Care for your Broadleaf Evergreens

Everyone is familiar with evergreens - trees and shrubs that keep their "leaves" throughout the winter, from one season to the next. Eventually the needles do deteriorate and fall, but not necessarily in the autumn, as do deciduous trees.

A broad leaf evergreen is a true evergreen in the sense that it keeps its leaves all winter. As the name suggests, however, the leaves are not needles, but rather more "leaf-like."

They will function from one season to the next, although they generally will fall from the plant about halfway through the second season, as or after new growth takes over. This loss of leaves should not worry you however, since it's a normal part of the growing cycle.

One of the best-known broadleaf evergreens is the rhododendron with large leaves and a beautiful bloom in the spring. Others include the azalea, the mahonia (or Oregon Holly), laurel, many euonymus and, of course, the hollies and boxwood.

All of these plants are a valuable asset to any landscape. They add significant foliage to a planting as well as contributing seasonal blooms, in most types. Since most are not formally shaped growers, they add free form shape as well as contributing to winter color.

You may have heard rumors that these plants - especially rhododendrons - are difficult to grow. The fact is that they do require special care, but the result is worth the little extra effort.

First, the positioning of the plant is critical to its health: it needs to be placed in a sheltered spot. You need to understand the liability of the broad leaf in order to know why.

Because leaves will give off water even in winter, a sheltered spot, especially a partially shaded location is critical. Even in winter the sun may warm the surface of the leaf to 45 degrees or more. The leaves will need water, but the roots are in frozen ground and can't give it any. The leaf may desiccate causing damage and maybe death. If this happens to a number of leaves, it could eventually kill the plant.

You can purchase an anti-desiccant substance at your local garden store to compensate for part of this loss, but I think the best thing to do is to plant your broad leaves in a partially shaded, sheltered side of your house.

I prefer a well-prepared bed located on the northeast side of the home near tall trees that allow some sunlight to filter through. Even consider the north or east sides of the home without trees since this side protects the evergreens from afternoon sun and the prevailing winds that tend to blow across Ohio in the winter.

I'm going to discuss rhododendrons at this point since they are one of the most common broadleaf evergreens. In addition, they are representative of the entire species and the same conditions should be provided for all broadleaf evergreens. If in doubt, you should not hesitate to discuss care of other varieties of these plants with your favorite garden center.

Rhododendrons require a sandy, acidic soil that is constantly moist, but never wet. Yes, I realize the conflict in that statement so let me explain what I mean.

Many plants' roots can dry out almost completely without hurting the plant - it will remain healthy after a good soaking. This is not the case with the rhododendron. It should never dry out. If it does, there will be problems. However, standing water can also cause problems, as the roots will literally rot if the soil is not well drained.

Soil preparation before planting is critical. You'll want to dig a wide, but shallow hole for the plant, adding lots of organic matter and an acidic fertilizer and/or powdered sulfur. Mix it well and plant the plant in the hole about two inches above the surrounding grade. Put no more than two inches of good, porous organic mulch around the plant, making certain the mulch doesn't touch the plant's main trunk since this can lead to rodent damage and other problems. Then water thoroughly, but infrequently - even in the winter.

These steps require effort, but not an intolerable amount. And the result is worth it - magnificent flowers and beautiful greenery year 'round with a little extra care.