This Month in the Garden: Broad-Leaved Evergreens for All-Season Beauty and Interest

Broad-leaved evergreens

Broad-leaved evergreens are a beautiful addition to the landscape for all season interest and are an excellent addition to just about any space. There are numerous varieties to choose from, ranging in color, size and shape, with several dwarf varieties available. Mainly known for their attractive foliage, many also produce springtime blooms for additional interest. Here are ten of my all-time favorite broad-leaved evergreens with descriptions, planting requirements and hardiness.

Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'

'Gold Dust' Japanese Aucuba displays striking gold variegated foliage and is perfect for shadier areas in the garden. Hardy in USDA zones 6-10, Aucuba grows to a height and width of 4-6 feet and prefers to be grown in partial to full shade. The beautiful bright green foliage is so heavily speckled with gold that it displays an overall yellow-green appearance. Female plants may produce berries if a male pollinator such as Aucuba 'Mr. Goldstrike' is planted nearby.

Ilex crenata Hoogendorn (Holly)

There are many varieties of holly available in a range of shapes and sizes to choose from.  An excellent choice for use in foundation plantings, shrub borders, as a low hedge or in mass plantings, Ilex ‘Hoogendorn’ is a dense low growing and compact evergreen with excellent dark green shiny flat leaves. Hardy in USDA zones 6-9, this species of holly has impressive cold resistance and is very reminiscent of boxwood. Ilex ‘Hoogendorn’ is a moderate grower, displaying a mounding habit, while reaching a mature size of just 2 feet high by 3 feet wide.

Leucothoe 'Axillaris' (Coast Leucothoe)

Leucothoe is an attractive low-growing, evergreen shrub displaying a spreading, vase-like shape with arching branches. Hardy in USDA zones 5-8, this shrub features thick, shiny, dark green leaves with clusters of slightly fragrant, heather-like, white flowers which appear in mid-spring. In winter, leaves turn a purplish-bronze hue, adding even more interest to the landscape. Leucothoe matures to a height of 2-4 feet tall and width of 3-5 feet wide, and prefers to be grown in partial to full shade.

Buxus 'Green Gem' (Boxwood)

Boxwood is an easy to grow evergreen, available in many shapes and sizes, and suitable for a range of conditions from full sun to partial shade. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, this variety, 'Green Gem’, is a more compact slow-grower, reaching a height of just 2 feet tall by wide. This mounding evergreen displays an almost perfectly round-naturally oval form and dense foliage makes it perfect for low hedges or for use in a foundation planting. Oval glossy dark green leaves hold their color well in winter.

Euonymus 'Silver King'

There are many varieties of Euonymus and ‘Silver King’ is one of the most versatile. Hardy in USDA zones 6-9, ‘Silver King’ displays silvery white margins on glossy green leaves in an upright narrow habit that adds unique color and texture to the landscape. Euonymus prefers to be grown in full sun to partial shade with moderate watering. Shrub size averages 5-9 feet tall by 2-3-foot wide and can be maintained at a desired height. This shrub serves nicely being grouped to form a low screen and tolerates poor soils and heat.

Skimmia japonica (Female plant bears berries)

Skimmia japonica is an excellent small evergreen shrub for shady areas, especially where deer damage can be an issue. Foliage is dark green with bright red berries that form on female plants in fall and often last throughout winter. Foliage turns to a bronze hue in autumn, adding color to the landscape. Skimmia is hardy within USDA zones 6-9, prefers partial to full shade, a moist acidic soil rich in organic matter and moderate watering. The plant stays compact at 3-4 feet high by wide and has a low, mounding habit. A male pollinator is required nearby for the female plants to bear fruit.

Azalea 'Gumpo'

Azalea 'Gumpo' is a dwarf compact evergreen hardy in USDA zones 7-9 that displays showy salmon-pink blooms in late spring. This low growing hybrid reaches a compact height and width of just 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide, making it an excellent candidate for use in foundation plantings, woodland settings and in planters. 'Gumpo' prefers to be grown in filtered sun, such as an area with morning sun and afternoon shade, and requires moderate watering. This versatile plant can have a range of uses in the landscape.

Rhododendron catawbiense 'English Roseum'

Rhododendron is a popular dense-growing evergreen shrub which is highly valued by many. Rhododendron 'English Roseum' displays oblong leathery dark green foliage which is accompanied by large trusses of trumpet-shaped lilac-pink showy flowers in mid-late spring. This variety of rhododendron is hardy in USDA zones 4-8, prefers full sun to partial shade and moderate watering. ‘English Roseum’ is a moderate grower, reaching a height and width of 6-8 feet in the landscape. 

Skip Laurel

Skip Laurel is a popular evergreen shrub with a narrow habit, making it an excellent choice for backdrops and screenings where space is limited. Skip Laurel is hardy in USDA zones 6-8, can be grown in a variety of conditions ranging from full sun to full shade and prefers moderate watering. White spire-like flowers accompany the dark foliage in mid-spring, adding excellent interest, especially in shady locations. Skip Laurel grows to a height of 8-10 feet tall by 4-8 feet wide and should be provided with adequate drainage.

Pieris Cavatine (Dwarf Andromeda)

Japanese Andromeda ‘Cavatine’ is a cold hardy, dwarf version of Andromeda. This small, low mounding evergreen is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and provides year-round interest in the landscape. In early spring, the shrub is almost completely covered with bell-shaped, creamy white blooms that resemble Lilly of the Valley, followed by attractive dark green foliage throughout the rest of the season. ‘Cavatine’ is slow growing, reaching a height of just 18-24 inches tall by 24-30 inches wide and prefers partial to full shade.

For information on winter care of broad-leaved evergreens, visit 

Winterizing Evergreens or General Tree & Shrub Care.

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Be sure to stop by on the 1st. of each month for This Month in the Garden, as I share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Linking with:  Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Friday Photo Journal, Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up and Dishing It & Digging It, 

~As Always...Happy Gardening ~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,©Copyright 2010-2019. All rights reserved.

Colorful Evergreens in the Landscape-Part I: Golden Evergreens

Golden Evergreens in the Landscape

When planning a garden design it is important to incorporate interesting structure and color into the landscape so that there is eye-catching interest all year long. Golden evergreens will not only add structure but will enhance the landscape with their outstanding show of color. There are a variety of golden evergreens available to the homeowner to implement into the landscape. There are six in particular that I will focus on in this article that have proven to be hardy in the zone 7 northeastern garden and that will thrive in zones ranging from 4 to 8.

Picea orientalis 'Skylands'

The first in this series is Picea Orientalis 'Skylands' or Skyland's Oriental Spuce.  'Skylands' is a slow growing coniferous tree that prefers full sun to partial shade and is hardy in USDA zones 5-8. It is true that younger specimens of this tree can be prone to sun scorch so ideally 4-8 hours of sun is best. I have been successful when planting 'Skylands' in a southeasterly exposure in zone 7. Grow this tree in a moist well-drained acidic soil and apply mulch around the tree to protect the roots.  After ten years of growth Skylands reaches a height of approximately ten feet and a width of four feet and can grow to a height of 35 feet over time in ideal conditions. Being a slow grower and having a narrow stature this tree is ideal for smaller spaces. Its beautiful yellow-chartreuse candles and densely arranged needles make this tree a conversation piece in the landscape.  Mature trees develop small reddish-purple cones that only add to the beauty of this tree. This tree is truly a favorite!

Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera 'Gold Mop'

The next of the gold series is Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera 'Gold Mop' or Gold Mop Cypress. Gold Mop Cypress is a small golden conifer with delicate thread-like textured foliage. This relatively hardy shrub is best grown in full sun in a well-drained acidic soil in zones 4-8. It displays a low mounding mop -like appearance and reaches a height and width of 3 feet making it an excellent accent plant along with other evergreens and perennials. Chamaecyparis 'Gold Mop' retains its yellow-golden color all winter and stays compact unlike its counterpart 'Gold Thread' Cypress which becomes more bronzed and reaches a height of 15 feet over time.

Euonymus japonica 'Aureo Marginata'

Another favorite addition for golden color is Euonymus japonica 'Aureo Marginata' or Golden Euonymus which is not a conifer but rather a broadleaved evergreen. Golden Euonymus is hardy in USDA zones 6-8 and prefers a moist, well-drained neutral-acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. This evergreen displays yellow-green shiny foliage all year round and is fairly slow growing. It reaches a maximum height and width of 4-6' but can be kept compact with regular maintenance pruning. These shrubs serve nicely as either foundation plantings or in an informal garden.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Aurea Nana'

Next on the list is Chamaecyapris obtusa 'Aurea' or Golden Hinoki Cypress.  Golden Hinoki Cypress ranges in a variety of sizes from the species 'Nana' which is dwarf in size (2-3' in height) to 'Compacta' which is medium height (10-20 ' in height) to 'Gracillis' (40-60' in height). Hinoki Cypress are hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and display luxurious golden twisted compact foliage throughout all the seasons. These evergreens prefer to be grown in full sun in a moist but well-drained acidic soil.  Some of the more popular varieties are Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Aurea Nana' (seen here), 'Verdoni' which displays a deeper yellow foliage and grows a bit taller to 6-8 feet and 'Confucious' which is a newer slower growing variety with broader yellow foliage on emerald green under layers and growing to 4-6 feet in height. 'Crippsi' is a popular golden variety growing to 15-30 feet and can be used as either a specimen or incorporated into a privacy screening. Each one of these varieties is more beautiful than the next and serve as excellent specimens in the landscape. Hinoki Cypress can be used as a focal point in a foundation planting or as a stand alone piece in a cottage garden, evergreen garden or perennial border. These magnificent beauties will add outstanding interest to just about any landscape.

Cedrus deodara 'Aurea'

Golden Deodara Cedar (Cedrus deodara 'Aurea') is another magnificent focal point in the landscape.  It is one of the larger golden evergreens ranging in size from 15-25 feet in height to 80-100 feet in height depending on the particular species. Deodara Cedar 'Aurea' displays a rich golden-yellow color on graceful wispy branches.  They prefer to be grown in full sun in a moist but well-drained soil and are hardy in USDA zones 6-8. Cedrus deodara 'Gold Cone' (shown here) grows to height of 20-30 feet and displays beautiful pendulous branches covered in green-yellow foliage and grows in a more vertical fashion thus taking up less space in the landscape than some other cedars. Golden Deodara Cedar is often used as an anchor plant or specimen planting in the landscape.

Visit my Author Page and Books on Amazon: A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9  Landscape Design Combinations Dream, Garden, Grow! As Always...Happy Gardening. Author:  Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved.