Are There Evergreens that Flower?
We love that evergreens keep green in your garden year-round. But what about adding color, as well. Are there evergreens that will add color to their perpetual green? When you think of evergreens, the first that come to mind are conifers -- pine, spruce, fir. Productive, of course, but they produce seeds in the form of fruit, commonly known as cones (pine cones!), rather than flowers. Some, like junipers and yews, produce fruit in the form of berries. While they don't add color, they add interest and texture to your landscape.
So, what about evergreen shrubs, can we find a generous plant that will stay green year-round and add a splash of color to the garden? Especially in our New England planting zone?
Flowering Evergreen Shrubs
Mountain Laurel is one of our favorites! It easily tolerates shade, is fairly drought resistant once established, stays green all year and produces clusters of cup-shaped flowers in colors that range from white to deep maroon, solid or in combinations of white and pink, maroon and white. They serve as landscape staples or can make a statement all on their own.
Rhododendrons and their smaller version, Azaleas, are a staple here in New England. Their glossy leaves and intensely colored flowers bring drama to the garden. "Rhodies" are often a bold background, growing to 8 feet tall, while Azaleas are smaller, in the 2 to 3 foot category, and can be a stand-out in the front of the garden. Both come in a variety of colors, soft to vibrant.
Andromeda, also known as Lilly of the Valley Shrub, is a broadleaf evergreen that produces clusters of bell-shaped flowers in early spring. Popular for its unique appearance, it is used in mixed borders, as a foundation planting, or can be a focal point. It is deer resistant, which keeps it hearty, and easy-going, tolerating either full sun or full shade. Even during the winter, Andromeda offer red flower buds, before they open to become hanging clusters of white blossoms, along with evergreen leaves.
Daphne is an attractive, fragrant shrub that produces white to light pink tubular flowers in spring. The small, oblong, light green leaves are evergreen in warmer winters. Daphnes may lose leaves in cold climates, though they may still remain hardy and evergreen to zone 4, depending on the cultivar. The shrub usually stays small, forming a very nice rounded mound. Varieties such as Carol Mackie are particularly attractive due to their variegated leaves. Keep in mind, Daphnes are pricey, finicky and toxic! Not all Daphnes will keep their leaves throughout the winter, so read labels to make certain the one you've chosen will work in our zone.
Holly and Winterberry Holly are notable not only for their foliage, but for the bright red berries they produce. Native New England shrubs, these thrive through our cold winters. While Holly shrubs can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide, the smaller Winterberry is a dwarf variety that will keep to 3 to 4 feet tall. Remember that both Holly and Winterberry need a male pollinator, which does not produce berries. However, a ratio of 1 male to about 5 female plants is sufficient. The abundance of red berries produced in the fall and winter will serve as a good food supply for those birds that stick around for our winter.
Choose wisely! Adding evergreens into your garden or landscape can keep color going year-round.