5 Eye Catching Conifers for Your Garden

Although completely underused in Pacific Northwest gardens, conifers are extremely popular plants in the east and in areas with colder, more continental climates. They add structure, foundation and year round interest to the landscape. The purpose of this post is to showcase the qualities of five completely different, interesting and eye-catching conifers. If your garden is dull, drab and boring at this time of year, maybe its time to plant a few of these evergreens:

Daub's Frosted Chinese Juniper

'Daub’s Frosted' Chinese Juniper

Juniperus chinensis ‘Daubs Frosted’
Golden yellow frosted foliage tips create a striking contrast with the pendulous, blue-green mature foliage. A good selection for mass plantings or a ground cover for hot-dry banks. Evergreen. Fairly fast growing to 15 inches in height and 5ft wide. Best planted in full to part sun. Hardy in zones 4-9

'Spiraliter Falcata' Japanese Cryptomeria

Spiraliter Falcata Japanese Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria japonica ‘Spiraliter Falcata’
A slow growing dwarf conifer with extremely twisted foliage. Green colour is held throughout the year. A unique collectors item. Grows to 3ft tall and wide. Evergreen. Hardy in zones 6-9

Blue Dwarf Alberta Spruce

'Blue Dwarf' Alberta Spruce
Picea albertiana conica ‘Blue Dwarf’
This is an improved variety of the classic slow-growing alberta spruce with striking silvery-blue foliage. A standout for any garden. Outstanding in containers, rock gardens, or in a landscape singly or in groups. Very slow growing, usually about an inch or so per year. Decorate with white lights at Christmas for a classic look! Grows to a maximum of 5-7 feet tall and to 1.5ft wide in many years. Hardy in zones 2-8

Silver Show Korean Fir

‘Silver Show’ Korean Fir
Abies koreana ‘Silver Show’
This outstanding conifer is a known for its upward and back curving needles that reveal a slivery-white underside. It’s a small, very slow growing tree (approximately 5 inches per year growth) that will eventually reach 20ft. Plant it in full sun to show it off!. Well drained soil is recommended. HArdy to zone 5.

'4EverGoldy' Gold Cedar

‘4Ever Goldy’ Gold Cedar
Thuja plicata ‘4EverGoldy’
This compact member of the cedar or arborvitae genus of plants grows quickly into a stunning display of evergreen, golden-yellow foliage. Unique red stems during fall and winter add further interest. Great orange fall foliage colour too!. Prefers to be planted in sun to part shade in any average garden soil. Will grow into a large tree (60+ feet) over its lifespan, so either keep it pruned or give it space.



Art’s Nursery carries a wide variety of conifers and other plants for all 4 seasons of the year. Add further winter interest by using plants with interesting bark, berries and flowers the bloom in winter like witchhazels, hellebores and heathers. For more information about designing winter gardens, call 604.882.1201 or visit us in person.

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Art's Nursery