Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for the Midwest

In an episode ofFine Gardening‘s podcast , Let ’s Argue About Plants , the legion discuss the importance of evergreen plants , and the particular perks of broadleaf evergreens :

“ The cay to any successful four - time of year garden is evergreens . Conifers are swell , but they can be dear and dim to bulge up . Broadleaf evergreens , on the other hand , bulk up promptly and are generally affordable . The only drawback is they can be boring . In fact , most nurseryman remember only of rhodies and hollies when it comes to this categorization of plants . ”

Do n’t be fooled by the common varieties , there is much more to this plant category than one might think while walking around the local garden center . To serve shed igniter on some fabulous , underappreciated broadleaf evergreens , we had regional expert foot their top four . Below , you ’ll find great pick for the Midwest . To discover more fantastic evergreen plant , check outLAAP Episode 26 : Broadleaf Evergreens .

Find broadleaf evergreens for other regions:Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for Your Region

1. Castle Spire®blue holly

Name:Ilex×meserveae‘Hachfee’

Zones:5–7

Size:8 to 10 human foot tall and 3 to 4 feet full

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; moist , acidic soil

aboriginal range : Hybrid

If you ’re attend for a replacement for pyramidic yewsor arborvitae , Castle Spire ® blue holly may be your answer . The compact , pyramidal strain of this slowly - grow distaff selection makes it a capital selection foraccents , founding plantings , and screening . The moody , shiny foliage holds its own in the landscape , andplants can be clipped when young to shape a low hedging . Plant it with Castle Wall ® (I.×meserveae‘Heckenstar ’ ) , its manful pollenizer , and it will assume bright ruddy berries in fall that persist into winter .

2. ‘Green Spire’ euonymus

Name:Euonymusjaponicus‘Green Spire’

Zones:6–9

Size:6 to 8 foot tall and 1 to 2 infantry wide

experimental condition : Full sunlight to partial nuance ; moist , productive , well - run out soil

Native compass : Japan , Korea , China

hedgerow for minor spaces are unvoiced to find , especially ones that are low - maintenance and that can grow in a variety of conditions . ‘ Green Spire ’ is a narrow , columnar cultivar that is great for minor city lot or narrow hedges between homes . The dark , calendered foliage creates a decent backcloth for a form of colorful blossom and helot as an evergreen accent in interracial - shrub borders . Keep it trim to create a more formal and full appearance , or let its natural overt use bestow reference to your landscape .

3. ‘Coral Glow’ Texas yucca

Name:Hesperaloeparviflora‘Coral Glow’

Zones:5–9

Size:3 to 4 feet marvellous and all-embracing

Conditions : Full sun ; well - drained soil

Native range : West Texas , northeast Mexico

‘ Coral Glow ’ is a cross between yellow- and red - flowering variety of an evergreen Chihuahuan Desert native that fly high in red-hot , dry conditions . It is a flower powerhouse from June until August , sending up vivacious , melon - colored inflorescence that are 4 to 6 feet tall . Essentially uninspired , this selection does notproduce unwanted seedling . habituate it as a focal point , ina container , or in that rocky division of your landscape painting where nothing else will grow . The key to succeeder is excellent soil drainage .

4. Sweet box

Name:Sarcococca hookeriana

Zones:6–8

Size:4 to 5 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide of the mark

Conditions : Full to partial shade ; moist , acidulent , well - drained grime

aboriginal compass : Southeastern Tibet , eastern Himalayan part

Sweet box is a fantastic low - maintenance bush for deeply shaded areas where other plants might shin . It features lustrous , dark green leaves andsmall clean flush with a sweetness that permeate the landscape in early spring . The flower are replaced by shiny black fruits that stay into winter , extending its interest . Sweet box slowly disperse by stolons , make it an excellent selection for hillsides or informal hedge . It also works well in a container .

Jennifer Smockis a plantsman based in Doniphan , Missouri .

Click here to find flora picks , garden steer , and more for the Midwest .

Fine Gardening recommend product

ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner

Sweet box

Photo: Joshua McCullough

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through connexion on this website , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertizing programs .

Pruning simplify : A Step - by - Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and shrub

DeWalt Variable - Speed Cordless Reciprocating get a line with 6 - Piece envision Blade Set

Castle Spire® blue holly

Photo: doreenwynja.com

Get our in style tips , how - to articles , and instructional television sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for the Northeast

Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for the South

Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for the Southern Plains

Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for California

Join Fine Gardening for a free absorb live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a famed flora diagnostician as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical handler …

When I spotted a finical sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I get laid I was in trouble . With a delicious color pattern …

When we only prioritize plant we require over plants our landscape needs , each season is filled with a never - ending lean of chores : pruning , pinching , lachrymation , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

‘Green Spire’ euonymus

Photo: Joshua McCullough

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip up on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden

Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

All Access appendage get more

Sign up for afree trialand get memory access to ALL our regional contentedness , plus the rest of the member - only cognitive content subroutine library .

Start Free Trial

‘Coral Glow’ Texas yucca