Evergreen and Cold-Resistant Plants
In winter courtyard landscape design, how to choose plants that can remain evergreen and resist severe cold? This is not only the focus of gardening enthusiasts but also the core issue of creating a vibrant winter courtyard. Today, we will focus on five types of representative plants that have both ornamental value and cold resistance to help you build a green space that does not fade in winter.
Fortune Plant: The Winter Focus with Red Fruits and Green Leaves
Morphological Characteristics and Ornamental Value
As a evergreen shrub of the Myrsinaceae family, the fortune plant stands out with its unique red fruit landscape. The spherical drupes it bears from August to September undergo a color change from green to bright red, a process that can last for more than 10 months. The glossy leather-like leaves contrast sharply with the fruits, becoming a natural holiday decoration in the courtyard.
Cold Resistance and Maintenance Tips
This variety can tolerate temperatures as low as -4°C. In northern regions, it is recommended to use potted plants and move them to a well-lit indoor area during winter. Maintaining slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5) and applying decomposed organic fertilizer every season can promote fruiting.
Podocarpus Macrophyllus: The Optimal Choice for Ecological Barriers
Garden Application Characteristics
The bilateral pinnate leaves of Podocarpus macrophyllus create a dense green wall, and the bicolor effect of deep green on the front and light yellow on the back enhances the sense of landscape layers. The taxol secreted by it has a natural insect repellent effect, making it especially suitable as a boundary plant in the courtyard.
Cold Resistance Management and Shaping Techniques
Most varieties can adapt to -15°C environments, but care must be taken to avoid winter drought damage. It is recommended to use a trapezoidal pruning method to maintain light on the lower branches, and shaping pruning in early spring each year can maintain an elegant plant shape.
Ilex Cornuta: The Expert in Three-Dimensional Protection
Unique Leaf Structure
The sharp spines on the edge of the leather-like leaves form a natural protective barrier, and the bright red berries are clustering and can be admired for 5 months from late autumn to winter. It is recommended to plant it with English ivy to create a multi-layered three-dimensional protection system.
Adaptability to Extreme Environments
Plants grown in the ground can tolerate continuous low temperatures of -8°C, but care must be taken to avoid alkaline soil environments. Using a composite insulation method of covering the roots with pine needles and ceramsite in winter can improve the survival rate during the winter.
Euonymus fortunei: The Optimal Ground Cover Plant
Leaf Ornamental Characteristics
The ovate leaves with yellow and white borders remain vibrant in winter, and their creeping growth habit makes them an excellent ground cover plant. It is recommended to plant at a density of 6-8 plants per square meter to quickly form a colorful ground cover layer.
Low-Temperature Environment Management
It can still maintain intact leaves at -7°C, but the frequency of watering in winter should be controlled. Using a soil formula of leaf mold and perlite (3:1) can effectively prevent root frost damage.
Expanded Plant Selection List
In addition to the above varieties, plants such as English ivy (tolerant to -10°C), hellebore (tolerant to -15°C), and winter heath (tolerant to -20°C) also have excellent cold resistance. It is recommended to combine planting according to regional climatic characteristics to create an ecological courtyard that does not fade throughout the year.
By scientifically selecting and properly combining, it is completely possible to maintain the vitality of the courtyard during the severe cold season. These cold-resistant evergreen plants not only provide visual enjoyment but also improve the microclimate in winter, building a sustainable green base for the garden ecosystem.