Summer can be a rough time, the heat and the sun bearing down on us. Plants and trees tend to lose their vibrancy. Our AC is on at all times, making our utility bill soar. Well, we have a solution. Plant some evergreen trees! Evergreen trees bring back the interest to our drying yards and create much needed shade. By planting evergreens correctly around your home, you can cut the cost of your utility bill by naturally cooling your home. That’s pretty great. And, what’s even better is that at Moon Valley Nurseries, we have evergreen varieties that grow quickly, meaning more shade and more relief sooner.
Here at Moon Valley Nurseries, we have been custom growing superior evergreens for the past 20 years, grown to thrive in Arizona at our local farms. Whether your focus is shade, privacy, or just adding year-round interest, we have the perfect evergreen for you. And since summer is here, why not plant a tree that will help you survive the sun and cut down on utilities? Fast-growing evergreens are the ideal choice for any landscape and yard; giving you all the benefits without the long wait. Below are our favorite fast-growing evergreens.
Ficus (Ficus nitida) – One of our top sellers! Native to Asia and Hawaii, the Ficus brings the tropics to any landscape or yard. Thrives in full sun exposure and is drought tolerant. This tropical tree has a wide spreading canopy that provides dense shade that can naturally cool a home when planted in the proper location. We like to plant them in rows to create a natural privacy wall and block unwanted views. Ficus trees handle pruning into many shapes, so create the look you want! This evergreen tree thrives in desert environments, perfect for Arizona landscapes!
Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthefolius) – This vibrant evergreen is sure to give any landscape year-round beauty. Available in both single or multi-trunk, Brazilian Pepper trees are water-wise and require little water once established. The glossy, dark green leaves create a wide spreading canopy that creates an abundance of shade. A perfect choice for Southwest environments due to its love of heat and its drought tolerance. During winter, bright red berries appear that are commonly used as holiday decorations. As a bonus, the Brazilian Pepper tree attracts butterflies, so sit back in the shade and appreciate the wondrous site.
Indian Laurels (Ficus nitida ‘Columns’) – This column variety of the Ficus grows into a medium to large tree that adds instant privacy. Indian Laurels are both heat and drought tolerant, and it tends to grow faster once the heat hits – a perfect summer tree! This water-wise tree can be pruned into any shape and looks great planted in rows along driveways or property borders. So, let them grow tall and bushy or keep them smaller and narrow, giving you the exact look you want. The dense green foliage creates much needed shade during our hot summer months.
Timber Bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides) – Bamboo is a great addition to any landscape, especially those with a tropical or Zen style. Timber bamboo has bright green foliage that grows dense with fat bamboo sticks. This is the most common clumping bamboo variety, perfect for a windbreak or privacy screen. Well suited for urban landscapes due to its upright growth habit. We love to plant this easy-to-grow tree in groups for a living wall or single planting for a focal piece in a yard. Want to create a relaxing backyard retreat or your own meditation garden? Bamboo is the way to go!
We Can Help!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our nursery pros. Not sure which evergreen to choose or where to put it? No worries, we can help! Our pros can help you select the perfect trees and will do a free in-nursery design consultation to determine the perfect spot for those evergreens. Want to make sure your new trees grow to their full potential? We can help with that, too! Moon Valley Nurseries has developed custom fertilizers for our Arizona environment, like our amazing Moon Juice and Moon Dust. Just ask any of our nursery pros at your local Moon Valley Nurseries location for help!