Exciting Broadleaf Evergreens

These shrubs have interesting foliage, flowers, or growing habits to enhance their appeal

There are few groups of plants more worthful in the garden than broadleaf evergreens . They give the garden structure and interest when not much else is going on . This varied group generally includes any woody works that does not lose its leaf during the fall or winter and is not a conifer with needle or exfoliation ( recollect pines , junipers , firs , or arborvitae ) . Broadleaf evergreens act some of our most democratic and utile shrubs : rhododendron , camelia , hollies , and boxwood . These plant offer a wide range of texture through their varied leafage and can often be complemented with beautiful peak and a endearing growing habit .

unluckily , having so much leafy surface region exposed to the vagaries of winter conditions mean that broadleaf evergreens can be damage by cold more easy than other plants , so they are used more frequently in milder arena ( geographical zone 7–11 ) than in colder areas . Although in colder geographical zone the choices are more limited , there are still some very utile flora that will tolerate Zones 5 and 6 , and with protection a few will even survive in Zone 4 , where the average wintertime temperature can sink to a chilling – 20 ° to – 30 ° F . The stick to are a few of my favorite broadleaf evergreens , ones that do more than just simply lend green to the garden in the off - season .

Spectacular flowers are delicious icing to an already tasty cake

A long-blooming stunner from a genus filled with beauties

Name:‘Donation ’ camelia ( Camellia×williamsii‘Donation ’ )

Zones:7–9

So many broadleaf evergreens have breathtaking displays of flush that entire libraries can be dedicate to them . One of the classics is camelia . There are many mintage and hundred of cultivars of this staple of the southerly garden to choose from . With thoughtful selection in mild climates , blooms can thrive from early autumn to midspring . In areas prone to occasional cold blasts and long winter rainfall , I preferCamellia×williamsii . This hybrid between a winter- and bound - blooming species provides long - last flower at a time of the year when few other plants are blooming .

One of my favorite cultivar is‘Donation ’ camelia , which does well in full sun to partial specter . This orotund shrub covers itself in bloom and much glowing on a gray-haired winter day . Its bombastic , semi - double , bright pink flower start open in late wintertime and carry on into midspring . One of its best features is its tendency to drop its flowers once they begin to fade alternatively of hanging onto ugly brownish blooms , as the more common C. japonica is prostrate to do . ‘ contribution ’ can progress to 6 to 7 groundwork marvellous and 5 to 6 feet wide in 10 years , with an ultimate elevation of 10 to 12 feet . Giving it space to grow will allow you to enjoy its full beauty .

A little-known, intensely fragrant evergreen

Name : Burkwood ’s sweet olive ( Osmanthus×burkwoodii )

Another late winter to other outflow bloomer isBurkwood ’s sugared olive . As leaping lightbulb are just waking up , this shrub covers itself with small , tubular lily-white flowers that are intensely sweet in fragrance and can perfume the entire garden . This adaptable bush tolerates full sun to mottled tint and drouth condition . It can also be clipped and sheared into tight hedging or allowed to grow freely and become a striking large shrub or a small multistemmed patio tree diagram . A temperate agriculturist , it will reach 6 to 7 pes marvellous in 10 old age and can become 12 to 15 feet tall and broad as an older plant .

A small shrub with big impact

Name:‘Elf ’ mountain bay wreath ( Kalmia latifolia‘Elf ’ )

Zones:5–9

In picky , I take account compact selections such as‘Elf ’ mountain Arthur Stanley Jefferson Laurel . This tardily - growing evergreen reaches about 3 feet marvelous and wide in 10 age and grow dense clusters of fragile , pinkish , balloon - alike bud that open to gleam white loving cup - flesh blooms at the commencement of summertime . Mountain laurel enjoys the same develop shape as rhododendron ( moist , well - drained , acid soil ) , but it will tolerate more Sunday , which provides a better blossom .

Unique habits add an extra level of interest

One of the most underrated tone of broadleaf evergreens is the interesting maturation habit and branching radiation diagram some of them have . Too often they are shear into round balls or irregular squares and not allowed to show their unfeigned physical body . Evergreen foliation can be used to hide inadequate forking , but it can also accent strong and eye - enamor morphologic fork .

Think of this guy as a small-scale focal point

Name : Columnar Japanese holly ( Ilex crenata*‘Mariesii ’ )

Zones:5–8

One shrub with a particularly interesting habit iscolumnar Japanese holly . Nipponese hollies have uncontaminating , hefty , and shiny dark green leaves , as well as none of the abrupt spines associated with most other hollies . In addition , they have capital drouth tolerance . The columnar form ‘ Mariesii ’ has rigid upright growth with short side branch that make a slenderly irregular architectural tower . It develop slow and only get hold of a height of 4 to 5 feet , with a width of only 1 foot , in 10 years .

Bet you’ve never seen a privet like this before

Name : Round - leaf Japanese privet ( Ligustrum japonicum*‘Rotundifolium ’ )

Zones:8–9

Another tough shrub with particularly unique and interesting branching isround - foliage Japanese privet . It has an upright and compact substance abuse , as well as dim , bright , polished greenish leafage . As this bush get , it has a billowy branch habit that reminds me of a rising thunderhead cloud . It grows more slowly than most other privets , hit 5 substructure in 10 years and with a spread of 2 to 2 - 1/2 feet . Both of these reliable plants farm well in full sun to dappled shade .

Low growers are as practical as they are beautiful

A tiny treasure that fits almost anywhere

Name:‘Morris Midget ’ Nipponese Turkish boxwood ( Buxus microphyllavar.japonica‘Morris Midget ’ )

Zones:4–9

In the urban landscape and in low gardens , plants with a reduced step are sought after highly . There are quite a few broadleaf evergreen that fit this mold , dwarf Turkish boxwood being a democratic one . One of the most stocky is‘Morris Midget ’ Japanese boxwood(photo above ) . In the world of boxwood , it gibe comfortably in the endearing category . It has a slopped , dense mound , with bright green foliage reaching about 1 foot marvellous and 2 feet wide in 10 years ; it rarely grows tall than 2 feet with a 4 - foot width . The only drawback is that in area where box blight can be a problem , this cultivar has shown some susceptibility . If you are in a Turkish boxwood - blight neighborhood , the similar but slightly wider and more open ‘ Nana ’ overshadow Korean box ( Buxus sinicavar.insularis‘Nana ’ , Zones 6–9 ) , is a good substitute . Both pick take full sun to partial shade .

It’s a great juniper alternative

Name : Canby ’s mountain lover ( Paxistima canbyi )

Zones:4–8

One of the most cold - patient of broadleaf evergreens is the North American nativeCanby ’s mountain lover . This small , spreading bush is sometimes usually called “ cliff green ” or , more disturbingly , “ rat stripper , ” due to aboriginal wood skunk strip the folio and skin off in wintertime in a desperate search for food . develop to 2 feet tall with a gap of 4 to 5 fundament , Canby ’s mountain lover has the looking at of an loose , slackly branched boxwood and is idealistic for woodland garden and more relaxed gardening styles . It is at its full in lighter to recondite shade and can be quite useful for the darker areas in the garden .

Ground covers don’t get any prettier than this

Name : Irish heath ( Daboecia cantabrica )

Zones:6–9

Two other humble - growers that not only have evergreen plant leaves but put on a squeamish floral show areIrish heathandalpine mint bush . The Irish heath produce as a miserable , wide hill and produces some of the largest flowers of the hardy heaths and heathers . Masses of cerise flushed , pink , white , or lavender urn - frame flower dance above the leaf on scant stems . Flowering start in early summer and can last four to six workweek . Once the heathland is complete flowering , a light shearing keeps it tidy and compact for the rest of the year .

broadleaf evergreens

Photo: Adrian Bloom

Deer don’t like it, but you sure will

Name : Alpine mint bush ( Prostanthera cuneata )

Zones:7 - 10

The alpine mint bush is equally delicious , with tiny evergreen plant leaves that give off a biting minty fragrancy when gently brush , make the flora insubordinate to deer . It grow about 2 to 3 foot magniloquent and 4 to 6 feet wide . The tiny foliage throw means to small but brilliant white flower in early summer to midsummer . This Australian indigene requires a mild mood to grow successfully , and it appreciates well - drained soil . It and Irish heath are choice shrubs , flowering their good in full sun .

Donation camellia in bloom

Photo: Adrian Bloom

These shrubs are just a sliver of what is available and supply a small coup d’oeil of the diversity of foliage , flowers , and growing habits that make broadleaf evergreen plant so suitable .

Protecting broadleaf evergreens in winter

In cold climates , broadleaf evergreens can be susceptible to dry out out during winter , with the foliage edges being burn in what is commonly referred to as winterburn ( desiccation ) . This is get when the Lord’s Day or wind removes water from the leave faster than it can be supervene upon by water from the stems and ascendant . As temperatures drop and the soil immobilise , the free movement of water into the roots and up the stems is halter . shrub in shade and in position with special air movement are less probable to show this damage , but under prolonged below - freezing shape , winterburn can still come . The optimal method to protect plants , which is used commonly , require constructing a barrier to limit airflow and to shade the shrub . Barriers are usually made with wooden stakes and gunny and are most effective for small to medium - size of it shrub .

Place three stake in a V - pattern around the plant you are protect so that the item of the “ five ” is facing the direction of the most sun or prevailing idle words . Once the stakes are driven into the ground , they should be about 1 pes taller than the bush being protected . This can be done any prison term in the fall when weather and time licence . In recent decline to early wintertime once the bush in is full quiescence , gunny can be enclose and staple to the stakes . Attach the burlap on the two sides facing the most wind and sun , leaving the third side open to admit some light and flow of air to make the leaf . Depending on the tautness of the burlap weave , one to two layer should be enough .

*Invasive alert: Japanese holly (Ilex crenata)

This plant is deal invading in NJ and TN .

*Invasive alert: Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum)

This plant is considered invasive in AL , GA , NC , PA , SC , and TN .

Please visitinvasiveplantatlas.orgfor more entropy .

Richie Steffen is the theatre director / curator for the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle .

Burkwoods sweet olive

Photo: Neil Holmes/gapphotos.com

Sources :

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Elf Mountain Laurel

Photo: Jerry Pavia

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Columnar Japanese holly

Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen, Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden

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Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen, Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden

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