Broadleaf evergreen tree in zone 7 (irrigation, landscaping, grow, magnolia)

[georgeinbandonoregon]

Originally Posted by B87

Fatsia japonica
Eriobotrya japonica
Rhododendron ponticum

good plants but POSSIBLY not so good for Reno, Nevada except perhaps in very favorable "protected" microclimates. if you believe in Wikipedia data, the area is relatively high in elevation (about 1500m ), dry (average precip. is about 7.4"/188mm(!!!---hence the common "high desert" moniker though Wikipedia describes it as "semi-arid steppe" I think), and with rather cool winters (with supposedly an average of "2.5 days below 10f/-12c" each year)and warm to hot summers (average 58 days of 90f/32c annually) with a chance of brisk winds ("Washoe zephyrs") throughout the year. there is also the possibility that the soils may not be optimum for some "acid-loving" plants though IF so, there are supplements that can improve that situation.


these kind of conditions are potentially tough on many evergreen broadleaf plants especially in exposed areas with the triple threat of winter cold, summer heat, year-round "drought" with the potential desiccating effects of winds to add to the fun---rather different from the usual "zone 7" conditions either north American east coast or west coast types. FWIW, the "sunset western garden book" with a different zone system than USDA places the Reno-Tahoe area in either their "2b" or "3" (depending on which edition you use)---warmer summer intermountain climates.


just guessing that many of the plants you and I have suggested may need some help to grow well and look good with the ambient climate conditions. some of the oaks, the cercocarpus/mountain mahoganies, and hopefully other plants both native and introduced including some of our suggestions may prove doable.


my suggestion to the O.P. is to take a good look at what is actually growing already in parks and gardens in his area (if there is a nearby college or university with a botanic garden of some sort, it might be the best place to see some plants not usually grown that actually work well there), and also a look at what the GOOD full-service nurseries are stocking to see what's available and what really works in the kind of plants he's looking for.

[B87]

For drought and cold tolerance I would also suggest...

Olea europaea
Eucalyptus pauciflora
Eucalyptus gunnii

[georgeinbandonoregon]

Originally Posted by B87

For drought and cold tolerance I would also suggest...

Olea europaea
Eucalyptus pauciflora
Eucalyptus gunnii

yes, have already discussed the two eucs (very nice plants I agree) and their potential plus several others. the olive may (or may not, LOL) be potentially a bit dicey as a long-term ornamental let alone a fruit producer and over here is generally regarded as normally hardy to 15f and generally ONLY in areas where those kind of temps are rare and temporary---though it can come back from the base and trunk from injury sustained at somewhat lower temps for sure. FWIW, this plant is very very rare in western Oregon and Washington (those there is some experimentation with "new" hardier varieties) in nominal USDA 8 and 9 climates of parts of the PNW.


IMHO, the "zone 7" rating can be more a hindrance than a help sometimes in situations like this. being based SOLELY on average low temps. it cannot fully account for all the other factors (precipitation, humidity, heat) that are ALSO a potential limiting factor to plant performance let alone survival in a particular spot. sadly, a "one size fits all" system like USDA zones is not necessarily a big help when choosing plants without further reference to influences like the other factors just mentioned. I would hasten to add that there is no system around that is universally applicable and any rating or zone recommendations as to plants must be tempered by and tested against a look-see and survey of what is REALLY growing in a particular place as opposed to what "should" grow there and yes, some (or even a lot) of experimentation and "zone pushing". just how much experimentation really happens is dependent on how much time, money, and energy the gardener wishes to invest acquiring, planting, and caring (including potential extra protection of those plants) or providing optimum conditions extra water, better drainage, or whatever an otherwise "mostly adapted" plant needs to survive in a given place AND how much trial and tribulation "he" wishes to endure IF some of the plants turn out less well than either the environment of his additional care can sustain.


"keen" or experimental gardeners can be rather like gamblers----hoping for a horticultural "jackpot" where they succeed with some otherwise different, new, or untried, or "crapping out" when the gamble fails---but it does keep them alert, interested, AND as often as not humble, LOL.

[Nn2036]

henry tanoak/l. henryi looks beautiful. Do you know where I can find and buy?

[georgeinbandonoregon]

it is indeed very beautiful and very RARE and sadly extremely few nurseries carry it. this is not a drought tolerant plant under "normal" Reno conditions so it would need to be planted where it can get substantial summer water (like in a lawn) and would likely also require a spot protected against cold or hot winds that would harm the beautiful foliage plus winter protection at least below about 15-20f as a small plant.


as to a "rough" estimate of potential hardiness and suitability in your area I would see if there are any large/mature southern magnolias (m. grandiflora) or even photinias or other evergreen with comparatively large leaves in your area that are not only sizeable but look GOOD or at least have only minor damage during a colder than normal year---if you can't find them you have grounds for some serious concern about long-term success with the tanoak. please contact me by PM if you wish to know more.

[DougStark]

Did anyone suggest japanese privet? Not a hard plant to successfully grow. I have it in Phoenix.

[Nn2036]

Originally Posted by DougStark

Did anyone suggest japanese privet? Not a hard plant to successfully grow. I have it in Phoenix.

The tree looks beautiful. Thank!

[Nn2036]

This is the list I collected of evergreen broad-leaf and exotic trees that can survive zone 7. It may not be entirely accurate though:

Desert Willow- Chilopsis linearis ZONE 6-7
STRAWBERRY TREE Arbutus unedo ZONE7
Arbutus 'Marina' ZONE8
TEXAS MADRONE Arbutus xalapensis ZONE7
Arbutus arizonica zone 6
Magnolia grandiflora ZONE 6-7
Rhapidophyllum Hystrix ZONE 6B
ORLEANDER ZONE 7-8
Prickly Pear Opuntia spp ZONE 3
Yucca faxoniana ZONE 5
Cupressus arizonica ZONE 5
Ilex x meserveae HOLLY TREE ZONE 5
Lagerstroemia indica CRAPEMYRTLE ZONE 7- deciduous
Quercus chrysolepis zone 5
Ligustrum lucidum zone 6 privet
Distylium racemosum zone 6a witch hazel
Trochodendron aralloides zone 6a
Umbellularia californica myrtle zone 7
Arctostaphylos manzanita zone 7
Arctostaphylos. 'Dr. Hurd
Arctostaphylos patula zone 6
Eucalyptus neglecta zone 7
Eucalyptus coccifera
E urnigera zone 7

[Nn2036]

This is a similar list for shrubs:

Hairy manzanita: Arctostaphylos columbiana
Colorado's Hardy Manzanitas: Welcome Winter Beauty | Audubon Rockies
Arctostaphylos x coloradensis zone 5
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi zone 4
English laurel zone 6-8
SILVERBERRY Elaeagnus pungens ZONE 5-6
Euonymus kiautschovicus ZONE 5
Euonymus japonicus ZONE 6
Buxus micriphylla japon BOXWOOD ZONE 5
Photinia x fraseri red tip ZONE 7
Photinia serrulata zone 6a
Berberis thunbergii Japanese barberry ZONE 4
Illicium Anisatum STAR ANIZE ZONE 7
Taxus baccata 'Amersfoort' yew zone 6a
Rhododendron calophytum shrub or small tree lig leaf zone 6a
Fatsia ZONE 7 BIG LEAF DC Tropics: Fabulous Fatsia
Dasylirion wheeleri YUCCA ZONE 7
Cotoneaster buxifolius ZONE 7
Raphiolepis indica INDIAN HAWTHORN ZONE 8
Pieris Japonica ZONE 5
Distylium 'PIIDIST-II' ZONE 6

Agave utahensis ZONE 5
Agave parryi ZONE 5 ATTRACTIVE
Agave havardiana ZONE 5
Aloe aristata ZONE 7
Cold Hardy Cactus - From the American West and Beyond!


Quercus turbinella shrub live oak zone 6a

Camellia japonica 'Unryu' TEA SHRUB: zone 7
Camellia sinensis zone 6-7 depend
The Virginia Camellia Society - Education - Very Cold Hardy Camellias

Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel Zone5

Stewartia pseudocamellia zone 5a
Osmanthus x burkwoodii false holly zone 6a
Osmanthus x fortunei 'San Jose' tea holly zone 6a



And GROUND COVER:

Erica x darleyensis
Erica carnea ZONE 5
Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' wintercreeper zone 5a
Mitchella repens winter clover zone 3a
English Ivy Hedera helix ZONE 5
Sedum spurium ZONE 3 STONECROP
Othonna capensis
Campanula poscharskyana zone 3
Delosperma ICEPLANT ZONE 5
Saxifraga x geum zone 6
Pachysandra terminalis EVERGREEN ZONE 5
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi EVERGREEN ZONE 2
Selaginella apoda zone 5 spikemoss
Selaginella kraussiana zone 6
Epimedium zone 4-5
Juniperus sabina
Mahonia repens ZONE 5
Lithodora diffusa EVERGREEN HERB ZONE 6
Linnaea borealis zone 3a
Vinca minor ZONE 4 EVERGREEN
VINCA MAJOR ZONE 7
Waldsteinia fragarioides ZONE 4 HERB
Phlox subulata ZONE 3 EVERGREEN
Asarum europaeum, European wild ginger ZONE 4
Asarum takaoi 'Galaxy' zone 4 wild ginger very pretty
Ajuga reptans 'Blueberry Muffin' zone 5a
Arenaria balearica zone 5a sandwort
Acaena inermis 'Purpurea' red zone 5a
Acaena anserinifolia zone 5a
Acaena magellanica zone 6a
Gualtheria Procumbens WINTERGREEN ZONE 3
Potentilla neumanniana nana ZONE 4
Polygala chamaebuxus 'Kamniski' milkwort zone 6a
Sarcococca hookeriana ZONE 6 SHADE
Epimedium 'Pink Champagne' zone 5 fairy wings
Saponaria x oliviana soapwort zone 3a
Helleborus ?
Hebe pinguifolia zone 4a
Thymus serpyllum ZONE 5
Teucrium chamaedrys 'Prostratum zone 5

[georgeinbandonoregon]

desert willow is normally NOT evergreen especially in colder climates but a beautiful tree. arbutus "marina" is beautiful but one of the more tender "strawberry" trees. arbutus unedo and the native a. menziesii/madrone would likely be hardier plants. certainly have seen madrone growing at around 4000' in the "snow zone" of the Siskiyou mtns. of southern Oregon and northern California. trochodendron may be hardy to cold but it needs shade and moisture even here on the Oregon coast so may need lots of care to survive where you are. raphidiophyllum histrix is a temperate south American plant which has not much of a track record in north America so it's performance in cold dry climates is really unknown. araucaria araucana the "monkey puzzle tree" from Chile and Argentina grows in the Andes and has grown for many years in the cold mountain climate of Weed, California and might be worth seeking out. cupressus arizonica on your list is a conifer (just like the araucaria I mentioned) and not a broad-leaf tree.