How To Pick A Native Evergreen

evergreen trees

To compliment your home’s landscape, we recommend planting native evergreens. These plants are local, part of our ecosystem, and contribute to local nutrient cycles and energy flows. Before you begin, our Moeller Lawn and Landscape team have got a few tips to pass along. As you review each, you’ll discover picking a native evergreen is relatively easy.

What Are The Size Classes of Native Evergreens?

The first thing to know about Native Evergreens is they are classified into 5 different size classes. Inside each category, these native plants have a “Common” name and a recognized “Scientific” name.

The five size classes are classified as follows:

  1. Shrub
  2. Small Tree
  3. Tree
  4. Vine
  5. Ground Cover

For example, a Mountain Laurel is a Shrub, and its scientific name is Kalmia latifolia. A Creeping phlox is a Ground Cover, and its scientific name is Phlox stolonifera

What Are The Vital Details Inside Each Size Class?

Before you select your native evergreen, there are vital details we need to cover about each size class. That information lets you know in advance what to expect during your plant’s life cycle.

The vital details of each size class are:

  • Growing Conditions
  • Description
  • Benefits

For instance, let’s look at the Mountain Laurel.

  • Growing Conditions – Requires full to partial sun, dry soil, and soil ph: Acidic
  • Description – Will grow from 10-30 feet in height and blooms May-June
  • Benefits – Larval host for Laurel sphinx (Sphinx kalmias) and attracts birds

Now the Creeping Phlox.

  • Growing Conditions – Requires partial sun to shade and wet to moist soil
  • Description – Blooms April-May and has Lavender, White and Blue blooms
  • Benefits – Can serve as a cover for early spring bulbs. Are deer and rabbit tolerant

If you’d like more details about the native evergreens you want to plant, give us a call or contact us here.

Are All Tennessee Native Evergreens Useful?

You’ll find many native trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers growing at West Tennessee homes. However, like most native species, some are not used for various reasons. Such as low demand or their ornamental traits are not appealing.

Also, many native plants flourish better in a natural environment instead of an urban setting. A perfect example is the smaller native plants. They require shade from large trees urban landscapes can’t provide, and the topsoil doesn’t have higher organic matter levels.

Do You Want Your Native Evergreens Maintained?

With the Moeller Lawn and Landscape’s team, your native evergreens will always look healthy. You’ll get that needed shade a native evergreen needs to thrive along with tree and shrub installation. You can depend on us to prune trees and shrubs and remove those plants no longer growing. 

With our attention to detail, your landscape will have that extra beauty you’ve always wanted. When you want it installed, pruned, or removed, our native evergreen team will keep your West Tennessee landscape looking healthy with trees and shrubs. To get a free estimate or discuss your landscape maintenance needs, give us a call: 731-571-2730 or contact us here.

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