Discover evergreen trees such as Arborvitae, Leyland Cypress, Holly, and Fir for privacy with long-lasting interest, perfect for creating serene, green spaces in your garden all year round.
Creating a private, serene garden sanctuary often involves incorporating evergreen trees, known for their year-round foliage and dense growth habits. These living barriers not only enhance privacy but also add texture, color, and structure to the landscape across all seasons.
An evergreen tree is a plant that retains its leaves throughout the year, remaining green and functional across seasons. Unlike deciduous trees that shed their foliage in autumn, evergreens provide constant color and cover, making them essential for year-round privacy, landscape interest, and habitat for wildlife in various ecosystems.
Evergreen trees are invaluable in garden design, offering a backdrop for seasonal blooms, reducing noise pollution, and providing windbreaks and shade in the warmer months.
When selecting the best evergreen trees for privacy and year-round beauty, consider the tree’s mature size, growth rate, and foliage type to ensure it meets your garden’s spatial and aesthetic requirements.
It’s also important to assess the tree’s adaptability to your region’s climate, soil conditions, and exposure to sunlight and wind. Some evergreens may require regular pruning to maintain a desired shape and size, while others are low maintenance but equally effective as privacy screens.
In addition to functional benefits, evergreen trees can contribute significantly to the garden’s biodiversity, offering shelter and food sources for various bird species and wildlife.
Evergreens like Arborvitae and Leyland Cypress are excellent for privacy, creating dense barriers that shelter birds.
Holly varieties, with their dense foliage and berries, offer both privacy and a vital food source for birds during scarce winter months.
Eastern Red Cedar and Pine Trees not only serve as effective privacy screens but also support bird life by providing berries and seeds, respectively, along with nesting sites.
Incorporating these evergreens into your landscape ensures year-round privacy while fostering a welcoming environment for birds, blending aesthetic appeal with ecological benefits to create a living space that’s both private and vibrant with wildlife.
Here are 47 of the best evergreen trees for adding privacy and year-round interest to gardens:
Cupressus x leylandii, known as Leyland Cypress, is a fast-growing, evergreen hybrid conifer popular for creating dense privacy hedges. It features a tall, columnar shape with lush green foliage and thrives in a range of soil types, making it a versatile choice for landscaping.
Hardiness | 6 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 60' - 70' (18.3m - 21.3m) |
Spread | 10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m) |
Cupressus sempervirens, commonly known as the Italian Cypress, is an architectural, long-lived evergreen conifer. Its narrow, columnar form creates an elegant exclamation point in the landscape. The tree features upright branches with green to bluish, scale-like leaves in short flat sprays, aromatic when crushed. Renowned for adding year-round structure, the Italian Cypress is a striking specimen plant, enhancing landscapes with its vertical lines, reminiscent of Tuscan postcards.
Hardiness | 7 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 40' - 70' (12.2m - 21.3m) |
Spread | 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m) |
Picea pungens (Colorado Blue Spruce) is a majestic evergreen native to the Rocky Mountains of North America. Revered for its silvery-blue needles, this tree stands as a popular ornamental choice in landscapes. With a pyramidal shape and a capacity to grow up to 75 feet (22 meters) tall, it serves as both a focal point and a natural windbreak in gardens and yards.
Hardiness | 2 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 30' - 60' (9.1m - 18.3m) |
Spread | 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m) |
Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as Southern Magnolia, is a commanding evergreen tree with a pyramidal to rounded crown. Fragrant, creamy-white flowers appear from late spring to fall, followed by cone-like seedpods. The smooth, leathery dark green foliage adds to its appeal. A popular choice for ornamental and shade purposes in warm regions.
Hardiness | 7 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant type | Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 60' - 80' (18.3m - 24.4m) |
Spread | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
Juniperus virginiana ‘Glauca’, or Silver Eastern Red Cedar, is a columnar evergreen conifer, offering a striking silhouette with its silver-blue foliage that shifts to blue-green. Winter brings a bronze hue in colder regions. Its sky-blue, berry-like cones attract birds, especially cedar waxwings. With its tough, adaptable nature, it’s perfect for dry, sunny spots, serving as an excellent specimen, screen, or windbreak, enhancing landscapes with year-round structure and color.
Hardiness | 2 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 20' - 25' (6.1m - 7.6m) |
Spread | 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Douglas Fir, stands tall with a pyramidal shape, becoming more conical over time. Its deep green needles, fragrant when crushed, pair with distinctive brown cones that resemble Christmas decorations. Adapting with age, its bark transitions from smooth to rugged. A native to western North America, it’s a key timber source and popular Christmas tree, ideal as a specimen or for screening.
Hardiness | 5 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 40' - 80' (12.2m - 24.4m) |
Spread | 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m) |
Prunus laurocerasus, commonly known as Cherry Laurel, is a versatile evergreen shrub or tree. It features glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers in spring. This plant thrives in various soil types and is often used for hedges, screens, or as a foundation plant. It’s hardy and low-maintenance.
Hardiness | 6 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
Height | 15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m) |
Spread | 15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m) |
Picea abies, the Norway Spruce, is a striking, fast-growing conifer with a dense, pyramidal form and distinctive pendulous branches. Its dark green, glossy needles adorn the branches, complemented by long, light brown cones. Valued both for its economic and ecological benefits in Europe, it’s a popular Christmas tree and landscaping choice, favored for its rapid growth and adaptability. Ideal as a windbreak, it thrives under diverse conditions.
Hardiness | 3 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 40' - 60' (12.2m - 18.3m) |
Spread | 25' - 30' (7.6m - 9.1m) |
Prunus lusitanica (Portugal Laurel) is a beautiful evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Iberian Peninsula. It features glossy dark green leaves, deep rhubarb-colored stems, and fragrant white flowers in late spring. The flowers give way to small red cherries that turn dark purple in fall, attracting birds. Ideal for hedges, screens, and windbreaks.
Hardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
Spread | 10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m) |
Pinus sylvestris, or Scots Pine, matures into a picturesque evergreen with a unique shape, transitioning from conical to a high-branched form with a distinct canopy. Its twisted, glaucous blue-green needles darken in winter, complementing backward-pointing cones. With striking, orange-red bark, it’s a holiday favorite, widely chosen for its durability, adaptability, and pollution tolerance, perfect for screens and windbreaks.
Hardiness | 3 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 30' - 60' (9.1m - 18.3m) |
Spread | 30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m) |
Abies koreana, commonly known as Korean fir, is a compact and pyramidal evergreen conifer that is native to the mountainous regions of South Korea. It’s admired for its dense arrangement of glossy, dark green needles, which reveal striking silver undersides. Most notable are its striking, violet-blue cones that contrast beautifully with the foliage, making it an exceptional ornamental tree in landscapes and gardens.
Hardiness | 5 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m) |
Spread | 6' - 12' (180cm - 3.7m) |
Thuja ‘Green Giant’, also known as Green Giant Arborvitae, is a fast-growing evergreen with a tall, pyramidal shape and dense, vibrant green foliage. Reaching 40-60 feet high (12-18 meters) and 12-18 feet wide (3.6-5.4 meters), it’s ideal for privacy screens and windbreaks. Hardy in USDA zones 5-8, it’s adaptable and requires minimal maintenance, making it a popular choice for large-scale landscaping.
Hardiness | 5 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 40' - 60' (12.2m - 18.3m) |
Spread | 12' - 18' (3.7m - 5.5m) |
Incredibly popular, Picea glauca var. albertiana ‘Conica’ (White Spruce) is a dense, cone-shaped, dwarf evergreen conifer with perfectly uniform branching. Emerging light green, its fine needles turn to blue-green as they mature. A slow grower, 4 in. per year (10 cm), this Dwarf White Spruce makes a glorious accent in a mixed border and is perfect in any garden settings. Great for topiaries too.
Hardiness | 2 - 6 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 3' - 13' (90cm - 4m) |
Spread | 2' - 10' (60cm - 3m) |
Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’, the Irish Yew, stands out as a world-renowned, dense evergreen with a striking columnar shape that broadens with age. Its dark green needles, arranged radially on stiff branches, highlight coral-red seed-bearing cones. Growing moderately, it adds year-round structure and serves as an elegant landscape highlight, ideal as a specimen or for hedges and foundations.
Hardiness | 7 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Shrubs |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
Height | 4' - 30' (120cm - 9.1m) |
Spread | 2' - 8' (60cm - 240cm) |
Taxus × media ‘Hicksii’ (Anglo-Japanese Yew) is a dense, evergreen shrub of narrowly columnar habit when young, becoming wider with age, with long, erect branches clothed in glossy dark green needles. It is available in both male and female types, the female ones producing a profusion of conspicuous, coral-red seed-bearing cones. Slow-growing, 4-5 in. per year (10-12 cm), this Yew is very popular for use as a hedgerow or topiary subject.
Hardiness | 4 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Shrubs |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
Height | 12' - 20' (3.7m - 6.1m) |
Spread | 8' - 12' (240cm - 3.7m) |
Pinus strobus, or Eastern White Pine, is a fast-growing, majestic evergreen with a youthful pyramidal shape evolving into a broad, tiered crown. Its soft, bluish-green needles form feathery tufts, complemented by long, slender brown cones. Esteemed as Maine’s state tree, it thrives in various conditions, providing shelter and sustenance to wildlife. Notable for its rapid growth and tolerance to environmental stress, it’s an ideal specimen tree, though susceptible to white pine blister rust, necessitating caution with nearby Ribes plantings.
Hardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 50' - 80' (15.2m - 24.4m) |
Spread | 20' - 40' (6.1m - 12.2m) |
Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree) is a charming, evergreen shrub or small tree with four-season interest. It bears drooping clusters of fragrant, white flowers in fall, followed by round fruits that ripen from yellow to red over a year. The tree’s gray-brown bark peels to reveal a beautiful cinnamon-colored inner layer.
Hardiness | 7 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 6' - 15' (180cm - 4.6m) |
Spread | 6' - 15' (180cm - 4.6m) |
Ilex opaca (American Holly) is a dense, pyramidal evergreen tree with stiff branches and dark green, spine-tipped leaves. Dioecious, it bears small greenish-white spring flowers, leading to bright red berries on female trees, if pollinated. Perfect for year-round interest, it’s ideal as a specimen, hedge, or in groupings, with fruiting branches popular for Christmas decorations. Both male and female plants are necessary for berry production.
Hardiness | 5 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant type | Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m) |
Spread | 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m) |
Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus, or Fragrant Olive, is a hardy evergreen shrub or small tree with an upright, dense habit. Celebrated for its intensely apricot-scented, bright tangerine blooms in fall, it fills the air with fragrance. Lustrous, dark green leaves remain vibrant all year, making it ideal for hedges, screens, and as a specimen. Slow-growing and low-maintenance, it’s also suitable for container gardening, adding aromatic allure to any setting.
Hardiness | 7 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m) |
Spread | 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
Ilex crenata, or Japanese Holly, is a versatile, slow-growing evergreen with shiny, wavy-toothed leaves similar to boxwood but hardier and more disease-resistant. It bears small white flowers and black fruits. Its form varies from a dense shrub to an upright tree, ideal for foundation planting, massing, and hedges.
Hardiness | 5 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 4' - 10' (120cm - 3m) |
Spread | 4' - 10' (120cm - 3m) |
Abies concolor, also known as White Fir or Concolor Fir, is an evergreen conifer native to western North America. It is renowned for its attractive, bluish-green needle-like foliage and its tall, straight stature. Esteemed for its adaptability, it serves as an excellent specimen tree in landscapes and is also widely used as a Christmas tree.
Hardiness | 4 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 40' - 70' (12.2m - 21.3m) |
Spread | 20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’, or Nootka Cypress, is a majestic, medium-sized, evergreen conifer with an extremely narrow form. It features weeping branches that bear blue-gray-green foliage, resembling long trailing curtains. Fast-growing, it can add 20 inches annually, making it an excellent, year-round specimen, particularly suitable for small gardens.
Hardiness | 4 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 18' - 35' (5.5m - 10.7m) |
Spread | 2' - 5' (60cm - 150cm) |
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Aurea’, the Nootka Cypress, is a striking evergreen conifer with a slender, pyramidal shape and drooping golden foliage. Initially lemon-yellow in spring, it transitions to yellow-green, adding vibrant color to the landscape. Fast-growing in optimal conditions, it can increase in size by over a foot annually. This elegant tree is a year-round delight, serving as an outstanding specimen conifer.
Hardiness | 4 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 8' - 15' (240cm - 4.6m) |
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Glauca’, or Nootka Cypress, is an incredibly beautiful, tall evergreen conifer. It forms a dense, conical shape with graceful, soft blue-green foliage. In summer, its blue tips contrast with the rest of the foliage, creating a stunning visual effect. Prolific in seed cone production from a young age, this fast-growing variety can add over 12 inches (30 cm) in height and width annually. A year-round delight, this stately Nootka Cypress serves as an excellent specimen conifer, adding elegance and visual interest to any landscape.
Hardiness | 4 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m) |
Spread | 6' - 15' (180cm - 4.6m) |
Highly decorative, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Ellwoodii’ (Lawson Cypress) is an upright, evergreen shrub of dense columnar habit with short sprays of soft feathery, silver-blue foliage, turning steel-blue in winter. Slow-growing, 1-6 in. (2.5-15 cm) per year. Very versatile, it is a popular choice in a number of gardens. Adding year-round structure, it makes a wonderful specimen plant, adds vertical accent lines to the landscape, and is perfect for hedges and screens.
Hardiness | 5 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Shrubs |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 13' - 20' (4m - 6.1m) |
Spread | 5' - 8' (150cm - 240cm) |
Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’, a Chinese Juniper cultivar, is known for its dense, fast-growing, upright columnar form. It features rich green, needle-like foliage and is ideal for screens, hedges, or as a striking specimen plant in landscapes.
Hardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m) |
Spread | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
Laurus nobilis, or Bay Laurel, revered since Roman times, is a slow-growing, evergreen with a dense, pyramidal-oval form. Celebrated for its aromatic, leathery leaves used in culinary arts, it remains lush year-round. Spring brings clusters of pale greenish-yellow flowers, leading to glossy berries on female plants. Ideal for topiary, hedges, or container gardening, Bay Laurel is a timeless addition to the herb garden.
Hardiness | 8 - 11 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 12' - 40' (3.7m - 12.2m) |
Spread | 12' - 40' (3.7m - 12.2m) |
Thuja occidentalis ‘Brabant’ is a fast-growing Arborvitae cultivar, valued for its dense, bright green foliage and conical shape. It reaches 12-15 feet in height (3.6 to 4.5 meters) and 8-10 feet in width (2.4 to 3 meters), making it ideal for privacy screens and hedges. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7, Brabant thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to various soils, offering a low-maintenance, year-round landscape solution.
Hardiness | 3 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 12' - 15' (3.7m - 4.6m) |
Spread | 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m) |
Thuja occidentalis Sting™ is a compact, evergreen conifer prized for its dense, vibrant green foliage and narrowly pyramidal shape. Growing to about 15-20 feet tall (4.5 to 6 meters) and 12-18 inches wide (30-45 cm), it’s perfect for creating privacy screens and hedges in small spaces. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, Sting™ thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to various soils, offering a low-maintenance, visually appealing landscape option.
Hardiness | 3 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Thuja occidentalis ‘American Pillar’ is a fast-growing, columnar arborvitae, reaching 20-30 feet tall (6-9 meters) and 3-5 feet wide (90-150 cm). Ideal for privacy screens and narrow spaces, it features dense, rich green foliage. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to various soils, offering a low-maintenance, evergreen landscape solution.
Hardiness | 3 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
Spread | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Regarded as the bluest of the Lawson Cypress cultivars, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Pembury Blue’ is a majestic, evergreen conifer forming a medium-sized, broadly conical tree. Its elegant, pendulous sprays of bright silvery-blue foliage scream for attention all year long. It is of moderate growth, 6-12 in. (15-30 cm) per year. A popular choice in a number of gardens, this cultivar is ideal for providing a year-round structure. It makes a wonderful specimen plant, adds accent vertical lines to the landscape, and is perfect for hedges and screens.
Hardiness | 5 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m) |
Spread | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
Cupressus arizonica (Arizona Cypress), a resilient and attractive conifer, is known for its blue-green foliage and conical shape. It thrives in arid climates, making it ideal for xeriscaping. It is commonly used for privacy screens, windbreaks, and ornamental purposes, valued for its drought tolerance and distinctive, aromatic wood.
Hardiness | 7 - 11 |
---|---|
Plant type | Conifers, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Height | 40' - 60' (12.2m - 18.3m) |
Spread | 15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m) |
Ilex vomitoria, known as Yaupon, is a striking, slow-growing evergreen with glossy, dark green leaves. This dioecious plant blooms with greenish-white flowers in spring, leading to bright red berries on female plants that persist into winter, adorning the landscape and feeding birds and mammals. Native Americans brewed its caffeinated leaves into a ceremonial tea. Ideal for hedges or year-round interest, Yaupon’s fruiting branches are also favored as Christmas decorations, requiring both male and female plants for berry production.
Hardiness | 7 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m) |
Spread | 8' - 12' (240cm - 3.7m) |
Morella cerifera, or Southern Wax Myrtle, is a fast-growing evergreen with aromatic, olive green leaves and a bayberry scent when crushed. Spring brings fragrant, inconspicuous flowers, leading to waxy, blue berries on female plants, feeding birds through winter. Ideal for screens, hedges, or coastal areas, it’s valued for its foliage, berries, and salt tolerance. Dioecious, requiring male plants for berry production, its berries historically served in candle and soap making.
Hardiness | 7 - 11 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m) |
Spread | 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m) |
Morella californica, known as Pacific Wax Myrtle, is a moderately fast-growing, evergreen shrub with aromatic, glossy, dark-green leaves. Its inconspicuous flowers bloom in spring, leading to showy, dark purple berries that attract a variety of birds. Ideal for both formal and naturalistic settings, it thrives with minimal care, offering ornamental appeal with its dense foliage and berries. Perfect for hedges, screens, or as a specimen, especially in coastal gardens for its salt tolerance.
Hardiness | 7 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 10' - 30' (3m - 9.1m) |
Spread | 10' - 30' (3m - 9.1m) |
Podocarpus macrophyllus Mood Ring® (Chinese Podocarpus) is a densely compact evergreen shrub or small tree of narrow, upright habit, with leathery, lustrous dark green leaves. The foliage emerges a beautiful bronze-red color in spring and fall, creating a stunning display. Mood Ring requires very little care, is pest and disease resistant, and adds year-round interest in the landscape. It is perfect as an accent or used as a hedge, in containers or mass plantings.
Hardiness | 7 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m) |
Spread | 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm) |
Viburnum odoratissimum, commonly known as Sweet Viburnum, is an evergreen shrub native to Asia. It features fragrant white flowers, glossy leaves, and red-to-black berries. Ideal for hedging and screens, this hardy plant is deer-resistant and attracts wildlife.
Hardiness | 8 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Height | 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m) |
Spread | 15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m) |
Choosing and buying an evergreen tree for privacy involves several key considerations to ensure that your garden benefits from year-round greenery and seclusion. Here are essential steps to guide your selection:
Emerald cedar evergreen trees (Thuja occidentals ‘Smaragd’), provide year round privacy along a driveway.
What is the most beautiful evergreen tree?
The “most beautiful” evergreen tree often depends on personal taste and the specific landscape, but the Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is frequently celebrated for its stunning silvery-blue needles and classic conical shape, making it a visually striking choice for many gardeners.
What is the easiest evergreen tree to grow?
The Arborvitae (Thuja spp.) is known as one of the easiest evergreen trees to grow. It’s hardy, adaptable to a range of soil types, requires minimal care once established, and provides dense foliage that’s perfect for privacy screens.
What is the best evergreen tree to block neighbors?
For blocking views from neighbors, the Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) is highly recommended. It grows quickly, has a dense habit, and can reach significant heights, offering an effective natural barrier for privacy.
What is the best evergreen to plant near a house?
When planting near a house, the Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) is an excellent evergreen option due to its moderate growth rate and manageable size, reducing the risk of damage to foundations. Its small, dense leaves and the ability to be shaped make it ideal for foundation plantings or as a decorative element in the landscape.
Flowering trees, with their breathtaking blooms, are essential for any garden seeking vibrancy and allure. Choices range from the majestic Magnolia to the graceful Dogwood, vibrant Crepe Myrtle, or stunning Jacaranda, each offering unique colors, scents, and textures. These natural beauties provide not just aesthetic appeal but also support local ecosystems and wildlife.
Opt for small trees to transform tiny gardens into lush havens. Choose from varieties like Japanese Maple for fiery fall colors, Crabapple for spring blossoms, or Witch Hazel for winter blooms. These compact trees offer year-round beauty, from vibrant foliage to unique forms, making every small space a botanical delight.
Create a garden that commands attention throughout the year by selecting trees that excite interest month after month and provide a ravishing show throughout all four seasons.
For stunning fall color, consider planting Sugar Maples for vibrant oranges and reds, Birch trees for bright yellows, and Red Oaks for deep red hues. Dogwoods offer a mix of purples and reds, while Ginkgoes light up landscapes with bold yellows, creating a breathtaking autumn display in any garden.
Planting an oak tree offers numerous benefits: it provides a vital habitat and food source for wildlife, significantly sequesters carbon to combat climate change, improves air quality by filtering pollutants, enriches soil health through its leaf litter, and aids in water conservation with its extensive root system.
Crafting an enchanting hedge in your garden is a rewarding endeavor. Hedges serve as living boundaries, offering privacy, beauty, and structure. Explore a world of possibilities with various shrubs, each contributing its unique charm to create the hedge that suits your landscape vision.
Native shrubs for shade offer a natural, low-maintenance solution to beautify shaded garden areas. They thrive with minimal care, support local wildlife, and maintain ecological balance. Ideal for under tree canopies or north-facing gardens, these shrubs add color, texture, and year-round interest while fostering a healthy, biodiverse landscape.
Enhance your garden with flowering shrubs that love the sun! These vibrant, sun-loving plants bring color, fragrance, and life, even in the brightest spots. Ideal for creating dynamic landscapes, they offer varied blooms and sizes, perfect for any garden seeking a burst of color and natural beauty.
To attract butterflies to your garden, plant a variety of nectar-rich flowers and host plants for caterpillars. Choose colorful, fragrant blooms and include native species. Provide sunny, sheltered spots for basking, along with a water source. Avoid pesticides to ensure a safe habitat for these delicate, pollinating insects.
Begin your journey to growing majestic oaks by following these steps: Select healthy acorns, perform a viability water test, stratify those that need dormancy in a refrigerator, plant in well-draining soil at the correct depth, ensure ample sunlight and water, and protect young saplings from wildlife and environmental stressors.
Native oak trees are the crown jewels of any landscape, offering enduring beauty, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem support. With their majestic stature and vibrant foliage, they stand as living monuments, connecting past and present while enriching your outdoor space with their timeless grace and ecological significance.
Some trees and shrubs display beautiful fruits in late summer or fall, which persist into winter. In a glorious display of crimson, orange, yellow or even purple, their attractive berries adorn their branches in eye-catching bouquets, which gleam like jewels in the soft sunlight.
Dogwood trees and shrubs offer a diverse array of choices for gardeners. Popular varieties include the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) with its iconic white or pink blooms, the kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) known for its late-spring flowering, and the red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) prized for its vibrant red branches in winter.
Select a ficus species that suits your indoor lighting; place in bright, indirect light. Water moderately, allowing soil to dry between waterings. Maintain consistent temperature and humidity. Fertilize seasonally. Watch for pests and diseases. Prune occasionally to maintain shape and promote healthy growth. Enjoy your thriving indoor ficus tree!
Most Cypress trees are evergreen conifers in the Cupressaceae family, prized for their needle-like foliage and woody, acorn-shaped cones. They vary in size and shape, thriving in diverse climates. Cypress wood is prized for its durability and rot resistance, making these trees valuable for both ecological and landscaping purposes.
Discover the top palm tree varieties ideal for home gardeners. From towering majesties to compact beauties, these palms offer a range of sizes and styles, perfect for enhancing any garden. Embrace their tropical allure and transform your outdoor space into an exotic paradise with these perfect picks.
Betula, commonly known as birch trees, encompass various species admired for their elegant, peeling bark and delicate leaves. Native to many parts of the world, they thrive in diverse landscapes, offering ornamental value and habitat for wildlife. Notable species include Betula pendula (silver birch) and Betula nigra (river birch).
Despite the myth that orchids are fussy and difficult to grow, many orchids are not as delicate as most people think. They can adapt to the temperatures and light conditions found on the average home windowsill and be rewarding indoor plants. Many orchids are winter bloomers, which makes them even more desirable as houseplants.
From roses to sunflowers and daisies to tulips, learn about the types of flowers and their unique characteristics.
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!