Delightful Deciduous And Evergreen Plants Beginning With The Letter D

• Daboecia - Irish Heath - There are only a couple of species that make up that make up this genus. They are small leafed evergreen shrubs that are native to western Europe and the Azores Islands. These shrubs are low growing and spread wonderfully in rock gardens and along retaining walls. The Irish Heath will grow well in zones seven through nine in the United States. This family can be frost hardy and loves a sunny location. Moist and acidic soil works best for these evergreens. The highlight of this family is in the summer throughout the fall, when urn shaped striking purple tone flowers appear. These look stunning also in a mass planting. Once the flowers have fallen, the shrubs should be trimmed back for bountiful blossoms the next year. A few delightful varieties are cantabrica which is native along the Atlantic coast of France. The Alba variety has white flowers, and the Atropurpurea has deep purple flowers. This specimen is a showcase and a great accent in many landscapes.
• Dacrydium - New Zealand Red Pine - There are approximately around fifteen or so species that make up these conifers. All of the species are native to the South Pacific region, and a few grow natural in the mainland of Southeast Asia. These species are slow growers, but have magnificent long slender needles that are displayed year around. The New Zealand Red Pine has some delightful similarities to the Cypress family.
  
  The Dacrydium requires a cool climate environment, which a good amount of rainfall. This family cannot take a harsh frost or hot summer conditions. The New Zealand variety can mature up to thirty feet. This tree is readily seen in New Zealand. This specimen will grow in zones eight and nine in the United States.
• Dais Pompon Bush - This is a small group of delightful species that are native to southern and eastern Africa. The Pompon will grow well in zones nine through eleven in the United States. In late spring clusters of showy tubular pink flowers appear in a series of five lobes. This specie is considered an evergreen in warmer climates and deciduous in cooler climates. They require abundant sunshine and do like some shelter. The Dais can be propagated in the spring by seed or cuttings.

• Daphine - The Daphine consists of more than 50 species and is native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia. The Daphine will do well in zones seven through nine in the United States. The flowers are very fragrant and this specie is a wonderful winter time bloom. In the tropics section, their is a page with more information on the delightful Daphine specie.




• Delonix - Flame Of The Forest - There are approximately ten species that make up this genus. The Delonix is native to Africa, Madagascar, and India. They are considered tropical deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen trees. This specie is known for its brilliant deep red and orange five petal flowers that appear in late spring. The Delonix is frost tender and provides wonderful shade in warmer climates. It loves the full sun, moist and well drained soil. This delightful plant family does need protection from strong winds. The Flame of the Forest matures to about forty feet tall. The Delonix will grow well in zones eleven and twelve.
• Desfontainea - this is a delightful evergreen specie that is native from Andes to western South America. It will grow well in zones eight and nine in the United States. This bushy shrub has attractive dark green foliage and long tube shaped flowers that appear in mid summer throughout the fall season. The colors are a light yellow-orange tone, to a bright orange color. Hummingbirds love to pollinate on this plant family. The Desfontainea matures to around five feet tall. A great sub-tropical to tropical plant specimen.
• Diospyros - There are several hundred species in this plant family. The evergreens are native in the tropics and sub-tropics, and the deciduous varieties are native in temperate Asia and America. One of the most popular species is the Diospyros ebunum from Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka provides the timber ebony, which is rare in modern society. Some of the species develop edible fruit. The Diospyros is frost hardy to frost tender, depending on the variety. The average height of this tree is around twenty feet. It needs ample amount of moisture during the growing season, and also shelter from the wind. The Possum Wood is native to the eastern United States and will grow well in zones five through nine. The Kari is native to China and also cultivated in Japan. It grows well in zones eight through ten in the United States.
• Dodonaea - There are around 60 species that make up this family. Most of the specimens are native to Australia. The Hopbush is native to not only Australia, also New Zealand, tropical regions of America, Africa, and Asia. The Dodonaea family loves full sun to partial shade. This family is frost tender but can take the salty coastal winds as well as drought tolerant. The Hairy Hopbush is another variety that does well in zones nine through eleven. It can mature up to five feet. The Dodonaea family is considered an upright shrub, and some of the larger shrubs produce large fruit. The flowers aren't really noticeable.
• Dracaena - There are approximately forty species in this family. They are native to Africa and Asia. This specie will grow well in zone eleven and twelve. The variety of delightful plants from this family are grown indoors or outdoors. The outdoor specimens can take full sun or partial shade. The Dragons-Blood Tree is an umbrella shaped variety that grows naturally in the Canary Islands. It can mature up to thirty feet hight and has vibrant flowers in the spring. After the flowers die out, orange berries will emerge in the summer. The Corn Plant is a tall fifty foot variety. It is mainly native to Africa, and will bear large fragrant yellow flowers. The leaves are narrow and will sway in the wind. This variety will grow well in zones eleven and twelve. Many varieties will flourish in a greenhouse setting.

The ten deciduous and evergreen plant specimens are truly delightful species of the letter D. If you would like to add some of your own native plant specimens to this list, feel free to share it with others. This is a great learning opportunity for all of us. I will make sure you get the credit on this Web site for the information you provide. Go ahead and share some of your location's natural plants.