Exoten und Garten Forum               Hardy Palm and Subtropical Board


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evergreens...

Message from George in Bandon Oregon

yes, the cooler the climate the more difficult (and more important) the search for cold-hardy "B.L.E.'s" becomes. along with the myrica and the dwarf English laurel cultivars, you might look at rhododendron maximum (pictured and discussed in a thread not that long ago), kalmia latifolia, pieris floribunda, ilex crenata, i. opauca, and i. pedunculatum, viburnum rhytidophyllum (big leaves!!!), v. utile, v. x pragense and selections of the evergreen forms of magnolia virginiana along with hardier forms of m. grandiflora. i would also suggest trying one of the evergreen oaks like quercus turbinella (said to be hardy to USDA 5 in a protected spot---i have small seedlings, BTW). there are potentially many other plants to try of course including hardy yuccas and bamboos.

the books i mentioned earlier (along with the many books by Mike Dirr) are highly recommended sources for useful info on species to try---along with the discussions on boards like this.

again, most every "hardy" evergreen will benefit from planting (most preferably in the spring for maximum growth before cold weather starts again) in a cold wind protected spot in colder areas and also some protection in the coldest winters at least as a newly installed plant if you want maximum chance of both good growth and appearance (let alone survival).

hope this helps.


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