When the garden needs that something special, it’s time for a gorgeous specimen evergreen. Evergreens bring a kind of cool sophistication to the garden, offer places of pause for the eye to rest, bring interesting shapes, and absolutely sing in the winter. There truly is an evergreen for every taste, and here are some of our favorites:
Weepers
Weeping specimens bring creativity and movement to a space. The drippy, soft, pendulous shapes are excellent in contrast to sharp and upright shapes and nice compliments to mounded and rounded shapes. You could even really lean in and plant a variety of weeping specimens for a Dr. Suess theme!
Check out: Niagara Falls Eastern White Pine
An incredible choice for the adventurous gardener, every specimen develops its own unique character. Named for the handsome draping branches that cascade like waterfalls, this compact weeper grows slowly and looks fantastic with other evergreens, as a focal point, on a slope, and in rock gardens. You can get creative with staking to control height and shape.
Check out: Weeping Norway Spruce
A tall, narrow tree with gently weeping branches that have an outward trailing habit. Presents beautifully when staked up to showcase the pendulous branches. A slow grower with the ultimate height depending on how it is staked. Brings an element of impressionism to the garden- each branch is like a painter’s brush stroke.
Check out: Angel Falls Eastern White Pine
This refined weeping specimen has a tall, narrow structure and very long, soft needles. The draping branches are held close, keeping the form contained and elegant while still whimsical. The graceful branches lead the eye downward to the broad flowing skirt at the bottom, balancing the narrow top.
Upright Stunners
These gorgeous trees fit well into most planting schemes, and are indispensable for the unique, luxurious feel they bring to the garden.
Check out: Swiss Stone Pine
With their long graceful needles, Swiss stone pines make an incredible impact in a small space. The upward pointing branches densely surround the pyramidal form and their large distinctive cones make Swiss stone pines even more ornamental. A great moderately sized tree with soft texture.
Westerstede Swiss Stone Pine is a handsome selection with upright branches and a wider footprint at about 15’ tall and 10-12’ wide. Prairie Statesmen is an equally fantastic choice with a bit narrower shape (12-15’ tall and about 6’ wide) and slightly more refined branches. Selected in North Dakota, it’s also super hardy.
Check out: Acrocona Spruce If you’ve ever longed for showy flowers on a conifer, look no further. Well, sort of. This gorgeous tree features bright red cones that have an incredible impact. When the cones fade, the tree’s lush pyramidal form and graceful pendulous branches take over and provide interest for the rest of the year. This plant will turn heads!
The exciting evergreens on this list aren’t terribly demanding once established. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil to start and water them consistently for the first few years. Enjoy!
