Table of contents
- fat man
- Firethorn 'Red Column'
- Evergreen Snowball
- upholstery barberry
- Portuguese laurel cherry
- Red medlar 'Red Robin'
- Columns Bergilex
- Shadowbell 'Little Heath'
- Narrow-leaved cherry laurel
- Holly 'Hedge Fairy'
- Shrub Ivy 'Arborescens'
- White-colored creeping medlar
This guide introduces x worthwhile evergreen trees and shrubs. Since they are native, they are well adapted to the local climatic conditions. Many are also suitable as privacy hedges.
fat man
- botanical name: Pachysandra terminalis
- maximum height: 20 cm to 30 cm
- Flowering time: April to May
- Flower color: white
- Fruit ornaments: no
- Location: partial shade to shade
- Soil requirements: fresh and moist, well-drained, acidic to semi-acidic
The fat man is one of the most popular ground covers in German gardens. Although it actually comes from Japan and China, it is almost considered native due to the frequent use. In this country it has many synonyms such as Japanese Ysander, Dickanthere or Schattengrün. The latter designation points to the advantage that the fat man provides color in dark corners of the garden all year round. Even the sun does not usually damage the groundcover. However, the plant loses its lush green foliage in bright locations and turns light yellow. The undemanding and easy care also contribute to the great popularity of this small-growing tree.
A notice:
In order to prevent the fat man from forming a dense, rampant carpet after a short time, pruning is urgently required.
Firethorn 'Red Column'
- botanical name: Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Column'
- maximum height: 1.5m to 2.5m
- Flowering period: May to June
- Flower color: white
- Fruit decoration: pea-sized, berry-shaped drupes in bright red
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Soil requirements: normal garden soil, well drained
The 'Red Column' variety is considered to be the fastest growing of its kind. This makes it ideal for a garden hedge. With an average growth height of 2 m (sometimes up to 4 m), the gardener feels protected from intrusive looks, but does not feel restricted in his own garden. The bright red leaves, which are also complemented by small berry-like drupes, are a real eye-catcher that makes a firethorn hedge unique in the neighborhood. Extensive care is not required for these shrubs. A light frost protection is only recommended in late frosts and in dry summers.
A notice:
The optimal planting distance when used as a hedge is 30 to 40 cm.
Evergreen Snowball
- botanical name: Viburnum Pragenese
- maximum height: 2 to 4 m
- Flowering period: May to June:
- Flower color: white
- Fruit ornaments: no
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Soil requirements: well-drained, nutritious, humic and fresh
The Evergreen Snowball lives up to its name. Although the creamy-white, intensely scented flowers only appear in early summer, the plant is also evergreen in winter. In addition, this specimen is very easy to care for. The upright, slightly branched growth of the dark green, glossy leaves usually does not require pruning. However, Viburnum Pragenese is happy about regular watering with old water during the cold season.
upholstery barberry
- botanical name: Berberis buxifolia
- maximum height: 60 cm to 80 cm
- Flowering period: May to June
- Flower color: orange, yellow
- Fruit ornaments: no
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Soil requirements: all soils
The cushion barberry is wonderfully undemanding. It is suitable for greening graves and rock gardens, but also serves as a hedge. In this case, the bushes grow so close together that they become an impenetrable barrier even for cats.
Portuguese laurel cherry
- botanical name: Prunus lusitanica
- maximum height: 6 to 8 m
- Flowering time: June
- Flower color: white
- Fruit decoration: black to purple colored berries
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Soil requirements: normal garden soil, rich in nutrients, permeable, slightly moist without waterlogging
The Portuguese laurel cherry is closely related to the cherry laurel, but due to its impressive appearance it is a very special eye-catcher in German gardens. With its white flowers, which stand in interesting contrast to the dark green, glossy foliage, it has a rather Mediterranean charm. Its growth is dense and compact and develops a handsome crown when pruned sparingly. The Portuguese laurel cherry is particularly popular as a hedge plant, as it grows into an opaque wood in a very short time. But the native shrub is also suitable for the bucket on the terrace. What is particularly noticeable here is its intense scent of honey.
Red medlar 'Red Robin'
- botanical name: Photinia fraseri 'Red Robin'
- maximum height: 1.5 m to 3 m
- Flowering period: May to June
- Flower color: white
- Fruit decoration: red globules
- Location: sun or shade
- Soil requirements: warm, lime-free, slightly loamy, humic, profound
What a sight when the brilliant white flowers of the red medlar appear against the deep red foliage in early summer. Only later in the year do the leaves take on a copper-green colour. Although this plant is native and therefore adapted to the local climate, the gardener must pay more attention to the right choice of location. Under no circumstances should the medlar be in a cold, windy place. Unfortunately, despite meeting these requirements, it is only conditionally hardy.
Columns Bergilex
- botanical name: Ilex crenata 'Fastigiata'
- maximum height: 20 cm to 25 cm
- Flowering period: May to June
- Flower color: white
- Fruit ornaments: spherical fruits
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Soil requirements: acidic to neutral (pH 5 or 6), humic, nutritious, sufficiently moist
The leaves of these impressive trees are visually reminiscent of a boxwood. However, the pillared Bergilex has nothing in common with the spherical growth of this plant. It grows in a handsome, narrow pyramid shape. It is precisely for this reason that it is the ideal planting partner for native plants that grow spherically. Since the growth form also goes well with a bonsai, the Bergilex is mainly used in gardens that are designed according to the Japanese model. Individual branches can also be tied into wreaths.
Shadowbell 'Little Heath'
- botanical name: Pieris japonica 'Little Heath'
- maximum height: 50 cm to 60 cm
- Flowering period: late March to May
- Flower color: white
- Fruit ornaments: no
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Soil requirements: fresh and moist, humic, well-drained, slightly acidic to acidic
This dwarf shrub is particularly impressive at the beginning of the year when its leaves sprout again. At this time, they exhibit a bright red color. Later, the coloring settles into a matt green-white. Sometimes the foliage is slightly tinged with pink.
Narrow-leaved cherry laurel
- botanical name: Prunus laurocerasus
- maximum height: up to 3 m
- Flowering time: May
- Flower color: white
- Fruit ornaments: black spherical berries (poisonous)
- Location: sunny to semi-shady
- Soil requirements: sandy, humic
Depending on the variety, the narrow-leaved cherry laurel is ideal as a hedge plant. Slender, upright growing species are particularly recommended for this purpose. And there is no shortage of species in the wood. However, all varieties have the handsome, leathery leaves in common. It is definitely worth letting Prunus laurocerasus grow, because frequent pruning inhibits flowering and fruiting.
A notice:
Prunus laurocerasus is also suitable for keeping in tubs.
Holly 'Hedge Fairy'
- botanical name: Ilex meserveae
- maximum height: 60 cm to 1.5 m
- Flowering period: May to June
- Flower color: Green-white, rather inconspicuous
- Fruit decoration: bright red berries
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Soil requirements: rich in nutrients
Whether as a solitaire or in the hedge - the holly is an eye-catcher in every respect. The appearance of the bright red berries adds even more visual charm to the dark green foliage. In addition, the shrubs are considered to be very robust and extremely hardy. Ideal plant partners are
- ivy
- book
- mahonia
- cherry laurel
- yew
A notice:
In order for the red berries to appear again every year, the holly 'Heckenfee' needs a male pollinator. The 'Heckenstar' variety is very convenient both in name and in practice.
Shrub Ivy 'Arborescens'
- botanical name: Hedera helix 'Arborescens'
- maximum height: 1.5 m
- Flowering period: August and September
- Flower color: greenish yellow
- Fruit ornaments: no
- Location: semi-shady to shady
- Soil requirements: rich in nutrients, not too dry
This ivy species is the ideal green cover for shady, narrow gardens. Even without sunlight, it develops evergreen foliage. It also flowers relatively late in the year, making it an important source of nectar for insects before they go dormant. This shrub has little in common with the well-known climbing ivy. As a creeping plant, it is more suitable for greening dark beds.
White-colored creeping medlar
- botanical name: Euonymus
- maximum height: 30 cm to 50 cm
- Flowering period: June and July
- Flower color: inconspicuous
- Fruit ornaments: no
- Location: sun or shade
- Soil requirements: normal garden soil
In contrast to other trees and shrubs, the white-colored creeping medlar impresses less with its flowers than with its colorful foliage. The small, native shrub has pink, white and green colored foliage all year round. In early autumn, the leaves even turn slightly reddish. Small gardens in particular benefit from the very low growth height. This makes the variegated creeping medlar useless as a privacy screen, but as a groundcover its color spectacle is a worthwhile addition to any garden bed.
A notice:
The variegated creeping medlar is also satisfied with a shady location. However, the beautiful foliage color is more intense in sunny places.
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