Plants for a purpose: evergreens
Discover the best evergreen plants to provide colour throughout winter, chosen by the Gardeners' World team and our friends in the gardening world
Evergreens keep their leaves all year round, so are a must in any garden. They're particularly good choices in winter when their green foliage adds some much-needed interest and structure to a bare garden. Here, we share some of our favourite evergreens. There are options to suit any style of garden, as well as ideas for evergreen hedges. Our choices include recommendations from the Gardeners' World team and familiar faces from across the gardening industry.
More evergreen inspiration:
Hebe salicifolia
Chosen by Arit Anderson, Gardeners’ World presenter
For something that is quite elegant but gives evergreen presence in the garden I like Hebe salicifolia. I have one in a large container which has been handy to move around the garden to fill a gap when needed. It likes sun or part shade and is reasonably hardy, and has long racemes of pale lilac lowers in the summer.
Pittosporum tobira
Chosen by Sue Kent, Gardeners’ World presenter
I like plants that will do many things. Pittosporum tobira not only has glossy evergreen leaves but its flowers are larger than other pittosporums and have a sweet scent, emerging white in late spring and turning yellow in early summer. The shrub has dense growth so may be useful as a medium sized hedge.
Rhaphiolepis umbellata
Chosen by Nick Bailey, Gardeners’ World presenter
I don’t label many plants as perfect but this compact evergreen spherical shrub, which virtually reads as a piece of topiary, is about as close to perfection as you can get. It flowers with clusters of white blooms for several months through summer, rarely needs pruning and I’ve never known it to have a pest or disease!
Choisya x dewitteana 'White Dazzler'
Chosen by Flo Headlam, Garden Rescue presenter
I've recently been seduced by this dinky little choisya. Compact enough to tuck into a border, the flower buds dazzle like jewels before they open, releasing their gorgeous scent.
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Polystichum setiferum
Chosen by James Alexander-Sinclair, columnist and garden designer
I would go with an evergreen fern, Polystichum setiferum. Not a plant for a wild romantic gesture but hardy and reliable (always preferable in a long term relationship once all the early lovey-dovey stuff has settled!) Goes well with Solomon’s seal and other woodlanders.
Skimmia japonica 'Rubella'
Chosen by Cel Robertson, founder of Forever Green flower company
I have a skimmia planted by my north-facing front door which brings me such pleasure through the winter and early spring. It has a long season of interest; panicles of red flower buds are held above the foliage for months before bursting into bloom, filling the early spring garden with wonderful scent! It also lasts well as a cut flower if you can spare a couple of sprigs for a vase!
Taxus baccata
Chosen by Kevin Smith, editor
Although not a terribly exciting plant on first thought, I've always had a soft spot for yew. I have lots of it in my garden in various forms – a hedge, clipped pyramids and free-form trees just doing their thing. They were all planted bare root and were exceptionally good value for money. It took a decade to get it all to a place I'm happy with, but it was worth the effort and the feeling of satisfaction is huge. Garden birds love yew too and the various plants are home to countless nests and habitats.
Pieris 'Flaming Silver'
Chosen by Catherine Mansley, digital editor
This tough little shrub is perfect for brightening up a shady spot. Pieris likes acidic soil, so I grow it in a pot of ericaceous compost, next to the shady side of my shed and it thrives despite my neglect. Its new growth is bright red and its clusters of white spring flowers are loved by bees.
Euonymus japonicus 'Green Rocket'
Chosen by Oliver Parsons, horticultural sub-editor
Sometimes those variety names are right on the money. Euonymus japonicus 'Green Rocket' is a rich, dark green and it grows straight up, like a rocket, reaching about one metre in height. Not really a plant for hedging, but a couple of little clusters of these do wonders to break up a large herbaceous border and give it year-round structure.
Hedera helix
Chosen by Lily Middleton, content creator
When trying to get a bit more privacy on my balcony, ivy never lets me down. It's incredibly easy to grow, and having it in a pot means it is easy to train where I'd like it. Mature plants also produce flowers in autumn which are beneficial for insects, and berries in winter, providing a valuable food source for birds.
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