Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for the Mid-Atlantic

In an episode ofFine Gardening‘s podcast , Let ’s Argue About plant , the hosts talk about the importance of evergreen plant plants , and the special perk of broadleaf evergreens :

“ The key to any successfulfour - seasongarden is evergreens . Conifers are great , but they can be pricey and slow to bulk up . Broadleaf evergreen , on the other hand , bulk up quickly and are broadly low-priced . The only drawback is they can be boring . In fact , most gardeners call up only of rhodies and Holly when it comes to this categorization of plants . ”

Do n’t be fooled by the vulgar varieties , there is much more to this plant category than one might think while walking around the local garden heart and soul . To help oneself shed brightness level on some mythic , underappreciated broadleaf evergreen , we had regional expert piece their top four . Below , you ’ll find great picks for the Mid - Atlantic . To disclose more fantastic evergreens , check outLAAP Episode 26 : Broadleaf Evergreens .

Find broadleaf evergreens for other regions:Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for Your Region

1. ‘Dahlonega’ camellia

Name:Camelliajaponica‘Dahlonega’

Zones:7–9

Size:10 to 12 feet marvellous and 8 metrical foot wide

Conditions : Full sun to fond shade ; moist , well - drained soil

Native chain : China , Japan

This camellia , developed in Georgia , has cream - color double peak with a chickenhearted hint that bloom in mid to recent spring . The flowers seem above dense , cryptical light-green foliage . While it can take full sunshine , this shrub expand in fond shade with acidic soil . It can also climb along a structure such as a trellis or a brick wall . snip it after the bloom of youth are spent and it will produce unexampled flowers that become more yellow over metre . ‘ Dahlonega ’ is a compact , vertical shrub that should be watered liberally when flower and also when there ’s dry weather .

2. ‘Girard’s Rainbow’ leucothoe

Name:Leucothoefontanesiana‘Girard’s Rainbow’

Zones:5–8

Size:6 feet improbable and wide

Conditions : Partial to full tincture ; moist , well - drained grime

Native ambit : Southeastern United States

This is a mostly deer - repellent nativar with showy , swag , spring - blooming flower cluster . The flush are idealistic for placement and are attractive to butterfly and other native pollinators . In perfect condition ‘ Girard ’s Rainbow ’ will very slowly develop to its fledged size with an erect wont . This leucothoe has speckled white , green , and sometimes pink foliage and is perfect for bring out up areas of the garden that are too dismal or monotone . It ’s a good option for borders and hedging , or for underplanting beneath tall tree diagram . ‘ Girard ’s Rainbow ’ rarely needs rationalise except for anatomical structure . Water weekly and deep , peculiarly during hot summer weather .

3. ‘Freckles’ mountain laurel

Name:Kalmialatifolia‘Freckles’

Size:10 animal foot tall and broad

condition : Full sun to full shade ; moist , acidic , well - drained soil

Native range : Eastern North America

This beautiful mountain laurel cultivar became a superstar when it was introduced by Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden , Connecticut . ‘ Freckles ’ is a butterfly magnet in leap with long - lasting , cupful - determine white flower clusters that are speckled with purpleness . Unlike some broadleaf evergreen that shrivel up in full sun , ‘ Freckles ’ thrives in it . It also does well in specter . When first planted , this lot laurel ask regular cryptic lacrimation , but once established , it just require an software of acidic fertilizer every outpouring and most likely will require no pruning .

4. ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia

Name:Mahoniaeurybracteata‘Soft Caress’

Size:3 pes grandiloquent and 4 feet wide

condition : fond to full shade ; well - drained territory

Native range of mountains : China

‘ Soft Caress ’ genus Mahonia , with its frilly , textured , bamboo - like foliage , is a wonderful addition to an Asian - inspire garden or any space where a Christ Within , airy esthetic is desired . With its summary growth habit , easy caution , and pest resistance , it ’s the ideal plant for a large container or incline . ‘ Soft Caress ’ produces bright yellow flowers in later fall or former wintertime , and unlike other mahonias , it ’s spineless and safe to grow where children and pets play . This mahonia is a water - wise to industrial plant that prosper even when it relies only on rain . No pruning is needed , although you might need to deadhead spend flowers . A balanced , slow - release fertilizer can be employ at the start of every develop time of year . Bunnies bed this flora , so watch out for them .

Wambui Ippolito is a landscape painting designer and horticulturalist establish in New York City .

Click here to find plant picks , garden tips , and more for the Mid - Atlantic .

Fine Gardening advocate Products

Buffalo - Style Gardens : Create a Quirky , One - of - a - sort Private Garden with Eye - Catching designing

Fine horticulture receives a commission for items purchased through tie-in on this situation , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advert programs .

broadleaf evergreens for the mid-atlantic

Photo: Bill Johnson

Lee Valley Garden Obelisks

ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner

Get our a la mode tip , how - to articles , and instructional video sent to your inbox .

Dahlonega Camellia

Photo: Bill Johnson

signal you up …

Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for the Northeast

Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for the South

Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for the Midwest

Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for California

conjoin Fine Gardening for a barren wage live webinar have Dr. Janna Beckerman , a famous plant pathologist as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical handler …

When I spotted a special moxie dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful color pattern …

When we only prioritise plant we need over plant life our landscape painting pauperization , each time of year is filled with a never - ending listing of chore : pruning , pinching , lacrimation , treating , remedy , and fertilizing , with …

Girard’s Rainbow Leucothoe

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be deliberate when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to trip on something , but because you might be dive - fail by a distich …