If you’re looking to change things up in the outdoor areas around your home—you need to consider what evergreens
can do for you. Maybe you think of evergreens as plain, but the truth is that there are so many different options that
you’re sure to find something that is perfect for you. Evergreens can elevate landscaping for anyone, anywhere, any
time. If you hear “evergreens” and think “boring”, then you need to know how much variety and interest they can deliver.
Read on to discover the 5 “W’s” of using evergreens to make an impact in your landscaping!
Evergreens Bring Variety and Year-Round Beauty to Your Landscaping
We’re big fans of evergreens and what they can do for the year-round beauty and interest of landscaping. So, we’re
always surprised when people are less than enthused by our suggestion that they consider adding some evergreens to
the outdoor areas around their home or business. It turns out that many people just don’t realize how many great
options they have when looking for evergreens.
As the old saying goes, “you don’t know what you don’t know”. There is an awful lot to learn about evergreens if you’re
starting from square one. In this article, we’ll give you a quick overview of what we think you should know about
evergreens. Read on to discover the Who, What, Where, When, and Why of adding evergreens to your landscaping.
Who
Who can add evergreens to their landscaping? Who should add evergreens to their landscaping?
The answer to both questions is simple: Anybody and Everybody!
It doesn’t matter what region of the country you live in. It doesn’t matter how large or small an area you have to work
with. It doesn’t matter whether you live in an urban, suburban, or rural setting.
From a window box or roof-top garden in an apartment building to a hedgerow marking a property line, evergreens are
perfect for the job. They are easy to plant and establish. They are even easier to maintain. If you think evergreens aren’t
for you—you just haven’t found the right candidates for the jobs you need them to do.
What
What do you need to know about evergreens before you start shopping for the perfect additions to your landscaping?
There’s a lot more to evergreens than most people realize. Just knowing that you have a lot of options to consider is a
good place to start.
Evergreens include both broadleaf and coniferous options. And when it comes to adding variety to the textures and
colors in your outdoor areas, evergreens are up to the job. From golden yellows to the deepest green hues, evergreens
are a diverse palette to paint with. They offer an equally wide variety of textures—ranging from needles to large,
leathery leaves.
Many evergreens will add bright and beautiful berries or blossoms to your landscaping mix. Some varieties are compact
enough for a container or window box and other varieties that can provide privacy and shade as hedgerows that reach
10 to 20 feet in height.
Where
Where can evergreens make an impact in your landscaping?
There are two ways to answer that question. The first is to talk about the wide range of regions or growing zones where
evergreens can thrive. The second is to talk about the spots in your outdoor areas that evergreens can fill up with color,
texture, beauty, and interest.
It is no exaggeration at all to say that there is an evergreen that is perfect for every growing zone. In fact, there are
probably still too many good options instead of too few. There are even evergreens that are well-suited to xeriscape
situations—if you live in a drought-prone area or try to minimize the amount of water you use to keep your landscaping
verdant.
You’ll find evergreens that are perfect for any region. Many options will fit the bill for any spot that you have in mind.
Evergreens can offer ground cover or compact beauty in beds and boxes. They can just as easily be put to work marking
the borders of your property or creating private pathways. The wide variety of colors, textures, and sizes mean that they
can stand alone or be staggered.
When
When is the right time to add evergreens to your landscaping?
There is an old saying that “the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago and the second-best time is right now”. Some
evergreen varieties will grow a foot or more in both height and width each year. If you want to keep them compact and
shapely, all it takes is annual pruning. If you want them to fan out, it will take some time.
Set your evergreens up for success by planting them in the spring or the fall. Evergreens planted in the fall grow more
aggressively because the soil remains warm and the air becomes moist. Just don’t plant them too late in the year or
you’ll risk “winter burn” that causes the foliage to dry out and die.
Why
Why should you consider adding evergreens to the landscaping around your home or business?
Why Not?
If the variety of options that we’ve covered in this article hasn’t convinced you to do a little bit of research into
evergreens, nothing will. No matter what you’re trying to add to your outdoor areas, there is definitely an evergreen
variety that will fit the bill. You’ll get year-round beauty and interest from plants that are easy to plant and even easier
to maintain.
Need Some Help Finding the Right Evergreens for Your Landscaping?
The team at Cowboy Curbing & Landscape is Southwest Wyoming’s recognized experts on landscape design. If you need
some help narrowing down all of the options that evergreens offer you until you’ve found the perfect fit for your
needs—Call or visit us online! We’ll be happy to answer all of your questions and assist you with selecting an evergreen
you’ll love.