Are you tired of having only skeletal trees during the bad season? And you want trees that don’t lose their leaves so that your garden remains pleasing to the eye all year long? Then you need to choose evergreen trees.
We suggest a few. On the one hand, they will enhance your garden throughout the seasons and, on the other hand, it will save you the chore of picking up the leaves.
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What are trees that do not lose their leaves called?
An evergreen plant is a plant that keeps its leaves throughout the year. This is more commonly referred to as an evergreen plant, as opposed to a deciduous plant.
In practice, the life span of a leaf is much shorter than that of the tree that bears it. The persistence of leaves in plants can vary from just one year (the fall of old leaves operating shortly after the appearance of new leaves, we speak then of semi-permanent leaves). We present a list of 20 trees that do not lose their leaves every year.
20 trees that do not lose their leaves
1. Arbutus
This small tree is between 15 and 24 ft high. It is appreciated for its ornamental qualities, because, at the arrival of autumn, it is covered with red berries that will later turn into tasty fruits. Moreover, it requires little maintenance. Nevertheless, it is not very hardy and can only be planted in regions with a mild climate.
2. Boxwood
Boxwood can be used to create an evergreen hedge, but it can also be planted along a pathway, etc. Easy to sculpt, you can give it the shape you want. There are dwarf varieties and others the size of small trees. Boxwood is easy to grow and offers many different possibilities.
3. Butia Capitata
The Butia Capitata is also known as the Apricot Palm. Its long bluish leaves will bring an exotic touch to your exteriors. Quite hardy, it supports temperatures down to 14°F. Nevertheless, you will enjoy its blooming only if you live in a region where the climate is mild. In any case, favour a full sun location.
4. Calocedar
This 90 to 125 ft high tree is also called Thuja, California White Cedar or Incense Cedar. As its last name indicates, its bark is used as incense. This tree forms an obelisk and is easy to grow. Moreover, it is very hardy. You will enjoy its dark green and shiny foliage all year long.
5. Cedar
This very decorative tree of the conifer family comes in different shapes depending on its variety. It can be conical, rounded, weeping or spreading. It has short needles placed all along its branches. Rustic, you will inevitably find the variety that corresponds to your garden.
6. Chamæcyparis
This conifer is very common in gardens and is commonly called “false cypress”. Very hardy, it does not appreciate being pruned.
It can therefore be used as a hedge, but it is more often placed in an isolated position in a semi-shaded area. It is available in different colors, shapes and sizes.
7. Oak
Depending on its variety, the oak can be evergreen or deciduous. In the case of an evergreen oak, its leaves are dark green and not very cut. It is best planted alone, as it needs space to grow, but also light.
If you want to line up several of them along a pathway, make sure there is enough space between the trees.
8. Cypress
Cypress can be medium to large in size. There are varieties, such as Leyland cypress, that are hardier and faster growing.
This variety is therefore often used to quickly create opaque hedges that will protect from the eyes and the wind. The cypress is recognizable by its cone shape and its rather narrow habit. Its foliage is fine and dense.
9. Eleagnus
The eleagnus is not only very hardy, but it is also resistant to drought. Used as a tree or a shrub in a hedge, it is not very demanding and can be planted anywhere in France, in a sunny or shady place. Its discreet flowers will turn into fruits which, depending on the variety, can be edible.
10. Spruce
The spruce is a conifer that can grow up to 90 ft high or up to one ft for the dwarf varieties. Its pointed needles range from fir green to silver blue, depending on the variety you choose. Although the spruce does not require much maintenance, it will do best in cool, preferably acidic soil.
11. Yew
Yew is very adaptable. It can therefore be used in many cases and will allow you to enjoy a pleasant green curtain thanks to its long and narrow needles. It can be placed in the shade or in the sun and will accept pruning if you wish to give it a particular shape.
12. Portuguese Laurel
This small tree differs from other Prunus trees in its evergreen foliage. Although it is rather slow growing, it will allow you to enjoy a superb ornamental shrub.
13. Mimosa
The mimosa will brighten up your winter with its bright yellow blooms and fragrance. Nevertheless, to enjoy it in the open ground, you must live in the South of France, otherwise it is better to grow it in a container.
14. Olive tree
The olive tree is evocative of the Mediterranean sun and you want to enjoy it in your garden. It is possible! Indeed, once adult, it can withstand temperatures up to 5°F. Nevertheless, in these conditions, the flowering will be made sterile and will not produce olives. However, you will enjoy its evergreen foliage.
15. Osmanthe
This shrub or tree will allow you to create a hedge or to embellish your beds. Not very demanding, its maintenance is easy. Rustic, it finds its place in many gardens and will delight you with its fragrant bloom.
16. Pittosporum
The pittosporum genus includes 200 species, some of which can grow up to 60 ft high. From spring onwards, you will enjoy white, then dark purple flowers in clusters, giving off a scent of orange blossom.
17. Fir
The fir tree will decorate your garden whatever the season thanks to its evergreen foliage. Rustic, it requires little maintenance.
18. Sequoia
Sequoias are known to be the tallest trees in the world. In fact, they can exceed 300 ft in height. Very hardy, they require little maintenance.
19. Thuja
The cedar is a conifer that has no particular requirements. It can therefore be planted in many climatic conditions, soil conditions, etc.. It is certainly very hardy, but you can still choose to install it in a container or in the ground depending on what you want.
20. Washingtonia
This large palm is characterized by its large green palmate leaves. It should be planted in a sunny area and mainly in a region where the climate is mild enough.
