6 Broad-Leaved Evergreens for the Winter Garden

Few plants provide as much interest and texture to the wintertime garden as broad - leaved evergreens . Like needled evergreens , these Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrubs do n’t drop off their foliage when fall arrives . Instead , they bring a soupcon of green ( or blue or atomic number 79 ) to the landscape all winter retentive . Plus , some broad - result evergreen also produceberries , which add yet another stratum of beauty to the garden .

While there are many broad - entrust evergreens available to home gardeners , not all of them are suited to every garden geographical zone . Some are hardy where temperature plunk as deep as minus-50 degrees fluorine , while others do n’t subsist temperature much below freezing . If you live where wintertime are cold , the comply six broad - leave evergreens are hardy and beautiful , and they deserve a place in every garden . Whether you add them to a foundation planting or a street - side garden , or you gather them into a perennial garden for some added wintertime interest , these broad - leave evergreen will be correct at home .

1. Soft Touch Inkberry (Ilex crenata “Soft Touch”)

“ Soft Touch ” Charles Hardin Holley is cold hardy down to minus-20 degrees F. It ’s a mounded shrub that maxes out at just 2 to 3 groundwork wide and tall , and it requires minuscule to no pruning . The foliage is dark immature , and the small leaves make a lovely addition to the garden year - round . Unlike some otherhollies , “ Soft Touch ’s ” leaves do not have sticker . Their edges are soft and rounded .

2. English Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

Turkish boxwood is a prime garden plant for so many reasons . It ’s dense growth riding habit , moderate development rate and easy - to - maintain form make it a great choice for small and large garden likewise . The deer - insubordinate foliage does take some protection from unattackable winter winding to forefend wintertime die back where winters are very cold , but it ’s fully hardy down to minus-20 degrees . The evergreen plant , glossy leaves are 1 inch retentive and quite slow along the stems .

3. Green and Gold Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei “Green and Gold”)

There are several unlike cultivars of evergreen genus Euonymus , but “ Green and Gold ” is one of my favorite . Also lie with as variegated wintercreeper , this shrub exert its green and yellow variegate leafage all winter long . Winter intrepid down to minus-20 degrees , “ Green and Gold ” euonymus is well behaved and soft to uphold . The sheeny , variegated foliage can be grown as a shrub or go on low as agroundcoverwith regular trimming . Maxing out at just 2 foundation in height with a spread of 5 foot , the low , wide growth wont of “ Green and Gold ” means it ’s good at covering a lot of satisfying footage .

4. Rhododendrons (Rhododendron species)

Rhododendrons ( pictured above ) extend dense , all-inclusive leafage to the winter landscape painting , and big orb of coloured blooms in the early summertime . Evergreen rhododendrons make a bang-up addition to foundation planting and shrub delimitation that get full to partial shadowiness . The mature size of it of each of the dozens of different specie and cultivar on the market alter , as does the color of their blooms , the bloom time and even their winter daring , so when denounce for a rhododendron , be sure to fit the recording label to make certain it ’s fully hardy in your region and that the blooms will be a color you enjoy .

5. Miniature Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata “Dwarf Pagoda”)

If you ’re depend for modest broad - leaved evergreens that do n’t require much pruning , this is a majuscule pick for you . hand just 3 understructure grandiloquent and 1 to 2 feet wide at adulthood , miniature Japanese holly is exceedingly dumb growing ( it only grows about an inch a year ) and hardy down to minus-20 academic degree F. Preferring full sun to light shade , the petite , round , evergreen leaf are calendered and disconsolate light-green , and they ’re stacked against each other in row along the stems , giving the plant life a really interesting appearance . Introduced through Rutgers University , this pick looks like a funky bonsai flora and is excellent for careen gardens and patio beds .

6. Oregon Holly Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)

Oregon holly grapes are attention - grab broad - leaved evergreen . The new increment is bronze coloured and it ages to a thick , glossy green that hang in on the plant year - round . In fall , the foliage turn a deep purple - red . The fragrant yellowed flowers in bound are followed by elongated clustering of regal , grape - like fruit in the summer and tumble . With a diffuse growth riding habit , Oregon holly grape adapts well to shadier spots , but be forewarn that the edge of the leaves have sharp pricker . Useful as a low hedge or under - planting , most varieties of Oregon holly grape are hardy to about minus-20 degrees F , though some tolerate winter winds better than others . Here in Pennsylvania , these plants do best in a sheltered spot where they ’re protect from drying winds .

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