Evergreens in Disguise

Evergreen plants are popular with property owners who are looking for privacy screening. But did you know there are many native perennial plants that aren’t technically classified as evergreen yet maintain green leaves all year? Even though their foliage dies back in late fall, new growth starts emerging almost immediately.

The photos shown below, taken in December, showcase their fresh green growth — a testament to nature’s resilience and beauty even in the cooler months of late fall and winter. If you’d like to keep your garden looking neat while still enjoying the vibrant green growth, consider cutting back the spent stems and seed heads. Rather than discarding them, however, place the cut stems upright in a  tomato cage in your yard. This simple trick serves multiple purposes: The seed heads remain accessible as a food source for the birds, while the hollow stems provide cozy shelter for overwintering species, including insects.

With this approach you can maintain a tidy garden while supporting the ecosystem through the colder months. These small actions help create a sustainable and inviting habitat for wildlife year-round.

Enjoy the beauty of your winter habitat.

The following genera often fall into this remarkable category:

• Pycnanthemum (mountain mints)
• Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susans)
• Monarda spp. (bee balms)
• Erigeron (fleabanes)
• Lobelia
• Solidago (goldenrods)
• Asters