Look for an Evergreen Day
Taking time to notice the vibrant colors and unique shapes of plants in your neighborhood, a simple way to connect with nature.
Celebrate the year-round beauty of evergreens beyond holiday décor—drive foot traffic to garden centers, arboretums, and nature experiences with winter appreciation campaigns.
- Winter plant spotting guide: identify evergreens in your neighborhood
- The cultural history of evergreens from Native Americans to modern gardens
- Garden center holiday gift ideas featuring evergreen plants and landscaping services
- Virtual arboretum tours and winter nature photography challenges
Look for an Evergreen Day was originally established by the National Arborist Association to create a day to appreciate the beauty of these trees outside of the confines of merely being bedecked with glittering lights and ornaments. Even in the depths of winter, these noble trees keep their foliage, providing that wonderful green and white contrast that is so representative of deep winter.
Evergreens have played an important role in many societies throughout the ages, selected for religious observances due to their seemingly eternal nature even in a season of death. But that’s not the only place they’re represented, the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest were entirely reliant on the red cedar for multiple aspects of their culture. Whether they were making clothing, fishing line, ropes, or building their homes or canoes, the red cedar was vital a vital part of their lives.
Going back even further, most people have heard about how Socrates was made to drink a glass of hemlock tea, which he did with his normal unflinching nature. Hemlocks are a shade-tolerant evergreen with short striped needles. As you can tell, knowing the difference between your evergreens could one day save your life!