Evergreen plants

Evergreen plants include box, holly, yew, arborvitae, pine, ivy, bergenia and many conifers and heathers. They keep their leaves or needles all year, giving structure and greenery even in winter. In the atlas this trait is tagged separately, so you can filter for evergreen species alone.

Yes, but gradually and throughout the year, not all at once like deciduous plants in autumn. Old leaves drop as new ones replace them, so the plant always stays green. That's why a thin layer of shed leaves or needles often gathers under evergreen shrubs.

For an evergreen hedge, the usual choices are arborvitae, yew, box, holly and cherry laurel. They form a dense, opaque screen all year and take clipping well. Yew and cherry laurel also tolerate shade, while arborvitae grows fast and quickly makes a solid wall.