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Large. These conifers are defined by the ACS as those that grow over 12 inches per year and have a 10-year height of over 15 feet. Blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’, zones 6 to 9), seen here at Longwood Gardens, attains an ultimate height of over 50 feet. I have encountered several gardeners who planted this when they should have instead planted Horstmann in their small courtyard gardens.
These intermediate-growing Van Den Akker Alaskan cedars (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Van Den Akker’, zones 5 to 8) are a good choice for a small urban courtyard. This tree can be expected to grow to a 10-year height of 15 to 20 feet, putting on 6 to 10 inches of growth per year. Additionally, this conifer stays less than 2 feet wide.
Intermediate. These conifers grow from 6 to 12 inches per year and have a 10-year size of 6 to 15 feet in any direction. Most of the tree-form conifers frequently available in nurseries fit into this category. Horstmann blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Horstmann’, zones 6 to 9), seen here, reaches a height of 8 to 10 feet in 10 years. Intermediate conifers are suited for most urban yards and courtyard gardens, where their larger relatives would appear out of scale or worse, would be destructive to the surrounding hardscape.
Dwarf conifers, such as Little Gem Norway spruce (P. abies ‘Little Gem’, zones 2 to 8) and dwarf Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Globosa Nana’, zones 2 to 7), both shown here, are useful as foundation plantings, as container plantings and incorporated into narrow beds between hardscaping. Properly chosen and sited, they will not outgrow their usefulness.
Specialty pruned conifers. These conifers are full of mystique and personality, conjuring images of Asian gardens. They are, however, equally at home in contemporary spaces. They are meticulously pruned and shaped over many years, generally into cloud or pom-pom formations. No two are alike, so selecting one in person is imperative. Recommended conifers for this type of pruning: Black pine (Pinus nigra, zones 4 to 8, shown here), Thunderhead pine (Pinus thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’, zones 5 to 10), dwarf Japanese garden juniper and Boulevard false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Boulevard’, zones 4 to 8).
Contorted. Most of these trees arose as sports from weeping conifers. They are weepers on steroids, each one developing its own unique shape; no two are alike. Contorted conifers make incredible specimen plants when used thoughtfully. Recommended conifers: Blue Cascade blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Blue Cascade’, zones 6 to 9, shown here) and Big Wave Norway spruce (Picea abies ‘Big Wave’, zones 2 to 8).
Weeping. Weeping conifers, like fine wine, can be an acquired taste. To some they exude personality; to others, they can seem depressing. Generally, however, they seem relaxed and add that feeling to the garden. They contrast well with conifers of differing shapes. Practice caution when using multiple weeping conifers in one sight line, as they can be overwhelming when planted en masse. Recommended conifers: Angel Falls white pine (Pinus strobus ‘Angel Falls’, zones 3 to 8) and weeping Norway spruce (Picea abies ‘Pendula’, zones 3 to 8), both shown here. Others to consider include the weeping blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca pendula’, zones 6 to 9), the deciduous Cascade Falls bald cypress (Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Falls’, zones 4 to 9) and the weeping Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’, zones 3 to 7).
Prostrate. Prostrate conifers have no vertical central leader, making them perfect candidates for a unique ground cover. They tend to create a peaceful, soothing vibe for those who spend time with them. Prostrate conifers are shown to best advantage when allowed to cascade gently over walls or climb over boulders. Recommended conifers: Dwarf Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’, zones 4 to 9, shown here), carpet juniper (Juniperus horizontalis cvs, zones 3 to 9), the shade-loving Cole’s Prostrate Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis ‘Cole’s Prostrate’, zones 3 to 7) and Blue Snake deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara ‘Blue Snake’, zones 7 to 9).
Columnar. Narrow, columnar trees, such as these Alaskan cedars (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, zones 4 to 8), provide height where it is needed most, lifting the eye to fill out a garden vignette. Columnar trees generally take up little square footage, which is a bonus in small gardens. Columnar trees can also be used to mimic architectural columns to frame front entryways for added emphasis. Recommended conifers: Alaskan cedars, of which ‘Van Den Akker’ is the narrowest cultivar; columnar Norway spruce (Picea abies ‘Cupressina’, zones 2 to 8); and Degroot’s Spire arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Degroot’s Spire’, zones 3 to 8).
Conical. This iconic shape rekindles Christmas memories. Conical trees, like these blue spruces (Picea pungens, zones 2 to 7; find your zone), also conjure images of exploration and discovery. Use one as a focal point or to bring height and mass to a bed of low-growing shrubs and perennials. Or consider planting several to give your landscape that woodsy look. Recommended conifers: Colorado blue spruce, Norway spruce (Picea abies, zones 2 to 8; check invasive status in your area), Vanderwolf limber pine (Pinus flexilis ‘Vanderwolf’s Pyramid’, zones 4 to 7) and Oregon Green Austrian pine (Pinus nigra ‘Oregon Green’, zones 4 to 8).
Certain pines, such as this Louie eastern white pine (Pinus strobus ‘Louie’, zones 3 to 8) and Chief Joseph lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ‘Chief Joseph’, zones 5 to 8), put on quite the winter show when their foliage changes from light green to brilliant yellow. Explore the colorful possibilities of adding conifers to your garden. These plants are anything but predictable and boring.
Play with seasonal color. Some conifers put on an unexpected color show in winter while still providing structure and texture when the garden needs it most desperately. Dwarf Morgan arborvitae (Thuja orientalis ‘Morgan’, zones 5 to 8), seen here in the foreground, sports lime-green foliage in the warmer months that changes to a rich orange in winter. Some junipers turn purple or bronze in winter.
Botanical name: Cedrus deodara ‘Feelin’ Blue’ Common name: Feelin’ Blue deodar cedar Origin: The species is native to the Himalayan mountains, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Tibet. It has a rich history in the Sanskrit, Hindi and Chinese languages and culture. Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 7 to 9; find your zone) Light requirement: Full sun is best, but it will adapt to partial shade. Water requirement: Average (1 inch of water per week) but once established, it’s somewhat drought tolerant. Mature size: 2 feet high and 4 to 6 feet wide
Add elegance with chartreuse. Chartreuse is cheerful and elegant, is easy to work with and lacks the brassiness that yellow can have. Plants such as this Skylands Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’, zones 4 to 7) prefer partial shade and are a welcome respite from the dark green foliage that often seems to rule the shade garden.
Brighten with yellow. Yellow is bold and cheerful, never to be ignored. Used sparingly it creates an unforgettable focal point in the garden. It lends itself to an elegant vignette when placed alongside black patio furniture or foliage. Some yellows can appear brassy, so choose this hue thoughtfully. Some yellow conifers, such as this Lemon Thread false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Lemon Thread’, zones 4 to 8), require nearly full sun, while others will scorch in sunny gardens.
Much in the same way as the trinity of onions, celery and carrots are invaluable in the culinary world, chartreuse, burgundy and blue are an invaluable trinity in garden design. Notice how in this photo the Blue Chip juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’, zones 3 to 9) in the foreground and the blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Fat Albert’, zones 2 to 8) in the background provide a sense of calm and continuity to the burgundy and chartreuse Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’ (left), Cotinus ‘Grace’, Spirea thunbergii ‘Mt. Fuji’ and Phormium ‘Golden Ray.’ Without the blue-green conifers, the composition would visually fall apart.
Cool with blue. Blue is the great mediator in garden design. It has a soothing effect on the mind and calms even the most vivid oranges and pinks. It also reads as a neutral; think of blue jeans. What doesn’t go with blue jeans? Blue conifers, such as this weeping blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’, zones 6 to 9) can also function as spectacular focal points. This specimen adds a mysterious ghostly quality to the garden.
Consider green for structure. Dark green conifers are far from predictable and mundane. They function as the backbone of the garden, proving to be the strong, silent type that allow their companions to shine. What they lack in vivid color, they compensate for with form and texture. Dark green performs a necessary function in a colorful garden by offering a place for the eye to rest between jolts of color. As an anchor plant, Thunderhead pine (Pinus thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’, USDA zones 5 to 10; find your zone), shown in this photo, stands regally in a sea of chartreuse. Its muscular upright growth habit pulls the eye up the steps and onto the garden’s next level while contrasting with the low mounding form of the golden Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, zones 4 to 9).
t is readily apparent from this photo that conifers are anything but predictable and boring. They come in an array of colors, shapes, sizes and textures. Conifers can be combined in ways to rival even the most thoughtfully designed perennial beds with regard to these four elements. Bonus: When those multicolored perennial beds are asleep for the winter, conifer gardens continue to shine with color.
Evergreen cypresses. Cypresses, such as this Raywood’s Weeping Arizona cypress (Cupressus glabra ‘Raywood’s Weeping’, zones 5 to 9), exhibit a texture similar to that of a rough-woven fabric. The fact that many of these cypresses sport colors of blue or chartreuse only enhances their value in our gardens. Creating a vignette by planting Raywood’s Weeping with a trio of shaggy globose dwarf pines or low-growing chartreuse junipers planted en masse would make a textural statement worth remembering.
Arborvitaes. The arborvitae is another member of the cypress family and a useful tool in creating artistic textural gardens. Like the Chamaecyparis, it generally exhibits flat, textural fern-like foliage. While we generally picture the taller pyramidal arborvitaes that are commonly used for hedges, there are several dwarf and rounded forms available. Mr. Bowling Ball (Thuja occidentalis ‘Bobozam’, zones 3 to 8) and Little Giant (Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’, zones 3 to 8) are two suggested cultivars. The three Mr. Bowling Ball arborvitaes shown here play off the textural stone birdbath and take on a sculptural quality, planted unexpectedly in a gravel seating area.
Hemlocks. These shade- to partial-shade-tolerant conifers exhibit fine, semisoft foliage. The foliage conjures up images of herringbone-patterned fabric. Tall standard, weeping, dwarf and even prostrate forms are available, making this plant adaptable to a plethora of uses in the garden. Weeping hemlocks are an obvious choice for planting over boulders and waterfalls. Variegated cultivars, such as Gentsch White (Tsuga canadensis ‘Gentsch White’, zones 3 to 7), and yellow forms, such as Golden Splendor, are available. Hemlocks are susceptible to infestation by the wooly adelgid in certain areas of the U.S. This insect can be controlled systemically or by foliar spraying if necessary.
Pines. These trees are go-to plants in garden design. Pines generally exhibit narrow, erect foliage. Their sculptural quality has made them a staple in Asian gardens for centuries. This large and diverse family includes black pines, such as Thunderhead (Pinus thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’, zones 5 to 10); white pines (Pinus strobus and Pinus parviflora, zones 3 to 8 and zones 5 to 8, respectively); red pines, such as Dragon’s Eye (Pinus densiflora ‘Oculus Draconis’, zones 4 to 7); and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris cvs, zones 2 to 7). Some of the newer pine cultivars, such as this Mini Twists (Pinus strobus ‘Mini Twists’, zones 3 to 8), exhibit contorted foliage that brings additional textural interest to the garden.
Firs. These conifers are prevalent in the Pacific Northwest and have short, upright needles that contrast well with the weeping or contorted foliage found on some hemlocks, pines and cedars. Additionally, some firs, such as this Golden Spreader (Abies nordmanniana ‘Golden Spreader’, zones 4 to 7), have chartreuse foliage that brightens up a lightly shaded garden.
Spruces. These conifers generally have stiff, short needles that are arranged in a 360-degree pattern around the branch, as opposed to fir needles, which are generally softer and grow on the upper portion of the branch only. Additionally, spruce needles have four sides and are easy to roll between your fingers; fir needles have two sides. All spruces are quite textural. Some spruces, like this blue nest spruce (Picea mariana ‘Ericoides’, zones 3 to 9), are mounding in form. Others are tall standard, weeping or contorted. Consider pairing nest spruces with narrow, upright conifers, such as Chirimen hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Chirimen’, zones 5 to 9).
Weeping Norway spruce (Picea abies "Pendula") 2-8
Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) 5-9
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