Evergreen trees, also called evergreens or perennials, are great: they allow us to have a garden protected from direct sun throughout the year, and also, with them, we have guaranteed privacy and security that we all want to have in our green paradises.
Our Acacia They grow in many types of climates: from hot dry to temperate. There are many species, such as the baileyana acacia or the acacia saligna which are the ones that most resist the cold (even -7ºC), and all of them bloom that it is nice to see them. When? In spring-summer.
Of course, they are sunny trees, which resist drought well but fear flooding.
brachychiton
Image – Wikimedia Commons / John Tann Brachychiton populneus
The brachychiton They are very fast growing trees that not only withstand drought, but also mild frosts (up to -4ºC). They reach heights between 8 and 20m. There are many species, among them Brachychiton populneus, brachychitonacerifoliusor the Brachychiton bidwilli. All of them can be had in gardens whose soil is limestone and has good drainage.
Important: some species may drop the leaves from part of their canopy once a year or every few years, especially if the winter has been cool and / or dry. For example, I can tell you that I have three B. populneus in the garden, and they are always left with only half their leaves for a few weeks in winter.
spathodea
And we end up with a tropical tree, the Tulip tree from Gabon. It grows to 10m tall, and has spectacular red flowers. Its growth rate is very fast, being able to grow about 50cm / year. Unfortunately, can only be grown in hot climatesno frost.
In fact, it withstands drought very well, but not intense frosts: only up to -3 or -4ºC if they are frosts of very short duration.
magnolia grandiflora
Image – Flickr / Cathy Flanagan
La magnolia or magnolia is a tree that reaches 30 metersand that has a very, very dense crown formed by large dark green leaves. In spring, large white and aromatic flowers sprout, which measure, without exaggeration (I have one in the patio), about 25 centimeters.
It is beautiful, but requires temperate climates and soils with a low pH, between 4 and 6. It is afraid of limestone. Otherwise, resists up to -18ºC.
Quercus suber
Image – Wikimedia / Jean-Pol GRANDMONT
El cork oak is an evergreen tree that reaches 25 meters in height. Its crown is characterized by being formed by numerous branches from which many green leaves sprout. This makes it produce a very nice shade over the years. It grows in fertile soils, as long as the climate is temperate.
It resists frosts down to -18ºC.
Evergreens for cold climates
Callistemon female
El weeping pipe cleaner It is a small tree or large bush that grows between 4 and 10 meters in height. It usually has only one trunk, but it can have several. The crown is irregular, with hanging branches from which more or less linear green leaves sprout. Its flowers resemble a pipe cleaning brush, something that gives it its name, and they are red in color.
It likes temperate climates, where it will grow in almost all types of soils. Withstands frosts down to -7ºCalthough as a young man he may need some protection.
A noble laurel
El laurel It is a tree or little tree that reaches 5 to 10 meters in heightwith a more or less straight trunk and a dense crown. Its leaves are bluish, lanceolate, and aromatic, which is why they are widely used in cooking as a condiment.
It is a typical Mediterranean plant, but don’t be fooled: easily withstands frosts down to -12ºC.
Prunus laurocerassus
The laurocerase o cherry laurel is a tree or shrub native to the laurel which reaches 6 meters in height. Its leaves are bright green, leathery, and are about 10 centimeters long. It produces white flowers in clusters, and they are aromatic. The fruits are berries that contain seeds, which should not be consumed as they are poisonous.
It grows in all types of soils, and in a wide variety of climates, from warm-temperate to cool with frosts. Supports up to -18ºC.
Evergreen fruit trees
Western Anacardium
El cashew It is a tree or little tree that grows between 5 and 7 meters in height. Its trunk branches at a low height, something that makes it very interesting to have it as a medium-height hedge. Its leaves are green and broad, and it produces nuts suitable for human consumption.
Does well in tropical climateswhere there is no frost, or in greenhouses. The soil must be fertile, with a pH of 6 to 8.
Citrus
Citrus, that is, orange trees, lemon trees, mandarins, grapefruit, etc., are evergreen trees or saplings that reach a height of between 5 and 15 meters. They produce very aromatic little white flowers, and globose fruits in spring-summer.
They grow in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climates with mild frosts, in soils rich in organic matter.
Persea americana
Image – Flickr / Mauricio Mercadante
El avocado is a tree that reaches 20 meters in height. It has an extended crown, globular or bell-shaped, formed by green leaves. It blooms in spring, and if another specimen of a different sex is nearby or is grafted, it will produce fruits called berries that are 7-33 centimeters long by up to 15 centimeters wide.
It will live well in tropical and subtropical climates, in full sun and on fertile land. Unfortunately does not resist frost.
