Evergreen shrubs in central Russia are no longer rare. You can plant coniferous or deciduous specimens. Some plants deserve special attention due to their high decorativeness.
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Species, varieties and their description
- One of the most popular evergreens is the holly magonia. This bush is up to 1.5 m high with leathery shiny leaves that look very impressive. In the summer they are dark green, in the fall and winter - purple or red-golden. Magonia blooms in spring, in early May, with fragrant yellow flowers gathered in large brushes. Sometimes there is a second flowering in October.
- In decorative gardening, boxwood is evergreen, there are varieties with yellow foliage. This is an undemanding plant that tolerates summer drought and winter frosts well. Popular varieties: Elegans, Safruticosa, and Blauer Heinz.
- Holly meserve. The branches of the bush are strewn all winter with yellow or red fruits and elegant green leaves. Holly is credited with the power to drive away evil spirits. Popular varieties: Blue Angel, Golden Princesses, Blue Mead.
- Rhododendrons look very exotic among the snowdrifts of white snow. The flowering of rhododendrons is incredibly beautiful, but a strong aroma can cause a headache. Popular are many varieties that can grow in central Russia. With pink flowers - “Karolinsky”, “Makino”, “Schlippenbach”, “Irene”. Blooming in yellow and orange colors - "Keyzoke", "Flava", "Ward". With white flowers - Metternich, Cunningham White, Fortune. Red-flowered - Smirnova, Karaktakus, Alfred. Blossoming with lilac, blue, and blue flowers - Lavender, Azurvolke, Prekoks.
- Thuja belongs to evergreen conifers or shrubs from the genus Cypress. In the middle zone of Russia, the western thuja is often grown. Popular dwarf forms: Globosa, Globa Nana, Europa Gold, Compact, Little Jam, Little Champion.
- Junipers are evergreen coniferous shrubs from the Cypress family. Large, stunted and creeping species are found. Green leaves are needle-shaped or scaly. In the culture, the most common types of juniper are: horizontal (or open), Chinese, rocky, Virginian, Cossack, ordinary, scaly.
Curly evergreen shrubs, which bloom very beautifully, are also grown in the culture. For example, bougainvillea. But this plant does not tolerate frost, therefore it is unsuitable for planting in the open ground of moderate latitudes.
Features of landing in open ground
The day before planting on the site of seedlings in containers, they are watered so that it is easy to remove the earthen lump from the pot. They make a pit for planting a little more than the volume of the container in which the plant grew. At the bottom of the pit, drainage is made of broken brick with sand. The distance between seedlings is from 0.5 to 2 m, depending on the type and variety of plants, as well as the desired effect.
- Junipers are undemanding to soil fertility. A soil mixture of peat, sand and turf soil is poured into the prepared pit.
- It is desirable for boxwoods to add perlite to the planting hole so that the earth is light, it passes water and air well.
- Rhododendrons also can not grow on heavy soil and where there is stagnation of water. The soil mixture for filling the wells is prepared from peat, coniferous litter and sheet soil (2: 1: 3), adding 70 g of complete mineral fertilizer to 1 plant.
- Holly does not tolerate transplant. For him, they choose a shady place in the garden with fertile, moist soil.
- Magonia can be transplanted at any age, it is advisable to set aside areas open to the sun for it. In dense groups, it is placed at a distance of 1 meter, since it grows greatly. The plant does not tolerate late autumn transplantation.
- Thuja is unpretentious to soil fertility and illumination. However, it does not tolerate stagnation of moisture at the roots, so the earth should be well drained.
Care for evergreen shrubs in the garden
Evergreen shrubs for the garden are usually unpretentious, they require standard care measures - removing weeds in the near-stem circle, loosening the soil, watering, and feeding.
- Magonia is hardy, not afraid of heat and frost. Water the plant in the summer 1 time in two weeks (10 l of water per plant). They feed twice a season - in the early spring and in May, before flowering by the Kemira Station Wagon.
- The holly is shade-tolerant, loves moisture, and does not tolerate drought. In spring, the plant is covered from the sun to protect against burns.
- Junipers fertilize once a season - in the spring. The plant is drought tolerant, does not need frequent watering.
- That spring, in April, fertilized with Nitroammofoskoy.
- Juniper Virginia is drought tolerant, other species do not tolerate dry air. After watering, a shallow loosening of the soil and mulching are carried out.
- In early spring, rhododendron is fed with potassium sulfate or superphosphate. The second time they do it after flowering. On hot days, watered regularly and plentifully, 2 to 3 times a week, with soft water.
- Boxwood needs a haircut, watering, top dressing. The more you feed, the more often you will have to cut.
The nuances of winter care
In winter, all evergreens need shelter from the sun and the cold wind. The roots are protected from freezing of the earth by mulch and spruce branches, and in early November, abundant water-charging irrigation is carried out. Young bushes are tightly tied with a spanbond.
Species of evergreen shrubs, adapted to the conditions of central Russia, can withstand frosts near Moscow in the shade and with covered roots.
Adult plants wintering without shelter are loosely covered in late February with spanbond or burlap from the sun.
Pest and Disease Control
Evergreen shrubs suffer from fungal diseases and insect pests. To combat various spots and rot fungicides are used. Preventive treatment is carried out in early spring and autumn.
To control insects, systemic or contact insecticides are used after the detection of pests on the leaves.
Hedge Application
Evergreen shrubs are well suited to create hedges. They never lose their decorative effect. Each species has a special advantage.
- Boxwood is appreciated by gardeners for its dense crown with fine shiny foliage. The bush tolerates a haircut very well, allowing you to create beautiful hedges.
- Holly magonia is planted at a distance of 30 cm to create low hedges. It does not need frequent pruning; the bushes are sheared after flowering.
- Thuja tolerates a haircut, suitable for creating various architectural forms and garden fences of various heights.
- Rhododendron looks effective in hedges; when planting, it is recommended not to mix evergreen and deciduous varieties.
But the holly is not very suitable for creating hedges, it is contraindicated in brightly lit, open areas. It is better to plant it in the shade of trees. Also for hedges, only certain types of juniper are suitable.
How else to use plants in landscaping
Junipers are well combined on a site with heather, roses and other perennials; they are beautiful as a tapeworm on the lawn. And the branches of holly with elegant green leaves and red berries in many countries serve as decoration for Christmas. Beautiful park figures are created from boxwood, singly or in groups located on lawns and along garden paths.
Holly magonia goes well with roses. And rhododendron looks great in group plantings near ponds, on stony hills, as a tapeworm on ground grass.
Having decided to decorate the garden with evergreen shrubs, we can hope that with minimal care and proper preparation for the winter, these plants will please the owners for a single year.
