Evergreen plants for winter structure
A question which I am often asked at my consultations is ‘what can I grow in my garden in North East Scotland which will look good all year round?’ Many people would like to emulate the show gardens at Chelsea Flower Show (wouldn’t we all?!). But many plants featured there will not survive a winter outdoors in North East Scotland or offer any form of winter structure.
Here are my top 5 plants which will survive a winter in North East Scotland and look good in winter:-
1. Euphorbia characias subsp. characias
Mediterranean spurge or Euphorbia characias subsp. characias is a bold evergreen perennial. It has bluish green foliage which looks good all year round. In summer it produces large dome-shaped lime green with dark red eye flowers which last into summer. Likes full sun or partial shade in a sheltered spot. Wear gloves when pruning as it produces a milky sap which can irritate skin and eyes.
2. Griselinia littoralis ‘Green Horizon’
New Zealand privet or Griselinia littoralis ‘Green Horizon’ is a fast growing evergreen shrub which is great for hedging. It has high salt tolerance and so is particularly suitable for coastal gardens. This plant is extremely hardy down to temperatures of -10 once established. Newly planted young shrubs will benefit from protection against cold and drying winds, but once they are fully grown will withstand all but the harshest of Northern climates.
3. Photinia x fraseri ‘Pink Marble’
Christmas berry ‘Pink Marble’ also known as Photinia faseri ‘Pink Marble’ is a variegated, evergreen and frost-hardy shrub. It has grey-green leaves with cream edges on mature foliage. Young spring shoots are bright red with a vivid-pink variegation. It produces small sprays of white flowers in the spring. For the best leaf colour, it should be grown in a sunny position but will also tolerate partial shade. It prefers a hummus rich, moist but well-drained soil and can be grown in any location, sheltered or exposed.
4. Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’
Cherry laurel ‘Otto Luyken’ is a spreading evergreen shrub with dense, low growth, and narrow, glossy dark green leaves. It grows to 1 metre in height. In spring it produces small, strongly fragrant white flowers followed by cherry-like red fruits turning to glossy black. It is great for a low hedge and like a sunny or partially shaded position.
5. Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Burkwood osmanthus is a dense, slow-growing, large evergreen shrub (growing up to 3 metres) with a rounded habit. It has dark green, ovate leaves with highly-scented white flowers in late spring. It is a great alternative to common box (Buxus sempervirens).
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