Evergreens that Require Little Care

All plants require some sort of care. Just putting a plant in the ground and wishing it to grow will only lead to disaster. All things being equal, meaning that the plants are put in the right type of soil and sun conditions and given the food they need, there will be some that require less maintenance than others. Look for plants that need a minimum amount of pruning and do not have any serious insect or disease problems.

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) grows from 40 to 50 feet tall with a crown spread of 15 to 25 feet. Specimens have been found growing as tall as 200 feet in the wild. Purchase a tree grown from seeds harvested in an area with the same climate as the one the tree is to be planted in to insure it is winter-hardy. The tree is hardy in a small area, USDA hardiness zones 5 and 6. Lower branches should be trimmed away if the tree is located near pedestrian or motor traffic areas. Insects do not pose long term problems. Just trim away any diseases branches. Plant in full sun and a moist, well-drained soil that is not allowed to go either dry or wet.

Japanese holly ( Ilex crenata) is hardy in zones 5B to 8 and grows from 6 to 10 feet tall and about an equal spread. The dark-green leaves are broad in the middle, narrow at both ends and measure 1 to 2 inches long.
The plant will be either male or female with the white flowers blooming in May and June. Pollinated female plants produce tiny black berries. Plant in full sun or partial shade and a moist, well-drained soil. Trim away any branches that do not survive the winter.

Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata 'Capitata') is a needle evergreen hardy in zones 4 to 7. The plant can be grown as a small tree or large shrub growing from 10 to 25 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide. Plant is full sun or partial shade and a sandy loam soil that is moist and very well drained. Wet soil leads to root rot and death of the plant. Plant where it cannot be damaged by winter winds. The needles are dark-green and measure up to 1 inch long and can turn red-brown or yellow in the winter. Female plants produce red berries that is a favorite treat for the local song birds. There are no serious pest or diseases, but the plant can suffer from winter burn if it is not in a protected area.