Winter Wonderlands Are Possible With These Evergreens.
January is an interesting time of the year when the days start to grow longer again and most people start returning to their outdoor activities even though it can be quite cold with freezing winter weather. Evergreen trees which keep their green, full-bodied foliage all year help encourage people to get back to their outdoorsy ways by providing beauty in the bleak, barren winter landscape along with many other benefits.
Why Evergreens Are Great In Winter Landscapes
This is probably the most obvious reason why evergreens are great to have in the winter, but nonetheless they’re beautiful. When deciduous plants enter dormancy they drop their leaves, and the only thing that’s left are brown trunks and branches that seem to blend into the countryside to be forgotten until spring.
Evergreens don’t take a break; they keep their green foliage all year, adding vibrant hues to the winter scenery. They’re breathtaking as they pop against brown barren trees, and as snow layers on top of their branches, turning desolate winter landscapes into magical winter wonderlands.
Plus, evergreens are built for the cold. They will survive in frigid conditions up north the deciduous trees can’t handle.
If you don’t enjoy winter wonderlands, and have had it with snow then evergreens can help. If planted in rows their foliage grows together to create a thick living wall that prevents old man winter from penetrating it. Evergreen walls act has windscreens and can stop cold winter winds from blowing into your yard and against your home, keeping it warmer.
Cold winds can harm younger plants, so placing evergreens to stop the harsh winds from hitting them is a great method of preventative care so the young plants can become properly established and thrive.
Along with stopping chilly winds, a row of evergreens can also stop snow from blowing into your yard. Use them to line your driveway, to prevent snow from piling up on it. Imagine the time you’ll save by not having to shovel snow away because your attractive evergreens stopped it from blowing in.
We aren’t the only ones who need protection from the ice and frigid temperatures. There are a number of smaller animals that need shelter too. Birds, rabbits, squirrels and more coexist happily in evergreens, without harming them. The thick foliage creates a warm and cozy get away for birds to relax and nest in. If you and your pets enjoy watching wildlife from the window then evergreens are a must.
Plus some evergreens produce berries, like junipers and hollies. This is great because the berries are a food source for hungry critters while food is scarce during the colder months. While birds nest they will also be happy and full.
You can let your low maintenance evergreens sit there and do their thing or you can get crafty. Branches with red berries are perfect for clipping and bringing indoors for decorations. A few branches on the mantel or in a vase for a tabletop centerpiece are great. You can use evergreen branches to frame windows, hang from light fixtures and to even make wreaths. As an added bonus, the fragrant branches naturally sweeten the air in homes, giving rooms a fresh and crisp scent.
The pinecones from evergreens can also be utilized for stunning home décor. They range in sizes from big to small and can be placed almost anywhere. Hang them from fixtures with string, add them to your wreaths, paint them to give them a snow covered look, and more. Even use them to get a fire started.
Wait fire? Yes, but be careful. If you forget to purchase starter logs from the store, pinecones can be used to get fires up and going in the fireplace or fire pit outside. They are a great back up tool to get warm fires going during freezing winter nights.
The Top Winter Evergreens
To give you a good idea of which evergreens are the best for standing up against snow and freezing conditions we’ve put together a list of the most cold hardy evergreens.
1. The Emerald Green Thuja
If you want a vibrant evergreen, with glowing green foliage then consider the Emerald Green Thuja. Its emerald hue causes it to stand out against the pack and looks stunning all year, but they look especially great once snow graces their branches.
Emerald Green Thujas are recommended for growing zones 3 through 8 and can survive temperatures down to -40 degrees. They scoff at even the toughest winter storms.
By only growing about 8 to 12 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide they’re perfect for tight spaces. If you don’t have much room for new garden plants, then this space saving tree is the optimal choice for your landscape.
2. Hetz Midget Thuja
Not all evergreens have to be big to make a difference. Hetz Midget
Thujas are amazing bushes to have around because their soft yet thick green foliage gives them a perfect rounded shape and textured look. Most people have uniform boxwoods, but Hetz Midget Thujas allows gardeners to be unique and different.
If used to frame the home as a foundation plant Hetz Midget Thujas will insulate it. Their thick foliage will hold heat in during the winter, and cool air in during the summer, which will help to cut down on heating and cooling bills.
Hetz Midget Thujas are recommended for growing zones 2 through 7 and will thrive in tundra-like areas. This bush is a great option for those who want their homes to look great all year with green foundation plants, even if the area has harsh winter conditions.
3. The Colorado Blue Spruce
Evergreens are of course, green, but there are slight variances in shades of color among different tree varieties. The Colorado blue spruce for example, has a dusty blue shade. Its foliage stands out as the perfect backdrop for fall color to pop against in the autumn, and the spring flowers to shine against during the warmer months even though it steals attention with its shimmering blue foliage.
This is the tree to make a big statement in your landscape with because it reaches heights between 30 to 50 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide. If you have a large space to cover they will get the job done. Plus, their size makes them the perfect choice for a privacy hedge because they’re tall enough to block the neighbor’s view of your home. Even the upstairs windows will be protected from wandering eyes.
Colorado Blue Spruces will take off in growing zones 2 to 7 and quickly become established. Their dense foliage stands up to snow, ice, freezing temperatures and everything else winter has to throw at it.
4. The Weeping Hemlock ‘Sargents’
When most people think about evergreen trees they think about a tree that stands upright like a classic Christmas tree. The Weeping Hemlock ‘Sargents’ is here to blow that stereotype out of the water because instead of growing upright they arch over. They have long cascading branches that brush the ground.
They have a shape similar to weeping willows, but they are covered with needle like foliage. Also, weeping willows drop their leaves in the fall while Weeping Hemlock ‘Sargents’ keep their foliage all year.
This tree will stand out in your landscape with its unique shape. Your neighbors will be amazed because they have probably never seen a beautiful weeping evergreen before. Then when ice and snow cover the arching branches the tree becomes even more stunning.
Weeping Hemlock ‘Sargents’ grow to about 10 to 15 feet tall and 15 to 30 feet wide, so they’re an excellent option for border plantings as well as privacy screens. With the ability to flourish in growing zones 4 through 8 they are able to stick it to old man winter.
Spring Is Coming
Bright evergreens let us know that soon the cold winter will pass, especially as the days grow longer again. Keep your landscape warm, beautiful, and inviting with beneficial evergreens that will provide beauty for onlookers as well as shelter, food and warmth for smaller outdoor critters.
As a gardener and plant enthusiast I’ve loved growing trees and shrubs my entire life. Unknown to most, there are always new faster fruiting and double blooming plant hybrids emerging on the scene. I often feel the need to share my plant knowledge and new trends with the growing gardening community through my blog!
Originally published at www.fast-growing-trees.com on January 20, 2016.
