Even if it means planting trees in your garden, you might as well create a setting that remains green in all seasons. This is why we choose a few evergreen specimens which bring a decorative note when the deciduous trees are completely bare. There are a multitude of varieties. Some are perfect on a large plot, others are better suited to smaller gardens due to their small footprint. Here is a selection of 10 evergreen trees to create a beautiful and original natural space.
1 – The Mimosa of the four seasons
L’Acacia retinodes belongs to the family of Mimosaceae. sometimes nicknamed summer mimosait can bloom at any time and several times a year, magnifying the garden with its splendid yellow bloom with a divine, subtly powdery fragrance… a true olfactory delight. Its tender green evergreen foliage is very light and of rare elegance.
This mimosa to rapid growth is satisfied with calcareous soil. It is suitable for both small and large gardens and does wonders on its own. Due to its low hardiness, it is more suitable for regions with a temperate climate. On the other hand, it tolerates drought and high heat well. It is a tree to be grown in pots in cold regions where it is better to place it under shelter to protect it from the harshness of winter.
2 – Lily of the valley tree
Zenobia pulverulent Blue Sky is an evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub with a bushy habit. It belongs to the family of Ericaceae. From mid-May until July, it is covered with a profusion of flowers superb in the shape of immaculate white bells with a delicate fragrance. Original, it has small leaves with a pale blue reverse.
This shrub is limited to 1.50 m in height in adulthood and does not exceed 1 m in wingspan. It likes acid soil, of the heather type, humus-rich and fresh. It particularly likes semi-shaded areas. Tree Lily of the Valley can be planted in the ground or in tray which is positioned on a terrace located in the shade. Rustic, it can withstand down to -15°C but must imperatively be sheltered from the cold winds coming from the East.
3 – The Despair of the Monkeys
Araucaria araucana is a ornamental coniferof the family of Araucariaceae, originally from Chile. Of great singularity, this evergreen tree has leathery leaves of a beautiful bright green, triangular in shape. They are extremely sharp and spiky, like large interlocking scales with a sharp edge. Its trunk is also covered with scales making its ascent impossible, hence the nickname Monkey-puzzler first attributed to it by a Lord of Cornwall, a term which was translated as Despair of the Monkeys when it was first introduced in France. in 1937.
Semi-rustic, TheAraucaria should be planted in a region with a mild climate. It is rather intended for large areas because it can reach 10 meters in wingspan, 25 meters in height in our latitudes, but sometimes reaches 80 meters in its native environment. However, he has a weak root system.
The Despair of the monkeys is satisfied with an ordinary soil, with a neutral pH. It does not like excess humidity but particularly appreciates sunny exposures. It can be noted that its 20 cm long cones provide hundreds of edible seeds.
4 – The candlelight shrub
Garrya elliptica is a ornamental shrub of the family of Garryacea grouping together about twenty species of dicotyledonous plants. Native to North America, it brings great distinction to the garden. It is said to be dioecious because a subject bears either female flowers or male flowers. The first are erect cones while the seconds are spectacular white kittens evoking more or less countless stalactitesemerging from February to March.
In adulthood, it hardly exceeds 3 m in height. It is planted alone or in a free hedge, in rich, fresh and light soil. The candlelight shrub likes spray, sunny areas of the garden but sheltered from cold winds. It displays an appreciable hardiness since it can withstand up to -12°C.
5 – Le Bergamotier
Citrus bergamia is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family of Rutaceae. Very present in Italy, the Bergamot tree, which can reach 3 meters in height, has light green, shiny and leathery leaves. He blooms from March to May. Its small, very fragrant flowers are made up of 5 white petals. It is from November, and until January, that we can harvest the bergamotof juicy berriesmore acidic than orange but also with a fairly present bitterness, which is consumed mainly in citrus marmalade.
Not very rustic, the Bergamot tree does not tolerate frost. It is also the least rustic of the Citrus. It loves very sunny situations, well-drained, sandy, light, neutral to acidic soils. It can therefore be planted in heather soil or in humus-rich soil. Cultivated in the ground in the Mediterranean regions, it is preferable to keep it in a container in order to shelter it in winter in less clement climates.
6 – Le Cleyera tricolor
Cleyera japonica Variegata belongs to the family of Theaceae. This shrub native to Southeast Asia which is also marketed under the name of Eurya ochnacea. He is highly regarded for his highly decorative variegated evergreen foliage, its bushy and irregular habit. It does not exceed 1.50 to 2 m in height in adulthood and its growth is very slow. It flowers throughout the summer. Its small white flowers are very fragrant. They then give birth to berries, first red then turn black when they are ripe.
This Cleyera likes sunny to semi-shaded situations, light, well-drained soils, rich in humus, and neutral to acid soils. It is perfect for small southern gardens, but can be grown in a pot in colder climates, combined on a sunny terrace with other heather plants such as Rhododendron and Camellia. Resistant to pollution, it is the ideal decorative shrub for urban gardens.
7 – The oleander
Nerium oleander is a vigorous shrub of the family of Apocynaceae. It can reach 4 meters in height as an adult. Its elongated, pointed, leathery leaves are bright green. The oleander is adorned, from June to October, with a multitude of double or single flowers, grouped in elegant terminal bouquets. Available in many colours, red, pink, white, yellow, the oleander is just as suitable for growing in tubs, isolated, in rows or as a windbreak hedge.
It likes rich, well-drained soils, sunny situationsventilated, but does not tolerate long periods of frost because of its low hardiness. In harsh climates, it must be sheltered in winter. It is an evergreen shrub that can be adopted without fear in the southern regions and the Atlantic coast, especially since it is resistant to spray.
8 – L’Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a tree of the family of Myrtaceae rather recommended for large gardens because its height easily exceeds 5 meters and its width can reach a good ten meters. Remarkable with sound silvery green foliage and his decorative bark.
This tree with aromatic leaves and fast-growing likes very sunny exposures and well-drained soils but hates limestone. Eucalyptus is used in groups or alone, in regions with a mild climate because it is not very hardy.
9 – Arbutus
I unite the treesof the family of Ericaceae, measures between 3 and 5 meters high and 2 to 4 meters wide. The more it advances in age, the more its branches become tortuous, which brings a crazy charm to the garden. It’s a decorative tree with its glossy dark green foliage, its bell flowers immaculate white, and its orange-red fruitedible, delicious, which mature in autumn and are called arbouses.
Moderately hardy, the Arbutus tree – sometimes nicknamed strawberry tree – must be installed sheltered from the winds and in a very sunny place, especially in harsh climates. It likes all types of soil (except limestone), well-drained and rich.
10 – The Large-flowered Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora is a pyramidal tree belonging to the family of Magnoliaceae. Highly appreciated for its decorative evergreen, composed of large glossy dark green, leathery leaves, the reverse side of which is reddish brown, it blooms from July until October. His spectacular white flowers, more than 20 cm in diameter, are deliciously scented. This majestic tree can be used in alignment or isolated.
The Magnolia likes cool, deep and rich soils provided they are not calcareous, humid and mild climates. It does not tolerate cold winds well and must be sheltered in harsh climates.