Creating a Colourful Winter Garden with Evergreen Trees

Five evergreen trees that carry the winter garden with glossy foliage, dense form and seasonal blooms.

bay treecamelliaevergreen treesficus hilliimagnolia coolwynmurrayawinter garden

Winter strips most gardens back to bones. The right evergreens hold the structure together: glossy foliage, dense form, and occasional winter blooms that lift the colder months.

Here are five winter performers we recommend at Evergreen Trees Direct.

FAQs

Winter privacy? Ficus Hillii hedge.

Frost tolerance? All five tolerate light frost.

Maintenance? Low. Annual trim and mulching.

1. Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss' (Coolwyn Gloss Magnolia)

Evergreen magnolia with the glossiest dark foliage of the Coolwyn series. Carries the winter garden.

Type: Evergreen tree
Height: 6-8m
Width: 3-4m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Highly glossy dark green with copper underside
Flowers: Large fragrant white blooms in summer
Form: Upright, pyramidal
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, well-drained soil
Maintenance: Low.
Best for: Winter structure, feature trees, formal hedges

Why choose it

Glossy leaves catch winter light and lift the garden when other species look dull. Year round structure when colour is scarce.

Perfect pair

Pair Coolwyn Gloss with a Camellia sasanqua for layered winter blooms.

Tips for planting

Plant 2m apart for a hedge. Water through year one. Mulch annually.

Winter gloss without the wait.

Shop Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss'

2. Ficus microcarpa var. hillii (Hill's Weeping Fig)

Dense evergreen screening tree that holds glossy foliage through winter.

Type: Evergreen tree
Height: 8-15m (can be pruned to desired height)
Width: 3-5m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Glossy dark green leathery leaves
Form: Upright, dense
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, most soils
Maintenance: Low to moderate.
Best for: Winter hedges, screening, year round privacy

Why choose it

Holds every leaf through winter. Dense canopy delivers year round privacy when deciduous neighbours go bare.

Perfect pair

Pair Ficus Hillii hedge with a Coolwyn Gloss feature tree.

Tips for planting

Keep roots clear of structures. Trim in spring and autumn. Monthly seaweed drench.

Year round green screen.

Shop Ficus microcarpa var. hillii

3. Laurus nobilis (Bay Tree)

Mediterranean evergreen with waxy aromatic leaves through winter.

Type: Evergreen tree
Height: 5-8m (can be pruned to desired height)
Width: 3-4m
Growth rate: Slow
Foliage: Dark green leathery aromatic
Form: Upright, dense
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, drought tolerant
Maintenance: Low.
Best for: Formal winter hedges, topiary, courtyards

Why choose it

Holds shape through winter cold. Clips into crisp formal lines. Useful in the kitchen.

Perfect pair

Pair Bay hedge with a Camellia sasanqua feature for winter colour.

Tips for planting

Mulch with bark. Water through year one. Trim spring and autumn.

A formal winter evergreen.

Shop Laurus nobilis

4. Murraya paniculata (Orange Jasmine)

Evergreen hedge with glossy green leaves through winter and summer blooms.

Type: Evergreen shrub
Height: 2-3m (can be pruned to desired height)
Width: 1.5-2m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Flowers: White blooms across warm months
Form: Rounded, dense
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, well-drained soil
Maintenance: Low.
Best for: Winter hedging, soft structure, scent in courtyards

Why choose it

Stays glossy and dense through winter. Soft enough to read as living rather than architectural.

Perfect pair

Pair Murraya hedge with a Magnolia Coolwyn Gloss feature for layered structure.

Tips for planting

Trim after flowering. Mulch annually. Avoid wet feet.

Winter green with summer scent.

Shop Murraya paniculata

5. Camellia sasanqua 'Setsugekka' (Setsugekka Camellia)

Evergreen camellia with semi-double white blooms through late autumn and winter.

Type: Evergreen shrub
Height: 3-4m
Width: 2-3m
Growth rate: Slow to moderate
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Flowers: Large semi-double white blooms late autumn to winter
Form: Upright, dense
Conditions: Part shade, well-drained acidic soil
Maintenance: Low.
Best for: Winter flowering, evergreen feature, hedging

Why choose it

Pure white blooms when nothing else flowers. The signature winter garden tree.

Perfect pair

Pair Setsugekka with a Coolwyn Gloss Magnolia hedge for layered winter structure.

Tips for planting

Plant in part shade. Mulch with bark. Water consistently.

Winter blooms in pure white.

Shop Camellia sasanqua 'Setsugekka'

Compare at a glance

Cultivar	Height	Width	Form	Foliage	Best if you…
Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss' Coolwyn Gloss Magnolia	6-8m	3-4m	Upright, pyramidal	Highly glossy dark green with copper underside	Winter structure, feature trees, formal hedges
Ficus microcarpa var. hillii Hill's Weeping Fig	8-15m (can be pruned to desired height)	3-5m	Upright, dense	Glossy dark green leathery leaves	Winter hedges, screening, year round privacy
Laurus nobilis Bay Tree	5-8m (can be pruned to desired height)	3-4m	Upright, dense	Dark green leathery aromatic	Formal winter hedges, topiary, courtyards
Murraya paniculata Orange Jasmine	2-3m (can be pruned to desired height)	1.5-2m	Rounded, dense	Glossy dark green	Winter hedging, soft structure, scent in courtyards
Camellia sasanqua 'Setsugekka' Setsugekka Camellia	3-4m	2-3m	Upright, dense	Glossy dark green	Winter flowering, evergreen feature, hedging