The late spring has meant that I have relied more than usual on my evergreen shrubs and trees to cheer me up through the dull, gray weather that we have had for far too long now! Even when the sun does shine, they seem to glow in the garden, their glossy leaves reflecting the much appreciated sunshine. But with some sunnier days at last, the garden is beginning to take on a greenish hue as the leaves on deciduous plants finally ‘break’.
As well as giving form and structure all year, evergreens provide shade, nesting sites and a windbreak in exposed gardens. Many, such as the spring flowering Berberis darwinii are a spectacular site when the rounded bushes are smothered in hanging clusters of rich orange flowers. There is one in a garden near my allotment and it stands out at this time of the year – glowing like a beacon against the creamy white house that stands behind it and completely unharmed by cold winds and frosts. It brings a smile to my face each time I stop to flex my back from my digging!
Some of the most breathtaking evergreens must be the taller hybrid Rhododendrons. With their large rounded leaves, that remind me of the lop ears on a rabbit, and neat habits they create a cool feel to a part shaded border until they produce their magnificent trusses of flowers, usually in May, which is peak Rhododendron time. The range of colours available means that there are plants to suit all tastes, from the glowing white ‘Madam Masson’ which has a golden yellow blotch in the flowers to the deep reddish purple flowers of ‘Caruso’, a newer variety. Vibrant pink and purple varieties are also easy to find so there really is something for everyone! Our garden is neither sheltered enough nor large enough for these beauties and the soil is not acid so I have to content myself with growing my dwarf R. yakushimanum in a pot!
Really standing out in our garden at the moment is Photinia ‘Red Robin’ with stunning bright red young leaves. The soft growth has been hit by the cold, easterly winds that we have had so that the tips are burnt brown and crispy, but the overall effect is still very eye catching. This is a fast growing shrub that needs hard pruning whilst young to make a well shaped plant. The added bonus of a good prune each summer is more of the bright red young leaf growth as the plant grows back – determined not to be beaten by my secateurs! The long, glossy leaves mature to bronze green and occasionally the plant produces clusters of white flowers in summer but my persistent pruning will probably put pay to flowers on our specimen.
One other evergreen of note is our Teucrium fruiticans ‘Azureum’ which is looking a little weather beaten after recent frosts but has flowered on and off through winter and has recently become home to a pair of Blackbirds – much to my delight!
Happy Gardening!
Mr McGregor
