Small Evergreens for Stunning Landscapes: Spotlight on Emerald Green Arborvitae and West Coast Skip Laurel
Small evergreens are an excellent addition to any landscape, offering year-round greenery, low-maintenance care, and a natural way to enhance privacy. Whether you’re looking to create a picturesque border, add structure to your garden, or increase curb appeal, small evergreens provide unmatched versatility. Among the many options available, Emerald Green Arborvitae and West Coast Skip Laurel stand out for their beauty, functionality, and adaptability. Let’s dive into what makes these two evergreens ideal choices for your outdoor space.
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Emerald Green Arborvitae, also known as Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd,’ is a favorite among homeowners and landscapers for its classic, elegant appearance. This evergreen features lush, bright green foliage that maintains its color throughout the year, creating a vibrant and fresh look even in the dead of winter.
Characteristics
Emerald Green Arborvitae typically grows to a height of 10 to 15 feet and reaches a width of about 3 to 4 feet, making it a perfect option for small to medium-sized landscapes. Its naturally narrow, pyramidal shape means it requires little pruning to maintain its neat appearance. This variety is hardy in USDA Zones 2 to 7, tolerating cold winters and moderate heat.
Benefits
One of the standout benefits of Emerald Green Arborvitae is its ability to create a natural privacy screen or hedge. Its dense foliage forms a barrier that blocks unwanted views and dampens noise, providing a tranquil outdoor retreat. Additionally, this evergreen is low-maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. It’s also deer-resistant, making it a reliable choice for areas with active wildlife.
Ideal Uses in Landscaping
Emerald Green Arborvitae is perfect for creating hedges, borders, and foundation plantings. It works well in formal gardens, lining pathways, or framing outdoor living spaces. Thanks to its manageable size and tidy shape, it’s equally suited for use as a stand-alone accent plant. Whether used in rows or as a single focal point, this evergreen adds structure and beauty to any landscape.
West Coast Skip Laurel
West Coast Skip Laurel, or Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis,’ is another highly sought-after evergreen that brings lush greenery and robust growth to landscaping designs. Known for its glossy, dark green leaves and versatile applications, this laurel is a reliable and attractive choice for a variety of outdoor settings.
Characteristics
West Coast Skip Laurel typically grows to a height of 10 to 12 feet with a spread of 5 to 7 feet. This evergreen has a fast growth rate, making it an excellent option for quickly establishing privacy. Its leathery, evergreen leaves are a rich, dark green color, and it produces small, fragrant white flowers in the spring, followed by dark berries that attract birds. It thrives in USDA Zones 6 to 9, preferring well-drained soil and partial to full sunlight.
Benefits
The West Coast Skip Laurel is prized for its durability and adaptability. It tolerates a range of soil types, moderate drought, and urban pollution, making it well-suited for both suburban and city gardens. Like the Emerald Green Arborvitae, it’s a great option for privacy, as its dense foliage forms a thick barrier. Its low-maintenance nature makes it an excellent choice for busy homeowners or those new to gardening.
Ideal Uses in Landscaping
West Coast Skip Laurel is often used to create hedges, screens, and windbreaks. Its broader spread and fast growth make it ideal for filling in larger spaces, while its attractive leaves and flowers bring a touch of elegance to any garden. It’s also a great option for planting along fences or property lines for enhanced privacy. For those looking to support local wildlife, its berries provide a valuable food source for birds.
Comparison
While both Emerald Green Arborvitae and West Coast Skip Laurel offer exceptional beauty and functionality, they have distinct differences that make them suited to different needs. Emerald Green Arborvitae is narrower and grows more slowly, making it ideal for compact spaces and formal designs. Its pyramid-like shape and bright green color bring a touch of elegance and neatness to any landscape.
In contrast, West Coast Skip Laurel grows more quickly and spreads wider, making it a better choice for larger spaces or areas where you want to establish privacy more rapidly. Its rich, dark green leaves and seasonal flowers add depth and texture to gardens, while its adaptability makes it suitable for a variety of growing conditions.
When it comes to maintenance, both plants are relatively easy to care for, but Emerald Green Arborvitae requires less pruning due to its naturally tidy shape. West Coast Skip Laurel, while slightly more labor-intensive, rewards homeowners with faster growth and added ornamental value through its flowers and berries.
Ultimately, the choice between these two evergreens comes down to your specific landscaping needs, the size of your space, and the aesthetic you’re aiming to achieve.
Conclusion
Small evergreens like Emerald Green Arborvitae and West Coast Skip Laurel are invaluable additions to any landscape. They provide year-round greenery, enhance privacy, and add beauty and structure to outdoor spaces. Whether you’re drawn to the tidy elegance of Emerald Green Arborvitae or the lush, fast-growing appeal of West Coast Skip Laurel, both options offer exceptional benefits that can transform your garden into a stunning and functional retreat.
If you’re ready to elevate your landscape with these evergreens, consider consulting with Snow Creek Landscaping to bring your vision to life. With their expert guidance, you can create a space that’s both beautiful and enduring.