Evergreen Plant Info: What Does Evergreen Mean Anyway

The process of planning and choosing landscape plantings can be quite the undertaking. New homeowners or those wishing to refresh their home garden borders have endless options in terms of what plants can be used to enhance the appeal of their homes. While gardeners living in frost-free growing regions are able to enjoy color and lush foliage year round, growers in colder regions often find themselves looking for new and exciting ways to add visual interest to their yards throughout the winter growing season.

One way this can be done is through the incorporation of evergreen plants, shrubs, and trees. But exactly what is an evergreen plant? Let’s learn more.

Evergreen Plant Info

What does evergreen mean exactly and what is an evergreen plant? Generally speaking, evergreen plants and trees are those which do not lose their leaves at the onset of cold weather. Unlike deciduous trees, evergreen trees do not drop their leaves, and they remain colorful (green or otherwise) throughout the entirety of the winter growing season. Common types of evergreen trees include native cedar and fir trees. Though many people think of conifers, there are also many broadleaf evergreens.

Year-round green color within the garden is not limited to trees. Many low growing perennial plants and shrubs are also evergreen in nature. Depending upon the hardiness of the plant, many gardeners are able to plan flower gardens that maintain foliage throughout the cold portions of the year. Evergreen ferns are just one example of plants that thrive in harsh winter conditions.

Evergreen plants are especially helpful to gardeners who want to create year-round buffers within their landscapes. Evergreen trees are ideal candidates for privacy screens, as well as a way to block strong winter winds.

Evergreen Plant Care

In general, growing evergreens is relatively simple. Many evergreen plants for the garden require little care, aside from the selection of a well-draining planting site and routine fertilization.

As with any plant within the garden, it is important to first research the plants’ needs and growing requirements. This is especially vital when choosing to grow evergreen plants, as dry winter temperatures, strong winds, snow fall, and intense sunlight may cause potential damage to vulnerable and susceptible plants.