THE BENEFITS OF EVERGREENS FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE
Evergreens, which in Indianapolis are mainly conifers, are so good at their jobs that they hardly ever get the notice that they deserve. We appreciate them for their steadfast decorative features, but not only are they beautiful additions to our homes, they also add year-round utility.
SIMPLE CARE FOR EVERGREENS
One of the most evident benefits of including evergreens in your landscape design is that maintaining them is straightforward. While they might bring a lot to the table, you won’t be stuck with a difficult maintenance schedule in return.
Many conifers are water-efficient, so you’ll be spared an intensive watering schedule to keep their green foliage alive and thriving. Aside from the first year after planting when they need more attention, your conifers won’t need too much extra water. However, watering thoroughly but infrequently just before the winter season will help protect them from the harsh winter wind.
Think about the life of your conifer as well as your landscape design when planting. Placing your conifer properly is half of the secret to a healthy tree or shrub. Consider things like drainage, wind exposure, water, and sun when planting - and keep in mind how these change with the seasons, as your conifer will be a presence throughout the year.
THE BENEFITS OF EVERGREENS
Conifers are simple to care for and bring a lot of presence to your outdoor design. Consider some of these benefits of conifers for your landscape:
EVERGREENS PROVIDE PRIVACY
Outdoor spaces are as much a part of your home as the interiors, but enjoying your backyard can be a tricky balance while trying to maintain your privacy. Conifers make a phenomenal natural barrier that screen you from prying neighborly eyes while adding to your backyard’s appearance.
While deciduous trees are nice in the summer, our long Indianapolis winters have them bare and reduce their ability to provide year-round privacy. But just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your life is closed down for the season, and keeping your blinds closed blocks out precious daylight. Coniferous trees keep your yard private no matter what the season. There are evergreen shrub and tree species to fit any yard, whatever the size of the landscaping footprint.
EVERGREENS HELP WITH ENERGY CONSERVATION
Trees with bigger canopies are known to help cool our homes in the summer by protecting us from the sun's harsh rays. Unfortunately, in the winter we find ourselves looking for some extra warmth and those leafless deciduous trees aren’t as helpful. During a cold Indianapolis winter, when temperatures drop for months at a time, the wind pulls heat from the sides of our homes. The bracing cold makes our furnaces work even harder to keep us warm. Our gas bills climb, but our homes stay chilly.
Conifers provide all of the summer shading advantages that other trees do, but they also protect your home in the winter. While other trees drop their leaves to hibernate, the dense needles of conifers can protect your home from chilly winds if you plant them close enough to the house. Planting about 15-20 feet away is ideal.
Planting your coniferous trees on the north side of the home is the best way to break the chilly winter winds without blocking any precious southern sunshine. Rays from this direction help to naturally warm the house through the coldest months of the year.
EVERGREENS IMPROVE AIR QUALITY
The health benefits of evergreen trees are also worth a mention! Trees do a great job of pulling pollutants from the air while they breathe, replacing carbon dioxide with oxygen. In the summer, all of our plants help to keep the air around us safer and cleaner. However, in the winter, when the air quality is at its worst, many plants are hibernating and out of commission. Conifers work through the winter to help improve the air quality around your home, and their fresh signature scent is a welcome breath of fresh air.
Evergreens are so reliable that we often forget to give them credit for all of the ways that they help out our landscapes. For such functional plants, they do a great job of looking amazing, too! These trees aren’t just a pretty face; they also work hard to make your home more enjoyable for you and your family.