conifer landscape design

How do you make a conifer garden?

For a dynamic look, contrast different shapes and colors

Choose conifers in sizes that fit the scale. ...
Silhouettes define a conifer's shape. ...
Blend sizes and shapes to create visual interest in the garden. ...
Fill out a bed of conifers with perennials. ...
Conifers shine through four seasons.

Do conifers like sun or shade?

Most conifers will tolerate a bit of shade as long as they are growing in moist soil, however, there are a few varieties that will grow happily in more shady areas and many of these can be shaped into topiary forms so the possibilities of shape and form are endless.

How close to a house can you plant a conifer?

If you're considering planting large conifer trees, you should always aim to plant at least 35 meters away from a property. You should also make sure you check the size of the mature tree, not the size at the time of planting. Although conifer roots are shallow, they spread up to seven times as wide as they mature.

What kind of soil do conifers like?

Most conifers need well-drained soil that's rich in organic matter. Some sand or gritty soil mixed with generous quantities of bark is my favorite mix. Stay away from “potting soil,” which does not drain well and becomes “sludgy” over time. You should also avoid peat moss, which will often cause root rot.

What can I plant next to conifers?

Conifers and Companion Planting

A Stewartia koreana tree (Stewartia koreana) Companion Trees for Conifers. First, are the trees. ...
The dwarf shrub, blue mountain heath (Phyllodoce caerulea) Conifers and Complementary Shrubbery. ...
The rock garden plant, Saxifraga 'Rose Marie' Rock Gardens Plants and Conifers. ...
A teaching tree. Conifer Companions.

What is the smallest evergreen tree?

Thuja occidentalis "Hertz Midget" (1 foot tall and 1 tall wide) "Hertz Midget" is one of the smallest evergreens you will find. It grows as a tight, round ball with the feathery arborvitae needles. A good choice for a small garden, it easily tolerates some shade. It grows in zones 2 through 8.

Do conifers need a lot of water?

Trees are usually mulched in late winter, after any fertiliser application, to conserve winter moisture reserves in the soil before the spring and summer. Watering: Although newly planted conifers initially need careful watering, once established they usually need little water.

Can you cut the top off a conifer?

Evergreens should not be topped, or cut off at a certain height, because this will produce trees that are anything but attractive. Trees that are topped are also at a greater risk for disease and other ailments. Do not prune conifer trees too late in the year.

Can you move small conifers?

You can already replant conifers from the end of August. You can dig out conifers with a sufficiently large root ball which have not stood where they are for more than three or four years and replant them at the new location. ... Its diameter is approximately a quarter of that of the conifers.

What are the worst trees to plant?

Trees known for their rather undesirable qualities, and why you should steer clear of them.

Cottonwood. One of the trees you should avoid having in your backyard is certainly cottonwood. ...
Bradford Pear. ...
Mimosa Tree. ...
Mulberry Tree. ...
Chinese Tallow. ...
Norway Maple. ...
Eucalyptus. ...
Quaking Aspen.

How deep do conifer tree roots go?

most large trees will have the majority of their roots in the top 18 to 24 inches, it is however based on soil type. the better the overall drainage, generally the deeper and more expansive the root system.

Why do conifers go brown in pots?

Conifers most commonly suffer from brown patches which can be caused by a number of factors; aphids or fungal diseases, but the most common cause is adverse growing conditions. This can be that the soil is too waterlogged or too dry, a prolonged period of frost or a cold north or east wind.

What fertilizer is best for conifers?

Conifers are not heavy feeders and need only an annual application of a general, complete garden fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 16-8-8, or a top dressing of well-rotted manure. It is best to fertilize in the early spring before the plants break dormancy, or in late fall before the soil freezes.

Do conifers die when cut down?

In their native habitat this is an adaptation to forest fires. If you do not want them to regrow act swiftly after felling. Conifers on the other hand never regrow. So if you cut down a Leyland hedge it will not regenerate from the base, however those resinous stumps will persist, taking many years to rot down.

Will grass grow under conifers?

Some plants can tolerate a high degree of shade, including some lawn grasses. However, the deeper the shade, the slower the growth, until the shade becomes so deep that the plant does not grow at all. ... This is the same situation that a tiny grass plant faces underneath a conifer in your garden.

What plants grow well under evergreens?

Tips for Growing Plants Under Evergreen Trees

Not sure what to plant? Some plants that will do fairly well under evergreen trees include Azaleas , Woodland Sunflowers , Hostas , Jacob's Ladder , Lily of the Valley , and Ivory Sedge .

Will bluebells grow under conifers?

Not only do they provide a permanent umbrella against moisture the conifers have shallow, questing roots which quickly invade any carefully prepared soil. Only the most vigorous bulbs such as bluebells and grape hyacinths will happily tolerate these harsh conditions.

What tree stays green all year?

Evergreens do not lose their leaves and remain green year round. These include conifers such as pine, spruce, and cedar trees.

What is a good small evergreen tree?

Pinus mugo 'Mops' (mugo pine) is an evergreen dwarf tree and it's suited to even the smallest garden.
Euonymus japonicus 'Microphyllus' is a great small evergreen for a small yard.
Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) 'Nana_Gracilis' is a beautiful compact evergreen that makes an excellent addition to the landscape.

What is the slowest growing pine tree?

Foothill Pine (Pinus sabiniana) is a native tree that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is slow growing in nature and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 80 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer.