Evergreen shrubs add year round beauty to your property. Even during the deep freeze of winter, these evergreen plants will provide your yard with depth, height and color. While the seasons change and many other plants will come and go, the following evergreen plants will remain consistent with each season change. Evergreen specimens make a wonderful backdrop for almost any perennial plant by providing a consistent shape and color. Try adding some of the following evergreen specimens to your home landscape and see the beauty they add to your property!
Boxwood is one of the most commonly used evergreen shrubs. It is a traditional landscape specimen that is found in many home landscapes. Some common used for boxwood include, organic fencing, to separate areas, privacy screens, to outline a walk, and even as topiary. Boxwood shrubs need to be mulched heavily due to their shallow root system. Pruning can be done each year, and by shearing the boxwood, or cutting most of its new growth off, you can improve the density of the plant.
Juniper comes in many varieties, and almost every shape you can find! Some junipers form a rug type of coverage on the ground, while some varieties can grow up to 4 feet tall. The soft blue-green shade that junipers are famous for and their lovely scent make them a top choice for many home-owners. Junipers are fairly easy to grow and do very well in sandy soil. They will however, not thrive in hard, dense and clay-like soils. The roots are very sensitive to moisture and may suffer from root rot if drainage is not achieved quickly. The ground must be very porous for a juniper.
Japanese and English Yew shrubs are some great evergreen specimen options for your home landscape. They are both extremely hardy during the winter and will not suffer from the harsh winds and cold temperatures that a northern winter can bring. While they are great plants, you do need to be careful when placing them in your landscape because they are highly poisonous. Never place them near a child’s play area, or where you may have grazing animals. Yews are ideal for many yards because they flourish in both shade and sun. They come in many varieties and can be found in almost any shape. Their green, thin needles provide a wonderful evergreen backdrop for your landscape.
The Euonymus plant is another great evergreen choice for your landscape. They come in a variety of colors, ranging from deep green, to variegated yellow and white species. The Euonymus plant will climb upward so it is a great choice if you have a garden wall or another backdrop that you would like to have an evergreen plant growing along. The Euonymus tends to grow very rapidly, commonly over a foot in a single growing season. Some species can even grow over 2 feet in a year. Some Euonymus species can even be used as a evergreen plant ground cover.
The American Holly is also a great choice as an evergreen shrub. A Holly can be used as a border hedge, or as a single specimen plant. They tend to grow rapidly, and can reach up to 10 feet depending on the specific specie you have planted. They do well in many soils, and can grow in sun or shade. Many Holly varieties produce beautiful red berries when both female and male plants are grown together.
All the above evergreen shrubs will provide your home with beauty year round. If you are looking for some plants to provide year round color and shape, try planting some of these evergreen bushes to see what a beautiful difference they make in your landscape!
