Evergreens

Here at Green Mile we often get asked to recommend evergreen trees for garden positions. Usually its because people want to screen an eyesore all year round, or they want privacy and seclusion during winter as well as summer. Whatever the reason, here are a few that we have found to be successful.

Hollies. There are some great varieties of holly to choose from. European types are not fussy about soil or aspect, and perform well if given a good start (see notes on Planting and Aftercare), even in industrial areas. There’s a really good selection of types with variegated foliage, and with care a good show of berries can be had. Plants can be pruned simply to give the required effect. Some are grown as trees, with a clear stem, topped by a bushy head, while more usually hollies are grown as shrubs with thick foliage down to ground level. There are good varieties without the prickly leaves normally associated with holly.

Privet. Although commonly grown as a hedge, privet makes a substantial small tree if it is allowed to grow up. It is certainly a tough subject, and can thrive under nearly all conditions. It can be pruned simply, to give the required shape. We have some standard trees, with a clear trunk topped by a neat head, ideal for screening a view without obscuring nearer areas. If left unpruned, or only lightly trimmed, mops of white flowers are born in profusion in summer, followed by dark fruits later (which can be harmful if eaten).

Laurel or Cherry Laurel. This is another really useful evergreen, hardy and tolerant of shade, sun, drought etc. The large glossy leaves make it a popular choice for screening, but it is also attractive in its own right, with prominent candles of white flowers in spring if it is not pruned back. Laurel is tolerant of industrial air pollution and nearly all aspects and soil types.

Portugal Laurel. This tolerates nearly all soil conditions, including shallow chalk, and is very hardy. Again, this subject is often kept in check by pruning, but develops into a large shrub or small to medium tree if allowed to grow naturally. The dark glossy leaves are set off by reddish leaf stalks, and there are long spikes of fragrant flowers in summer. A firm favourite.

Photinia Red Robin. A vigorous evergreen shrub, this can be trained to make a small tree. It is hardy and tolerant of a wide range of sites and conditions. The young growth has a spectacular red flush, followed by bunches of white flowers if the stems are not pruned or trimmed to shape. It makes a really good screening plant, or a specimen in its own right. We always have really nice standard plants with a 2 meter stem which makes a great ‘hedge on stilts’.

Magnolia Grandiflora. A magnificent choice for an evergreen. The ones at Green Mile have survived what the winter threw at us without a problem, given a sunny aspect with some shelter. The big glossy leaves are a good foil for the splendid large white flowers produced in the summertime. Tolerates lime but repays good growing conditions with wonderful growth.

Holm Oak. Apart from some conifers, this is about the largest evergreen tree commonly grown in Britain, although it can be pruned to form a tough shelterbelt. The medium sized leaves are leathery, and grey-green underneath, glossy above. On older trees the bark becomes rough and fissured, and acorns will be produced in abundance.

Conifers. There are hundreds of attractive types of conifers in cultivation, and many of them are excellent for screening. Here are a few examples. Leyland Cypress, both green and gold, are well-known and need little introduction: fast-growing, and not fussy of site or conditions. Western Red Cedar is a superb screening evergreen, with attractive, scented foliage, and cinnamon-red bark. English Yew is one of the few native conifers, slow-growing but a wonderful screen. We also stock a range of Pines and Spruces, superb trees in the right location.

Semi-Evergreens

These trees hang on to their leaves well into winter, and if temperatures do not drop too far they will in fact retain them throughout. So depending on the weather they will do the job for the great majority of the time.

Cotoneaster Cornubia. A most attractive plant that eventually makes a small to medium sized tree. The oval leaves are an attractive mid-green, and set off the profuse white flowers in early summer; these are followed by equally abundant bright red berries that weigh down the branches. Not fussy about site or soil.

Crataegus lavallei. All the hawthorns are tough, and this hybrid is no exception. The leaves are a good deep green, and hang on well into winter, setting off the prominent red berries, which develop from the clusters of white flowers in early summer. The tree does not get too big, forming a compact head.

Pyrus Chanticleer. This is an excellent ornamental subject, with a fine upright head. White flowers are produced in profusion in spring. The bright green leaves persist well into winter. Often planted in streets, and a firm favourite with many tree lovers.

Buxus sempervirens. Common Box is a familiar shrub or small tree, slow growing, with attractive small glossy evergreen leaves. It is tolerant of shade and a wide range of soils. It thrives on pruning, and is frequently used as a topiary subject. It just sailed through the bitter weather at the end of 2010.

We also supply some plants which have survived the British Winter for years, but succumbed this last time. How to respond? There are some great subjects which really enhance the garden, but it IS a gamble. So, Ask yourself one question: Do ya feel lucky? If so, here are a couple of suggestions:

Eucalyptus gunnii. A magnificent tree for the right site. It gets big if not pruned. The adult leaves are silvery-green, and the bark is attractively coloured. Survived for years round these parts, but this winter took its toll.

Olea europaea. A familiar sight in southern Europe, olives struggled here last December, with many not surviving or being severely cut back, in contrast to previous years when they have done well. With a bit of shelter it should be possible for them to thrive.

Our Trees

Our Nursery

Evergreens

Semi-Evergreens

We also supply some plants which have survived the British Winter for years, but succumbed this last time. How to respond? There are some great subjects which really enhance the garden, but it IS a gamble. So, Ask yourself one question: Do ya feel lucky? If so, here are a couple of suggestions:

If you are interested in buying evergreen trees, please contact Christopher Scott on 01777 702422 or email christopherscott@greenmiletrees.co.uk.