Two outstanding features of evergreens are their variety of colour and form and their year-round beauty in the landscape. Some have soft spreading shapes while others are perfect round globes. There's literally something for everyone. To choose one that's just right for you, you need to know how big you want it to grow in terms of height and diameter and if it will thrive in sun or shade.

Large Evergreens:

Silver and Fraser Fir, Colorado Spruce, and Dawn Redwood will grow to be large specimens with a symmetrical pyramidal outline while Austrian Pine will have a more irregular and open shape as it ages. It's shorter and rounder with long needles. These large-scale evergreens can be used individually or in groups when privacy or a windscreen might be the prime consideration.
Weeping Nootka False Cypress will provide striking interest to your garden with its ascending branches from which pendulous threadlike foliage hangs. Weeping White Spruce and Weeping White Pine are similarly unusual and make a lot of impact.

Upright Evergreens:

When designing or renovating a foundation planting or mixed border, upright Junipers, Cedars, and Yews are excellent as vertical elements. Keep in mind all Junipers and especially the blue/grey varieties which prefer sunny locations. With the exception of the yellow leaved varieties, Cedars are more shade-tolerant and vary in mature height from 3 m - 8 m (10' - 26'). Upright Yews with their dark green
needles can be planted in full sun or shade. Since they grow slowly and live a long time, they don't require much maintenance.Topiary evergreens make an unusual, eye-catching, vertical statement. They are best used as a focal point but keep in mind they need trimming once or twice a year to maintain their formal appearance.

Medium Size Evergreens:

For horizontal balance to the upright evergreens, there are many wonderful choices. Broadleaf evergreens may not have traditional needles like a Spruce or Pine but their leaves stay on all winter and provide great textural contrast to evergreens. Euonymus is one of the most versatile because it maintains a dense form (125 cm/4' tall or less), can be easily pruned any time, and many varieties come with striking variegated (2 colour) leaves. The golden varieties should all be planted in sun to maintain their colour but Emerald Gaiety with its green and white foliage can also grow in full shade. Other medium-sized, shade-tolerant broadleaf evergreens include Rhododendron, Pieris, Mountain Laurel, Mahonia (Oregon Grape), and Holly, noted for its attractive red berries in winter on the female plants. Rhododendrons (and it's relatives Mountain Laurel and Pieris) for shade and Rose Daphne and Yuccas for sun not only maintain a great presence in winter but they also flower. Daphne is a particular gem because it's only 40 cm (16") tall and has very fragrant rose-pink flowers in May. Yuccas, on the other hand, are extremely bold with flowers on 150 cm - 175 cm (5' - 6') spikes in July. Their foliage lends a distinctive element to your garden, in summer and winter.
There are also many spreading evergreens which will not grow over 150 cm (5') in height, these include many varieties of Junipers and Yews. For example, Gold Star Juniper is renowned for it's light green foliage and bright yellow tips while Blue Star is a steel-blue. Evergreens also come in compact, round forms as represented by several varieties of Globe Cedars, many dwarf Spruces, and Green Gem and Green Velvet Boxwood (introduced by Sheridan Nurseries in 1973). They require little pruning and their shape contrasts well with softer-textured Junipers and Yews. There are also many dwarf forms of False Cypress that are very slow growing with irregular forms and vivid colour.

Evergreen Ground Covers:

There are carpet Junipers available that can be planted to cascade over a retaining wall or water garden, to spread as a ground cover, or anywhere else a very low growing plant is desired. Three unique low evergreens that actually change colour for the winter are Siberian Cypress (turning coppery-brown), Compact Andorra Juniper (deep plum), and Wintercreeper (purple). Some broadleaf evergreens that are frequently used as ground covers include Vancouver Jade Bearberry, Japanese Spurge, Periwinkle, Wintergreen, Spring Heath, Vancouver Gold Broom, Mountain Cranberry, Paxistima, Bearberry Cotoneaster, and Heather. Consult your Sheridan Nurseries Garden Guide to determine what's best for your conditions. Some of them are a great alternative to grass under mature trees and, once established, they require little maintenance.

Evergreen Vines:

Sarcoxie Euonymus can easily climb 2 storeys high on the side of a house in sun or shade. It supports itself on strong, woody stems. English Ivy is also
self-supporting and is best planted on the east or north side of a house to avoid winter burn to its dark green leaves. Hall's Honeysuckle, noteworthy for its fragrant creamy-yellow flowers, and Firethorn, planted for its clusters of bright orange berries, do require a trellis for support.

Evergreen Hedges:

Hedging Cedars have always been popular because they
grow into a thick green wall. However, this living fence needs shearing once or twice a year. A handsome alternative that doesn't grow as large is Emerald Cedar (and doesn't need any trimming if you are happy with it's ultimate height, 4 m (13')). Its main claim to fame is it's incredibly rich "emerald" colour that stays true through winter. For a low evergreen hedge, Green Gem Boxwood is ideal. Boxwood hedges lend a formal appearance to the garden, and they are great beside walkways and patios outlining herb, rose, or perennial gardens. Growing only about 5 cm (2") a year, it doesn't require much trimming to remain small and neat.