The balcony and terrace not only need privacy in the summer, we also want to protect our privacy from prying eyes in the cold season. Hardy and evergreen potted plants make this possible. They allow freedom of design and look great. Below we list several types of plants that are perfect for the container garden.
Hardy and evergreen potted plants: What you should consider
In today's article we'll take a closer look at the hardy and evergreen potted plants. They are true all-rounders and can be re-staged depending on the season. In summer they form the perfect background forseasonal flowersand in winter they brighten up dull balconies and terraces. Most evergreen potted plants can also be festively decorated for Christmas.
Potted plants: The hardy and evergreen Japanese flower skimmia for shady locations
The Japanese flower skimmia is a plant that retains its foliage all year round. In winter its leaves turn reddish-brown. There are male and female plants, the male ones also produce flowers and the pollinated female plants bearbeautiful red berries.
The Japanese flower skimmia at a glance:
- Hardiness zones 7 - 9 (depends on the variety), can tolerate temperatures down to -15° Celsius.
- Water requirements in winter: moderate, the soil should always be moist. Good drainage is very important.
- Light: partial shade to shade
- maximum height: 1.5 meters (grows slowly)
Which potted plants can tolerate a lot of sun and are hardy: The creeping pine (dwarf pine)
The creeping or dwarf pine (Pinus mugo var. pumillo) is a very robust plant. The dwarf pine can tolerate a lot of sun, is hardy and is pleasing to the eye with its evergreen crown even in sub-zero temperatures. The special thing about this tree is its compact shape, which it retains even without a topiary.
The dwarf pine at a glance:
- Hardiness zones 3 – 7 (depends on the variety), can tolerate temperatures down to -37° Celsius.
- Water requirements in winter: low once the dwarf pine has grown
- Light: full sun
- maximum height: 1.5 meters (grows slowly)
Hardy potted plants as privacy screens: the blue spruce
With its grey-blue needles, the blue spruce (Picea pungens) is an excellent eye-catcher on the balcony or terrace. The tree also scores with its conical growth and decorative cones. In the garden it reaches a height of 20 meters. But there are varieties that can also be grown in small containers. The variety “Glauca Globosa”, for example, remains quite compact and grows to around 2 meters high.
The blue spruce at a glance:
- Hardiness zones 2 – 8 (depends on the variety), can tolerate temperatures down to – 43° Celsius.
- Water requirements in winter: low once the Norway spruce has grown
- Light: full sun
- Maximum height: varies greatly depending on the variety
Which plants are hardy and evergreen: The evergreen tree of life
The “Smaragd” tree of life is actually a shrub. The variety from Denmark is a very robust plant with dense foliage. The tree of life tolerates pruning that promotes its growth.
The tree of life at a glance:
- Hardiness zones 2 – 7, can tolerate temperatures down to – 42° Celsius.
- Water requirements in winter: moderate
- Light: sunny to partially shaded locations
- Maximum growth height: 6 meters, in pots it remains significantly lower
Native winter-hardy potted plants: the boxwood
The boxwood (Buxus spp.) is the most popular evergreen and hardy plant par excellence. He also feels comfortable in pots andtolerates a topiary. Varieties like “Green Mountain” or “Green Gem” are particularly suitable for container gardens. However, if the location is not suitable, frost damage and “sunburn” can quickly occur. A sure sign of sunburn is the color of the leaves. The leaves suddenly turn brown and then fall off. This usually happens after a topiary when the new leaves are exposed to direct sunlight. Frost damage is also noticeable through a change in leaf color. To avoid this, you should place the boxwood in winter so that it is in the sun for at least 6 hours, but not exposed to strong light all day. Under no circumstances should the soil freeze, because then the plant can no longer absorb water.
The boxwood at a glance:
- Hardiness zones 4 – 9 (depends on the variety)
- Winter water requirements: moderate to low, large plants can survive extended dry periods
- Light: sunny to partially shaded
- maximum height: 3 meters (grows slowly)
Evergreen and hardy shrubs: The Japanese lavender heather
The Japanese lavender heather (Pieris japonica) is an evergreen andhardy shrub, which is particularly popular for its beautiful flowers and decorative foliage. The young leaves are reddish-brown in color and then turn green. Hybrids like “White Rim” look particularly attractive in the winter garden. Its leaves have a light edge and look as if they have been frozen. You can also plant the Japanese lavender heather together with flowers and foliage shrubs.
The Japanese lavender heather at a glance:
- Hardiness zones 5 – 8, can tolerate temperatures down to – 26° Celsius.
- Water requirements in winter: moderate
- Light: sunny to partially shaded
- maximum growth height: 3.5 meters (but it remains significantly lower in pots)
Hardy potted plants for sunny locations: the cotoneaster
The cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) can be grown in pots. It has tiny leaves and produces berries in winter. The cotoneaster is easy to cut, robust and very hardy. The plant can withstand frost in winter, and in summer it can easily tolerate longer periods of drought and heat.
The cotoneaster at a glance:
- Hardiness zones 5 – 7, can tolerate temperatures down to – 24° Celsius.
- Water requirements in winter: moderate, low when the plant is already established.
- Light: sunny to shady locations
- Maximum growth height: 2.5 meters (but it remains significantly lower in pots)
Hardy and evergreen potted plants as privacy screens: the juniper
Juniper (Juniperus spp.) is available in many varieties. Therefore, its shape, its height and even its needle color vary. The blue dwarf holder of the “Blue Star” variety has silver-blue needles and a compact growth habit. It grows up to one meter high, grows rather slowly and can do without a topiary.
The juniper at a glance:
- Winter hardiness zones 3 – 9, depending on the variety, can tolerate temperatures down to – 35° Celsius.
- Water requirements in winter: moderate, low when the plant is already established.
- Light: full sun
- Maximum height: varies greatly depending on the variety
Potted plants that are hardy and non-toxic: The Canadian helmetlock fir
The Canadian hemlock is a multi-stemmed tree. The cone-shaped crown and the overhanging branches add to its appeal. Unlike other hedge and privacy plants, Canadian hemlock is non-toxic.
The Canadian hemlock at a glance:
- Winter hardiness zones 4 - 7, depending on the variety, can tolerate temperatures down to -15° Celsius.
- Water requirements in winter: moderate, low when the plant is already established.
- Light: sunny to partially shaded locations
- Maximum height: varies greatly depending on the variety
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