This guide presents x worthwhile evergreen trees and shrubs. Since they are native, they are ideally adapted to the local climatic conditions. Many are also suitable as a privacy hedge.
Fat man
- botanical name: Pachysandra terminalis
- maximum height: 20 cm to 30 cm
- Flowering period: April to May
- Flower color: white
- Fruit decorations: no
- Location: partial shade to shade
- Soil requirements: fresh and moist, well-drained, acidic to semi-acidic
The Dickmännchen is one of the most popular ground cover plants in German gardens. Although it actually originates from Japan and China, it is almost indigenous due to its frequent use. In this country it has many synonyms such as Japanese Ysander, Dickanthere or shadow green. The latter designation indicates the advantage that the fat man provides color in dark garden corners all year round. The sun usually does not harm the ground cover either. Only in bright locations does the plant lose its lush green foliage and turn light yellow. The undemanding as well as the simple maintenance probably also contribute to the great popularity of this small wood.
Note: In order to prevent the fat man from forming a dense, overgrown carpet after a short time, pruning is urgently required.
Firethorn 'Red Column'
- botanical name: Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Column'
- maximum height: 1.5 m to 2.5 m
- Flowering period: May to June
- Flower color: white
- Fruit decoration: pea-sized, berry-shaped stone fruits in bright red
- Location: sun to partial shade
- Soil requirements: normal garden soil, permeable
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 height of 2 m (sometimes up to 4 m), the gardener feels protected from intrusive looks, but not confined in his own garden. The bright red leaves, which are also complemented by small berry-like stone fruits, are a
a real eye-catcher that makes a firethorn hedge unique in the neighborhood. Elaborate care is not required for these shrubs. Light frost protection is only recommended in late frosts and dry summers.Note: 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 decorations: no
- Location: sun to partial shade
- Soil requirements: well-drained, nutrient-rich, humic and fresh
The evergreen snowball lives up to its name. Although the creamy white, intensely fragrant flowers only appear in early summer, the plant is still evergreen even in winter. In addition, this copy 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 decorations: no
- Location: sun to partial shade
- Soil requirements: all soils
The upholstered 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 represent an impenetrable barrier even for cats.
Portuguese laurel cherry
- botanical name: Prunus lusitanica
- maximum height: 6 to 8 m
- Flowering period: June
- Flower color: white
- Fruit decoration: black to purple berries
- Location: sun to partial shade
- Soil requirements: normal garden soil, nutrient-rich, well-drained, slightly damp without waterlogging
The Portuguese laurel cherry is closely related to
Related to the cherry laurel, its impressive appearance makes it a very special eye-catcher in German gardens. With its white flowers, which are in interesting contrast to the dark green, shiny foliage, it has a more Mediterranean charm. Their growth is dense and compact and, when pruned sparingly, develops a handsome crown. The Portuguese cherry laurel 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. The most striking feature 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, deep
What a sight when the gleaming white flowers of the red loquat appear in front of the deep red foliage in early summer. Only later in the year do the leaves take on a copper-green color. Although this plant is indigenous and therefore adapted to the local climate, the gardener must pay more attention to the right choice of location. Under no circumstances should the loquat stand in a cold, windy place. Unfortunately, despite compliance with this requirement, it is only partially winter hardy.
Bergilex pillars
- botanical name: Ilex crenata 'Fastigiata'
- maximum height: 20 cm to 25 cm
- Flowering period: May to June
- Flower color: white
- Fruit decoration: spherical fruits
- Location: sun to partial shade
- Soil requirements: acidic to neutral (pH value 5 or 6), humic, nutrient-rich, sufficiently moist
The leaves of these imposing trees are reminiscent of a box tree. The Bergilex pillars have nothing in common with the spherical growth of this plant. It grows in a handsome, narrow pyramid shape. For this very reason, it is the ideal planting partner for spherical, domestic plants. Since the growth form also goes well with a bonsai, the Bergilex is mainly used in gardens that are designed according to Japanese models. Individual branches can also be tied into wreaths.
'Little Heath' shadow bells
- botanical name: Pieris japonica 'Little Heath'
- maximum height: 50 cm to 60 cm
- Flowering period: late March to May
- Flower color: white
- Fruit decorations: no
- Location: sun to partial shade
- Soil requirements: fresh and moist, humic, well-drained, slightly acidic to acidic
This dwarf shrub is particularly popular at the beginning of the year, when its leaves are sprouting again. At this time, they are bright red in color. The color is later regulated to a matt green-white. Sometimes the foliage is laced in pink.
Narrow-leaved cherry laurel
- botanical name: Prunus laurocerasus
- maximum height: up to 3 m
- Flowering period: May
- Flower color: white
- Fruit decoration: black, spherical berries (poisonous)
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
- Soil requirements: sandy, humic
Depending on the variety, the narrow-leaved cherry laurel is ideal as a hedge plant. Slender, upright species are particularly recommended for this purpose. And the wood is definitely not lacking in biodiversity. However, all varieties have the handsome, leathery leaves in common. It is definitely worthwhile to let Prunus laurocerasus grow, because frequent pruning inhibits the formation of flowers and fruit.
Note: Prunus laurocerasus is also suitable for keeping in pots.
Holly 'Heckenfee'
- 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 partial shade
- Soil requirements: rich in nutrients
Whether as a solitaire or in the hedge - the holly is an eye-catcher in every respect. The dark green foliage gains even more visual charm through the appearance of the bright red berries. In addition, the shrubs are very robust and extremely hardy. They are ideal partners for planting
- ivy
- Box
- Oregon grape
- Cherry laurel
- yew
Note: In order for the red berries to appear anew every year, the holly 'Heckenfee' needs a male pollinator. The variety 'Heckenstar' comes in very handy both in name and in practice.
Ivy 'Arborescens' shrub
- botanical name: Hedera helix 'Arborescens'
- maximum height: 1.5 m
- Flowering period: August and September
- Flower color: greenish yellow
- Fruit decorations: no
- Location: partially shaded to shady
- Soil requirements: rich in nutrients, not too dry
This type of ivy is ideal for shady, narrow gardens. Even without sunlight, it develops evergreen foliage. It also blooms relatively late in the year, making it an important source of nectar for insects before hibernation. This shrub has little in common with the well-known climbing ivy. As a creeping plant, it is more suitable as a greening of beds in the dark.
White and colored crawfish
- botanical name: Euonymus
- maximum height: 30 cm to 50 cm
- Flowering period: June and July
- Flower color: inconspicuous
- Fruit decorations: no
- Location: sun or shade
- Soil requirements: normal garden soil
In contrast to other woody plants, the white and colored crawfish impresses less with its flowers than with its colorful foliage. The small, native shrub bears pink, white, and green foliage all year round. At the beginning of autumn the leaves even turn slightly reddish. Small gardens in particular benefit from the very low height. That makes the white crawfish useless for a privacy screen, but as a ground cover, its play of colors is a worthwhile addition to any garden bed.
Note: The white and colored crawfish is satisfied with a shady location. However, the beautiful color of the leaves comes into its own more intensely in sunny places.
