In this comprehensive guide, we will explore some of the most stunning upright evergreens, showcasing their unique characteristics and the roles they can play in your outdoor spaces.
Japanese Plum Yew
The Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia) is a striking evergreen that combines beauty with practicality. Unlike its name might suggest, this plant is neither a true yew nor a plum. It features dark green, needle-like foliage that gives it an elegant appearance. This shrub can grow up to 10 feet tall and spreads around 5 feet, making it an ideal choice for adding vertical interest without overly consuming horizontal space.
One of the defining characteristics of the Japanese Plum Yew is its adaptability. It thrives in various soil types, tolerating both acidic and alkaline conditions. Furthermore, it can be planted in full sun or partial shade, making it a versatile choice for diverse landscaping needs. Its slow growth rate allows it to be used effectively as a foundational plant in garden beds or as a striking accent, providing year-round greenery and texture.
Upright Yew
The Upright Yew (Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’) stands as a paragon of elegance and durability. With its narrow, columnar form, it can reach heights of up to 20 feet while only occupying a space of 4 to 5 feet across. This makes it a fantastic choice for narrow spaces, such as along driveways or pathways where you might want to restrict horizontal growth.
What sets the Upright Yew apart is its rich green foliage and its compatibility with different landscape styles, from formal gardens to more casual plantings. It can be pruned into tight hedges, allowing for creative topiary options and sculptural accents. Moreover, it exhibits remarkable cold hardiness, thriving in USDA zones 5 to 7, making it suitable for many climates. This adaptability, coupled with its ability to tolerate shade, makes it a wonderful choice for planting under the canopy of larger trees.
Emerald Green Arborvitae
The Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’) is a favorite among homeowners for its vibrant foliage and neat appearance. This upright evergreen can reach heights of up to 15 feet and is known for its conical, slender shape. It features dense foliage that retains its emerald color throughout the year.
One of the significant advantages of the Emerald Green Arborvitae is its use as a natural privacy screen. Plant it in rows to create a lush hedge that blocks out unwanted views, enhancing the sense of privacy and serenity in your yard. Additionally, its low maintenance needs and resistance to most pests and diseases make it a worry-free choice for gardeners. Regular watering and minor pruning are all it typically requires to maintain its form, making it perfect for both novice and seasoned gardeners alike.
Hetzi Columnar Juniper
The Hetzi Columnar Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Hetzii’) exemplifies the rugged beauty of the juniper family. With an upright, narrow profile, it can mature to around 15 feet tall while remaining compact at about 4 to 5 feet wide. Its beautiful blue-green foliage adds a unique color palette to any landscape.
This juniper thrives in well-drained soils and can withstand drought conditions once established, making it an ideal candidate for areas with less frequent rainfall or high heat. Its natural resistance to pests and diseases means that it requires minimal intervention, which is a significant benefit for busy homeowners. In addition to being a stunning focal point, the Hetzi Columnar Juniper also offers excellent erosion control on slopes, thanks to its extensive root system.
‘Dee Runk’ Columnar Boxwood
For those looking to add an air of sophistication to their landscape, the ‘Dee Runk’ Columnar Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Dee Runk’) fits the bill perfectly. This evergreen is known for its tightly compact growth and elegant columnar shape, growing to about 4 to 5 feet in both height and width. Its glossy, dark green leaves provide a classic touch, making it a favorite in formal landscaping.
The ‘Dee Runk’ thrives in well-drained soil and prefers partial shade to full sun, making it an adaptable option for various garden settings. This boxwood variety is often used for creating stunning hedges or topiaries, allowing for versatile design elements in your garden. Additionally, it is highly resistant to deer and pests, providing peace of mind for those concerned about wildlife in their gardens.
DeGroot’s Spire Arborvitae
If you’re looking to add a dramatic vertical element to your landscape, consider the DeGroot’s Spire Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘DeGroot’). This superb evergreen can grow up to 12 feet in height and remains less than 3 feet wide. Its narrow, spire-like silhouette provides an eye-catching addition to gardens, especially when planted in groups or as a singular accent.
DeGroot’s Spire Arborvitae features soft, bright green foliage that holds its color beautifully throughout the year. Its ability to thrive in various soil conditions, including clay and sandy soil, makes it an ideal choice for challenging garden areas. Place it near walkways or entranceways to frame your home beautifully while providing a classic touch with its refined shape.
Japanese Holly
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) is a charming upright evergreen with small, glossy leaves that add elegant texture to any landscape. Growing at a slow to moderate pace, it can reach up to 10 feet tall while only expanding 3 to 4 feet wide. Its dense growth habit allows it to serve both ornamental and functional purposes, such as creating privacy screens or hedges.
One of the key features of Japanese Holly is its adaptability to various soil types and conditions. It can flourish in both sun and shade, providing versatility for planting. The small black berries that can form in the fall add an extra dimension of interest, drawing in birds and other wildlife. It’s a brilliant choice for gardeners seeking to attract beneficial creatures to their yards while also enjoying the beauty of this elegant evergreen.
Italian Cypress
The Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) stands tall and stately, exuding a classic Mediterranean charm. Known for its narrow, columnar stature, this evergreen can reach impressive heights of up to 30 feet or more while remaining slender at just 3 to 5 feet wide. This striking silhouette makes it a favored choice for accenting entryways or lining pathways.
With its dark green foliage and aromatic, leathery leaves, the Italian Cypress is not just visually stunning but also drought-resistant once established. It thrives in well-drained soils, making it perfect for regions that experience hot, dry summers. Beyond its beauty, the Italian Cypress is often associated with tranquility and longevity, adding a sense of timelessness and permanence to any landscape design.
Sugar And Spice Arborvitae
The Sugar And Spice Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Sugar and Spice’) boasts a fascinating twist on the traditional arborvitae. This unique variety showcases a vibrant mix of golden-yellow and green foliage, adding a striking visual contrast that brightens up gardens. This upright evergreen can reach a height of 10 to 15 feet with a width of about 3 to 4 feet, maintaining a lovely pyramidal shape.
What makes Sugar And Spice particularly appealing is its adaptability; it thrives in various conditions, tolerating both sunny and partially shaded areas. Providing an eye-catching backdrop to perennial gardens or serving as a lively privacy screen, this arborvitae injects an extra flavor into landscape designs. It’s both deer and pest resistant, making it a reliable choice for fuss-free gardening.
Yaupon Holly
Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) is a native evergreen that imparts a distinct Southern charm to gardens. This versatile shrub can grow upright to about 10 to 15 feet tall, potentially reaching even greater heights under favorable conditions. Its dense branching and small, glossy leaves create a lush, full appearance that can be shaped easily through pruning.
Without a doubt, one of Yaupon Holly’s notable features is its adaptability. It thrives in a range of soils and light levels, from full sun to deep shade, making it highly versatile for various planting situations. The bright red berries that form in the fall add autumnal delight and serve as a food source for birds, enhancing the lively ecology of your garden. As a landscape choice, Yaupon Holly can be utilized for hedges, privacy screens, or individual specimens that draw the eye and enrich your outdoor space.
Spartan Juniper
The Spartan Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’) is yet another excellent choice for adding vertical interest to gardens. This upright evergreen is known for its exceptional narrow form, growing 15 feet tall and just 4 feet wide. Its dark green, needle-like foliage contributes to a sleek, modern look, making it a popular choice for contemporary landscape designs.
Adaptable and hardy, Spartan Juniper thrives in a variety of soil types and excels in full sunlight. It is drought-tolerant once established, minimizing the need for excessive watering. Its resistance to pests and diseases ensures that it will remain a robust green presence throughout the seasons. Whether spaced along a pathway or grouped as a living screen, Spartan Juniper adds a clean, sophisticated element to your outdoor space.
Columnar Norway Spruce
The Columnar Norway Spruce (Picea abies ‘Fastigiata’) is a noble evergreen tree that adds grandeur and verticality to gardens and landscapes. Reaching impressive heights of 25 to 40 feet while maintaining a narrow base of about 10 feet, it serves as a majestic focal point or a dramatic backdrop in larger gardens.
Its dense, deep green needles provide a year-round shield against winter’s chill or summer’s glare, while its stiff branches are perfect for holding ornaments or lights during festive seasons. Columnar Norway Spruce is well-suited for growing in various soil types and can thrive in many climatic conditions. It can be utilized effectively as a privacy screen or windbreak, making it not just a beautiful choice but a practical one too.
