Choosing broadleaf evergreens for cold climate landscape gardens is tricky. The further north we travel, the fewer choices exist. Most broadleaf evergreens merely survive beyond plant hardiness zone 5 (- 20° to -10°), but a few grow well in their particular areas.
There are two reasons why choice of broadleaf evergreens is limited. Broadleaf evergreens are:
The landscape gardener can extend a broadleaf evergreen plant palette to include those that grow well in plant hardiness zones 5 and colder.
Conditions causing cold injuries to broadleaf evergreens intensify and damage worsens when:
Complementary approaches for choosing broadleaf evergreens for cold climates include:
The majority of hardy broadleaf evergreens belong to the heath (Ericaceae) plant family and secondarily to the holly (Aquifoliaceae) family. They thrive in acid soils with a minimum of fertilizer. Some do well in sandy and infertile soils. Groups of cold hardy broadleaf evergreens commonly used in landscape design include:
© Text and photographs, except where noted, by Georgene A. Bramlage. 2008. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
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