Evergreen & hardy shrubs for the garden

Shrubs that never lose their foliage add color to the garden even in winter. But which shrubs and woody plants bring these properties with them?

Evergreen plants have dense foliage all year round. The durability of their leaves varies from several months to several decades (for example in the long-lived pine). With a short lifespan of the foliage, the leaves are constantly renewed. The exchange of leaves is hardly noticed. The best time to plant evergreen shrubs is from August to September. This allows the plants to root well before winter.

Hardy plants brave the winter. However, you should always pay attention to the sub-zero temperatures and wear winter protection in very cold temperatures. Especially very young plants still need protection in their first winter. Here you can prevent frost damage with ground-covering fleece. Some of these hardy plants even start flowering in winter, such as witch hazel or snowball.

These products protect your plants from frost:

• Thermal garden fleece: Optimal to protect your plants from cold and frost in winter. Can be cut individually.
• Jute sack/blanket: Reliable protection against cold and frost made from 100% jute. Decorative natural fabric with a long service life.
• coconut mat: Excellent thermal retention made of natural fiber. Breathable, weather-resistant and durable.

1. boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is popular as an evergreen border for beds, as a hedge maze, or even to create living sculptures. It can find a place anywhere in the garden.

2. Trees of Life (Thuja)

If one from the tree of life (Thuja) speaks, then various cypress plants (Cupressaceae) meant. Thuja hedges are particularly wind-resistant and frost-hardy. They grow very quickly and are absolutely opaque.

3. Small-leaved periwinkle (Vinca minor)

A very popular evergreen groundcover is the small-leaved periwinkle (Vinca minor). As a semi-shrub, it only grows to a height of 20 centimeters and is ideal as a decorative underplanting for trees. It shows its blue-purple or white flowers from March to September.

4. cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

the cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) can reach a height of up to three meters. It has a very dense, fast growth. Its leaves are shiny, leathery and dark green. The pea-sized berries first shine red and later black. Their fruit ripening is in August or September. The fruit contains seeds that are poisonous, so care should be taken. And a toxin contained in the leaf can also be released by chewing it. The consequences are vomiting and severe breathing problems.

5. bamboo (Bamboooideae)

An evergreen sweet grass has been conquering our home gardens for several years: the bamboo (Bamboooideae). It is non-toxic and green even in normal, cold winters. In spring, a small portion of the leaves are shed when the next leaves come through. It is particularly suitable as a privacy screen or as a border for the garden pond. Large varieties can reach a height of up to five meters. It is also quite resistant to diseases and pests.

6. European holly (ilex) 

The European holly (ilex) occurs as a single or multi-stemmed shrub. It can grow between one and five meters high. There are also tree forms that can reach 10 to 15 meters in height. A distinctive feature are the leathery serrated leaves. The bright red berries are a nice change in the winter bare garden and at the same time a welcome food for the birds.

But beware: Because the fruits are only safe for birds. The berries are poisonous to humans and other pets, and chewing the leaves also releases a toxin. However, the leaves are so toothed that you only want to touch them with gloves.

There are many ways to beautify your garden with evergreen shrubs and trees. Thanks to our overview and additional advice from specialist dealers, a suitable solution can certainly be found for your needs.

These provide aromatic herbs all year round hardy herbs. You can find out which varieties are overwintered in the garden and which should move indoors in our special article.