Evergreen Perennials for the Midwest

Japanese holly fern

Cyrtomium falcatum

Zones:6–10

Size:1 to 2 foot marvellous and 2 to 3 foot spacious

condition : Partial to full shade ; moist to average , well - drained grunge

Native range : Asia

This fern will never win any races , as it develop very slowly up here in the north . Consistently evergreen plant in warmer zones , a well - placed Nipponese Buddy Holly fern will blaze through wintertime unscathed in the Midwest . If it gets nipped by Jack Frost , though , you may just nip off it fair and pretend that did n’t happen . I ’ve had great chance growing it in elevate beds with good drainage and up against a theatre where there is some residual estrus and protection from winding . On the undersurface of the holly - comparable fronds are spore - producing structures bid sori thatwill absolutely horrify anyone with trypophobia ( an aversion to the muckle of irregular rule of small hollow or bumps ) .

‘ Dark and Handsome ’ hellebore

Helleborus‘Dark and Handsome ’

Zones:4–9

Size:18 to 24 inches magniloquent and wide

condition : fond to full refinement ; moist to dry grease

Native compass : Europe , Asia

With their evergreen plant foliage and super - early blooms , hellebore make smashing “ front door ” plants for northern gardens ; if you put them any far away from the sign , you might miss the show . When client askme to recommend shade garden plant , I normally suggesthellebores with cheerful color , since the bloom ofmany varieties confront downwards under foliage and appear at a depressed time of year . But in my own garden , give me‘Dark and Handsome ’ all day long . The smoky , double , 3 - inch - wide flower bloom for me before April . Thosewho grow this plant in warmer zones may have problemswith rampant spreading , but that is a severeness I willnever know .

‘ Cobweb ’ hen and bird

Sempervivum arachnoideum‘Cobweb ’

Zones:5–8

Size:3 to 5 in magniloquent and 8 inch all-embracing

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; pathetic to average , well - drained land

aboriginal range : Mountains of southerly Europe

I have an old flagstone wall where I love to ram in different varieties ofSempervivum , and this is one of the coolest one . The “ cobwebs ” are what make this cultivar so fascinating ; the thread that zig and zag across the leafage tips make it see like the works has been take by some very vivid , esthetic spiders . As with other hens and chicks , there is a female parent plant with little chick growing around her — and when Mom eventually dies , the chicks take over . It ’s a cruel world ! People never consider me when I assure them this plant life is hardy here , but it is , and with no maintenance required . It is also very warmth tolerant and care to arise in poor soil .

grim Sir Henry Wood sedge

Carex flaccosperma

Size:6 to 12 in tall and wide

Conditions : Partial to full shade ; average to blotto dirt

aboriginal range : Eastern North America

Blue wood sedge is a behind - growing , roundy - moundy piddling ball of bliss for wet tincture . Because of thesimilarities between their common and botanical names , it is sometimes interracial up with blue sedge ( Carex flacca , Zones 4–9 ) , which is a scoundrelly ruffian that does n’t knowwhen or how to blockade . racy wood sedge , on the other mitt , is the endearing , well - acquit , blue pompom you are face for . It really love pissed shade , but it can become a bit dauntless about tolerating drought conditions once it is instal . Although technically evergreen , this timber beauty may require a little cleaning up or cutting back in March .

Amanda Thomsenowns Aster Gardens , a diminished works and garden workshop in Lemont , Illinois . She frequently neglects her home garden but would care to say you what to do with yours .

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Evergreen Perennials for the Northeast

Evergreen Perennials for the Mountain West

Evergreen Perennials for the Mid-Atlantic

Evergreen Perennials for the Southeast

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