Evergreen Shrub Trees

Holly

• Enjoy the vibrant color and dense foliage of holly bushes in your landscape. Different varieties of holly have berries that range from red to black, but all have beautiful dark green leaves year round. While some varieties grow on their own as a centerpiece to a yard, most people are familiar with holly as a hedge plant. Remarkably hardy, holly thrives in yards across the country. Holly bushes have many branches and fine twigs for leaves to grow on, making them a very dense hedge.

Boxwood

• Embrace the classic look of a boxwood hedge lining your garden paths. Boxwood shrubs possess an exceptionally dense canopy of perfectly oval leaves, giving them a more formal look in landscaping. In areas where wildlife damage occurs, boxwood is an ideal selection. Deer and other garden pests do not enjoy the flavor of boxwood and thus leave it alone. Boxwood prefer morning sun, but the heat of direct afternoon sun can damage them. Plant boxwood in well drained soil. A fertilizer rich in iron will help the boxwood maintain its dark green color even in times of drought.

Camellia

• Show off your yard with beautiful blossoms while other yards prepare for winter months. Camellias bloom between September and April, depending on the variety. Throughout the rest of the year, camellia bushes resemble many other evergreen shrubs with dark green, leathery leaves. Camellias grow slowly, with specimens in Japan living to be more than 500 years old. Camellias require well drained soil rich in organic matter to properly establish themselves. They do best in partial shade, but can tolerate full son. Fertilize with an acidic fertilizer.

Azalea and Rhododendron

• Plant azaleas and rhododendrons in areas sheltered from the worst of the afternoon sun. Rhododendrons exhibit a slightly looser branch density than many evergreens. Azaleas flower in the spring, starting as early as February in southern states. Azaleas prefer light sandy soil and have a very shallow root system designed to absorb as much water as possible. These plants require an acidic fertilizer to flower.