Japanese Azalea
When it comes to Azalea, most people only think of small indoor flowers in pots on the windowsill. But nature has created many types of this bush. We are interested in Japanese Azalea, which is sometimes called evergreen.
In landscape design. During flowering (April – May), Azalea is covered with so many flowers that sometimes it is even impossible to see the bush itself. Due to its natural brightness, Azalea is often used in the center of compositions, such as large flower beds. In addition, there are a huge number of varieties of almost any color on the market.
Care. Japanese Azalea is one of the few evergreen plants that is extremely demanding in terms of care. To prevent this shrub from dying, it needs to be provided with a suitable location (usually partial shade is best), sufficient humidity, and shelter in winter.
Boxwood
Boxwood is a shrub with a noble appearance and a favorite of topiary art, which in skillful hands can become the basis of an exquisite garden.
In landscape design. Buxus Sempervirens, which reaches 3 m in height, is used to decorate an evergreen garden. In addition to it, the Suffruticosa variety is often used, which has a dwarf height, and for color diversity – the Aureovariegata variety, whose leaves are covered with yellow spots. Thanks to its dense foliage and the shape of the bush, boxwood is best suited for green hedges, for example, along the perimeter of the house or along paths. Boxwood can also be used to create green sculptures.
Care. Boxwood is an unpretentious shrub that easily tolerates both strong winds and alkaline soil. Boxwood depends most on light, so for good growth it must be planted in the sun or in partial shade. The most labor-intensive part of caring for Boxwood is the endless trimming of branches, without which it will turn into an ordinary sloppy bush.
Bamboo
Bamboo is an ideal solution for those who want to dilute their evergreen garden with a drop of exoticism. Despite the fact that this plant is not suited to the climate of the middle zone, bamboo takes root well and can withstand moderate frosts.
In landscape design. Since bamboo has only recently begun to appear in domestic gardens, a consensus on its place in landscape design has not yet been formed. In my opinion, bamboo is best suited for forming small groves.
Care. As has already been said, bamboo is one of the few exotic plants that takes root in the conditions of central Russia without problems and does not require special care. However, in winter it should still be covered.
Aucuba
Aucuba is another shrub that can become a green decoration of an evergreen garden. Most often, Japanese Aucuba is used for this.
In landscape design. Unlike Boxwood, it has less dense foliage and larger leaves, so it is not suitable for topiary art and is most often used for green hedges along borders and house walls.
Care. This shrub grows almost anywhere and can survive in the middle zone. However, prolonged icy wind can damage new growth. To avoid this, Aucuba should be protected from the wind in winter.
Strawberry tree
Strawberry is another interesting plant that will help decorate an evergreen garden. At the end of autumn, this bush (yes, it is not a tree) is filled with a large number of fruits that resemble strawberries from afar. However, these fruits are very far from strawberries in taste, since they are completely tasteless.
In landscape design. When designing a garden, it is worth considering that the strawberry tree grows very slowly. For example, it will take about 50 years for it to reach a height of 5 m. And some species, such as Strawberry large-fruited, do not grow higher than 2 m.
Depending on the planning horizon, Strawberry can be planted as a free-standing “tree” or as part of the overall composition.
Care. Strawberry tree needs light most of all, so open space or partial shade suits it best.
Rosemary
Few people know that rosemary is not only a seasoning, but also a beautiful plant that does not shed its leaves all year round.
In landscape design. Rosemary is usually used to form a “green mass” along borders or flowerbed edges. During flowering (April – May), small flowers appear on the stems, differing in color depending on the species.
Care. Rosemary does not require special care and prefers an open sunny place or partial shade.
Erica
Flower lovers should definitely take a closer look at Erica. This beautiful plant looks like a small bush, the height of which rarely exceeds 20-25 cm, and during flowering, Erica is filled with a huge number of small buds.
In landscape design. The main feature of Erica is the huge number of varieties that can be selected based on the flowering month and the desired shade of flowers. Erica is most often used to decorate flower beds.
Care. Care for it varies greatly depending on the species. For example, Erica rumennaya tolerates lime, while Erica ash is completely unsuited to it. Therefore, care for this plant should be selected, first of all, based on the selected species.
Trachycarpus
If you are a fan of exotic plants in the garden, then be sure to take a closer look at Trachycarpus. This is the only real palm tree that can take root in the conditions of central Russia.
In landscape design. Palm trees are quite rare outside the southern regions, so they often look a little awkward. However, there is a place for such exotics. Trachycarpus will best brighten up large areas of grass, and can also act as the central “figure” of any composition. In any case, wherever you plant Trachycarpus, the most common question will be “Is this a palm tree?”.
Care. Trachycarpus is a plant that is quite resistant to cold and other adversities, which in most cases does not require special care. However, an icy wind can destroy a palm tree. Therefore, in winter, Trachycarpus should be protected from the wind. This plant does not require any other special care.
Cordilina
Cordilina is another plant that palm lovers should pay attention to. However, Cordilina only looks like a palm tree, but in reality it is not one.
In landscape design. The fate of this plant is the same as that of Trachycarpus, only instead of a real palm tree there will be an imitation of it. Cordilina is best suited for decorating borders and growing near the house. And with the help of the Purpurea (purple leaves) and Torbay Dazzler (fox with white stripes) varieties, you can add color variety.
Care. Like other southern plants, Cordilina requires a lot of sunlight, does not really take root in the conditions of the middle zone and is best suited for decorating gardens in regions with a milder climate.
This problem can be solved by growing Cordilina in special pots, which should be taken to a heated room when the cold weather sets in.
Yucca
Yucca is a plant with an extremely exotic appearance, which simultaneously resembles a palm tree, a sea urchin and something extraterrestrial. Nevertheless, Yucca is quite a “native” plant for us, as it grows in the wild nature of Crimea and the Caucasus.
In landscape design.
Please note! Yucca glorious should not be planted at the edge of the road, as it has pointed leaves.
Care. Although Yucca is used to growing in the warm climate of the southern regions, it takes root well in the latitudes of central Russia, so it does not require special care. However, for good growth it needs a lot of sunlight.
These are far from all the evergreen plants that can be used to decorate a garden. However, even from the above examples, you can organize a garden to suit any taste. The main thing to remember is that evergreen plants are mainly of southern origin, so in winter, many of them require care.
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