red and then brown before dying. There's no chemicals that can be used to treat this at the time. You can avoid spreading the disease by keeping the tree from getting wounded and pruning off any infected branches or twigs. Also, sterilize your pruning tools in bleach prior to prevent rusting.

Botryosphaeria Canker: Similar to the Seiridium Canker, this fungus can cause reddish brown twigs and branches. The cankers that develop on the tree from this disease don’t have resin coming out of them. These cankers will not harm the trunk but will kill off the branches. The Botryosphaeria will attack trees that are under a lot of stress. In order to prevent this disease from attacking your trees, it's best to maintain good health for your tree. Mulching, and providing a good amount of water to your trees during extreme heat and drought will help.

Spruces are pyramidal trees than can be recognized by their stylish cone-like form and whorled branches. The needles on these trees are attached to the branches in a spiral-like formation. Spruce trees can range from 5 feet tall for dwarf trees to heights of 60 feet or taller for larger trees. These trees are usually grown as Christmas Trees, especially the Blue Spruce and Norway Spruce varieties. They require full to partial sun in order to thrive.

Popular Spruce Trees:
• Alberta Spruce (Canadian Spruce): Zones 2-8; 6-8 ft. tall by 4-5 ft. wide
• Norway Spruce: Zones 2-7; 50 ft. tall by 25 ft. wide

Planting: Plant spruce trees 20 to 25 feet apart. Make sure that you water your trees regularly in order to maintain moist soil. These evergreens don't need much fertilizer just plenty of sunshine and water. However, if you choose to fertilize these trees, you can use a tablespoon of balanced tree fertilizer and sprinkle it on top of the ground around each tree.

Spruce Tree Diseases

Spruce Needle Rust: This infection can cause your needles to become discolored, while the bugs remain green and alive. You'll notice the needles will drop off the next year. This can eventually cause the whole tree to turn a tan-pinkish color. This infection isn't treatable, and depending on how serious the infection is, the tree may not survive.

Spruce Spider Mites: These insects can cause the needles and branches to look like they’re dried up. If you use a magnifying glass you'll notice mites and eggs on the twigs. There will also be webs on the twigs. You can use a miticide to treat your tree. You can also treat your tree in June and July to prevent mites from getting on your trees in general.

Common Needle Cast: Older infected needles turn a tan color as a result of this fungus. Normally, the tree naturally sheds most of its needles. However, the infection causes them to fall off prematurely. When you take a closer look at the needles, you'll notice black fruiting bodies on the bottom of the needles. To prevent this, you can apply a single application of fungicide at the beginning of summer.

These trees are known for their handsome cone-like shape and rich, reddish brown bark which often peels off in strips. These large trees can reach heights of 35 to 45 feet. They also have needle-like leaves that form spirally scales on their branches. These trees grow best in zones 5 to 9, and require full to partial sunlight.

Popular Cryptomeria Trees:

• Cryptomeria Radicans: Zones 5-9; 30-40 ft. tall by 15-20 ft. wide
• Cryptomeria 'Globosa Nana' Shrub: Zones 5-9; 4-6 ft. tall by 5-6 ft. wide

Planting: The best way to plant Cryptomeria trees is to space them about 15 to 20 feet apart from each other for the larger varieties. For the dwarf varieties, we recommend spacing them 2 to 6 feet apart from each other.

Cryptomeria Diseases

It is uncommon for these trees to have issues with diseases or pests. However, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your trees, and look for any signs of health issues.

Thujas are commonly known as arborvitaes and make wonderful landscape trees. The textured, reddish-brown wood on these evergreens is soft and aromatic. And the shoots on these trees come out on a single plane and are flat, with long, needle-like leaves. The leaves are arranged in crisscrossed pairs in four rows along the branches. Certain species of the Thuja have thicker foliage and larger cones. Thujas are very hardy and adapt to a variety of soil types and weather conditions and can range from heights of 10 feet for dwarf trees to 50 feet for the giants.

Thuja trees are extensively used for hedges and borders, as well as privacy screens and wind breaks. Their slender shape makes them a popular evergreen in landscape designs of all kinds.

Popular Thuja Trees:
• Thuja Green Giant: Zones 5-8; 30-50 ft. tall by 12-15 ft. wide
• Thuja Emerald Green: Zones 3-8; 10-15 ft. tall by 3-4 ft. wide

Planting: We recommend planting your Thuja trees 8 to 10 feet apart to achieve a taller height closer to 50 ft. If you have a small yard or want the height to be around 30 ft. or less, the trees can be planted 5 to 6 feet apart to form a hedge. Even though these trees are drought tolerant, it’s best to try and keep the soil moist around your trees. Keep in mind the tree’s growth is slowed during periods of drought. Thujas don't generally need fertilizer. You can fertilize in the early spring and early fall with Espoma Holly Tone or a general evergreen tree fertilizer.

Thuja Diseases

Tip Blight: This is a fungus that attacks weak or damaged areas on the Thuja. The infected needles on the tree begin to die and then eventually spread to the branches. The color of the leaves also turns from green to yellow, and before dying, they turn brown. You can prevent this disease from spreading by pruning off infected parts and using a fungicide.

Leaf Blight: This fungus attacks the leaves on arborvitaes and can be recognized by the dark brown to black circles on new leaves during the spring. Eventually the leaves turn brown and by fall, all the leaves on the tree will drop off. You can prevent leaf blight with a copper spray application in the summer and early fall.

Juniper Blight: Commonly affects red cedars and juniper trees. However, this disease can also attack Thuja Trees. The disease causes the branches to die back. Dieback will start at the tips of the shoots on young trees. If this isn't treated, the tree will eventually die. You can use fungicides containing copper and propiconzole.

Hollies are evergreens that are best distinguished by their glossy foliage. The leaves are typically saw-toothed, or indented on the ends. Depending on the species, some hollies are deciduous, and some push out flowers and/or berries. The berries ripen in winter and provide a nice red color contrast to your landscape. However, the fruit is not edible and should not be ingested, though they are good food sources for wildlife.

Similar to Spruce Trees, Hollies have become associated with the Christmas season. Varieties like the Nellie Stevens and American Holly are used as ornamental parts of the landscape during the holidays. Hollies are relatively slow growing evergreens. Though they can reach heights of 15 to 25 feet depending on the variety.

Popular Holly Trees:
• Nellie Stevens Holly: Zones 6-9; 15-25 ft. tall by 5-10 ft. wide
• American Holly: Zones 5-9; 20-50 ft. tall by 10-20 ft. wide

Planting: Space your Holly Trees 5 to 25 feet apart, depending on the variety and the mature size of the plant. Hollies prefer full to partial sun and moist, well-drained, acidic soil. You can use compost as fertilizer for these trees in the spring. It's recommended to spread it around the outer most branches, and then add 2 inches of mulch to help the tree retain moisture.

Holly Diseases

Canker: This disease causes sunken areas on the stems called cankers that eventually cause the tree to die. In order to save the trees, it's recommended that you prune off any infected branches.

Tar Spot: Infection can occur during the spring when temperatures are moist and cool. It starts off as yellow spots on the leaves, and they eventually turn brown to black in color. As a result, the leaves either develop holes or fall off. It's best to remove any infected leaves before the infection spreads throughout the tree.

Chlorosis: Another infection that can affect Hollies is Chlorosis, which is an iron deficiency and can lead to the disease. It causes light green to yellow leaves with dark green veins. It's best to reduce the pH levels in your soil or treat it with supplemental iron-fortified fertilizer.

Juniper trees are lush evergreens with scale or needle-like leaves. These drought tolerant evergreens are also called cedars, though they're not actually cedar trees. These trees are species of the Juniperus in the Cupressacea family. Depending on the variety, Juniper trees can average heights of 15 to 20 feet.

Juniper trees can be planted almost anywhere, with one exception. We don't recommend planting them in your yard if there's apple trees in your yard or nearby. Apple trees sometimes become infected with cedar-apple rust. This fungus can easily transfer onto juniper trees and cause severe damaged to the tree.

Popular Juniper Trees:
• Spartan Juniper: Zones 5-9; 15-20 ft. tall by 4-5 ft. wide
• Hollywood Juniper: Zones 5-9 15 ft. tall by 10 ft. wide

Planting: We recommend planting junipers 3 to 6 feet apart, depending on whether you’re planting a tree versus a shrub. Shrubs are okay to be planted 2 to 3 feet apart if you’re using them as a hedge. Water your junipers deeply after planting, and then water them two times a week for a month following planting. After that, only water once a week except during extreme heat temperatures or drought. You can fertilize your junipers once a year in the spring with a slow release fertilizer. Spread fertilizer around your tree before watering the tree or before it rains.

Location

Once you decide on your evergreen trees, it's also recommended that you plant them at least 10 to 15 feet from your home’s foundation and at least 5 feet from fencing, sidewalks, and patios. Keep in mind only short trees can be planted underneath utility lines. So, where should you plant your evergreen trees?

Property Lines

Evergreen trees are often used for screening near property lines, but it’s best not to put too many trees along your property line. This will help prevent overcrowding as the trees grow. A grouping of two evergreens is usually ideal in one or two key areas of your property line, as this will still help you gain the privacy you're looking for.

Patios or Decks

Adding evergreen trees to this area can provide shade from the sun and privacy from your neighbors. We recommend placing the trees 5 to 7 feet from the deck or patio. Place the evergreen trees on the side of your patio or deck where you could use the most privacy.

Open Backyard Space

An open space in your backyard will give you the most opportunity when it comes to planting evergreen trees. The number of trees you plant here depends on the size of your yard. It's best to plant evergreen trees where you need privacy or shade. You may not want to plant an evergreen directly over a garden or area that needs direct sunlight.

Parkways

It is not recommended to plant evergreen trees near a parkway. These trees make it difficult for cars to see while backing out of the driveway. It also makes it difficult to see the front of homes.

Open Front Yard Space

Your front yard is a good place to plant evergreen trees. Most front yards have room for at least two or three trees. It's suggested to place the trees randomly in the open space. Make sure to keep in mind the view of the areas around the home where flowers and bushes are growing. Your trees should be positioned a good 10 to 15 feet from the home.

Side Yard

Depending on the size of your lot, side yard spacing can also be an ideal spot for evergreen trees. Windbreaks and privacy screens can help frame your property. This can also help provide shade for your home and keep it cool during the summer months.

When to Plant Evergreen Trees?

Depending on your local climate, both spring and fall can be ideal for planting evergreen trees. Planting evergreen trees during the spring gives their root systems time to develop during the growing season. However, if you reside in an area that experiences severe heat and dry weather, it may be best to wait until fall to plant. Young evergreens are susceptible to heat and drought damage.

The benefit to planting in the fall is that the roots of evergreen trees grow more aggressively than when planted during the spring. The soil conditions are more ideal due to the amount of moisture in the air. However, if you decide to plant during the fall, it's best to do so prior to November. If your evergreen is planted too late, it could possibly suffer winter damage.

As you can see, there's a huge variety of evergreens to choose from, depending on your needs and preferences. And if you follow the proper planting and care instructions, your evergreen trees and shrubs can thrive for years to come. Perfect for providing a great deal of landscape solutions and adding texture and year-round beauty, even in the winter months when most other plants are dull and bare, evergreens are a reliable and rewarding landscape option.

For more inspiration, shop our entire collection of evergreens!

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
• Broadleaf Evergreen Trees
• Tips for Choosing an Evergreen Tree

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

— Buy from Proven Winners
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.

• Make sure the tree is suitable for your growing zone and climate conditions. While most conifers are very cold hardy, many broadleaf evergreen trees need a warmer Mediterranean or tropical climate in order to survive. It’s also helpful to know the type of soil the tree prefers.
• Although the size of a tree at maturity is important, so is the growth rate. Some evergreen trees grow very slowly, at a rate of only 6 to 8 inches per year. These slow-growing trees require minimal pruning to control their height and form, but they won’t fill gaps in the garden quickly.
• Sometimes the width, or spread, of a tree is more important than its height, especially if you’re dealing with a tight, narrow space. Many newer conifers have very slender, columnar forms that take up little square footage in the garden.
• Because the foliage of an evergreen tree is present year-round, choose a foliage color and texture that will complement your garden in all seasons. Conifers, in particular, offer numerous color options, ranging from silvery blue to bright gold.
• Also consider the density of the foliage, especially if you plan to use evergreen trees to create a windbreak or privacy screen. Conifers tend to be better-suited for these applications because of their tiered branches and feathery needles.

RELATED:
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 types.

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. 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.

• 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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ShutterStock

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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Pixabay

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˚С.

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.

Prepared by

Inna Yasinovskaya

Country house Plants

list 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

• Yew
• Cedar
• Hem
• Juniper
• Cypress

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