Identifying Different Types of Evergreen Shrubs

Evergreen shrubs are plants that retain their foliage and remain green the year-round. They differ from the evergreen trees by their limited height (of about 5 meters) and multiple number of stems. Evergreen shrubs are used in gardening for several purposes; for e.g. flowering evergreen shrubs are used as ornamentals, whereas creeping shrubs are used as ground covers.

Types of Evergreen Shrubs

There are many types of evergreen shrubs; some shrubs produce flowers, whereas others are non-flowering species. They may also differ in terms of their leaf size and shape, for e.g. broad-leaf and narrow-leaf evergreen shrubs. Here are some of the popular evergreen shrubs that are commonly used in landscaping.

• Junipers - Junipers are popular evergreen shrubs that are used either for creating privacy hedges or as borders for property. There are many varieties of junipers, their height ranging from one foot to 15 feet. If you feel sharp spines while touching the plant canopy, then the plant is probably a juniper.
• Yews - Yews are evergreen shrubs with soft needle-shape foliages, used for serving as privacy hedges and screens. The size and growth form of the yew shrub depend on the species type. Since they are highly adaptive and shade tolerant, they are also used in indoor gardening. While taking care of the plant, make sure the soil is not waterlogged.
• Arborvitae - Arborvitae are used as screens or hedges. The foliage are somewhat scale-like and may exhibit different colors as per the species. The growth pattern is either pyramidal or flattened. Both dwarf and tall varieties (40-50 feet high) of arborvitae are available.

Well! These are some of the common evergreen shrubs. There are other dwarf varieties of evergreen trees such as pine, fir and spruce. Various evergreen shrubs have medicinal properties and are used as herbal medicines. For example, rosemary leaves are used for strengthening the heart and improving memory. Rosemary is a popular evergreen shrub, planted in herb gardens.

Identifying Evergreen Shrubs

Evergreen shrubs show certain characteristics. It is a fact that all evergreen shrubs lose some of their foliage, every year. Here are some of the tips that can be used for identifying evergreen shrubs.

• Most evergreen shrubs grow better in sunny areas. If you are growing flowering evergreen shrubs, then the plants should be exposed to maximum light in the blooming season.
• Evergreen shrubs with broad leaves thrive well in conditions, where they are protected from harsh winds, winter sun and cold. They require consistent soil moisture for optimum growth.
• While planting evergreen shrubs, make sure you leave enough space between two saplings. They expand about one feet per year. It is to be remembered that evergreen shrubs are wider at the base than at the top.
• Evergreen shrubs increase in size every year, if they are grown in favorable plant growth conditions. The size of the plant can be maintained by pruning. In case of the flowering evergreen shrubs, pruning should be done after they bloom.

You can choose from a variety of evergreen shrubs, depending upon the soil, area availability and landscape plan. If you have limited area, you can use those evergreen shrubs that spread minimally, for e.g. upright junipers and emerald green arborvitae. For creating butterfly gardens, flowering evergreen shrubs that have rich fragrances can be used. Since evergreen shrubs are tolerant to pruning and can be shaped and designed, they are also used for creating bonsai and for indoor gardening.