North, south, east or west, no matter where you live, steep slope gardening is always a possibility and there are evergreens for every garden. The exuberance of its foliage, the different shades of green, its variety of shapes, textures and heights contribute generously to the design of the plantation. In fact, just like old friends, they can always be relied on to bring us true enjoyment through the years. Its easy maintenance, permanence and the green throughout the year that they provide make them very important in gardening. For practical purposes, evergreens can be roughly divided into two main groups: conifers or conifers, such as Hemlock, Arborvitae, Juniper, and Fir, and the broad-leaved types, examples of which are Rhododendron, Camellia, Holly, Laurel, and Japanese Aucuba. Some evergreen tree species, such as Abelia, Daphne cneorum, and Lonicera pileata, are truly evergreen only in temperate climates and become semi-evergreen in regions where winters are severe.
When making a planting plan for your steep slope gardening needs, it is very important to select the right evergreen for the allotted space. This can hardly be overstated. For example, avoid using tall trees or shrubs directly in front of a window. Too often, one sees houses literally smothered by towering evergreens placed in such a spot, blocking view, air, and light. Also, such a plantation spoils the architectural lines of the house, while actually one of the purposes of the plantation is to highlight these lines in the best way. Another factor about steep slope gardening to consider is whether you will plant in the sun or in the shade. There are evergreens that thrive everywhere, and it is easy to find the right plant for the available situation. Some of the ones that are shade tolerant include favorites like Laurel, Oregon Holly-grape, Holly Olive, Cherry-laurel, and the evergreen species of Privet. In temperate climates, Viburnum tinus will be an addition where a height of 8 or 10 feet is required, and will also grow in semi-shade, although a sunny exposure is preferable. Its Lucidum variety is superior to the type, as it is a stronger grower and is much more resistant to pests.
There is no problem finding plants that flourish in the sun: pine, yew, hemlock, fir, cedar, juniper, false cypress, arbor-vitae, and fir are just a few of them. Yet another factor to consider is whether a particular plant will work well in your particular locality, and in this regard it is always advisable to consult a local nurseryman.
