Evergreen ornamental trees have always been a popular choice among gardeners and homeowners keen on landscaping their property. Which isn’t surprising as there are so many reasons to enjoy these types of plants:

Why you should choose an evergreen ornamental tree

• Adds colour.
• All year-round interest. 
• Ideal focal point.
• Increases privacy. 
• Can be used for screening. 
• Perfect for formal or informal gardens. 
• Low maintenance.

Let’s look at those points in a bit more detail.

The biggest benefit they add, of course, is that evergreen trees add year-round interest and colour to a garden. Unlike deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the autumn, evergreens keep their foliage throughout the year which means that even in the deepest part of winter you can still look out on your garden and see greenery and admire the texture an evergreen provides even when many other plants are dormant.

Ornamental trees have that label for a reason. Quite simply they are nice to look at. They can be used to create focal points and can be the centrepiece of any planting scheme.

But evergreen ornamental trees can also be used for screening or as a privacy barrier. You can also employ them as windbreaks to protect the more delicate plants in a garden.

But it’s the variety of evergreens with their different shapes, sizes, and textures that makes them so attractive for many gardeners. Use them to create different moods and atmospheres in a garden and they are equally effective in formal or informal settings.

Choosing your evergreen ornamental trees

The first thing to consider is climate and soil type. In the UK of course we’re used to the vagaries of the climate and let’s face it we don’t know what the weather is going to be like from one week to the next.

Thankfully though there are plenty of trees which are ideal for our climate. And here at Direct Plants we only sell trees which are fully UK hardy, so you have plenty to choose from. You can see our full range of evergreen trees here.

One thing you really must bear in mind is the size of the tree. Not when you plant it but how big it will grow. Some ornamental evergreens can grow huge, which is why they can be used for privacy and screening.

But as we often use the tree as a focal point we need to consider its growth rate. There are some very fast growing trees whilst others are slow growing and can take years to add a foot or two to their height and spread.

Fast growing trees require more maintenance to keep them in check but regular pruning will keep them under control.

Planting and caring for your trees

The great thing about most evergreens is that they don’t take much looking after. If there is such a creature as a lazy gardener, evergreens will be their favourite plant.

But as with anything in the garden there is a little bit of preparation and maintenance to think about. Probably the most important is choosing the right position for your tree.

The ideal of course is that you will have the perfect location which enjoys plenty of sun, is sheltered, and with nourished and well-drained soil. We’re not always that lucky unfortunately but do put some thought into where you are going to plant your tree.

You may have purchased the tree to plant in a predetermined spot. Somewhere to brighten up a part of the garden or to be the centrepiece of a new planting scheme. In that case do as much as you can to improve the soil - add compost or organic matter and try to nourish the soil as much as you can prior to and after planting.

Many evergreens can be planted in containers and in that case choose a pot that is big enough to manage the growth of the plant. You don’t want to be repotting the tree every year.

Fertilising the tree every year will help its growth and maintain its health. Your choice of fertiliser will be very much a personal one, but it will help to maintain the beautiful colour of the tree.

Watering is of course vital. Especially prior to planting (make sure the root ball is soaked before you plant it) but do ensure the tree has plenty of water while it’s establishing itself.

But, as I’ve already mentioned, the biggest maintenance task will be pruning - especially on very fast growing trees. Careful pruning not only helps the health of the tree and manages growth, but it also keeps the tree nicely shaped and looking its best.

Popular evergreen ornamental trees

There are so many to choose from but some of the perennial favourites with UK gardeners include:

• Fir tree. 
• Juniper. 
• Magnolia. 
• Cedar. 
• Holly. 
• Bay tree. 
• Cotoneaster. 
• Japonica. 
• Eucalyptus. 
• Olive tree. 
• Hardy palms.

Let’s recap

I can’t imagine there is anyone who isn’t convinced that they need at least one evergreen ornamental tree in their garden. But if you’re still on the fence, remember that these trees are usually low maintenance with pruning once or twice a year, the extent of the hard work you need to do to keep them in shape and in good health.

They’ll provide an attractive focal point and be the star attraction of any planting scheme and will of course supply colour and interest all year round even in winter.