Evergreen trees and shrubs are essential elements in garden design, providing structure, color, and interest throughout the year. In Morris County, New Jersey, where deer pressure is high, choosing deer-resistant evergreens is crucial to maintaining a beautiful and undisturbed garden. Here are some broadleaf evergreens and conifers that are both attractive and unappealing to hungry deer.
Broadleaf Evergreens:
1. Magnolia virginiana ‘Green Shadow’:
– Zones: 5-10
– Size: 20-35 feet tall, 10-20 feet wide
– Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, wet to well-drained soil
– Native range: Coastal eastern and southeastern United States
– Features: Fragrant white blooms in summer, orange seedpods, host plant for butterflies and moths
2. Ilex opaca ‘Satyr Hill’:
– Zones: 5-9
– Size: 25-35 feet tall, 15-25 feet wide
– Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, moist, sandy, well-drained soil
– Native range: Eastern and central United States
– Features: Compact variety suitable for smaller gardens, produces abundant red fruit in fall
3. Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’:
– Zones: 6-8
– Size: 3-4 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
– Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, moist, well-drained soil
– Native range: Southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia
– Features: Lustrous dark green foliage, white bottlebrush blooms in late spring, toxic if ingested
4. Viburnum rhytidophyllum ‘Green Trump’:
– Zones: 5-9
– Size: 8 feet tall, 6 feet wide
– Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil
– Native range: Central and western China
– Features: Hairy leaves that deter herbivores, blue-green new foliage, dark pink buds
Captivating Conifers:
1. Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Prostrata’ and ‘Fastigiata’:
– Zones: 6-9
– Size: 2-3 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide (‘Prostrata’), 8-10 feet tall, 3-5 feet wide (‘Fastigiata’)
– Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, moist, sandy, well-drained soil
– Native range: Japan, Korea, and northeastern China
– Features: Deer-resistant, slow-growing, useful as specimens or in mass plantings
2. Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’:
– Zones: 5-9
– Size: 6-12 inches tall, 4-7 feet wide
– Conditions: Full sun, average, well-drained soil
– Native range: Japan and Sakhalin Island in Russia
– Features: Dense, blue-green foliage, salt and heat tolerant, resistant to winter injury
3. Pinus flexilis ‘Vanderwolf’s Pyramid’:
– Zones: 4-7
– Size: 20-30 feet tall, 10-15 feet wide
– Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
– Native range: Rocky Mountains
– Features: Dense, pyramidal form, bluish-green needles, ornamental branches
4. Pinus mugo ‘Minima Kalous’:
– Zones: 2-8
– Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
– Conditions: Full sun, moist, well-drained soil
– Native range: Central and southern Europe
– Features: Globe shape without pruning, dark green bristle-like needles, whitish buds in winter
Design Ideas:
– Using evergreens for hedges or screens
– Creating focal points with unique evergreen characteristics
– Choosing deer-resistant evergreens for specific garden applications
In conclusion, evergreen trees and shrubs play a vital role in garden design, providing structure, color, and interest year-round. By selecting deer-resistant varieties, gardeners can enjoy beautiful and undisturbed landscapes in areas with high deer pressure like Morris County, New Jersey. Choose from a variety of broadleaf evergreens and conifers to create a stunning and resilient garden that will thrive for years to come.
