Garden Conifers: The Bones of Every Garden
by Rich and Susan Eyre

ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED: 1999 Winter

Gardening is one of the most accessible--and rewarding--ways not only for expressing yourself in an artistic manner but also for presenting your artwork to other people. When creating a palette of plant forms, colors, and textures, it is the conifers that provide gardeners the main structure on which the rest of the artwork depends. We've been collecting conifers for 30 years, and are still amazed at how much strength conifers add to gardens during all the seasons of the year. We think they should be the "bones" of every garden.

The diverse attributes of conifers enable the gardener to create a rather amazing landscape. For example, conifers come in every shape: there are conifers that are rounded (globose), weeping, narrow upright (fastigiate), broad upright, prostrate, spreading, irregular, pyramidal, or mounding. Conifers also come in just about every color: green, yellow, blue, orange and purple. Some have bicolor needles or stripes; others offer spots or patches. Some conifers are feathery; others have stiff needles; all except the Junipers and Yews (which produce berries) bear pine cones in an incredible assortment of colors and shapes. Add their seasonal changes, and you have a garden with pizazz all year.

Nonetheless, many gardeners are daunted by the sheer number and diversity of conifers and are unsure how to design with any but the most common evergreens. However, we are encouraged that more and more people are breaking away from creating a single straight line of one species of conifer as a hedge or fenceline. While we agree that large-scale conifers are really the most useful plant in your gardener's palette for screening or windbreaks, they are far more interesting when planted in irregular triangles using more ornamental or slower growing forms in the foreground.

We really love the American mixed perennial border and encourage siting gardens on a low, slanting presidium which faces the windows and other sight-lines of the house. Why give the neighbor across the street the best plants to see? Site your gardens where you can enjoy them when looking out from your kitchen table or from your favorite chair. Slope adds interest to a flat surface and gives you an opportunity to stage the dwarfer plants toward your house rather than toward your neighbor. Your design should also protect any positive viewing lines into the neighbor's property; in contrast, large and intermediate conifers can be used to block unwanted sightlines.

Once some of the larger design concepts are identified, it is important to look at each conifer individually. Like sculpture, each one offers a unique art form which must be handled with some care and a good eye. We've seen some great combinations and some really nasty ones. To protect yourself, we recommend contrasting one pendulous or very unusual shape with a geometric (or globe) form and a pyramidal form. That combination almost always seems to look good. One example of this arrangement is to combine the weeping form of Pinus strobus ÔPendula' with the pyramidal Picea abies ÔClanbrassiliana Stricta' and the globose Picea pungens ÔGlauca Globosa'. Another pleasing arrangement can be created with using a globose Pinus strobus ÔBlue Shag', a weeping Picea abies ÔPendula', and a pyramidal Picea pungens ÔMontgomery'. Whoever said that we'd never use geometry!

What You Need to Know Before You Plant Conifers

Regardless of how well you can design with shape and color, you need to be sure that your property is suitable for conifers. Before planting them, you must be able to answer several critical questions regarding your garden's drainage situation, the amount of sun your garden receives during the summer, and the growth rate of the conifer you think you might like to include in your garden.

What Kind of Drainage Does Your Soil Have?

Most conifers thrive in well-drained sandy-clay loam soil in full sun. Many gardeners are blessed with this situation, but sadly, many others are faced with trying to landscape around houses in new subdivisions. This is like trying to garden on a strip mine: all the good topsoil has been removed and only poor subsoil and bad drainage remains. Actually, Chicago is such an urbanized region (which historically was wetland anyway) that soil often needs help, especially where drainage is concerned.

Test your soil's drainage by digging a 2' deep hole with a post hole digger. Fill the hole with water, let it drain and fill it again. If the hole does not drain in two hours, the soil is limited for conifers. In heavy clay, raise half the root ball out of the clay layer and surround the protruding half with good topsoil. We also recommend removing narrow channels of soil leading away from the plant (like spokes of a wheel) and replacing that soil with sand or pea gravel. With conifers, water must drain away easily or the roots will rot.

If your soil is heavy, wet and can't be amended, there are some conifers that are naturally predisposed to such conditions. You should choose a deciduous conifer such as a larch [Larix], baldcypress [Taxodium], or dawn redwood [Metasequoia]. A conifer such as arborvitae [Thuja], which is often found along streambanks in the wild, might be tried but will probably not grow to full height. While some conifers, such as junipers [Juniperus], are tough enough to withstand just about anything, others such as the yews [Taxus], pines [Pinus], spruce [Picea], and fir [Abies] demand good drainage and will die or become stunted without it.

One more thing: if you are planting under or near larger (overstory) trees, remember that they consume most of the available water. Make sure the conifers you plant underneath large trees receive enough water.

How Much Sun Falls on Your Garden?

The second major consideration for conifers is the amount of sun your garden receives in the summer. Most conifers want to live in full sun. If you must plant conifers in the shade, the conifers which will tolerate it the best are arborvitae [Thuja], hemlocks [Tsuga], and yews [Taxus]. If your site receives some shade but at least 4-5 hours of sun each day in summer, then we would recommend species that can tolerate partial shade such as Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menzeisii], Eastern white pine [Pinus strobus], Swiss stone pine [Pinus cembra], and Norway spruce [Picea abies].

How Fast Will the Conifer Grow?

One more critical factor: How fast will the conifer grow? Studying growth rates will help you in properly selecting and siting plants. We've all seen (and too often!) the results of planting fast-growing trees too close to buildings and to each other. Like baby racoons, conifers are cute when they're small but can quickly grow up into monsters! By using slower-growing plants, gardeners can cut the growth rate in half and double the life of the planting--before the plants outgrow the available space.

The American Conifer Society [ACS] has changed its emphasis from "dwarf conifer" to "garden conifer" because the word "dwarf" is such a relative term. Therefore, ACS has adopted the following four size categories* for garden conifers.

Sizes of Garden Conifers

Category	Growth Per Year	Size at 10-15 yrs.
Miniature (M)	<3"	2-3'
Dwarf (D)	3-6"	3-6'
Intermediate (I)	6-12"	6-15'
Large (L)	12"	15'+

*These sizes may vary due to cultural, climatic, and regional factors. Note the size of internodes between branches to determine the actual growth rate.

Intermediate and large conifers have growth rates that compare to those of typical deciduous trees. They can be expected to grow from 6-12" per year. At our nursery, most of the conifers are dwarf, or slow-growing, varieties, but on a separate page at the end of the article, we have indicated the growth rate (M,D,I,L) of each conifer described here. You can therefore tell that the intermediate ÔGolden Splendor' hemlock is a pyramidal tree that will grow about 6" a year, resulting in a 6' tree in ten years. If you want a slower growing, pyramidal golden hemlock, look to the dwarf hemlock ÔNew Gold': it will only be 4' high in ten years. That's a big difference in ultimate size in a garden!

Selecting Conifers for the Upper Midwest

At our nursery, you will see over 50,000 plants and 2,500 cultivars of garden conifers from all over the world, but, alas, you won't see every conifer type. Some, such as Hinoki falsecypress [Chamaecyparis obtusa], which is so often featured in gardening books, is not generally hardy in Zone 5a (although these and other tender trees such as Japanese maples might well survive closer to Lake Michigan: see footnote). We also don't grow too many junipers, arborvitae, or yews because we don't like them as much as other species. Our collection even includes conifers so rare that there's only one in the world.

By the way, our fondness for collecting interesting trees means that you'll see other dwarf or slow-growing deciduous trees. We now carry twenty cultivars of gingko, fifteen selections of European beech, along with other cool rarities like Siberian pea shrubs, paperbark maples, magnolias, daphnes, weeping katsuras, and koelruterias. Also, any plant that is fastigiate has a home here. Actually, you don't buy a plant from us, you adopt it!

Conifer Forms

Conifers come in a wide variety of forms. Out of hundreds of selections on the market, we list here some of our favorites in each shape category.

Pyramidal forms: The pyramidal conifers we particularly like are the blue Colorado spruce ÔMontgomery' [Picea pungens ÔMontgomery'], the green Norway spruce ÔClanbrassiliana Stricta' [Picea abies ÔClanbrassiliana Stricta'], and the green Norway spruce ÔCompacta Asselyn' [Picea abies ÔCompacta Asselyn']. These are all considered dwarfs, for they grow only between 3-6" each year. By the way, Picea pungens ÔMontgomery' is one of our Top 10 favorite conifers. Our specimen of Picea pungens ÔMontgomery' is 35 years old and is now 6' tall and 8' wide. It is dark blue and a perfect pyramid.

The tiniest (aka slowest growing) pyramids are Norway spruce ÔMucronata' [Picea abies ÔMucronata'] and the white spruces ÔJean's Dilly' and ÔPixie' [Picea glauca ÔJean's Dilly'; P. g. ÔPixie']. They grow less than 3" a year!

For shady areas, seek out these pyramidal hemlocks: Tsuga canadensis ÔLewis', ÔGeneva', or ÔJervis'. They will only grow to 4' in ten years--probably 8-10' in 20 years--so they are very good for the small yard.

Some economical, compact, low green spreaders are also Norway spruces. We think Picea abies ÔPumila', ÔRepens', or ÔElegans' are terrific choices if you want plants that grow 3' wide and less than 2' tall in ten years. Combine any of these with dwarf perennials and some choice boulders and you've got a winning combination for your foundation garden. One great boulder is worth ten good trees, you know.

Slow-growing globe-shaped (globose) conifers include the blue Colorado spruce ÔGlauca Globosa' [Picea pungens ÔGlauca Globosa'], the Eastern white pine ÔBlue Shag' [Pinus strobus ÔBlue Shag'], or the very slow growing P.s. ÔHorsford', which grows in the shape of a very tight ball. These trees are "gardener's delights" because no pruning is required to maintain their round shape.

Mounding selections include the Austrian pine ÔHornibrookiana' [Pinus nigra ÔHornibrookiana'] which has outstanding white buds, or the Eastern white pine ÔNana' [Pinus strobus ÔNana']. Norway spruce ÔMucronanta' [Picea abies ÔMucronanta'] features big brown buds. Miniature Pinus mugo ÔTeeny' or ÔSherwood Compact' may grow 1-2'' or less per year during the first 10 years of life. For shadier locations, the dwarf hemlocks [Tsuga canadensis] ÔJeddeloh', ÔBennett', ÔGracilis' all grow to 3' or less in 10 years.

Fastigiate or columnar trees add height to a garden but take up little width, leaving room for more plants! We'd like you to try Picea pungens ÔFastigiata', Picea abies ÔCupressina' or the White pine, Pinus strobus ÔFastigiata'. They're hardy to Zone 3 and like full sun, but are intermediate (faster growing) trees which will add 6-12" in height each year.

Other upright, narrow forms of conifers include Picea glauca ÔPendula' and Pinus sylvestris ÔFastigiata'. If you're looking for narrow Arborvitae, try Thuja occidentalis ÔDegroots Spire' or Thuja occidentalis ÔSmaragd'. We also really like two fastigiate Norway spruces--Picea abies ÔHillside Upright' and Picea abies ÔBerry Garden Fast'--which feature short, dark green needles and brown buds.

For alpine or rock gardens, miniatures Juniperus communis ÔSuccica Nana', ÔPencil Point', or ÔCompressa' are great, but small, columnar trees. Swiss stone pine ÔGlauca' [Pinus cembra ÔGlauca'] and Douglas fir ÔFastigiata' [Pseudotsuga menziesii ÔFastigiata'] are appropriate for sun or for part-shade areas receiving 4-5 hours of sun. Despite its drooping habit, Serbian spruce ÔPendula' [Picea omorika ÔPendula'] has branch tips which point upward, showing off the blue undersides of its green needles. It is a specimen all by itself.

Where high drama is required in the garden, consider pendulous or weeping trees. Any weeping tree will attain the height you want by tying the tree to a stake of the height you desire. After the tree grows to that height, all its growth is usually downward. In contrast, a pendulous tree that is never staked becomes a groundcover. Wonderful weepers include Picea abies ÔPendula' or ÔFrohburg' (narrow form), Picea pungens ÔGlauca Pendula', Pinus strobus ÔPendula', Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ÔGlauca Pendula' or ÔGreen Arrow'(narrow form), and Pinus sylvestris ÔMitsch Weeping'. Prostrate forms Pinus sylvestris ÔAlbyns' and ÔHillside Creeper' can seem even more dramatic if there is slope or fall in the garden. For shadier sites the Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii ÔGraceful Grace', and Tsuga canadensis ÔPendula' are riveting.

Conifers with Color

Garden conifers display a rainbow of colors including shades of green, yellow, golden-orange, blue, lavender and purple. Good yellow cultivars can add eye-stopping color to the garden. The threadleaf false cypress-es--Chamaecyparis pisifera ÔGolden Mop', C. p. ÔFilifera Aurea Nana', and C. p. ÔSungold'--all add a good golden accent besides offering an interesting texture. Tsuga canadensis ÔGolden Splendor' is an upright Canadian hemlock with yellow foliage that can take sun. The pyramidal Thuja occidentalis ÔSunkist' and ÔYellow Ribbon' are good pyramidal performers. For a more diminutive vertical accent, Juniperus communis ÔGold Cone' is excellent. We think that Juniperus horizontalis ÔMother Lode' P.P. #5948 and Juniperus x media ÔDaub's Frosted' make good groundcovers. (ÔMother Lode', by the way, was the result of lightning striking a ÔBlue Rug' juniper and changing its genetics so much that it turned yellow--we kid you not!).

If you're looking for showy foundation plants, the golden Juniperus chinensis ÔSaybrook Gold' P.P. #5014 is a low compact spreader. Pinus mugo ÔAurea' is a semi-dwarf mounding conifer with beautiful gold needles in winter.

Bicolor Conifers

Some conifers have bicolor needles of stripes, spots or patches. Trees with bicolor needles offer high interest and often tie various colors together in the garden. Picea omorika ÔNana', ÔPendula', or ÔExpansa', and Picea bicolor ÔHowell's Dwarf' highlight the green topsides and blue undersides of their needles. Pinus densiflora ÔOculus-draconis' features yellow bands on green needles. A variegated threadleaf falsecypress with green and creamy-yellow foliage is Chamaecyparis pisifera ÔFilifera Aureovariegata'. We love Abies koreana ÔSilberlocke', which displays recurved needles showing the white undersides on curled foliage.

Seasonal Changes of Conifer Color

Many conifers go through seasonal changes and provide interest in the winter landscape. A fascinating group of conifers are those that highlight their yellow color in the winter and fade to green in the summer: Pinus sylvestris ÔAurea', Pinus virginiana ÔWates Golden', and Pinus strobus ÔWinter Gold' are all spectacular. Picea pungens ÔWalnut Glen' pushes neon yellow foliage in the spring. Conversely, Picea glauca ÔRainbow's End' pushes green foliage in the spring, followed by yellow foliage in mid-summer.

Blue Conifers

For silver-blue colors, find some firs: Abies concolor ÔCandicans', Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica and Abies lasiocarpa ÔGlauca Compacta' are ideal for outstanding texture with soft, blue fir needles. And don't leave out some Scots pines: Pinus sylvestris ÔWatereri' and ÔGlauca Nana' are blue-green in color and they develop superior orange bark. Fantastic! For purple hues in winter, look for Chamaecyparis thyoides ÔHeatherbun'. It is the green of heather in summertime.

New growth on conifers is usually a lighter shade of green but it can emerge as a bright yellow or red. Picea abies ÔCruenta' and ÔRubra Spicata' emerge blood red in the spring, but fade to normal green with warmer temperatures. The foliage of Picea abies ÔArgenteospica' and Tsuga canadensis ÔNew Gold' start yellow in the spring and then change to green. A great accent we recommend for shade gardens is the mid-summer white tip growth on Tsuga canadensis ÔGentsch White', ÔLaBar Whitetip' and ÔSummer Snow'. Plant groups of each for a real show.

Conifers with Fabulous Cones

On several conifers, the cones and seed bearing fruits are brightly colored and decorative during certain seasons of the year. Picea abies ÔAcrocona' is a compact, slow-growing Norway spruce that produces purple-red spring cones on branch tips. In the spring, it looks like a Christmas tree with pink lights! Abies concolor ÔCandicans' is a narrow, upright fir with long silver-blue needles and upright blue/purple spring cones. Many Japanese white pine [Pinus parviflora] cultivars are early cone bearers so even small trees usually show off their cones. Most fir trees [Abies] have a highly attractive inflorescence or cone development in spring.

Large Conifers

There's so many large conifers to love, but be careful of putting them in too small a space--they'll soon block the view forever! Three of our favorite large conifers are the steel blue Colorado spruces: Picea pungens ÔHoopsii', ÔThomsen', and ÔGlauca Pendula'. In ten years, each of these plants will be about 7' tall; in 20 years, they'll probably reach 15-20 feet--still not as tall as the straight species found in the mountains.

Challenge yourself to learn more about conifers that are garden makers. Design gardens with interesting plant material and plant in an artistic manner. Learn the value of "dwarf" plant material so that plant size will remain in scale with their surroundings without control.

Rich and Susan Eyre are the owners of Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery located at 11618 McConnell Road in Woodstock (McHenry County), IL. The nursery is open from April 1-November 15; if you can't wait, you can make an appointment. They will also be exhibiting conifers at the Festival of Flowers and Homes (February 10-14 in Rosemont, IL), and the Chicago Flower & Garden Show (March 13-21 at Navy Pier, Chicago).

They can be reached at (815) 338-7442 or via coniflora@aol.com. Their complete plant catalog can be found at weedpatch.com.

If you want to learn more about conifers, plan to attend a seminar led by the famed plantsman, Chubb Harper, at the nursery on June 12 or September 26, 1999. Additionally, you can attend a June 13 fundraiser for Heifer Project International at the opening of the conifer gardens at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The Eyres donated this magnificent collection of trees to the Conservatory. Heifer Project International is the Eyres' favorite charity--indeed, the proceeds from Hosta sales at Rich's Foxwillow Pines are passed through to the Heifer Project, which buys food- and income-producing animals for impoverished people in 110 countries. HP requires that families "pass on the gift" by sharing one or more of their animal's offspring with other needy families. Cool, eh?

PS: If you wish to help by purchasing a camel or guinea pig, call Heifer at (312) 920-0604.

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