Advice On Choosing Landscape Evergreen Shrubs
If you know anything about landscaping and landscape design, then you are aware that evergreens (bushes or trees that don’t drop their leaves or needles) are the foundation of proper form and function. But what evergreens are the best for the typical home landscape and are they high or low maintenance?
So as you make your plan, think about these evergreen plants in your design.
Taxus Yews
These guys are extremely over-planted in my opinion but they still are good for any landscape. When I refer to them being over planted I mean that pretty much every landscape from Chicago to Atlanta is anchored with them. They have dark green foliage and the new growth is neon colored. They have very little issues with insects or disease and will live for 80 years if cared for properly. They can also take a heavy shearing year after year with no visible effects on health.
Arbs
The emerald green arborvitae is not as common as the yew, and is a little more versatile in the home landscape. With softer leaves and more available shapes and sizes, it makes a perfect foundation shrub, focal point or even grown in groups to make a screening hedge. Arbs do get bag worm insects and can also be susceptible to spider mite attacks. In addition, they can break easily under the weight of heavy snow. Spray them with anti desiccant before winter to prevent the leaves from drying up and turning brown.
Box woods
The emerald boxwood evergreen shrub is a very slow grower and has a very formal appearance, making it an ideal landscape foundation plant. It also has a leafy foliage instead of needles like other evergreens. Boxwoods can have issues with winter winds where they will dry out, but if you spray them with an anti desiccant before cold weather, they will be just fine. These are a definite consideration for your design plan.
Holly Bushes
Holly is my favorite evergreen and is the foundation of my own home landscape. You can get varieties differing from light green to dark, and larger leaves to smaller. In addition, as long as you plant both male and female plants near one another, they will develop bright red berries in the fall, giving a nice color variation during the winter. Holly can dry out in winter winds and may need to be sprayed with an anti-desiccant before the cold weather hits.
Most of these evergreen shrubs can be found at local home centers or your neighborhood nursery. It is best to consult your garden center first just to be sure they will grow properly on your site and in your area of the country.
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