If and when you ever get a chance to visit the mega-nurseries in Oregon you will be amazed at the literally millions of conifers they grow - and I wonder, where do they all go?
Conifers just never seem to be top of mind here. Well, its our goal to change that. Here are six gorgeous dwarf conifers that are just begging to find a space in a pot, a trough, a rock garden or even a model railroad landscape.
Just one more thing. Remember that 'dwarf' may not mean 'stays small'. Depending on the plant, it may mean 'extremely slow growing'. The difference may be inconsequential, but we're 'just saying...' :)
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| Japanese Cedar Mushroom |
Cryptomeria japonica 'Mushroom'
This variety of Japanese Cedar is a dwarf mounding shrub with soft, loose branching. Foliage is made up of 1 inch long gray-green needles that are brownish when young and turn bronze-purple in the winter. Will reach 2-3 feet in height and 3ft wide at maturity. Does best in sun to part shade. Hardy to zone 5.
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| Pinus sylvestris 'Woltings Gold' |
Woltings Gold Scotch Pine
Pinus sylvestris 'Woltings Gold'
This dwarf Scotch Pine features golden yellow foliage and fits perfectly into the dwarf conifer garden. It grows to a maximum 5-6ft and 2-3ft in spread. Grows best in full to part sun and drier soils. Hardy in zones 3-6
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| Wissel's Saguaro Port Orford Cedar |
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Wissels Saguaro'
While not really a dwarf, Wissels Saguaro is slow growing giving it the opportunity to live in miniature gardens for a number of years before its size starts to manifest itself. It's a very narrow upright conifer with congested blue-green foliage. The occasional arm-like branch will shoot off in some random direction giving it an appearance similar to a saguaro cactus. Quite unique in appearance. Will grow up to 30ft in height over many years. Best grown in full sun. Hardy to zone 5.
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| Golden Tuffet Arborvitae |
Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Tuffet'
This evergreen conifer has a dwarf spreading growth habit and interesting braids of orange to yellow scaly foliage. Branches spray outward to form a golden pillow of foliage. Will trun a deep orange to purple colour in winter. Will reach 18 inches high and spreads 2-3 feet in width. Best grown in sun to light shade. Hardy to zone 4.
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| Wilma Goldcrest Monterey Cypress |
Cupressus macrocarpa 'Wilma Goldcrest'
This colourful conifer is a dwarf tree with a tight columnar growth habit. Foliage is bright yellow to lime green in colour. Will grow 5-6ft in height and 1-2ft wide in 10 years. Best grown in full sun in an area with some winter protection. Hardy to zone 6.
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| Blue Gem Podocarp |
Podocarpus alpinus 'Blue Gem'
This rare and unique unique tiny-leaved conifer features blue-green foliage that begins in a red to pink tinge. Semi-spreading growth habit. Will reach 2-3 ft in height and several feet across in time. Excellent as bonsai and in rock gardens. Best grown in sun or light shade. While hardy in zones 7-10 this plant is best given some winter protection to get it through our normal winters. A native of Australia and Tasmania.
Art's Nursery carries a wide and diverse selection of dwarf and full size conifers for your next landscape job or your home garden. Come give a dwarf conifer a try. Start small, build a rock garden or plant up an alpine trough - well help you choose hte plants and get you off to a good start!
Here are a few links to get you started:
Rock Gardens for Small Spaces
How to make a Rock Garden
How to Build a Rock Garden
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