We all know at least one person whose yard looks like a barren wasteland in
winter. Their perennials and annuals have died back, and their shrubs and bushes
are bare sticks. Becoming the proprietor of such a dismal landscape, however, is
quite easily avoided with just a bit of foresight. If you want year round color,
it is essential that when selecting shrubs and hedges that you ensure what you
are purchasing is an evergreen.
When you hear the word "evergreen", you may think of boring green shrubs with
no personality. But planting an evergreen landscape does not have to mean a
lifetime of ordinary green foliage. There are dozens of bright, colorful
selections to choose from. And there is an evergreen option for any area,
regardless of the location or purpose of the planting.
Flowering shrubs are probably the best example of how you can plant a yard
full of evergreens and simultaneously have the prettiest, most inviting
landscape in town. Plant an assortment of azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias,
and you'll have a yard bursting with blooms of every color. Best of all, as
evergreens, they will still be lush and green even in the coldest months of the
year.
If a flowery landscape isn't quite what you're going for, but you're still
looking for a burst of color, choose an evergreen with some punchy fall color,
like the Loropetalum or Nandina. These gorgeous shrubs turn all different shades
of red and purple during the fall season.
And for those out there that would really prefer a simple landscape with some
basic evergreens, then juniper, boxwood, and yew will always be classic
selections.
