Narrowleaf Evergreens Unit 27 Horticulture

Features of evergreens  Generally remain green year-round  Are adaptable to various soil types & weather conditions  May have needlelike or scalelike leaves

Leaf types 1. Needlelike evergreens  Are attached in bundles called either sheaths or fascicles  Drop old needles in the fall and new needles are produced in the spring  Examples: Mugho Pine, spruce trees, etc. 2. Scalelike evergreens  Scalelike leaves overlap to form a flat spray  Example: Junipers

Uses  Foundation plantings  Boundary plants to accent property boundaries  Screen view of less attractive areas  Control air currents (can be 5 to 10 degrees warmer on protected side)

Care 1. Three methods of shipping  Bare root (BR)  Balled & burlapped (BB)  Container stock (C) 2. Storage  High humidity and cool temps (33˚ to 40˚F)  Heeling In – BB plants mulched in ground to retain moisture around roots  Water regularly

Planting Balled & Burlapped Plants  Prepare hole 1½ to 2 times as large as the ball  Place ball 1 inch above the original soil line  Remove burlap, twine & wire  Add soil to fill hole 2/3 full  Fill with water and let soak in  Finish filling hole with soil and form a berm (saucerlike shape) around tree for watering later

Staking  Use a stake over half as tall as the tree to be staked  Use two stakes of wood capable of lasting at least two years  Place one stake on the side of the prevailing winds of the tree & the other on the opposite side  Use wire inside of a 1 foot piece of garden hose to tie around the trunk, half-way up the tree on each stake

Fertilizing  Apply 3-6 pounds of a fertilizer per 100 square feet in a circle under the drip line (outer edge of tree branches)  Fertilize before new growth starts in the spring  Water in with a garden sprinkler

Watering  Need to water every 10 to 14 days during the first year after planting

Pruning Two methods: 1. Pruning – cutting individual branches to give an “informal appearance” 2. Shearing – ends of small branches are cut in straight lines to shape hedges into a “formal appearance”

Characteristics to Consider  Height  Hardiness  Foliage color  Period of interest  Landscape use 1.Ground cover 2.Foundation planting 3.Rock garden 4.Specimen – used alone 5.Screen plants & hedges