To enhance your outdoor space after the vibrant summer and fall displays, consider adding easy-care evergreen trees. They provide year-round structure and interest, especially during winter when other plants fade. Plant them in the fall while the soil is warm for optimal root establishment before cold weather arrives. Regular watering, especially in dry conditions, is crucial for a strong start. Even in small urban spaces, compact evergreen varieties are suitable for containers on your courtyard, balcony, patio, or porch. Tree experts have shared their top picks to prevent your yard from feeling barren. Here are their recommendations.
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Magnolia ‘Little Gem’
A certified arborist, Blake Watkins, praises the ‘Little Gem’ Magnolia. This compact evergreen features waxy leaves, fragrant white flowers, and striking red fruits in fall. It’s versatile in soil types and available in US nurseries. It’s an ideal privacy tree for small yards with glossy foliage, sizable flowers, and a slender columnar shape. Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, it can even be grown in a container for a touch of exotic beauty in your landscaping.
Dwarf Alberta Spruce
The Dwarf Alberta Spruce is a cold-hardy conifer that thrives in most of the US, except for the deep south, Arizona, and parts of California. Its conical shape and vibrant green foliage add life to winter landscapes and provide a backdrop for flowering plants in the growing season. This low-maintenance tree requires minimal pruning and is excellent for topiary. It benefits from moderate watering and a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Disease-resistant and easy to care for, it prefers well-drained soil. Whether as a single specimen, paired for entryway emphasis, or in a row for privacy, the Dwarf Alberta Spruce is a versatile and beautiful choice.
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Eucalyptus ‘Baby Blue’
Consider ‘Baby Blue’ Eucalyptus for your warm region yard. Fern Berg highlights its aromatic silver-blue leaves, arranged beautifully. This slow-growing, compact evergreen is perfect for smaller spaces. Its striking foliage is popular for flower arranging. ‘Baby Blue’ thrives in a sunny spot; once established, it’s low-maintenance. It blooms with subtle creamy-white flowers from late winter to spring and benefits from light post-flowering pruning. Plant this single specimen tree for year-round fragrance and captivating foliage.