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I know it can be tiring to have only skeletal leaves in your backyard during the dry season, and you might want to opt for beautiful trees that don’t lose their leaves. After all, you want your garden to remain pleasing all year round, which is why you should always choose evergreen trees.
Good enough, you do not have to go the extra mile to look for these trees, as getting just a few of them can make your garden look attractive as most of them tend to grow fast. Apart from the beauty it presents, it also de-stresses you from the stress of picking leaves from your backyard during summer.
Some of these trees include the boxwood, arbutus, capital, calendar, cedar, and many more that we will discuss in this article.
Let’s get started!
What are Evergreen Plants?
Just like the name implies, evergreen plants are known to remain green throughout the seasons. Evergreen plants keep their leaves throughout the years and are the opposite of deciduous plants.
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Best Trees That Don’t Lose Their Leaves
1. Arbutus
Arbutus is a small tree that falls between 16 to 24 ft high and is highly appreciated for its ornamental quality during the arrival of autumn. It is usually covered with red berries that turn into tasty edible fruits.
Just because this tree’s leaves can withstand high heat doesn’t mean you should subject it to too much heat as it is said to thrive better in regions with a mild climate, and most importantly, proper maintenance also has a very important role in its growth.
2. Boxwood
Although boxwoods are used to create a major hedge way, you can also plant them alongside pathways. An added advantage to you when using this option is that it Is very easy to sculpt, so you can easily give your plants whatever shape or structure you want.
There are a lot of varieties and sizes of boxwood trees to suit your garden size.
3. Ceanothus
Ceanothus, aka the California lilac, is a purple or pink beautiful evergreen shrub part of the buckthorn family. This leaf is said to have originated from North America and is usually planted as a small plant due to its striking clusters. There are other varieties of ceanothus, but the vast varieties are from the evergreens.
You should plant your Californian lilac in a sun-shaded place even if the sun does not have much effect on it, and after it has been flowered, all it needs is just light pruning.
4. Holly
Holly is a festive evergreen leaf popularly known for its use in hedges. It is beautiful and provides you with a certain amount of privacy, and it also serves as a perfect intruder deterrent.
The growth of this plant is very slow. Therefore, it would not overwhelm your gardens as it majorly stood at the height of 15 cm. although this tree is native to the UK, it can be grown anywhere at all.
5. Oak
Oak is mostly a deciduous plant, and it all depends on its variety, so in the case of evergreen oak, its leaves are dark green and not properly cut. It is best to plant this plant on its own and away from other flowers and plants because it uses a lot of space to grow.
Some people might want to line this plant up along a pathway, so if that is what you intend to do, you should still ensure that you make sure there is enough spacing between the trees.
6. Cypress
The cypress sizes range from medium to larger sizes, and there are some varieties of these plants, like the Leyland cypress, that grow very fast. The varieties are used for many reasons, as some are used to create opaque hedges that would protect the eyes from the wind.
Cypress is often known for its cone shape and narrow habits, sometimes because it is dense and fine.
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7. Elaeagnus
`the Elaeagnus plants are very hard and are also very resistant to drought, so getting this plant can be very advantageous to you.
These trees are not subjected to one form, they can be used as a tree or a shrub, and it is also not very demanding and can be planted anywhere in France.
Its discreet flowers eventually grow and turn into fruits, and depending on the variety, and they can either be edible or not.
8. Spruce
Spruces are conifers that can grow up to 90 ft tall, and for its dwarf varieties, one ft., it comes with pointed needles that range from fir green colors to silver-blue, all depending on the variety of the plant you choose.
Although spruces do not require much maintenance to thrive, they would do best in oil and acidic soil.
9. Yew
Yew is a very adaptable plant that can be used in various cases and allows you to enjoy a green curtain, all thanks to its long and spiral needles.
Unlike some other plants, you can place this plant either under a shade or under the sun, and you can use pruning to give it a particular shape.
10. Chamaecyparis
These conifers are also referred to as the false cypress. It is very common in gardens and does not appreciate being pruned.
It can be used as a hedge and is often placed in an isolated position or a semi-shaded area available in different shapes, sizes, and colors.
11. Mimosa
Mimosa can brighten up your winter with its bright yellow blooms and fragrances. You can also enjoy this plant in the open, but it thrives better in the south part of France, and otherwise, it can be grown in a container.
12. Olive Trees
The olive tree is evocative of the Mediterranean sun, and you can also enjoy it in your gardens.
These plants can withstand temperatures of up to 5 Fahrenheit, but you should note that during these times, the plant pods would be sterile and would not be able to produce any olives; however, you would still be able to enjoy its foliage.
13. Osmanthus
osmanthus is a shrub or tree that will allow you to create a hedge and embellish your beds. The maintenance of this plant is easy, so you do not need to go too far for its maintenance.
It usually finds its way to many gardens and would delight your gardens with its fragrance.
14. Thuja
This plant is a conifer with no particular requirements and, therefore, can be planted in many different climatic conditions or soil conditions.
Depending on what you want, you can still choose to install it in a container or on the ground.
15. Pittosporum
This plant idea has about 200 species, some of which can grow up to 60 ft high. Starting from spring upward, you would enjoy a white and dark purple flower in clusters which gives up a scent of orange blossoms.
See Also: 8 Different Grape Vine Growing Stages
Frequently Asked Questions
Do All Trees Lose Their Leaves?
Not all trees shed their leaves even during a fall, and those trees are referred to as evergreen trees. You may have noticed that many trees hold their leaves until this period and are most likely to still hold them during spring.
Do Trees Have to Lose Their Leaves?
Although it sounds off, trees need to shed their leaves for their good. The major reason behind this is that most times in winter, it gets very cold, and the leaves become dried off and have to extract more energy from the tree to protect the leaves.
So instead of the trees giving off their resources to protect these fragile leaves, they would rather shed them off to conserve resources.
What Trees Hold Their Leaves the Longest?
Some trees that hold on to their leaves for a long time include oaks, beeches, hornbeams, and hop-hornbeams. Younger plants are said to shed their leaves more than older ones, and the reason is that the stress and drought cause these old deciduous plants to shed off easily.
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Normal Trees and Evergreen Trees?
The most effective and practical way to tell these two apart is to observe them during the winter. During this time, evergreen leaves tend to maintain their foliage while other trees lose all their leaves, and that way, you can easily tell which is deciduous and which is evergreen.
What Is a Coniferous Evergreen?
Coniferous evergreen leaves have tall, straight trunks with regular branches that are usually symmetrical. Most conifers, in simpler terms, have straight scale-like leaves with sharp needles. Typical conifer plants include pines, firs, spruces, and cypresses.
Why Are My Oak Trees Dropping So Many Leaves in The Summer?
The answer is quite simple. The leaf drop is a natural adaptation that allows the trees to shed leaves during the summer to reduce the potential for greater water loss. The fewer the leaves, the less water needed to keep them functioning and the less amount of water escaping from its soft tissues.