Archive for the ‘Evergreen’ Category

Russian Arborvitae For Cool Areas Of The U.S.

Russian arborvitae and Siberian cypress  (Microbiota decussata) is an underutilize ground cover (USDA hardiness zones 3-7). This tough juniper-like evergreen hails from Siberia and demonstrates exceptional cold hardiness to -40 ° F. In extreme northerly sites, the lacy evergreen foliage may turn complete brown in the dead of winter and re-sprout in spring. In the cool temps of […]

The Fragrant Viburnums

Fragrance is a wonderful trait to include in your landscape. Although most viburnum species are not odorous, these 7 stand out for their spring floral fragrance. Bloom dates mentioned here are for zones 6-7 (TN, VA, NC and KY). Burkwood Viburnum (V. x burkwoodii)  is semi-evergreen, 7 to 8 feet tall and wide, with glossy dark green leaves that turn […]

Monkey Puzzle Tree

Monkey puzzle tree or Chilian pine (Araucaria araucana) is an evergreen conifer that is indigenous to forested volcanic slopes in the Andes Mountains in Chile and Argentina (USDA Zone 7b-11). It is the national tree of Chile. It typically grows 60-70 feet tall and 30-35 feet wide, but frequently reaches 100 feet or more in height […]

Know About Liriopes

Monkeygrass (Liriope muscari) and creeping lilyturf  (L. spicata) are native to Asia. They are known by several names including lilyturf, monkeygrass, spider grass and liriope (USDA hardiness zones 6-10). Some varieties are hardier than others. In general, L. muscari have more narrow leaves. Depending on variety, spikes of lavender, purple, or white flowers arise in […]

Update On Boxwood Blight Disease

A decade ago, boxwoods (Buxus spp.) were the quintessential shrubs, particularly for formal hedges. Over the past half century, many new boxwood varieties have been introduced into nursery commerce, a boxwood variety that will work in most garden situations.  Just five years ago, boxwood production at U.S. nurseries was greater than for azaleas, hollies, hydrangeas, and arborvitaes. […]

Unusual Forms Of Umbrella Pine Are Really Cool

Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) is a prized ornamental evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 5b -9). It is not actually a pine.  The only species within genus Sciadopitys, this conifer dates back to the dinosaurs. Umbrella pine is a mid-sized landscape tree with several fine attributes: 1. glossy green long narrow needles arranged like the spokes of a wheel; 2. peeling […]

Hardy Sedum Groundcovers

Sedums (Sedum spp.) are tough, easy to grow perennials (zones 3-9). Plants prefer average dry to moist well-drained soils and full to partial sun. Most sedums do not tolerate wet soils. Their thick succulent glossy leaves lead to the plants’ exceptional drought resistance. Sedums are exceptionally easy to root from leaf and stem cuttings. Low groundcover types […]

Umbrella Pine—A Conifer Collector’s Dream Plant

  Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) is an evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 5b -9). It is not actually a pine.  Historically, umbrella pines date back to the dinosaur age. This mid-sized landscape tree displays several fine attributes: shiny leaves are arranged in whorls like the spokes of an umbrella; peeling, reddish brown bark and a […]

Working With Poorly Drained Soils

As a rule, yews (Taxus spp.), Japanese hollies (Ilex crenata), azaleas (Rhododendron spp.), blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), and roses (Rosa spp.) are common examples of landscape plants that fail in poorly drained soils. Holly cultivars like ‘Hoogendorn’  and ‘Soft Touch’  fair better in clay soils that most other Japanese hollies in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness […]

Alexandrian Laurel For Deep Shade

Alexandrian Laurel or Poet’s Laurel (Danae racemosa) is a wonderful evergreen shrub that is rarely planted in U.S. gardens. Danae is indigenous to Iran and Syria. This evergreen shrub needs partial to full shade and the warm climes of southeast or Pacific northwest states (USDA hardiness zones 6 – 9). If winters are exceptionally cold […]