For a planter that stays green throughout the year, choose evergreen plants suited to its light conditions. Lavender and rosemary create a Mediterranean feel in the sun; wintercreeper, bergenia, pachysandra and ivy offer different shapes for less sunny locations.
Success rests on three choices: the plant, a container suited to its roots and a growing medium that meets its needs. Here are six examples to help you plan a display for a balcony, terrace or garden.
Which evergreen plants suit your light conditions?
| Plant | Preferred conditions | Role in the display |
|---|---|---|
| English lavender — Lavandula angustifolia | Sun; very free-draining growing medium | Aromatic foliage and summer flowers |
| Rosemary — Salvia rosmarinus | Sun; free-draining growing medium | Aromatic foliage; upright or trailing habit depending on the variety |
| Wintercreeper — Euonymus fortunei | Sun or partial shade | Green or variegated foliage depending on the variety |
| Bergenia — Bergenia crassifolia, also known as B. cordifolia | Partial shade; moisture-retentive growing medium | Large leaves and spring flowers |
| Japanese pachysandra — Pachysandra terminalis | Partial or full shade; humus-rich, well-drained growing medium | Low foliage to fill out the display |
| English ivy — Hedera helix | Partial or full shade | Trailing stems and a choice of decorative foliage |
In the sun: lavender and rosemary
English lavender for a fragrant display
Lavandula angustifolia forms a small shrub with aromatic foliage, valued for its summer flowers. Choose a variety whose mature size suits the planter. A sunny position and good drainage support successful container growing.
Rosemary for contrasting shapes
Rosemary, also known as Rosmarinus officinalis, grows well in containers. Upright varieties add height, while trailing forms soften a planter’s edges. Position it in the sun in a free-draining growing medium and monitor the watering needs of the potted plant.
In partial or full shade: vary the foliage
Wintercreeper to give the display structure
Euonymus fortunei offers green or variegated foliage. Its habit varies by cultivar: choose a compact form for a small container and prune to achieve the desired effect.
Bergenia for its large leaves
Bergenia adds bold texture with its thick leaves. A position in partial shade and a growing medium that stays moist suit it well. Remove damaged leaves in late winter to show off new growth and flowers.
Pachysandra for a low display
Pachysandra terminalis appreciates shaded locations. Its dense foliage suits a low display in a moist, well-drained growing medium rich in organic matter. Allow enough room for it to spread.
Ivy for a trailing finish
Different varieties of Hedera helix offer a choice of leaf shapes and colours. Guide the stems along the container and trim them to maintain the desired proportions. A pot helps define its position and makes its growth easier to monitor.
Choosing a planter and matching plant needs
- Match the container volume to the roots and the variety’s mature size. Our pot size guide explains which measurements to compare.
- Provide drainage for conventional planting in potting mix, then choose a suitable growing medium.
- Combine plants with similar needs. A display of lavender and rosemary needs different watering management from a display of shade-loving foliage plants.
- Choose for your local climate. Evergreen describes the foliage; check cold tolerance for each species and variety.
Perennial and evergreen: what is the difference?
A perennial plant lives for several years. An evergreen plant retains its foliage through the seasons. Japanese spirea, for example, is a deciduous shrub: it grows new leaves in spring. Sweet alyssum is mainly chosen to add seasonal flowers to a planter.
Plan your display with NATURA
Explore our outdoor plants and pots, tubs and planters. For tailored advice, tell NATURA about your project, including the light conditions, container dimensions and a photo of the location.
Botanical references: RHS — growing rosemary; NC State Extension — English lavender, wintercreeper, bergenia, pachysandra and ivy.