Broadleaf Evergreens

Broadleaf evergreens are shrubs that retain their foliage year round.Within this group you will find flowering azaleas and rhododendrons, and plants that 'berry' such as hollies and Pyracantha.

Location

Broadleaf evergreens vary in their requirements for sunlight. Before you choose one of these shrubs you should find out exactly what it needs. Match the shrub to your site. Most broadleaf evergreens require protection from wind and midday sun in winter because they can easily dehydrate in harsh conditions. In general, plant these shrubs on the north or east side of the house. This does not mean they will not do well elsewhere if you have another protected spot.

Soil

Most broadleaf evergreens prefer moist, acid soil. Pine bark, peat moss, and pine needle mulch are high in acid content and are excellent soil conditioners to add at planting time. . In addition to soil amendments, some fertilizers such as Miracid can be used every two weeks from May through September. Granular fertilizers, such as cottonseed meal, aluminum sulfate and iron sulfate help to create acid soil conditions for mature plants as well. Have your soil tested to calculate correct fertilizing rates.

Many broadleaf evergreens are container grown. You must loosen the roots from the container shape before you plant.

Pruning

Very little in the way of pruning is usually required for broadleaf evergreens, however, if you must prune watch your timing on flowering varieties. These plants set their flower buds in the summer and fall. If you prune, you will lose your flowers for the next year. It is usually fine to prune up to 4 to 6 weeks after the plant flowers. By the way, some gardeners wait until the winter holidays to prune hollies so they can use the sprigs for decorating.

Winter Protection

You improve any plant's ability to withstand winter weather if you make sure it has sufficient moisture in the fall. This is especially true of broadleaf evergreens. Check your plants for dryness and watch the weather. If rainfall is insufficient you will need to supplement. When you water, water deeply. Plants require the equivalent of one inch of rainfall each 8 to 10 days. Water up until the time that the soil actually freezes, which can be until late December or early January.

In addition to watering, an anti-desiccant or anti-transpirant spray such as Wilt Pruf(tm) or Cloud Cover(tm) will help plants to retain moisture. These sprays apply an invisible "waxy" coating to the leaves and flower buds of a plant which seals in moisture. They should be applied in late November or early December on a day when daytime temperatures are expected to be in the 40's. The spray must dry before nightfall so it will not freeze.

Broadleaf Evergeens

Boxwood
Euonymus
Japanese Hollies
Inkberry Holly
Abelia
Azaleas
Daphne
Blue Hollies
American Holly
China Hollies
Mahonia, also known as Oregon Grape Holly
Pieris, also known as Japanese Andromeda
Pyracantha
Rhododendron
Viburnum varieties
Yuccas

Please note: Holly plants are of different sexes. They will bloom independently, however, the female hollies will not set berries unless they are pollinated by a male plant. One male is sufficient to pollinate several females and only needs to be planted in the general area of the female plants to be effective.