Evergreen trees have many uses in the landscape garden. Evergreen trees can be effectively used to create visual screens and buffers from noise, wind and light. They can also be used as espalier against open tall walls on homes and other structures. Some varieties, such as the southern Magnolias produce attractive flowers. The evergreen trees listed below have been selected for their hardiness in Zone 8..

Name: Arborvitae 'Green Giant' Botanical: Arborvitae Height x Width: 30'+ H x 6'+ W Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade Bloom Color:   Bloom Time:   Water: Low once established Features: Very fast growing evergreen best used as a screen. Tolerates moisture well and no diseases. An excellent alternative for Leyland Cypress. Companions: Combines nicely with Cryyptomeria, Nellie Stephens Holly, Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Magnolias, Weeping Yaupon and other screen plants.

Name: Deodora Cedar Botanical: Cedrus deodora Height x Width: 50' H x 30' W - Space 20' part for screen Exposure: Full Sun Foliage Color: Grey-Blue turning to Dark Blue-green with age Growth Rate: Very fast Water: Drought tolerant Features: Considered the most refined cedar of all. Graceful weeping habit with outstanding blue-gray foliage. Pyramidal form to 50' height. Excellent for screening, on the corners of three story homes or buildings, or as a specimen. Companions: Combine with Cryyptomeria, Leyland Cypress, D.D. Blanchard magnolia, Pines, Cedars, Carolina Sapphire Cypress, and tall Hollies for screenings.

Name: Cryptomeria 'Yoshino' Botanical: Cryptomeria japonica Height x Width: 30-40' H x 12-15' W - Space 10-12' for screen Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade Foliage Color: Rich, bright green turns to orange in Winter Growth Rate: Very fast! Water: Drought tolerant Features: Brilliant, rich green foliage turns to orange in Winter on this fast grwoing upright pyramidal evergreen. Excellent for screening, as a corner plant on two story homes or bulidings, or as a specimen. Companions: Deodora Cedar, Magnolias, Leyland Cypress, tall growing Hollies, Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Cedars, and Pines for screenings.

Name: Carolina Sapphire Cypress Botanical:   Height x Width: 20-30' H x 12-15' W - Space 8-12' for screen Exposure: Full Sun Foliage: Silver-grey Growth Rate: Very fast! Water: Drought tolerant Features: Outstanding silver foliage on this upright pyramidal shape evergreen excellent for screening, as a corner plant on two story homes or buildings, or as a specimen in the perennial garden. Companions: Combine with Magnolias, tall growing Hollies, Leyland Cypress, Cedars, Cryptomeria, Pines, and Wax Myrtles.

Name: Leyland Cypress Botanical: Cupressocyparis Height x Width: 30' H x 8-10' W - Space 10' Exposure: Full Sun Water: Damp or dry soils Features: Fast growing evergreen tree mostly used for tall screens. Dark green foliage with an upright, pyramindal form. Companions: Combine in screen planting with, Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Cryptomeria Yoshino, Tall Hollies, Magnolias, Deodora Cedar, Green Giant Arborvitae, and others. NOTE: Do not space Leyland too closely. Overcrowding may cause health problems later on due to lack of air circulation. When planting for screen it is best to stagger as shown in the picture. Space at least 10'.

Name: Tall Hollies Botanical: Ilex Height x Width: 12-25' H x 6-12' W Exposure: Full Sun or Part Shade Berry Color: Most produce a winter crop of bright red berries Growth Rate: Moderate to fast Water: Drought tolerant Features: Upright pyramidal forms on these tall growing Hollies such as 'Nelli Stephens' and 'Fosteri' to name a couple. Most produce a crop of red berries in Fall and Winter. Useful for screening, on the corners of two story homes or buildings, or as a specimen shrub or tree.. Companions: Combine with Deodora Cedar, Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Magnolias, Leyland Cypress, Pines, Wax Myrtles, and Cryptomeria for screenings.

Name: Magnolia 'D.D. Blanchard' Botanical: Magnolia grandiflora - Hybrid Height x Width: 60' H x 30' W - Space 15-20' for screen Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade Bloom Color: White - Fragrant Bloom Time: Summer Water: Dry or Damp Features: Magnolias are a legen in the South. Large, fragrant, creamy white flowers are produced in Summer against the dark green, evergreen, glossy foliage. Leaves have a attractive, copper-orange underside. Useful as a screen or specimen. Companions: Comine with Deodora Cedar, Caroliana Sapphire Cypress, Cryptomeria Yoshino, Leyland, Cypress, and Hollies in screen plantings.

Name: Magnolia 'Little Gem' Botanical: Magnolia grandiflora - Height x Width: 23' H x 10-12' W Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade Bloom Color: White - Fragrant Bloom Time: July to November Water: Dry to Damp Features: A dwarf Magnolia excellent for use as a screen, specimen, or as espalier against a wall. The highly fragrant white flowers of 6" in diameter are produced from June thru November. Begins blooming at 2' height! Companions: Abelias, Hollies, Junipers, Spireas, Ornamental Grasses, Indian Hawthorne, Lantanas, and many nmore. Combine in screens with Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Leyland Cypress, Wax Myrtle, Crytpomeria Yoshino, Weeping Yaupon, Pyramidal Hollies, Hetzi Column Juniper, Hollywood Juniper, and others.

Name: Wax Myrtle Botanical: Myrica cerifica Height x Width: 10-15' H x 8-10' W Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade Bloom Color: None Bloom Time:   Water: Drought tolerant Features: Fast growing native shrub or small tree is excellent for screening, as a corner plant, or tree-form specimen. Foliage is pleasantly aromatic. Fits in great around pools, garden ponds, or other bodies of water. Companions: Hollies, Junipers, Abelias, Spireas, Ruby Loropetalum, Gardenias, Indian Hawthorne, and many other shrubs. Underplant with Ivy, Cotoneaster, Liriope, or other low growing plants.

Name: Weeping Yaupon Botanical: Ilex vomitoria Height x Width: 10-20' H x 6-8' W Exposure: Full Sun Berries: Red berries in winter Bloom Time:   Water: Dry or damp Features: The weeping habit of this yaupon adds plenty of personality to to the landscape. Let it weep to the ground or limb it up as a tree form. Excellent corner plant, screen, or tree-form specimen. Lots of red berries in winter! Companions: Carissa Holly, Indian Hawthorne, Miss Huff Lantana, Junipers, Barberries, Loropetalums, Ornamental Grasses, and many more.

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