Evergreens decorate the garden and improve the health of the air. Often, if you feel unwell, walks through a coniferous forest or park area are recommended. These are hardy and beautiful trees, but in the garden they feel a little different than in wildlife. Despite their unpretentiousness, they will still need to be given attention and care.
Coniferous plants for the garden and cottage
All conifers They are highly decorative and look great in group and single plantings. Saturated green they provide year-round attractiveness to the garden. However, not all conifers are evergreen. Among them there are those that shed their leaves for the winter. But for most representatives, the renewal of needles occurs unnoticed: in place of the fallen one, a new one immediately grows.
Tall
Tall conifers can play main role in garden design. They serve as a background for other plants and are effective in compositions with deciduous trees and bushes. They are often a solo plant in the garden. Small size plot is not a reason to refuse tall conifers. In order to long years To decorate the local area, it is enough to plant one tree. In 10–15 years it will become an accent in the garden, invariably attracting attention.
Juniper Skyrocket
Evergreen conifers are an excellent choice for creating hedges, decorating rock gardens and rockeries
A vigorous shrub, notable for its cone-shaped crown. At the age of 10 years it reaches 3 meters in height. In landscape design it is most often used in single plantings and as vertical element group compositions. With a tree height of 5–7 m, the diameter of its trunk is at least 1 m.
Sun-loving, does not tolerate shade. Prefers fertile, breathable soils. Winter-hardy, drought-resistant, has a powerful root system. The needles are small, with a bluish tint. Suitable for growing in urban environments.
IN last years Hoopsie spruce is considered a favorite among gardeners
A representative of tall conifers, with a luxurious cone-shaped crown with blue needles. Grows up to 15 m tall, unpretentious and hardy. The diameter of the trunk of an adult plant can reach 5 m. It is distinguished by the rigidity of its needles, which is why it has the second name “prickly”.
The strong branches of spruce can withstand significant snow loads. The tree tolerates well difficult conditions urban environment, recommended for planting in parks and other recreation areas. Remarkably high growth rates: annual growth of at least 20–30 cm. In the garden it is most impressive in single plantings. It is undemanding to soil quality and does not tolerate waterlogging.
The columnar crown of the thuja Brabant allows the plant to be used as a hedge
In the Russian climate it grows up to 3.5 m. Not suitable for landscaping areas in regions with arid climates. It is moisture-loving and tolerates air pollution well. Recommended for creating hedges in cities and towns. Thuja Brabant can be planted in both sunny and shaded areas of the garden.
The tree is evergreen, the lower branches are located almost at ground level. Needles bright green color, medium hardness. The crown is narrow pyramidal in shape, dense. On average, per year it grows by 10 cm in width and 30 cm in height. The fruits are brown cones, 8–12 mm long, oval in shape with widening at the base. Looks great in single and group plantings, recommended for forming alleys and hedges.
The difficult Russian climate is not an obstacle to the growth and development of Unicolor fir
Known as a tree with beautiful needles, a dense pyramidal crown, oval dark purple cones 80–120 mm long. The single-colored fir has much larger and brighter needles than other members of the genus. The average length of the needles is 70 mm. Distinctive feature- same color on both sides. Fir grows up to 40 m in height with an annual growth of 15–20 cm.
Grows well on sandy loams and loams, prefers well-lit places. It is highly drought-resistant and recommended for planting in the southern regions. Among all types of fir, it has a reputation as the most hardy and resistant to adverse environmental factors.
European cedar pine looks good and takes root near water bodies
A close relative of Siberian pine, which is often confused with cedar due to its external similarity. It grows up to 25 m in height, the trunk diameter of an adult plant is 100–150 cm. It is shade-loving, but can grow in sunny places. The needles are long, elastic, dark green with a bluish tint on the back of the needles.
European pine blooms in June, the fruits are dark brown cones. This tree is a long-liver, with an average lifespan of 300–500 years.
Canadian yew needles are sickle-shaped
Shade-loving tall plant, growing up to 2.5 m tall. The needles are thick, dark green, longer at the base of the branches than at the top. The crown is pyramidal, up to 2 m in diameter.
Good for molding. The plant is frost-resistant, with an annual growth of up to 5 cm. The bark, branches and needles are poisonous due to the presence of an alkaloid toxin. The wood is hard and durable.
Low-growing (dwarf)
Dwarf conifers for the garden are the product of many years of selection by specialists from different countries. Plants of this type are rarely found in nature. Low conifers are one of the most spectacular plants for the garden, and at the same time the most problematic. The reason is that if the planting site is chosen incorrectly, dwarf plants can produce good annual growth. The plant in this case may be taller than defined by the standard.
The golden needles of the thuja Amber Glow change color depending on the time of year.
A low-growing shrub with a spherical crown and golden needles. Average height is 80–90 cm, annual growth is within 5–6 cm.
To preserve its decorative properties, the shrub must be planted on sunny areas garden In the shade, the needles take on a green tint.
Amber Glow has good frost resistance, but requires shelter for the winter. The bush looks great as a soloist and in a composition with flowers and deciduous plants. Heather gardens are also recommended.
Oriental thuja Aurea Nana can be grown in containers for use in decorating terraces
An evergreen tree with a beautiful ovoid crown, dense and branched. Feature: pointed crown. Grows up to 170 cm tall. Annual growth is 5–6 cm. Crown diameter is 80–90 cm. The needles are golden-green in the warm season, with a bronze tint in winter.
The plant is unpretentious and grows well on any soil, except rocky and heavy clay. Prefers well-lit places, moist, breathable soils.
Possible planting in partial shade. For normal plant development, regular watering is necessary. Small thuja is suitable for forming low hedges; in urban environments it is grown as a border.
Thuja occidentalis Caespitosa
In 1923, Thuja Caespitosa was discovered in the greenhouse of the Irish Botanical Garden in Dublin, its origin unknown.
One of the shortest coniferous plants, reaching a height of no more than 40 cm. The crown is dense, cushion-shaped, semicircular in shape. It is characterized by low growth intensity: by the age of 15 it is a tree 30 cm high with a crown width of 35–40 cm. The branches are erect, the needles are dense.
Thuja occidentalis Danica
At regular pruning the crown of thuja Danika is becoming thick
Dwarf thuja, characterized by extremely slow growth. By the age of 20 it reaches 60 cm in height and the same in crown diameter.
In the warm season, the needles of the tree are bright green, but with the onset of cold weather they take on a brown tint. It is recommended to plant in places protected from the wind, in partial shade.
In winter the plant needs shelter, and in summer it needs protection from sunburn. The root system is superficial and requires regular watering in the first two years after planting. Tree trunk circle It is recommended to mulch thujas to retain moisture.
Thuja occidentalis Choseri is widely used in modern gardens due to its unusual crown shape.
Evergreen low-growing thuja, bred by Polish breeders. It has a spherical dense crown.
A multi-stemmed plant with thick scaly needles that change by autumn green color to bronze-brown. The tree is frost-resistant, but in the first 3–4 years after planting it needs shelter for the winter.
It tolerates crown molding well and exhibits small annual growth. Recommended planting on well-drained fertile soils. Tuya Hoseri requires regular watering.
Creeping
Creeping conifers are also called creeping conifers. The most common area of application in landscape design is decorating gardens and adjacent areas as a “prickly lawn”. Some species of juniper are horizontal and reach a height of only a few centimeters and are used as ground cover plants. Creeping conifers of medium height make spectacular evergreen borders.
Ground cover juniper Blue Chip is characterized by high winter hardiness
Juniperus horizontalis Blue Chip is one of the popular varieties of creeping conifers. A plant with small and dense needles of a silver-blue color. It grows quickly, forming a continuous prickly carpet.
The shrub is characterized by an average growth rate; by the age of 10 it reaches 20 cm in height with a crown width of 30–50 cm. The shoots grow evenly in different sides, the tops are slightly raised above the ground level.
Juniper Blue Chip is a powerful air purifier that improves the health of the atmosphere within a radius of 10 m from the place of growth. Widely used for decorating rock gardens and rock gardens, feels good on rocky soils.
It is drought-resistant, but to obtain high decorative value the plant requires watering. The soil should be well-drained; stagnation of moisture is undesirable. Photophilous, recommended for planting in rocky gardens, decorating retaining walls and small hills.
The branches of the flat crown of the Green Carpet juniper are pressed tightly to the ground
Dwarf juniper Green Carpet has soft, dense light green needles. The shoots are arranged horizontally, intertwined with each other, covering the soil with a dense fluffy carpet. By the age of 10 it grows up to 20 cm in height. The crown is wide and flat, reaching 150 cm in diameter. Planting on sandy and calcareous soils and sandy loam is recommended.
The plant grows well in sunny places, but prefers partial shade. On time summer heat sunburn is possible. It lends itself well to molding, after which the crown becomes denser and more beautiful.
Not a single weed survives under the dense carpet of Green Carpet juniper branches.
Frost-resistant juniper Prince of Wales is unpretentious to the soil
The low-growing creeping juniper Prince of Wales grows to only 15 cm in height. In this case, the crown diameter reaches 250 cm.
Effective in group and single plantings, recommended for decorating rocky hills and rock gardens. It is characterized by high winter hardiness and does not freeze out in the conditions of Siberia and the Far East. When used as a ground cover plant, the recommended planting scheme is 2–3 bushes per 1 m2.
In the first few years of life, the crown has a cushion shape, later creeping shoots grow. Fruits with small cone-shaped berries. In the warm season, the needles are green with a bluish tint; in winter they take on bronze tones.
During the hot period, common juniper Depressa Aurea needs abundant watering and sprinkling of the crown
The low-growing coniferous shrub Depressa Aurea is characterized by high growth rates among creeping ones. Annual growth up to 15 cm. Maximum height adult plant - 50 cm, crown diameter - 200 cm.
The branches are slightly raised upward, the tips hang down to the ground. The needles are thick, golden-yellow in color, and over time they begin to prevail brown tones. In the cold season it turns brown. The plant is undemanding to soil quality, winter-hardy, grows well in shade and partial shade.
The slow-growing juniper variety Golden Carpet was bred by breeders in 1992
Juniper horizontal Golden Carpet is one of the popular creeping plants for decorating rock gardens, garden compositions and forming coniferous flower beds.
The height of the bush does not exceed 15 cm, the diameter of the crown is 150 cm. The needles are thick, golden in the upper part of the shoots, and yellow-green in the lower part, facing the ground. It is recommended to plant in places well lit by the sun: in the shade this plant loses its decorative effect. Grows well in any soil, but prefers moist and well-drained soil.
Photo gallery: conifers in landscape design
Coniferous plants are widely used in landscape design not only due to their decorative properties. Representatives of this group are distinguished by good winter hardiness, are shade-tolerant, and saturate the air with healing phytoncides.
Dwarf forms of conifers are popular in the design of alpine slides
Dwarf species will enliven and decorate a rocky hill. The crown of these plants tolerates pruning well and holds its shape for a long time. As an accent, 1–3 medium-sized conifers are planted, emphasizing the decorative nature of the rock garden.
A lawn is often used as a background for a coniferous composition.
A composition of coniferous trees with a cone-shaped and spherical crown is a decoration for any area. These plants go well with deciduous trees and shrubs.
When combining conifers and flowers in a flower bed, it is necessary to take into account the soil requirements of the plants
Single plantings of conifers add a touch of presentability to flower beds. With bright green needles they emphasize and set off the beauty of flowering flower beds.
When creating a composition of conifers, the tallest specimens are placed in the background
A frequently used technique is a combination of medium- and tall-growing conifers with creeping ones. In this way they create in the garden spectacular plot taiga
Coniferous plants tolerate topiary cutting well
The art of crown formation will help you create a uniquely beautiful plant in your garden. It will become the highlight of any composition, emphasizing the respectability and well-groomed nature of the site.
Coniferous ornamental plants decorate the garden path all year round
Low conifers with a spherical crown are original prickly flower beds, most spectacular in single plantings. This technique can be used when designing garden paths and paths.
Tall coniferous trees can differentiate garden compositions
Tall conifers are an excellent backdrop for rock gardens and rockeries, rocky areas, and flower beds.
Coniferous plants are widely used in landscaping parks
Tall and dwarf conifers are an integral element of large-scale compositions. Look great against the backdrop of well-groomed lawns.
Coniferous hedges are not only beautiful, but also functional
Linear plantings of tall conifers help to zone the area and create an impressive but passable barrier.
Skillful combination is the main requirement for creating a complex landscape composition from conifers
Flowerbed of plants with different shapes The crown is highly decorative. Caring for conifers is simple; regular watering and pruning are enough.
Video: coniferous ornamental plants on the site
Evergreens thrive in many climatic zones of Russia. To create long-lasting garden compositions, it is important to choose the right variety. coniferous bush or wood, taking into account the requirements of a particular species to the influence of external factors.
They try to structure each garden around some kind of supporting point, some kind of skeleton, which can be artificially created like a sculpture, a fountain, or natural in the form of an evergreen plant. Nowadays, greater preference is given to coniferous trees and shrubs, especially their dwarf versions, which also retain excellent decorative properties all year round, regardless of the season. Dwarf conifers for the garden 55 photos of landscape design ideas.
In fact, dwarf and creeping conifers are extremely rare in the wild, inferior to their giant relatives. Miniature plants They are mainly created artificially based on structural anomalies known as “witches’ brooms” by grafting their cuttings onto a prepared rootstock of the desired breed. The second popular method of growing “dwarfs” is cross-pollination of conifers in a nursery. Coniferous plants for the garden photo:
Amateur gardeners understand the name - dwarf plants- flora that does not exceed the height of human growth in adulthood, that is, almost two meters. Dwarf conifers and shrubs for the garden do not require annual pruning, they tolerate shape-correcting topiaries well, are unpretentious to the soil, and most of them tolerate shade and frost well. Thanks to the wide variety of crown shapes and needle colors, they represent serious tools for the work of landscape designers. 
Often, decorative coniferous trees for the garden find their home on alpine hills, rockeries or other types of rocky gardens. In these options, they act as the center of the composition, grouping other types of plants around themselves; it is worth taking advantage of all the richness of colors and forms of coniferous dwarfs. If you skillfully use the principle of different heights, you can avoid monotony and create several original viewpoints at once. 
Traditionally, low-growing conifers for the garden are taken for the construction of borders and the organization of hedges of low and medium height. Forms with dense bushes of cypress, spruce, juniper, and western thuja beg to be used in borders. Medium hedges can be formed by common spruce, yew, and junipers with a crown in the form of columns. 
An environment of heathers will help to emphasize the graceful appearance of low-growing coniferous trees. The entrance to the estate in the form of a thuja arch will look stylish, and the approaches to the porch of the house will be decorated with common spruce and prickly spruce in containers. Coniferous plants for the garden photo:
Trees in garden landscape design
Large trees, trees more than two meters in height, as well as coniferous trees for the garden, are widely used in landscape design. When carrying out landscaping work in city parks, large trees are almost always planted next to old-time trees in order not to disturb the “green interior”. On private country estates, mature plants with a properly formed crown can also act as hedges. In both cases, tree planting is carried out in accordance with the texture and habitation characteristics of permanent natural representatives. 
Landscape large trees and dwarf conifers for the garden are grown in nurseries, from where they are delivered to a new planting site. Companies that sell large trees monitor the quality of the specimens they offer. On their websites, they post offers for the sale of trees various breeds no trade markups. See below for low-growing conifers for the garden: 
The degree of survival of trees in a new location is influenced by such factors as resistance to tree insects, general condition, compliance with all standards during cultivation, digging from the ground, transportation and final planting; also take into account the location, where it is better to plant shade-loving conifers for the garden, and where sun loving people. 
Nursery specialists advise purchasing large-sized ones in winter period time. Planting trees in winter ensures a high survival rate in a new area.
Winter planting is recommended after slight freezing of the soil. The optimal planting period is from late autumn to early spring at temperatures from -15 0C. Since coniferous trees for the garden at this moment are in a state of deep dormancy, its root system is less susceptible to various damages, and the chances of taking root in a new place increase exponentially.
It is worth taking into account the fact that in winter the root system of the tree freezes completely. This process occurs gradually, with the air temperature significantly lower than the ground temperature. When digging up plants, their roots are protected with an earthen ball, the size of which should correspond to their size. If you allow the coma to weather and freeze, the root system will die. Accordingly, the tree will not wake up in the spring. 
Modern landscape design is unthinkable without majestic spruce trees, luxurious thujas, mighty oaks, serious larches, frivolous pines; dwarf conifers for the garden are also always held in high esteem. Woody compositions of large trees are a timid reminder of the forest, noisy and green in summer, silent and thoughtful in winter. Coniferous plants for the garden photo:
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THE SMALLEST CONIFEROUS TREES THAT HAVE ENOUGH SPACE EVEN IN A SMALL AREA
Many summer residents love coniferous plants and would like to plant them on their site. But they hesitate, believing that they are too large and will take up a lot of precious space in a small dacha. However, there are many very compact species and cultivars coniferous species, which will comfortably fit in a small area, pleasing the eye and refreshing the air around.
Let’s immediately define what we mean by the concept of “the smallest coniferous trees”? They are dwarf plants, abnormally short and compact for the species. Despite the accuracy this definition, it is not an axiom. So, if a coniferous tree reaches a height of 10 m instead of the required 20 m, it still cannot be called a dwarf. Therefore, dendrologists suggest measuring dwarfism relative to human height: true dwarf arboreal conifers remain in adulthood, that is, at 30-50 years old, no taller than human height and no wider than the arm span (this applies to prostrate forms).
Recently, dwarf forms of tree conifers are at the peak of their popularity. True lovers of such plants turn into real collectors, annually replenishing their collections with miniature copies of firs, spruces, pines, and larches.
Despite quite general definition, dwarf plants are very diverse. Dutch dendrologists, who have succeeded in growing these forms, propose conditionally dividing them into the following groups.
Classification of coniferous dwarf cultivars
- full-grown - give an annual growth of more than 30 cm; at the age of 10 they are up to 3 m high;
- medium-sized and semi-dwarf - 15-30 cm;
- dwarfs - 8-15 cm;
- mini-dwarfs - 3-8 cm;
- microdwarfs - no more than 3 cm.
Despite the fact that this classification is very arbitrary, it helps today to navigate the purchase of the proposed forms. Having decided which coniferous plants we will look for for sale for our small plot, as with a “marriageable bride,” we will consider their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of dwarf coniferous forms
- They exactly copy their original, only in miniature, which allows you to get to know their lives better and observe all the stages of their development.
- Due to their compactness, they take up little space.
- With their help, you can create static compositions that are decorative throughout the year.
- Very harmonious in rockeries.
- They are valued for their ability to be used in containers as a New Year's tree or New Year's compositions.
- They overwinter well, covered with snow “almost up to their heads.”
Disadvantages of coniferous dwarfs
- They are susceptible to fungal diseases, so before wintering it is necessary to clean the compact forms from dry branches and needles and treat them with fungicidal preparations in time (usually in the fall, after clearing the snow and, if necessary, in the summer).
- Their crown shape is vulnerable, since in the spring there is a likelihood of branches breaking off.
- Some forms are short-lived.
- They don't take cuttings well.
- They “burn” more strongly in the spring sun.
But the disadvantages and difficulties of growing coniferous dwarfs do not stop owners of small summer cottages who want to have them in their garden. Having once taken the rule of planting compact forms of plants, such an owner will be pleased with his plant wealth.
And the possibilities for using “dwarf wealth” are endless! These include solitary (single) and group plantings in rocky gardens, containers, flower beds, and at the entrance to the house.
In a family with small children, dwarf forms of plants are simply necessary. After all, the child preschool age cannot perceive tall bushes and trees, his perception is limited to plants that are the same height as him. And dwarf forms are like skillfully made toys that you just want to touch with a small hand.
The most common are dwarf forms of spruce trees. One of the most popular is the form of Norway spruce (Picea abies‘Little Gem’), having a flat-rounded shape, with a nest-like depression on top and reaching a height of 0.5 m at the age of 10 years. Annual growth is 2-3 cm. The shoots are very thin, tightly compressed. The needles are thick and completely cover the shoot.
And here is another popular dwarf, but they already ate Canadian ( Picea glauca‘Laurin’) with a narrow conical shape; at the age of 10 years it reaches only a height of 0.4 m (annual growth of about 1.5-2 cm).
In addition to the cones, among the dwarfs of the Canadian spruce there are also small balls - Picea glauca‘Echiniformis’, reaching a height of 0.3 m at the age of 10 years and forming a dense ball.
Interesting spherical shape Picea glauca‘Alberta Globe’, reaching a height of only 0.3 m at the age of 10 years. The compact crown itself holds the shape of a hemisphere.
But the nest-like shape of the prickly spruce ( Picea abies‘Nidiformis’) really exactly resembles a nest - with a flattened, even depressed top, the growth of which is much less than the growth of lateral shoots. Despite the annual growth of 3-4 cm, this form usually does not exceed 1 m in height.
But the smallest baby is Picea abies ‘Maxwellii’; it does not grow higher than 0.6 m, so it is convenient to grow it in a container like a Christmas tree.
There are Christmas trees that look just like real ones, only small ones, for example, Picea abies 'Will's Zwerg'. This is a magnificent dwarf form with a narrow conical dense crown, reaching a height of 1.2 m at the age of 10 years. Its young light green needles are beautiful, sharply contrasting with the old ones.
On a sunny day, such babies will bring their resinous medicinal aroma with phytoncides, and will also delight all household members of the dacha with unusual pine cones.
Features of cultivation of dwarf coniferous forms
Most dwarf forms of conifers are photophilous and require a fairly sunny location; in the shade, their lower branches become bare, and the plant loses its toy shape. But on open places they often suffer from lack of moisture and spring sunburn! Therefore, dwarf forms of conifers need both timely watering and shading in the spring.
- When choosing a dwarf plant, make sure that it is really a dwarf: on the label in Latin name the form 'Nana' or dwarf (dwarf), 'Prostrata' (prostrate) should be indicated, but most cultivars have individual names, and it is simply necessary to write them down before purchasing!
- With the experienced eye of a gardener, one can determine exactly how many centimeters the plant will grow upward or sideways each year.
But this is not the end of our story about dwarf conifers, because... the main dwarfs that are more often found on sale are cultivars of junipers, thujas, and we will talk about them further.
Since time immemorial, people have used coniferous plants to decorate the area around their home. And no wonder: coniferous trees and shrubs are very useful; they emit special substances into the atmosphere - phytoncides, which can kill pathogenic bacteria. Thus, coniferous plants make the surrounding air cleaner and fresher. In addition, this class of flora in itself and individually is very beautiful, and correctly selected and planted conifers can decorate even the most ugly and shapeless area. Therefore, be sure to plant conifers in your dacha, and which ones to choose coniferous plants for the garden , we will talk further.
So, let's start with Christmas trees. These beauties look wonderful both in winter and in summer, varieties of Christmas trees for garden plot so much that your eyes run wild. There are even 
they do not grow higher than 1.5 m, which is naturally a huge plus. I wouldn’t really like to have a huge spruce tree on the plot, which takes up a lot of space, and even casts a shadow over the entire plot. It is for small gardens that special small-type Christmas trees have been bred.
This is Prickly Spruce Glauca Globosa - a fluffy, prickly ball of blue or gray color. It grows well in garden plots, is not picky in care, and besides, its very slow growth makes it possible to grow this Christmas tree in the garden.
Another type of dwarf spruce is the Norway spruce Frohburg. This plant has a drooping crown of dark green color. Caring for it, like the previous spruce, is simple; it can be planted nearby alpine slide or gazebos. The unusual appearance of this spruce will undoubtedly enliven the landscape of your site.
A very beautiful low-growing variety of creeping Christmas tree - Spruce Lombartsii. Such a dark green Christmas tree can decorate the slopes of an uneven area, enliven a rock garden, and become the main accent in decorating the shore of a country pond.
Cypress trees also fit perfectly into garden landscape, especially in Japanese gardens. Of the low-growing cypress trees, I can recommend the following variety: Filifera Aurea. Very unusual plant The light green, even slightly yellow color of the needles will become a bright spot against the background of the monotonous greenery of the garden.
The low-growing Pendula Larch is beautiful in its drooping slenderness. This beauty must be planted near a garden pond so that the branches lightly touch 
water. The harmony of the ground part of the plant and the water surface is fascinating and thought-provoking.
We can talk endlessly about juniper; there are so many varietals of them that it is sometimes difficult to figure out which one is which. Therefore, I can say the following about junipers: low-growing junipers include Horizontal Juniper, Cossack Juniper, Coastal Juniper, Medium Juniper, and Scaly Juniper. They differ in color scheme and by the structure of the needles, but in any case, all these junipers can serve as a green hedge along the border of a plot or to decorate a certain place in the garden. Unpretentious in care, junipers will not cause you any problems in growing. Here, as they say, I planted it and forgot about it.
I think coniferous trees are very beautiful low growing plant— Balsam fir Nana. This prickly, but at the same time fluffy coniferous “ball” does not grow higher than 1.5 m in height, which makes Nana fir another option for a hedge. Beautiful needles with an unusual structure will definitely attract the attention of guests of your garden, and correct pruning This fir can give the overall picture a complete and original look.
Also, low-growing coniferous plants for planting in the garden include: Mountain Pine Allgau, Mountain Pine Fruhlingsgold, Mountain Pine Gnom, Mountain Pine Humpy, as well as Thuja occidentalis Danica Aurea, Thuja occidentalis Golden Tuffet, Thuja occidentalis Rheingold, Thuja occidentalis Tiny Tim .
Low growing coniferous plants will add charm to your garden or summer cottage, and relaxing in the shade of a coniferous tree will not only be pleasant, but also beneficial for health.
For conifer lovers, we suggest taking a closer look at the miniature varieties tested by our experts. Having them in the garden is not only trendy, but also practical.
Criterias of choice
- frost resistance
- unpretentiousness
- prevalence
- slow growth
Place in the garden
A compact coniferous plant will save space, will not shade half the plot and will look good in a rock garden, in flower beds with ordinary perennials, in a shady forest corner. When choosing a variety, pay attention to the annual growth - this is the length of the internodes on the branches. When planting, consider how many centimeters the plant will grow each year and what size it will reach in 10-20 years.
Photo gallery of miniature conifers
Most miniature conifers come from mutations - “witches' brooms”, so untested varieties may not last long or over time change the appearance promised by the originator.
Thuja occidentalis(Thuja occidentalis) Malonyana Holub . It has an irregular narrow crown shape with several peaks. Winter-hardy. Shade-tolerant. Prefers moist fertile loams. Annual growth is 5 cm.
Igor Uspensky:"A real decoration of a rock garden - it leaves no one indifferent. The crown can twist slightly in a spiral, have a more pronounced columnar or pyramidal shape."
Most Popular
Mountain pine(Pinus mugo) "Picobello" . It is difficult to choose from hundreds of varieties of mountain pine, but "Picobello" good for its availability on sale. The variety is frost-resistant and hardy, resistant to diseases. The needles are short, slightly curved. The crown is dense, spherical. Over time, the pine will become a dense “pillow”. Prefers sun, good drainage. Annual growth is 5-6 cm.
Alexander Vereshchak:“And it grows slowly, and is quite accessible, and is stable in the middle zone.”
Norway spruce(Picea abies) "Little Gem" . Unpretentious, super-compact, this “little jewel” will be at home in the rock garden, in the front garden, and in the flower garden among low perennials. Drought- and frost-resistant; additional watering is needed only in very dry conditions. The crown shape is hemispherical or spherical, approximately 60-70 cm in diameter at the age of ten. Growth is 2-3, rarely 4 cm per year.
Olga Bondareva:“This is a popular favorite. The case when its availability in all garden centers is one hundred percent justified.”
Menzies's Pseudo-tsuga(Pseudotsuga menziesii) "Fletcheri" . At first glance, one might confuse this unpretentious plant with prickly spruce, but pseudohemlock needles are softer and have a bluish tint due to a waxy coating. Grows well in garden loams in good light and tolerates shade. Annual growth is 4-6 cm.
Olga Bondareva:“Chaotically located branches give the variety a unique “shaggy” appearance. Over the years, a certain zonality of the crown appears - there is no clear conductor. To prevent fungal diseases, treat the crown.”
Cedar elfin wood(Pinus pumila) "Glauca" . A real handsome man! Light-loving, does not tolerate stagnant moisture and prolonged drought. The crown is rounded and asymmetrical. The needles are silvery, twisted. The creeping lateral branches are wide, arched and raised. Annual growth is 3 cm in height, 7 cm in width.
Alexander Sapelin:“The beauty of the variety is visible immediately; there is no need to wait until the plant reaches the required age. It grows well on freezing retaining walls, where not all conifers of such a spectacular appearance can exist. The large “catalog” sizes that frighten some people rather concern European specimens. We even have old ones plants reach only about 1 m, and they have been gaining these parameters for decades.”
Korean fir (Abies koreana) "Icebreaker". This variety became a real sensation several years ago, and now it is quite accessible. A fairly easy plant to care for if planted in light partial shade. Requires attention to soil moisture (should not get wet in winter, dry out in summer). The conductor periodically tries to give out a powerful escape. Such shoots should be removed, and in the first season after planting, the crown should be sprayed with fungicides. Annual growth is 4-6 cm.
Olga Bondareva:"A very recognizable appearance that attracts the eye. This plant should be planted near a patio or path, so that every time you pass by, you can admire the intricately curved needles, showing a luminous silvery underside."
The smallest
Norway spruce(Picea abies) "Typner" . This "microvariety" is quite common in European collections. Today it is already available in Russia. Prefers partial shade rather than sun, annual growth is 1-2 cm.
Alexander Vereshchak:“If we move a little away from the modest parameters of annual growth, the choice of miniature varieties will be much wider.”
Mountain pine (Pinus mugo) "Sherwood Compacta 5" (synonyms "Michelle", "Isely"). Mountain pine is the leader in the number of available compact varieties. Does not freeze, does not burn, and is less susceptible to fungal diseases than others. This "microvariety" of mountain pine - perfect solution for a rocky hill placed in full sun. Relatively shade-tolerant. By the age of 10 it reaches 15 cm in height and 20 cm in diameter. Annual growth is 2.5-7.5 cm.
Prickly spruce (Picea pungens) "Mseno". Varieties with increments of 5 mm per year are so difficult to propagate that cultivars with more than 20 years of history are still on the list of rarities, available only to a select few lucky ones. This variety is a reasonable compromise. The needles are silver-blue, hard. Globular shape of the crown. Reaches maximum decorative value in full sun. Winter-hardy, drought-resistant. Annual growth is 2-3 cm.
