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Above and Left: Standard Burfordii holly forms a multitrunked tree, can reach about 15 feet high and produces reddish-orange berries.
exterior design
captivating broadleaf and narrowleaf evergreens
by steve huddleston
photos courtesy of
the fort worth botanic garden
It’s amazing the effect leaves have on the human psyche. After deciduous trees shed their leaves for the winter, many people feel a sense of loss and resign themselves to a drab season devoid of verdant beauty. However, the disappearance of deciduous foliage only reveals the splendor and wide array of evergreen plants that perhaps went unnoticed during the growing season. With competition from deciduous trees and shrubs gone, the real stars of winter have a chance to stand out. Winter is the time to admire the foliage, form and sometimes fruit of both broadleaf and narrowleaf evergreens.
BROADLEAF GARDENS
The dark, glossy green leaves of Nellie R. Stevens holly make a bold statement in the winter landscape and provide some of the most attractive holly leaves for holiday decorations. Nellie R. Stevens reaches a mature height of 15 feet or so, and thus makes an excellent shrub to screen an undesirable view, to create a sense of enclosure in the garden or to form an evergreen backdrop for a mixed border. This holly produces clusters of large red berries that adorn the foliage and create even more winter interest.
The standard Burfordii holly forms a multitrunked tree, develops a round crown, also reaches a height of 15 feet or so and produces clusters of large reddish-orange berries. These hollies can add a formal look to a garden.
Another good holly, albeit smaller, is the beautiful Mary Nell holly. It forms a large shrub 6 feet to 12 feet tall and does well in sun to shade. The leaves of Mary Nell are bold, distinctively toothed and deep green. This holly can create a formal look in a garden and can form a living wall.
No evergreen makes as strong a statement in the landscape as the Southern magnolia. The standard form of this evergreen tree can grow to 60 feet tall and assume a spread of 40 feet — more room than many suburban lots can offer. For smaller lots, consider the diminutive cultivar Little Gem, which grows 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. The leaves and flowers are about half the size as those on the standard magnolia. Little Gem has an upright growth habit and looks good along fences or trained against a wall as an espalier. The leathery green leaves certainly add color to the winter landscape and lend beauty to home interiors.
Several broadleaf evergreen shrubs stand out in the winter landscape, too. The old-fashioned but tried-and-proven nandina tops the list. This stalwart shrub reaches a height of 5 feet to 6 feet, produces metallic blue-green foliage and sports gorgeous clusters of bright red berries during the winter. This versatile shrub does well in both full sun and shade. Many shorter-growing cultivars of nandina exist, including Compacta, Gulf Stream, Moon Bay and Harbour Dwarf. There is a height for any application in the garden.
Related to nandina is the stately Leatherleaf mahonia, a slow-growing evergreen shrub. It has woody, erect and multiple stems that grow to a height of 4 feet to 6 feet with a spread of 3 feet to 4 feet. The pinnately compound leaves feature nine to 13 leaflets that are grayish- or bluish-green above, and olive green below. Each stiff, leathery leaflet measures 2 inches to 4 inches long and features sharp marginal spines that give the foliage a holly-like appearance. Leatherleaf mahonia brings winter cheer in January and February when it produces 3 inches to 6 inches long swirling racemes that sport small, delightfully fragrant, lemon-yellow flowers that entice both bees and humans when few other plants are blooming. The flowers are followed by large clusters of striking purplish-blue berries that remain throughout the summer unless devoured by birds, which find them irresistible. Leatherleaf mahonia prefers partial shade to shade in well-drained soil. Although it appreciates moisture, leatherleaf mahonia exhibits considerable drought tolerance once established.
NARROWLEAF GARDENS
Most people cherish narrowleaf evergreens during the Christmas season. Their boughs make beautiful wreaths, garlands and centerpieces. The entire evergreen tree makes a good cut or living Christmas tree.
Steve Huddleston is the senior horticulturist at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, an official bird sanctuary and refuge for many forms of wildlife.
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