how to landscape with conifers

What grows well next to conifers?

Since evergreen conifers afford texture and year-round color, woody ornamentals, like trees and shrubs are natural companion plants with their seasonal changes in appearance. Always bear in mind their ultimate size and mature visual appearance next to their conifer neighbors.

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.

Can you shape a conifer?

Once the growing tip is removed conifers will make little upward growth with just a few wispy shoots that are readily trimmed. Conifers may be pruned from spring to late summer.

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.

Where do conifers grow?

Most conifers grow best in full sun, but a bit of afternoon shade is best for dwarf conifers in warmer southern parts of the UK. Shelter. Choose a sheltered location - avoid planting in areas exposed to cold winds as the foliage will get scorched and turn brown.

Are conifers bad for your garden?

In addition to soil damage, conifer roots can also cause problems to foundations and patios. ... 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.

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.

How tall do dwarf conifers grow?

Dwarf conifers grow between 1 and 6 inches per year, with most in this group reaching 2 to 6 feet tall in 10 years. “Intermediate size” refers to conifers that grow 6 to 12 inches per year, with most being 6 to 15 feet tall.

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.

Where do conifers grow best?

Conifers are most abundant in cool temperate and boreal regions, where they are important timber trees and ornamentals, but they are most diverse in warmer areas, including tropical mountains.

Why do conifers suddenly go brown?

Conifers lose moisture through their needles in winter, causing them to dehydrate. This is normal and will not cause the tree any long-term damage. The lost water through the needles and the frozen, dry soil that does not provide moisture to the tree roots results in a few needles turning brown.

How do you reduce the height of a conifer hedge?

Conifer hedges

Reduce the height by up to one-third in April.
Thin out the side branches, removing selected branches right back to the trunk but leaving the others intact. ...
Mulch and feed in spring to encourage vigorous re-growth.
Allow at least a full growing season for recovery.

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.

How do you raise soil after conifers?

To improve the soil add a large quantity of organic matter – this can be horse manure, farmyard manure, good garden compost or mushroom compost.

Can conifer leaves be composted?

Like all plant matter, conifers, including Leylandii, can be composted but most people avoid adding them to their usual compost heap. The branches and leaves are very acidic so can upset the balance of your compost heap and later, your soil. The resin can also be toxic, so be careful of that.

Should you remove pine needles from under tree?

It is normal for pine trees to shed their needles, within reason. As needles age, they become less efficient for the tree and the tree will drop them. Most of these come from the more inner part of the branches. ... You can leave the needles under the tree, the needles will breakdown and provide nutrients for the tree.

What is the best fertilizer 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.

What is the best compost for conifers?

Most conifers like an acid soil so incorporate some ericaceous compost into the planting hole. Dig a hole to accommodate the size of the pot and loosen the soil around the sides with a fork; this allows the roots to penetrate easier.

How much water do newly planted conifers need?

Watering. Newly planted conifers will need regular watering for 3 to 6 months until the roots get established. For the first few weeks, check every 2 to 3 days to make sure the soil is not dry (stick your finger 2 to 3 inches into the soil) and water deeply if needed.