Maintenance Landscaping Design

Evergreen bushes is an ideal plant for those who want to add a touch of greenery to their home without having to worry about watering it regularly. These tough plants can withstand both hot and cold weather and will continue to look green and lush all year round. For best results, plant evergreen bushes in a sunny spot in your garden.

Alternative name

• Boxwood
  
• Privet
  
• Yew
  
• Holly
  
• Arborvitae

Things to Know

• Evergreen bushes can provide year-round privacy and windbreaks.
  
• They are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors.
  
• Evergreen bushes can be low-maintenance if you choose the right varieties.
  
• Some evergreen bushes are more tolerant of shade than others.
  
• Evergreen bushes can be susceptible to pests and diseases.
  
• Regular pruning is often necessary to keep evergreen bushes looking their best.
  
• Some evergreen bushes can be quite messy, especially if they drop a lot of needles.
  
• Evergreen bushes can be a good choice for landscaping around swimming pools.
  
• Deer and rabbits often enjoy eating evergreen bushes.
  
• Evergreen bushes can make excellent cut Christmas trees.

Related plant:
Best Evergreen Shrubs

Growing Steps

1. For evergreen bushes, first step is to buy a young plant from a nursery or garden center.
   
2. Choose a location in full sun or partial shade for your evergreen bush.
   
3. Prepare the planting site by removing all weeds and grass from the area.
   
4. Loosen the soil in the planting area with a shovel or tiller.
   
5. Create a hole in the soil that is twice the size of the bush’s root ball.
   
6. Place the bush in the hole and backfill with soil.
   
7. Tamp down the soil around the bush to remove any air pockets.
   
8. Water the bush deeply immediately after planting.
   
9. Spread a 2-inch layer of mulch around the base of the bush.
   
10. Prune the bush as needed to shape it and encourage new growth.

Related plant:
Types Of Evergreen Trees

Soil Condition

About soil condition, evergreen bushes prefer soil that is well-drained and moist, but not soggy. They also like soil that is slightly acidic. To test your soil's acidity, you can get a kit from a gardening store.

About light

So, like the other plants, evergreen bushes need sunlight to grow. However, they don't need as much sun as other plants because they are adapted to living in shady areas. They can even grow in areas where there is no direct sunlight, as long as there is some indirect light.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for evergreen bushes is one that is cool and moist. This type of condition is typically found in areas that have a lot of rainfall. However, evergreen bushes can also survive in warmer conditions as long as they are given enough water.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% and above. The plant will do best in an environment that has high humidity and consistent moisture. If the humidity is too low, the plant will become stressed and may drop its needles.

Fertilizing

Regarding fertilizer, this family of plant is highly adaptable and forgiving. A root system that is extensive and fibrous is what gives these bushes their ability to withstand both droughts and periods of excessive moisture. This is also why they are relatively easy to transplant. When it comes to fertilizer, less is definitely more when it comes to these plants. An annual feeding in late winter or early spring, using a general purpose fertilizer, is all that is needed.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of keeping your evergreen bushes healthy and looking their best. When you prune, you remove dead or diseased branches, as well as branches that are growing in the wrong direction. This helps the bush to direct its energy towards healthier growth. You should prune your evergreen bushes in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.

The Propagation

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from cuttings of existing plants. Evergreen bushes are easily propagated from cuttings taken from new growth. The best time to take cuttings is in late spring or early summer. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, disease-free stems that are 6 to 12 inches long. Cuttings should be placed in a well-drained potting mix and kept moist until roots have formed. Roots will form within 4 to 6 weeks.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate falls in between fast-growing and slow-growing plants. The rate of growth for evergreen bushes is determined by the bush's age, species, and growing conditions. For example, younger bushes typically grow faster than older bushes. And, bushes that are native to warm climates typically grow faster than those native to cold climates. Fast-growing evergreen bushes can reach their full height in just a few years, while slow-growing bushes may take a decade or more to reach their full height. There are a number of different evergreen bushes to choose from, so you can find one that will fit your needs based on its growth rate. If you're looking for a fast-growing bush, consider options like the Leyland cypress or the eucalyptus. If you prefer a slower-growing bush, opt for varieties like the Oregon grape or the Christmas fir. Regardless of the growth rate, evergreen bushes make an excellent addition to any landscape.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are dehydration, over watering, and under watering. Dehydration is when the leaves of the bush start to turn brown and fall off. This is caused by not enough water getting to the roots of the bush. Over watering is when the bush gets too much water and the roots start to rot. This can be caused by waterlogged soil or by a broken irrigation system. Under watering is when the bush gets too little water and the leaves start to turn yellow and fall off. This is usually caused by a drought or by a broken irrigation system.

Tips on Growing

• If you are growing evergreen bushes, make sure to plant them in an area that receives full sun.
  
• Evergreen bushes need well-drained soil in order to thrive. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, amend it with sand or gravel to improve drainage.
  
• When planting evergreen bushes, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
  
• After planting, water the bush thoroughly.
  
• Fertilize evergreen bushes twice a year: once in spring and once in fall.
  
• Prune evergreen bushes in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
  
• To keep evergreen bushes looking their best, apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant.
  
• Evergreen bushes are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. Watch for signs of trouble and contact your local cooperative extension office if you have any

You May Like

• Cypress
  
• Juniper
  
• Spruce
  
• Pine
  
• Yew
  
• Hemlock
  
• Sequoia
  
• Cedar
  
• Arborvitae
  
• Taxus

Source:
Choosing evergreens for your landscape | UMN Extension
Evergreen Trees - 7.403 - Extension
Selecting Evergreen Trees | Oklahoma State University