Evergreen - Broadleaf Flashcards
Common Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
Plant Description
This common broadleaf evergreens has been a favorite in Europe for centuries and is widely used throughout the world now. The actual species can grow 15-20 feet high and 8-10 wide, but most of the commonly used cultivars are much smaller. It is especially popular for use in hedges, topiaries and other formal roles because its slow growth makes it easy to keep trimmed. It has a dense branching habit and a rounded form with the branches extending all the way to the ground.
The leaf is elliptic in shape with an entire margin, 1/2 - 1 inch long, and arranged oppositely on the stem. The leaf is a bright glossy dark green on the top, and a more yellowish-green color below. Younger leaves are typically lighter in color and darken as they mature. The primary vein running down the middle of the leaf is clearly visible on the leaf. The leaf has a waxy feel if rubbed between the fingers. Small and inconspicuous light yellow flowers appear in the spring. They would probably pass unnoticed except that they appear to be fairly attractive to bees.
Landscape Use
Boxwood is very popular for use as an evergreen accent plant, and for use in mass plantings and hedges. The most common use by far is for shaping into formal hedges. It is also very popular for use as a topiary plant.
Points of Interest
Boxwood is very susceptible to winter burn, causing the outer leaves to turn an orangish-brown and become crispy. Leaves will not recover from this damage and should be pruned out. To avoid winter burn, plant in a location with part to full shade, especially during the winter months.
Notable Cultivars
Buxus microphylla Winter Gem: A small-leafed variety with leaves that are lighter green than those of Buxus sempervirens. It grows 2 feet high and wide.
x Green Mountain: It has a good rounded pyramidal shape, reaching 5 feet high and 3 feet wide.
Chicagoland: Rounded form, 3-4’ tall and wide. Cold hardiest boxwood available in widespread production.
Bearberry Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster dammeri
Plant Description
Cotoneaster dammeri, or Bearberry Cotoneaster, is a low spreading shrub with a delicate texture and somewhat wild form. It is evergreen or semi-evergreen in our climate, depending upon the location where it is planted. It will grow only 18 inches high, but can spread up to 6 feet. It will naturally fill in a space because branches touching the ground will root and form new plants. It will grow quite dense and can be difficult to keep looking nice. In shady locations the internodes will become longer, and the plant becomes very leggy and woody looking.
The leaves are elliptic or oblong in shape, and small, being less than 3/4 inch long. They are a glossy dark green on top and an olive green beneath. The leaves are arranged alternately on the stem. In the winter the leaves take on a purplish-tinge if they do not drop.
In the spring time, small white flowers (1/2 inch) appear profusely on the shrub. Following the flowers, red pome fruit forms. It does not appear in the same numbers, nor is at as showy a color, as on Cotoneaster apiculatus.
Landscape Use
Use for a groundcover, especially on gently sloping terrain, or plant in raised beds and rock garden for a trailing effect.
Points of Interest
It is susceptible to fireblight.
Notable Cultivars
Coral Beauty: Produces large amounts of coral-red fruit. The flowering seems to be more profuse than other cultivars.
Japanese Euonymus
Euonymus japonicus
Plant Description
Euonymus japonicus, or Japanese Euonymus is a beautiful evergreen shrub with an attractive large glossy leaf. Unfortunately, as a zone 6 or 7, it is not hardy in our climate except in the warm microclimates. I suspect once the plant is established it may be more cold tolerant than is commonly thought. It grows 10-15 feet high and 5-7 feet wide. It has an upright rounded form that is very dense. It hedges well, but must be trimmed frequently because of its fast growth rate. It is exceptionally tolerant of many different soil conditions and will happily grow in full sun to full shade.
The leaf is obovate in shape, 1-3 inches long, and half as wide. It is a glossy dark green color on the top, and lighter green underneath the leaf. The margin is serrated except towards the very base of the leaf, where it is entire. The leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem.
Cymes of small light green flowers appear in the late spring or early summer. They are not ornamentally significant.
Landscape Use
Popular for use as a large foundation plant or for screens and hedges.
Points of Interest
The variegated cultivars are the most popular, but they will often put out shoots that are not variegated. It is important that these growths are promptly removed or they will become dominant on the plant.
Notable Cultivars
Aureo-variegata: The margin of the leaf has an undulating yellow color. It grows 5-10 feet high and wide.
Plant Views
Hedera helix
Plant Description
Hedera helix, commonly known as English Ivy, is a very popular evergreen climbing vine or groundcover. It is exceptionally vigorous and hardy, and can become invasive if left unchecked. It will root to the ground wherever the branches touch it, and will cling to buildings with holdfasts. It grows best in full to part shade.
The leaf is a dark green, often with clear white veins, and can reach up to 6 inches long. They are arranged alternately on the stem. Two different types of leaves form on the vine: lobed juvenile leaves and ovate mature leaves. The juvenile leaves are a dark glossy green color and the veins are most prominent on these young leaves. They have 3-5 lobes, with the center lobe being about twice as large as the other nodes. The mature leaves are slightly lighter in color. The margin is slightly undulate.
Landscape Use
Use as a groundcover in shaded locations, or as a vine to climb a wall, trellis or other structure.
Points of Interest
Ivy will climb tree trunks and can become a nuisance. It is susceptible to leaf spot and leaf burn in hot full sun areas.
Meserve Hybrid Hollies
Ilex x meserveae
Plant Description
This species of holly is a cross between Prostrate Holly and English Holly. It provides the same familiar holly-leaf and bright red berries as the English Holly, but is much cold hardier and performs decently in our climate. They are not terribly adaptable, and perform best in a more neutral to alkaline soil. They need to be planted in full shade, or they will suffer severe winter kill in most winters. The form is broadly pyramidal and can it grow 10-15 feet high.
The leaf is evergreen, dark green and very glossy, the bottom of the leaf is a light green, and can sometimes turn a light brown color. The leaves are 1 - 2 1/2 inches long, quite thick and leathery, and arranged alternately on the stem. The leaf is ovate in shape and has a spiny margin.
Small white flowers bloom in the spring. They are somewhat showy and are more prevalent on male varieties. Holly is famous for its bright red drupe fruit, that stands out against the dark green leaves. The fruit is only born on female plants, and they must be pollinated by a male plant. They are 1/4 - 1/2 inch in diameter and form in small clusters. The berries ripen by the end of fall and will persist throughout winter.
Landscape Use
Use as in mass plantings for best visual impact when the berries are in color. I have seen it used as a hedge, though in our climate it would probably not perform reliably in that role. The spiny leaves make this a plant that is best seen, but not touched, and so it shouldn’t be used right along walks or patio edges. It is a good choice as a security plant for putting underneath windows along fences.
Points of Interest
Despite being the most cold hardy hollies, Meserve Hybrid Hollies are still a fragile plant in our climate. If they are not planted in full sun then they will suffer extensive winter burn and winter kill. Protect them from high wind, especially during the winter. Holly is also susceptible to leaf spot and scale.
Notable Cultivars
Blue Prince: A male cultivar that reaches 10-12 feet high with a spreading form and shrubby look. Leaves are very dark and glossy.
Blue Princess: A female cultivar that has excellent berry production. The dark green leaves have a blue overcast. Grows up to 15 feet high.
Dwarf Oregon Grape
Mahonia aquifolium ‘Compactum’
Plant Description
Magonia aquifolium ‘Compactum’, or Compact Oregon Grape, is a small to medium (3-6 feet high and wide) semi-evergreen shrub. It has a loose and sparse branching pattern with a rounded spreading form. It prefers moist and shady locations and needs to be protected from wind. It grows best in acidic soils, but is tolerant of our alkaline soils.
The leaf is odd pinnately compound, 6-12 inches long, and a dark glossy green color. Each leaflet is ovate in form and 1 1/2 - 3 1/2 inches long. The leaf margin is spiny typically with 6-12 spines per side. In the spring, new leaves have a red overcast to them, and in the fall the leaves will usually turn a bright red color and drop.
Yellow flowers appear in the spring. They are held on small racemes that appear at the terminal bud of the stem. In the summer, black-blue fruit forms. The berry fruit is 1/2 inch in diameter and forms in clumps like grapes. The fruit will persist into the winter.
Landscape Use
Use as a foundation planting in shaded locations, or for its fall color and winter berry interest. It is a bit tender, and should not be planted in stressful situations.
Points of Interest
Leaf rust, leaf spots, leaf scorch and leaf burn are all problems. In our climate, leaf scorch in particular is problematic on plants planted in full sun.
Creeping Mahonia
Mahonia repens
Plant Description
Mahonia repens is very similar to Mahonia aquifolium except in form and size. Creeping Mahonia, as its common name suggests, is more prostrate in nature and is often used as a groundcover. It needs a shaded location that is protected from wind and prefers acidic soils.
The leaves and leaflets are slightly smaller than those of Oregon Grape. The leaves are odd pinnately compound leaves are 4-9 inches long with leaflets only growing up to 2 1/2 inches long. The leaflets have spiny margins. Mahonia repens seems to be more evergreen than Oregon Grape, especially when growing along the ground where it is insulated some.
Small racemes of yellow flowers appear in the spring. In the summer, black-blue fruit forms. The berry fruit is 1/4 inch in diameter and forms in clumps like grapes. The fruit will persist into the winter.
Landscape Use
Use as a groundcover or as a climbing vine where support is provided. It needs to be kept out of full sun.
Points of Interest
Leaf rust, leaf spots, leaf scorch and leaf burn are all problems. In our climate, leaf scorch in particular is problematic on plants planted in full sun.
English Laurel
Prunus laurocerasus
Plant Description
Prunus laurocerasus or English Laurel, is a medium to large evergreen shrub. It is borderline for our climate and will only survive in areas with warm microclimates during the winter. It forms a broad shrub with a dense branching habit. It is tolerant of many different soil conditions but performs best in moist soils with plenty of organic matter. In our climate it performs best when planted in full to partial shade.
The 2 inch long leaves are oblong, glossy green color and arranged alternately on the stem. The leaf is thick and waxy feeling. The margin varies from being unevenly serrated to entire. The central vein is prominent on the leaf.
In the spring, small (1/4 inch diameter) white flowers appear in racemes on the plant in large quantities. They are extremely fragrant, and many people find the odor to be unpleasant. Small and rounded purple drupe fruit forms during the summer, but is not visible except on close inspection of the plant.
Landscape Use
Use as a hedge, foundation planting or in other mass plantings. It should be planted on the north or east side of buildings in our climate, or in some other shaded and protected location.
Points of Interest
The soil needs to be well-drained or the plant will suffer from sever root rot. The leaf is a favored snack of many insects. The most problematic condition for English Laurel in our climate is the winter sun, which will burn the leaves and cause serious die back.
Notable Cultivars
Otto Luyken: This small variety has a compact habit and good rounded form. The leaves are smaller (4 inches long) than on the regular species. Grows 4 feet high and wide.
Scarlet Firethorn
Pyracantha coccinea
Plant Description
Pyracantha coccinea, or Scarlet Firethorn, is a semi-evergreen medium to large shrub, growing 6-18 feet high and wide. It is vigorous in growth and can have an open and wild look to it. It is easily pruned, but will need it often or it becomes unkempt looking. They are a popular plant to use for espaliers and other formal pruning patterns. It prefers full sun and is adaptable to a wide variety of soil conditions.
The leaf is elliptic to lanceolate in shape and 1 - 2 1/2 inches long on new growth, and only 1 1/2 inches long on old growth. The leaves are a glossy dark green color on top and a dull green below and pubescent. Sharp thorns form at the axillary buds on the stem.
Small white flowers (1/3 inch diameter) appear on 2-3 inch wide corymbs in the spring. The flowers have a faint odor. The flowers are very showy, but they only bloom on last years growth. Showy pome fruit are bright orange, round in shape and 1/4 inch in diameter. They turn color and ripen in fall and persist through the winter.
Landscape Use
Use as an ornamental plant for its showy flowers and fruit. It can be used as a security planting thanks to its thorns, but should be avoided next to walks, drives or patios. Popularly used as a formal plant, being pruned into any number for forms and shapes. It is also suitable to be used in mass plantings or in shrub borders.
Points of Interest
The fruit is extremely attractive to birds, but it appears to have some sort of mild drug effect on them as birds that have eaten the fruit have been observed to fly irregularly, fortunately the effects are temporary.
Fireblight and scab are the two most damaging diseases. Scab is especially problematic, causing the bright fruits to turn an unattractive blackish color.
Notable Cultivars
Lalandei: One of the cold-hardiest varieties, it is hardy to zone 5. It grows 10-15 feet high and wide.
Burkwood Viburnum
Viburnum x burkwoodii
Plant Description
Viburnum x burkwoodii is a medium to large shrub, growing 8-10 feet high and 6-8 feet wide. It has an upright vase shape, with multiple large stems emanating from the base. White it rarely grows too dense, it can become tangled looking and should be regularly pruned to maintain the best shape. It is a very adaptable plant, able to handle drought and a wide variety of soil conditions.
The leaves are ovate or elliptic and 1-4 inches long and arranged oppositely on the stem. The margin is just slightly toothed, and can sometimes be more easily felt by running a finger along the leaf edge than seen. The veins are somewhat arcuate in pattern and are set into the leaf, making them very visible. The top of the leaf is dark green and the bottom of the leaf is a silver-green color and covered with fine hairs. The petiole is pubescent. In fall the leaves turn a purplish red color.
Large clusters of white flowers appear in spring. The flower emerge from bright pink buds (showy in their own manner), and are held on rounded cymes 2-3 inches wide. The flowers have a sweet and spicy fragrance to them. Following the blooming, black fruit forms in clusters on the bush. Each drupe fruit is 1/3 inch in diameter. The fruit is not as profuse as on many other species of Vibrunum.
Landscape Use
It is well suited to use as a hedge or in shrub border plantings. It is a good choice for planting next to a window or near an outdoor space where the sweet fragrance can be enjoyed during the spring.
Points of Interest
Leaf spot is a common problem. It is also highly susceptible to sulfur spray, which will cause the plant to defoliate, so care should be taken when using chemicals in the landscapes that those containing sulphur are not applied.
Lantanaphyllum or Leatherleaf Viburnum
Viburnum x rhytidophylloides
Plant Description
Viburnum rhytidophylloides, or Leatherleaf Viburnum, is a large deciduous shrub, growing 10-15 feet high and wide. It has a good upright and rounded form, with a well-defined multi-stem form. Somewhat marginal for our climate. New stems are pubescent, while older growth is more glabrous and a rich brown color.
The leaf is oblong in shape and very thick and leathery feeling. The leaf is a rich dark green color on top and a sliver-green on the bottom. The veins are very deeply set on the surface of the leaf making it appear wrinkled from on top. On the bottom, the reticulate vein pattern can be clearly seen and felt. The leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem. A semi-evergreen, the leaves may take on a purplish tinge during the winter.
The flowers are white and appear in spring. They form in cymes that are 4-8 inches wide. The flowers are not as fragrant as those of the Burkwood Viburnum, but they are numerous and fairly showy. Fruiting is inconsistent, but when it does form, it appears in fairly showy clusters of 1/3 inch diameter red, then black, drupes.
Landscape Use
It is well suited to use as a hedge or in shrub border plantings.
Points of Interest
It can experience a moderate amount of dieback in winter, though it will survive and come back after even harsh winter. It is also highly susceptible to sulfur spray, which will cause the plant to defoliate, so care should be taken when using chemicals in the landscapes that those containing sulphur are not applied.
Notable Cultivars
Viburnum lantana Mohican: Fruit is exceptionally bright and showy, turning bright orange or red for more than a month during the summer before turning black in the fall. Grows 10 feet high and wide.
Vibrunum dentatum Christom: A smaller Viburnum, it grows only 5-7 feet high and 3-5 feet wide. It has light green serrated foliage. In the fall the large clusters of fruit ripen to a bright blue color.
