Looking for the best evergreen shrubs for north Texans? Here are some suggestions. You can also try Podocarpus macrophyllus, Azalea spp., and Yaupon Holly. These plants are very tolerant of our warm climate, but still provide a great screening effect. Read on to learn more about these plants and how you can enjoy them in your own yard.
Podocarpus macrophyllus
Podocarpus macrophyllus is a low-growing, large-leaf evergreen that is drought-tolerant. It has bluish-grey berries and is great for tall ground covers. It grows up to 15 feet and can be shaped into a hedge or as a privacy screen. This plant is also drought-tolerant and doesn’t require pruning or staking.
Shrubby Podocarpus has attractive dark green foliage, which emerges light green in the spring. The plant will form a clump of branches and grow into an upright tree, but can also be grown as a vine on a fence. The blue-gray foliage of this shrub is striking. Podocarpus gracilior is another good choice. Its shrub-like growth habit makes it a great choice as a container plant or large-scale hedge.
If you want a tall screening yew hedge, Podacarpus is the perfect choice. This evergreen shrub is well-suited to mild winters in Austin. It is easy to grow and adaptable to full sun or part shade. It can be trained into a tree, which is great for a screen hedge. If you want something a little less dramatic, try a dwarf Podocarpus.
This versatile evergreen shrub can be trimmed to a tight hedge or left untrimmed and mature to 40 feet. Its low canopy makes it suitable for planting under power lines. It grows slowly and can live for fifty years or more under ideal conditions. So, if you’re looking for an ideal shrub for your north Texas landscape, make this one. You won’t regret it!
Gardenia spp.
If you want a beautiful, fragrant evergreen shrub, look no further than a gardenia spp. Plants from this family are generally hardy from USDA zones 8 through 11. These beautiful plants have thick glossy leaves and creamy white flowers. Thanks to clever breeding, gardenias are now available in much harder varieties. You can plant them outdoors or in a prepared area indoors.
The mystery variety grows four to six feet tall and has double flowers. Chuck Hayes is four feet tall and hardy. Both gardenias thrive in full or partial shade and can last up to 50 years with proper care. They require an inch of water a week, and they need plenty of room to grow. You can plant them outside in the summer, but be sure to bring them indoors before the first frost.
The plant is native to Asia and the tropics. They can tolerate zone 6 and 7 winters, though they can be harsh. If your climate is a little more temperate, consider gardenia spp., which are semi-tropical and slow growing evergreen shrubs. Although they may be hardy, colder climates can be very hard on gardenias.
A well-drained acidic soil with good drainage is essential for gardenia spp., but they also need good sunlight. Gardenias need an average of one inch of rain per week. To help gardenias thrive, they require regular watering and a light fertilizer every few weeks. The soil should be moist but acidic. Ideally, gardenias should be planted in an acidic soil with good organic content.
Azalea spp.
When selecting azalea spp. for your landscape, it’s important to consider their climate, soil, and light requirements. For example, azaleas do best in areas that receive at least four hours of direct sun per day, but can tolerate a bit of afternoon shade. To get the most blooms, you’ll need filtered light and a rich, organic soil.
Native to the southeastern United States, azaleas are a versatile option for shade-loving gardens. They can reach heights of five to ten feet and form colonies through suckering. These shrubs require very little maintenance, but may need occasional pruning to maintain their shape. Azalea spp. are the best evergreen shrubs for north Texas.
Shade-loving plants are an important part of many landscapes, but they often face challenges in north Texas. Some homes and mature trees block the sun from reaching the property. In these cases, azalea spp. are the only options, but these shrubs are often the most beautiful. These shrubs can also be difficult to remove, but once established, they’re hard to take care of!
While azalea spp. are good evergreen shrubs for north Texas, they do need special care during the winter months. They’re shallow-rooted, so they require organic mulch around the base of the shrub. If your climate is cold, you may want to wrap your shrubs with burlap to protect them from ice and snow. Providing water is crucial during cold winters, but you don’t have to wait until the spring for pruning. A good way to prepare your shrubs for the winter months is to cut off dead branches and prune them before the flowers bloom. Taking care of Azalea spp. will make their lives easier.
The color of azaleas will add cheer to your landscape in springtime. Their flowers are pinkish white with long stamens and pistils. Azaleas will also produce a sweet fragrance. They’re also great for pollinator gardens. So, which Azalea spp. are best for north Texas? Read on to learn more about their benefits and care.
Yaupon Holly
In our area, the yaupon holly can grow up to 15 feet. This versatile evergreen shrub is drought-tolerant and can grow in shade or full sun. It is a native of Texas and will survive very dry conditions, and will produce beautiful red berries during the fall. These plants also attract wildlife, which appreciate their beauty and use them for food. They are suitable for areas that receive little rain, but need protection from the blazing Texas sun.
Youpon hollies need a good drainage system and well-prepared soil. They should be watered at least two to three times a week for their first year, and weekly thereafter. They tolerate droughts if they are well-established, but may not survive colder winters in the northern end of their hardiness range. Yaupon hollies are best propagated from fall-grown semi-hardwood cuttings.
You can also grow a solitary tree in your yard. You can divide it into male and female plants, but you need to separate the female and male plants. Its foliage is a glossy evergreen with blue highlights. Its leaves retain their classic shape, even when they are covered with snow. It will also grow well in containers and patios. It is widely adaptable and will add a formal touch to any outdoor space.
The yaupon holly is the perfect choice for a shady area. It has beautiful foliage and red berries in winter. The yaupon holly is the best choice for a small garden. ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ Holly is a cross between Ilex aquafolium and Ilex cornuta. It grows to 15 feet tall and has a broad pyramid-like shape.
Daylily
You’ve probably heard the term “daylily” before. What do you think it is? Well, you might be pleasantly surprised. This perennial, native to North America, is a versatile shrub that’s easy to grow and care for. But, before you go and buy a Daylily, make sure you know the plant’s true nature. Read on for some tips.
The Daylily is a native plant that adapted to its environment by naturalizing in the United States from the gardens of early colonists. It was so hardy, it soon spread everywhere the colonists did. It tolerated droughts and flooding, and it multiplied like a rabbit in a clover pasture. Today, you can find daylilies in every garden and on every street corner in the region.
Daylilies are hardy from Minnesota to Florida. They tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and are relatively resistant to pests and diseases. Their botanical name means “beauty for a day,” and it doesn’t disappoint. The daylily’s flowers open in the morning and die by the evening. Each stem has at least twelve flower buds. Once bloomed, they stay in bloom for several weeks.
After transplanting, break the crown into smaller clumps. Make sure to prune off any dead branches or leaves that are still attached to the plant. Then, cut back the leaves to a third of their original length to promote more flowering. Daylilies don’t self-sow. In the fall, you can cut off the scapes and allow the plants to regrow from the ground.