Archive for the ‘Evergreens’ Category

12 Woody Trees And Shrubs Perfect For Containers

Japanese maples, hydrangeas, hollies, boxwoods, camellias, and dwarf conifers are popular favorites to grow in pots. Often, they’re part of mixed plantings coordinated with colorful annual and perennial flowers. If and when these outdoor trees and shrubs outgrow their pots, you have one of three options available: 1.) move plants into a bigger pot, 2.) […]

Space-Saving Vertical Shrubs

Try these slim and sleek varieties in a small space such as on patios or the front porch, in courtyards, or as a single specimens in narrow gardens or containers. Set them at the back of beds for space-saving walls and backdrops. Pot them up for container magic on the porch. All six plants grow […]

Anise (Illicium) Shrubs Coming To Mid-South Gardens

There is lots of interest in this shrub group. Anise shrubs (Illicium spp.) are fast growing,  evergreen shrubs (USDA zones 7 to 10). They exhibit a multi-stemmed, upright, compact growth habit. The green foliage of Florida anise (I. floridanum) is quite attractive and aromatic, smelling similar to anise spice when crushed. Their shiny, leathery leaves are […]

Short Forms Of Cryptomerias

Japanese cedar, aka Sugi or Cryptomeria, (Cryptomeria japonica) is the national tree of Japan and also flourishes in  China (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8).  It is one of the most variable conifers ranging from very dwarf rounded shrubs to large tree forms with golden or contorted leaves. It tolerates hot humid summers and prefers […]

Marcescence (Retaining Leaves Fall And Winter)

Through the fall and winter seasons, certain landscape and woodland trees retain their dead brown leaves on branches. Beech (Fagus spp.) and oak (Quercus spp.) are two common examples. Winter winds and precipitation will eventually force leaves to drop. Plant scientists term the retention of leaves as “marcescence”. There are many theories as to why […]

New Inkberry Varieties Substitute For Boxwoods

Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra) is a slow-growing evergreen shrub (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). This U.S. native hale from coastal Canada south to Florida, and west to Louisiana. Commonly, inkberry (the species) grows to 5-8 feet tall. It is at home in sandy woodlands and the edges of swamps and bogs where they form colonies via root […]

Tips On Amending The Soil In The Planting Hole

Adding large amounts of compost or organic matter to a planting hole greatly improve the soil’s water-holding capacity and aeration. Simply throwing piles of leaves into the bottom of the planting hole helps improve a soil. However, amending the planting hole is not recommended by most plant experts. Why? According to soil scientists, the plant roots stay locked within the rich […]

Weeping Landscape Trees

Weeping forms of willows (Salix spp.), flowering cherries (Prunus spp.), pines (Pinus spp.), spruces (Picea spp.) and European beeches (Fagus sylvatica) are magnificent landscape features. Weeping forms of evergreen and deciduous trees develop strong upright central leaders, and their outward branches cascade downward.  Among conifer species there are over 150 different cultivars with pendulous habits. Here is a list of 28 weeping tree species. I […]

Prevent Leaf Burn on Evergreens This Winter

Winter foliage burn on evergreens is often most prevalent on boxwoods (Buxus), hollies (Ilex), rhododendron, and many kinds of conifers. Symptoms often develop when temperatures warm up in late winter and early spring. This type of winter damage is often misdiagnosed as an infectious disease or damage from excessively cold temperatures. Evergreens transpire (lose water […]

Understanding How To Purchase Nursery Stock

Nursery growers supply trees and shrubs to garden centers in any of five ways: Container Grown – Plants have been growing in a container or pot for one or more growing years. Some plants have been grown in containers or they were field dug and repotted into containers. These transplants are not likely to experience […]