Conifers for the Garden
Diversity of Species to Spruce Up All Gardens
Use a wide variety of conifers to add color and dignity to a garden. The elegance of conifers and their different colors can enhance any type of garden, large or small.
According to Reuters, scientists have found a cluster of spruces in the mountains of western Sweden which at an age of 8,000 years may be the world’s oldest living trees. However the beauty and elegance of conifers in the garden can be enjoyed almost immediately from the time of planting and in any type of garden, small or large.
When choosing from the wide variety of conifers for the garden it is vitally important to remember the growing time to reach maturity. In the Thuya Conifer list for example Thuya plicata Rogersii grows to 18ins. in 10 years whereas T. plicata Atrovirens will reach 18 feet in the same period. Other Thuya varieties like T. Can-Can, 3ft., T. Stoneham Gold, 5ft., and T. Aurea will mature at 10ft. So even in one genus of conifers the choice needs careful consideration.
Once the garden has been surveyed from many directions both from inside and outside the house choose a site for the conifers bearing in mind their final height and width.
Thuya Rogersii is a dwarf conifer with gold foliage. T. Can-Can is dark green, T. Stoneham Gold is dark green on the inside and as the name suggests it is gold foliage at first sight. It sits very well with a backdrop of T. Atrovirens. The dark green foliage of the Atrovirens compliments the gold splendidly. Pruning of Atrovirens is strongly recommended and this conifer must be planted with care for surrounding neighbors. Eighteen feet in ten years can block much needed light from houses and gardens close by.
Dwarf conifers is a term used in many garden centers and it can be misleading. A dwarf conifer can measure anything from a few inches up to 10ft. Dwarf conifers are the exact same as their giant cousins seen in national parks and covering vast mountainsides. The only difference is that dwarf conifers grow more slowly. A dwarf conifers will probable grow about 3 -6 inches per year, of course this may vary with different growing conditions. Sunlight, soil types, windy sites and amounts of moisture are all factors to be considered. Even growing at the rate of 6 inches per year it will still take 10yrs. to reach 5ft. and this is still miniature enough to suit most gardens. Even conifers which grow at the rate of 12ins. per year will still require 10yrs. to reach maturity of 12- 15 ft.
Conifers for the garden are available in many colors ranging from dark green foliage, Juniperus communis, light green foliage, Plumossa Compressa Green Globe, blue foliage, Chamaecyparis lawsonaina Blue Surpirse, silver foliage, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Silver Dome, gold foliage, Juniperus Old Gold and variegated, Chamaecyparis Pisifera Nana.
No matter where the garden is situated there will always be a conifer to suit it. A tried and trusted tip for the beginner is to drive around the area and see what likely conifers are doing well. It is also wise to ask the staff at the closest garden center for advice on local soil types etc.
