3 Reasons to fall in love with evergreen plants

Love is all around! Just take a look at your beautiful garden. Isn’t it full of the joys of summer? Nature blesses us with gifts every day. You just have to step outside and look. From bright blooms to lush green grasses, we love every glorious living detail of a well-maintained outdoor space. But this February, we are feeling the love in particular for evergreen plants. They are a year-round treat for our eyes (and hearts) and are certainly deserving of our attention and praise. Explore our online store.

Why we love evergreen plants:

1. Their foliage remains beautiful all year

Evergreen plants are a thing of beauty and not just when they are in bloom. What’s special about these plants is that they always showcase green foliage, no matter the season. Some of our favourite evergreen varieties include: Clivia, Agapanthus, Hemerocallis, and Tulbaghia. Shop these plants and more online.

Clivia

With their characteristic orange petals and vibrant evergreen foliage, Clivia are a stunning feature in any garden. We stock the Clivia miniata, Clivia caulescens, and Clivia gardenii during seasonal periods so gardeners can enjoy the bright floral show in September. But Clivia greenery remains a spectacle throughout the year. If you are interested in investing in Clivia, be sure to plant the bulbs in a shaded area, spaced about 20cm apart and at a depth of 5cm.

Agapanthus

Also known as lily of the Nile, African lily and blue lily, the Agapanthus praecox is an indigenous species that never loses its appeal. While flowering in the summer months, Agapanthus retain their evergreen leaves throughout the year, making them a beautiful flower bed filler. When adding Agapanthus bulbs to your garden, choose a full-sun or semi-shaded area and plant them just below ground level, spaced about 50cm apart.

Hemerocallis

The daylily or Hemerocallis is a popular perennial in South African gardens, loved for its boisterous blooms and – of course – gorgeous evergreen foliage. Though we receive our biggest selection of Hemerocallis bulbs during the summer months, we do supply certain Hemerocallis varieties throughout the year. If you’re interested in purchasing bulbs, visit our online store to see what we have available, and browse through our flowering plants blog post for planting tips.

Tulbaghia

Another lovely addition to garden beds is Tulbaghia, a flowering plant showcasing an impressive display of purple blooms and – you guessed it – stunning evergreen foliage. We stock Tulbaghia simmleri and Tulbaghia violacea during periods of seasonal demand. Head over to our online store to place an order for these beauties. When you’re ready to get gardening, plant the bulbs in a full-sun or semi-shaded area at a depth of 10cm, spaced about 15cm apart.

2. They attract wildlife

Birds, bees, butterflies, and many other garden critters make their homes in leafy shrubs. The evergreen leaves of plants like Clivia, Agapanthus, Hemerocallis and Tulbaghia are sturdy and long-lasting – perfect for making nests in and taking shelter underneath. If you love a garden that sings of wildlife and harmonious living with nature, choosing to plant evergreen shrubs in and among garden beds will attract animals and encourage them to set up camp. Discover six ways to encourage backyard biodiversity.

3. They act as a buffer

Not only are evergreen plants beautiful to look at and attractive to animals and insects, but they also offer protective benefits for your home and garden. The constant presence of healthy leaves allows for effective hedge and plant ‘barrier’ formation, which helps protect your home and garden from harsh winds, while providing an extra layer of privacy. (Growing an evergreen hedge? Take a look at this handy Pokon fertiliser.)

Will you grow evergreen plants in your garden?

Evergreen plants offer so many benefits, and we’ve only touched on three in this article! Explore our online store for evergreen bulbs and plants, and start reaping the rewards of year-round greenery.