Best Evergreen Shrubs to Decor Your Garden
Indoor plants make a live fashion statement! But do you know that shrubs are used as ornaments for a garden's shape? Yes. Shrubs are an integral part of the garden. The ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus divided the plant world into trees, shrubs, and herbs. Continue reading to find out more about what shrubs are and the different kinds you can plant in your Indian yard.
What Are the Shrubs?
Shrubs are perennial woody plants, which means they have persistent woody stems above ground. The height and many stems set shrubs apart from trees. There are many types of shrubs for different climates and soils. Most of certain shrub species bloom during the summer and rainy seasons, while others bloom in other seasons. Many shrubs, known as evergreen shrubs, grow all year and add to the beauty of your garden.
Moreover, shrubs play a significant role in transforming and decorating gardens. Some bushes, like hawthorn, are deciduous, not evergreen. Biologist Theophrastus classified plants as trees, shrubs, and herbs.
In botany, subshrubs are plants that are less than 8 m (26 ft) tall and have multiple stems at or near the base. Certain subshrubs are only faintly woody and survive for just a few years.
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11 Evergreen Shrubs in India
The evergreen shrub provides year-round beauty to your garden. Explore India's top 11 evergreen plants, including Indian hawthorn and Gardenia jasminoides, among hundreds of species. Each evergreen shrub has its own unique characteristics that add to the appeal of your garden.
The following are some of the most beautiful evergreen shrubs that are ideal for Indian gardens:
- Indian Hawthorn
- Boxwood Plant
- Barberry
- Orange Jasmine
- Curry Leaf, or Sweet Neem
- Garden Camella or Japanese Camellia
- Indian Holly
- Japanese Pittosporum
- Natal Plum
- Golden Duranta, or Sky Flower
- Gardenia Jasminoides
1. Indian Hawthorn:
Indian hawthorn, also known as Rhaphiolepis indica or Hong Kong hawthorn, belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a drought-resistant and broad-leaved evergreen shrub.
Its thin, pink, or white blossoms make it a bonsai contender. The fruit of Indian hawthorn is edible after boiling and may be converted into jam. It can often be found in both public and private settings as a hedge, a group of plants in a courtyard, or a single plant.
2. Boxwood Plant:
Boxwood Plant (Buxus wallichiana) is native to India's Himalayas and Khasi Hills. B. wallichiana is from the Himalayas between 1200 and 3000 m. It is a genus comprising 70 trees and evergreen shrubs in the family Buxaceae and is used for hedging and topiary in India.
Its leaf form and adaptability make it popular in decorative planting. Its dark green, heavily veined, ovate to elliptic leaves reach 2.5 cm in length and 1.2 cm in width. These bushes' anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal characteristics make them popular in traditional medicine.
3. Barberry:
Barberry is a genus of evergreen shrubs in the Berberidaceae family that grows natively in Asia's temperate and subtropical regions.
Many Middle Eastern and Far Eastern cuisines use these evergreen shrubs with prickly stems, small leaves, and beautiful blooms. Certain barberries are useful in gardening in addition to their delectable red, black, or blue fruits.
4. Orange Jasmine:
Murraya paniculata, sometimes known as orange jasmine, is native to Southeast Asia, including India. Its fragrant blossoms are its major attraction. The shrub grows 4-6 meters tall and 2-3 meters wide.
The foliage releases a strong citrus fragrance when it is crushed. In India, the plant's leaves, blossoms, and roots are used for traditional medicine. It thrives in well-draining soil, direct sunlight or moderate shade, and frequent watering.
5. Curry Leaf or Sweet Neem:
Curry leaf, or sweet neem, is a tropical to subtropical evergreen shrub. It originates in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It is planted throughout South and Southeast Asia for its fragrant leaves, which are used in many cuisines.
It grows to 6 meters and has little white blooms and black berries with seeds. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial characteristics make the tree popular in cooking and traditional medicine.
Also, check this: Top 10 Flowering Shrubs in India
6. Garden Camella, or Japanese Camellia:
The Garden Camellia, or Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica L.) is an evergreen shrub native to East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. It has glossy, dark green, leathery leaves that lay alternately on the stalk.
The plant's true stars are its stunning blooms, which bloom from winter to early spring in colors of pink, red, white, or variegated. It is a popular decorative shrub that may be seen in gardens, parks, and landscapes, as well as in floral arrangements.
7. Indian Holly:
Indian Holly (Viburnum mullaha) is a native of the Indian subcontinent that grows as an evergreen shrub in the honeysuckle family. It has a thick, multi-stemmed shrub with a unique floral aroma, even when not blossoming. This plant attracts butterflies and birds with sounds that endure until the blossoming ends in many busy gardens. Indian Holly plays an important role in traditional medicine and cultural practices, where its leaves and bark have been used to treat a wide range of ailments.
8. Japanese Pittosporum:
Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira) is a moderately salt-tolerant evergreen shrub from Japan, China, and Korea. It can grow 10–15 feet tall and broad. It has dark green, glossy, 38-inch leaves with wavy edges clustering at the branch end. This shrub has 14-inch dark beige, fragrant blooms. Tobira pittosporum is planted as an attractive plant since it can thrive in many conditions, although not well-drained soils.
9. Natal Plum:
The Natal plum, scientifically known as Carissa macrocarpa, is a South African evergreen shrub. It thrives in tropical and subtropical environments. Its lustrous, thick, dark green foliage, fragrant white blooms, and delicious fruit make it appealing. Its thick growth, beautiful leaves, and abundant blooms make it suitable for hedges or screening. Soil that is well-draining is the only soil type to which it can adapt.
10. Golden Duranta or Sky Flower:
Duranta repens (also known as Golden Duranta or Sky Flower) is a versatile evergreen shrub that originates from tropical America. It is cultivated widely in India because of its beauty and durability. This fast-growing bushy shrub has fragrant star-shaped blossoms and grows to 10 feet. This beautiful shrub has blue or purple blossoms, although shade may stunt its growth. Approximately 30 shrub species in the genus Duranta flourish in USDA zones 8–11.
11. Gardenia Jasminoides:
Gardenia jasminoides, or Gardenia, is an evergreen shrub native to China, Japan, and Vietnam. The glossy, dark green foliage and the white, double or semi-double blooms emit a fragrant aroma. It thrives in well-drained, acidic soil with moderate shade and requires frequent watering and fertilization. Along with being cut for arrangements, the flowers may have their essential oil extracted for use in aromatherapy and perfumery.
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Conclusion
Evergreen shrubs are tiny, perennial woody plants that bring year-round beauty to the landscape. Indian Hawthorn, Boxwood Plant, Barberry, Orange Jasmine, Curry Leaf, Garden Camella, Indian Holly, Japanese Pittosporum, Natal Plum, and Golden Duranta are among the most popular 11 evergreen shrubs in India. Each evergreen shrub has its own decorative traits.
