Evergreens of some kind are an integral part of most Northern landscape designs. Most of these plants are conifers, meaning they produce cones. These include Picea/Spruce, Pinus/Pine, Juniperus/Juniper, Chamaecyparis/False Cypress, Abies/Fir, and Tsuga/Hemlock. Ilex/Holly and Buxus/Boxwood are evergreens that do not bear cones but are often found in Northern and Southeastern gardens.
Evergreens grow in a range of colors, from the powder blue of Picea pungens ‘Kosteri’, to the dark shadowy greens of Picea abies ‘Hillside Creeper’, to the glowing yellow of Pinus sylvestris ‘Aurea’. Some are variegated, like Picea glauca ‘The Limey’. Body styles vary as well. Growth may be columnar like Picea abies ‘Cupressina’, or globose like Pinus resinosa ‘Morel’. Each of the species and subspecies seems to include at least one weeping cultivar such as Picea glauca ‘Pendula’ or Pinus strobus ‘Angel Falls’.
The secret to using evergreens successfully in the landscape is to be selective and don’t overplant them. Rather, punctuate the garden with them.