Exciting Evergreens for the Midwest

Evergreens are crucial to achieving varied grain and form , as well as the key to any successful four - season garden . regrettably , many gardeners would put a mint of evergreen in the “ necessary but deadening ” class . They are a backcloth , the much - require greenery during colder months , but never the garden star that steals the show .

The plants below might just change your psyche about the humble evergreen plant . These leaf all - stars can be called anything but deadening . From beautiful blooms to colorful foliation and pops of bright berries , all of these evergreens have that little something superfluous .

1. American Holly

Ilex opaca

Zones:5–9

Size:15 to 30 foot magniloquent and wide-cut ; can get larger , but grows easy

Conditions : Full sun to partial tone ; moist , well - drain dirt

American holly is a various plant that makes a beautiful focal power point with the right care . Its conical shape , setose leave , and brightly colored fruit are iconic , specially during the winter . It is a good estimate to select a cultivar that is recommended for your area , with the traits you want to feature , such as Charles Edward Berry ( embed a male person nearby for fruit exercise set ) or glossy leafage . It will take formation if you desire a more formal looking at , but it can also act as a optic blind when left unshorn . To rise good plant , protect hollies from strong winds and maintain land pH on the acidic side .

2. ‘Henry Hicks’ Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana‘Henry Hicks’

Size:15 to 25 metrical unit tall and 10 to 20 feet broad

atmospheric condition : Full sun to partial shade ; moist to wet soil

As a group , magnolias ( Magnoliaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) extend many desirable characteristics . ‘ Henry Hicks ’ is a picky favorite and is worth the effort to locate . It is exceptionally cold - hardy and evergreen , and its single drawing card and average size make it useful in smaller gardens . Be sure to plant it where its sweetly lemon - scented bloom can be enjoyed . It appears to shimmer when breezes ruffle its leaves , alternately exposing green tops and silvery bottom . The bark is blotched in shades of gray resonant of beech bark ( Fagusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) .

3. Allegheny Spurge

Pachysandra procumbens

Size:6 to 12 inches tall and 12 column inch wide

atmospheric condition : fond to full nicety ; adaptable , but favor moist , well - debilitate , acidic soil

This flat coat covering fire , native to the Eastern United States , has former spring entreaty , with fresh new flowers and leaves push through foliation from the premature season . While some may require to tidy up by issue back old foliage in late winter , leave the dark layer of of age leaves highlights the fragrant , pinkish - touch white flower . This underused charmer is much less unruly than its commonly plant Japanese relative ( P. terminalis * , Zones 4–8 ) , and it lend itself better to a naturalistic planting .

4. Prague Viburnum

Viburnum×pragense

Size:8 to 12 feet tall and wide

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; median soil

This hybrid is hardier than its parents , leatherleaf genus Viburnum ( V. rhytidophyllum , Zones 5–7 ) and service viburnum ( V. utile , Zones 6–8 ) . maturate it for its ornamental glazed foliage and slimly fragrant , pinkish - bud flowers , which open in creamy - white clusters . This plant is vigorous . A bit of judicious pruning and pinching will ensue in a denser shrub , making it utilitarian for secrecy screening or shroud undesirable views . The overall show is graceful — a fine counterpart to coniferous evergreens in larger setting or as a background for minuscule herbaceous plantings .

*Invasive alert: Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)

This plant is deliberate invading in Pennsylvania .

Please visitinvasiveplantatlas.orgfor more information .

Jim Kincannon is a plantsman and garden designer in Indianapolis .

o.k. Gardening commend Products

Black and Decker 22 - inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this land site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising political platform .

DeWalt Variable - Speed Cordless Reciprocating witness with 6 - Piece picture Blade Set

Pruning Simplified : A Step - by - footmark Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs

Get our latest tips , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

Henry Hicks Sweetbay Magnolia

Photo: Jennifer Benner

sign you up …

Exciting Evergreens for the Southern Plains

Exciting Evergreens for the Southeast

Exciting Evergreens for the Northwest

Exciting Evergreens for the Northeast

Join Fine Gardening for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned industrial plant pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical manager …

When I spotted a finicky sand buck cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I live I was in worry . With a delightful colour pattern …

When we only prioritize plant we want over plant our landscape painting needs , each time of year is satiate with a never - cease inclination of chores : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amend , and fertilizing , with …

American Holly

Photo: Jennifer Benner

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 spark on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …