Evergreens pull a lot of weight in the landscape. They are indispensable for screening and windbreaks, provide interest all year long, and come in a plethora of shapes and sizes. In addition to their visual appeal, evergreens provide essential habitat and cover for birds and wildlife all through the year, especially during the cold winter months. If your garden could use some ever-greening, consider one of these spectacular choices.
Taylor Juniper
Taylor juniper is an elegant columnar evergreen that is superb for vertical accents, focal points, and screening. This tall, narrow juniper gets 20-30 feet tall and only about 3 feet wide. A fine choice if you’re looking for Mediterranean style in a tough North American tree. Taylor juniper has pleasant blue-green foliage that stays nice and dense and can take on coppery tones over winter. This tree performs best in full sun and is adaptable to most soil types, including dry and rocky sites. Consistently wet or poorly-drained soil should be avoided.
Black Hills Spruce
If you’re looking for a medium sized evergreen, it’s hard to beat Black Hills spruce. This tree is known for its broad pyramidal form and dense habit. In fact, a nod to its dense form is right in the name Picea glauca var. densata. Gorgeous choice for spaces that could use year round interest, where the dark green needles will look spectacular through all of the seasons. Great for nesting birds who will take advantage of the excellent protection this tree provides. Moist, loamy soil will keep this spruce looking its best, but it is adaptable to many soil types as long as they are well-drained.
Fat Albert Colorado Blue Spruce
‘Fat Albert’ is a charming tree that could not have a more fitting name. This squat evergreen features attractive silvery blue foliage in a compact, perfectly cone shaped package. The blue needles provide incredible color for the background of beds and borders and great contrast in conifer gardens. Fat Albert grows 10-15 feet tall and wide after about 10 years, and is excellent for smaller landscapes and lawns that can’t accommodate larger evergreens. Plant in full sun to very light shade in evenly moist, decent soil that drains well.
Fun fact: Fat Albert spruce was named after Bill Cosby’s Fat Albert character.
Care note: Though many evergreens eventually tolerate drier soils, it’s important to water them regularly until they are established. To minimize winter burn and ensure best vigor, water newly planted evergreens right up until the ground freezes. Refer to our handy watering chart and feel free to ask us if you have questions about getting your trees properly established.
