Image - Wikimedia / Anna Anichkova
When we are going to design a garden, one of the first plants that we have to put in are the trees, since they are those that will reach a larger size and that, therefore, will shade those underneath.
To help you with this task, we have selected for you some evergreen trees that, not only are they easy to care for, but they are also very ornamental. Do you want to know what they are?
In addition to acacia saligna that you can see in the image that heads the article, which reaches a height of about 5m and a crown diameter of 4-5m, and that it can live in hot climates near the sea, There are other very interesting species that we want to propose:
Arbutus unedo
Image - Wikimedia / GPodkolzin
El Arbutus unedo It is a kind of seedling native to the Mediterranean region. Reaches a height of 4 to 7 meters, and has a reddish trunk bark. The leaves are lanceolate, and the flowers are grouped in hanging panicles. Berries are up to 10 millimeters long, red when ripe, and edible.
Plant in the sun or in semi-shade, and water from time to time. It is a plant that can withstand short dry periods well if it is acclimatized (from the second year that it is in the ground). In addition, it resists frosts down to -7ºC.
Brachychiton populneus
Image - Flickr / John Tann
El Brachychiton populneus It is a native tree of Australia that is known as bottle tree, kurrajong or braquitito. Its growth is quite fast, reaching 40-60 centimeters in a single year if the right conditions are given (that is, if it has sun and occasionally water). Its total height once adult is 12 meters.
It is a perfect plant for regions where there is little rain, such as the Mediterranean, since its root is also resistant to fire. Supports up to -7ºC.
Casuarina equisetifolia
Image - Wikimedia / PePeEfe
La Casuarina equisetifolia, known as horsetail casuarina, or Asutralian pine, is a tree native to Australia, Malaysia, and Polynesia. It grows up to 30 meters in height, and has elongated leaves, very similar to those of pines for example. But it is not a conifer.
It is a very adaptable plant. It will live well both on the sandy coast where it rains little, and in those mountainous regions where rainfall is abundant (yes, in this case, you will need the soil to have good drainage). And if that was not enough, resists up to -7ºC.
Citrus aurantium
El Citrus aurantium, called bitter orange, is a hybrid between citrus maxima y Citrus reticulata. Reaches a height of 7 to 8 meters, and its leaves are glossy dark green, odorous. The flowers are white and very fragrant. It produces fruits similar to oranges, of about 7 centimeters, which are used to make jams and compotes.
In cultivation it is not demanding. It needs direct sun, fertile soil, as well as moderate watering. It supports well the cold and temperatures of up to -4ºC.
Cupressus arizonica
Image - Wikimedia / Ken Lund
If you want an evergreen conifer, we recommend the Cupressus arizonica, or Arizona cypress. It is native to southwestern North America, specifically, it grows throughout the southern United States and reaches northern Mexico. Reaches a height of 10 to 25 meters, with a trunk 50 centimeters in diameter. Its leaves are greenish-gray, or greenish-blue.
It has to be in the sun, and grow on soils that do not get waterlogged. Withstands drought, and frosts up to -18ºC.
Robusta grevillea
Image - Wikimedia / Bidgee
La Robusta grevillea it is native to eastern Australia. Its curious inflorescences can be red or pink. Reaches a height of 18 to 35 meters, and has a rapid growth. The leaves are bipinnate, similar to those of some ferns.
It can be grown in temperate climates, where there are light frosts of up to -7 ° C.
Ficus benjamina
Image - Wikimedia / Forest and Kim Starr
Most Ficus are trees that are not usually put much in the gardens unless it is to be able to consume the delicious figs of some species, such as ficus carica. However, if you want to give a tropical touch to your green corner, and as long as you have enough space, it is interesting the Ficus benjamina, which reaches a height of 15 meters. It is native to South and Southeast Asia, and South and North Australia. Its leaves are green or variegated, and it produces edible fruits (figs) for various birds.
It will live in tropical and subtropical climates, and can even do so in warm-temperate climates if the frosts are very weak (down to -2ºC) and short.
Holly aquifolium
El Holly aquifolium, popularly called holly, is a tree shrub that can reach 20 meters in height. It is native to western Asia and Europe, and has oval leaves with a spiny edge. Its flowers are about 9 millimeters in diameter, and are grouped in dense cymes. The fruits are globose drupes of red color when ripe.
Its growth rate is quite slow; instead, it can live for about 500 years. Plant it in full sun or semi-shade, and water it from time to time. It does not support drought, but it does support frosts of up to -12 ° C.
magnolia grandiflora
La magnolia grandiflora it is one of the few evergreen trees that we can find in Asia, apart from conifers of course. This spectacular tree has a rather slow growth, reaching reach a height of about 35 meters. Its flowers are splendid, as you can see in the image, and they also smell wonderful.
Put a Magnolia if you live in an area with a subtropical or mild-temperate climate, with frosts down to -18ºC, and enjoy.
Spathodea campanulata
La Spathodea campanulata (better known by the name of Tulipero del Gabon), is a tree native to tropical Africa whose growth is very fast. Reaches a height of 7 to 25 meters, and has a dense crown formed by compound leaves. The flowers are reddish-orange, or yellow.
It is perfect for warm gardens, free of frost, located in an area where the sun hits it directly.
What did you think of this selection? Do you know other evergreens?