this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2023
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Native Plant Gardening

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6b evergreen ideas (lemm.ee)
submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I'm in southeast Michigan, hardiness zone 6b, and I'd like to add a small or mid size evergreen to my yard for some winter interest, any suggestions?

I also have a large yew I'd like to replace with something comparable to maintain a little porch privacy, I'm thinking either a smoke bush or witch hazel, any others I should consider?

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Laurels (Kalmia genus) are evergreens with cool flowers. However, they're highly poisonous if eaten so not good around curious kids or animals.

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=KAAN

Witch Hazel can take a few years to bloom and the leaves can look raggedy with all the insect action. But I did see a witch hat gall this summer which was really neat!

Spicebush could be an option. Black chokeberry too, it has awesome fall color.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for the ideas! I didn't know that about witch hazel, I really like the yellow flowers but have never been close to one. That's moving sspicebush to the top of the list. Laurels are intriguing - no kids, and the only animals are wild, so should be safe?