All beloved beautiful coniferous trees- these are spruces, pines, firs, cypresses and others.

There are so many of them and they all look great in the garden, at their summer cottage and are generally used in landscape design.

Conifers have many different names, we will analyze in more detail to determine and decide what exactly you want to plant.

All trees are beautiful in their own way, and their scent attracts and relaxes. They are indispensable parts of every garden.

They ate from the Pine Family. They love a temperate climate, grow up to 35 centimeters in height. Their leaves are sharp green needles that look like a spiral. They stay on the tree for many years.

There are cones on the tree that grow after ten years of the life of the spruce. The spruce has many different types with different forms, different heights etc.

They are loved for their smell, decorativeness. Here are the species that most often grow in Russia:

• Glena spruce

Wood large size, considerable height. The lower branches hang downward, while the upper branches are located upward, as if stretching towards the sun. Purple bumps. Loves moist soil.

• Canadian spruce (white, gray)

Thick trunk, cone-shaped crowns. The needles are very long, the cones are about the size of an egg. Grows in the forests of America. An unpretentious spruce, it gets used even to drought and grows calmly.

The color is yellow-green, massive spruce, small cones, red. Fruits ripen late, towards the end of spring. Often used as a decorative spruce.

• Blue prickly

35 meters high. Thickness - a meter, can be divided into several trunks. The bark is thick, young - gray, older - brown. The needles are sharp, needles, beautiful blue.

• Common spruce

Common view. They are usually planted near the fence as protection from the sun, to create shade in the country for recreation or some plants. The needles are long, large, thick, shiny and have a dark green color... Grows up to 500 years. The fact is known about her that at the beginning of ripening it grows little by little, then very quickly.

• Serbian spruce

Rare, grows in Serbia. Small, has a dwarf shape. The needles are small, have a color from dark blue to light blue mixed with green. Favorably tolerates any soil, climate and conditions.

• Siberian spruce

The spruce itself is large, its needles are small and very sharp, the cones are also small in size. Mainly grows in Europe, Siberia. She loves moist soil very much, therefore, it is less common than other spruces.

• Sitka spruce

Alaska State Symbol. Large massive spruce, mainly used for decorative purposes. Loves a humid cool climate.

• Inversa spruce

Height up to seven meters, width up to two.

• Nidiformis

A small spruce almost a meter tall, one and a half meters wide.

• Glauka

It has blue needles, it is used as a decorative one in landscape design.

Fir. Views

Family Pine, a powerful tree. Cone shape. In the form of an oval or cylinder - cones. In youth, the tree does not like sunlight. Dislikes dirty, dusty places.

Here are the types of fir:

• Caucasian fir

The plant is considered heroic and powerful; its species was found in 1835 in Georgia. The Nordman Fir is otherwise called, in honor of the person who found it. 50 meters high. Crown in the form of a pyramid.

It is believed that when the Trojan horse was built, they used the bark of this fir. Therefore, it also has such a name. It is used for Christmas and decorated in Europe.

She lives for 700 years. It has a juicy green color and shines.

• Fir monochromatic

Differs in singularity and grace, it grows mainly in the North of America. Branches and needles in the form of a skeleton, sharp and prickly. Calmly endures the wind. Loves almost any soil, can withstand any conditions. It grows long up to 350 years old, unpretentious. He is calmly going through a transplant.

• Subalpine fir

Slender fir, low, has the shape of a column. Has a silvery blue tint. Has a strong, powerful bud odor. Does not like moisture, grows calmly mainly in shady areas. Loves rich soil, grows poorly in an urban environment.

• Sakhalin fir

Slender, short, pointed upward fir. The color of the young bark is gray; the older, the darker. It does not like to grow in the city because of the abundant air pollution, but it is frost-resistant.

• Argenta

The needles are unusual blue-gray, white tips. Luminescent shoots ripen in spring. This unusual phenomenon occurs during the month, looks great in the garden.

Cedar. Views

These plants have a stunning, beautiful look. Widely used by the British in gardens and parks. They at the same time enrich and make the landscape so cozy and pleasant.

Bonsai is made from the dwarf forms of this plant. These are all trees grown by people.

Real wild ones grow up to 3 thousand meters in height, above the clouds.

INTERESTING TO KNOW:

Those nuts that we buy in the store and eat (pine nuts) - in fact, do not grow on a cedar, they are fruits from a cedar pine. Real cedar fruit cannot be eaten.

Types of cedars:

• Strict;
• Pendula;
• Tortuosa;
• Nana (dwarf);
• Nana pyramidate.

Cypress. Views

Conical or pyramidal evergreens. The foliage is pressed close to the bark.

Cones ripen for 2 years of plant growth. It is believed that there are about 25 species of cypress in total, but only 10 species are used as ornamental.

Here are the most common types that everyone uses in landscape design:

Larch. Views

Diameter - meter, height - 50m. The branches grow in a chaotic manner. Soft needles. Scientists have identified 15 species of larch plant. Widely used:

• Viminalis;
• Rapance;
• Corley;
• Kornik (in the form of a ball);
• Diana (branches in the form of a spiral, ash-colored needles);

Thuja. Views

Cypress family. It is very popular in Ukraine as an ornamental plant.

Unpretentious, able to get used to and get along in any conditions: frost, drought, bad soil.

Strong rhizome, branches grow upward, columnar or pyramidal shape of the tree, cones ripen in the 1st year of growth.

• Arbor vitae

Highlights special essential oils, it has a great effect on human health. Therefore, finding a person and the ability to breathe thuja air has a beneficial effect on a person. Frost-resistant, drought-resistant, thermophilic, whimsical to the soil.

• Eastern yellow

It grows rapidly and densely. The plant loves light, does not tolerate shade, and is also not drought tolerant, likes abundant watering.

• Western Danica

Dwarf.

Pine. Views

It has a total of about 12 species, but only 11 are especially common. The breed is distinguished by the number of needles on the branches. By the way, pine trees have a fragrant smell of needles.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW:

It is undesirable to plant in open ground - they dry up. It is better to plant pines from July to September.

There are several types of pine trees, some are large, grow in parks, for example, by themselves and decorate with their size and power, and specially grown dwarfs decorate personal plots.

Mountain pine is especially common; it grows in western Europe up to 12 meters high:

• Dwarf. Height - 2 meters, needles - 4 meters;
• Columnaris is a bush with dense needles;
• Pug - spherical shape of the branches;
• Mini Pug;
• Globosa Viridis - ovoid, long needles.

Conifers are mostly evergreens, woody or shrubby, with leaves in the form of needles. The needles are needle-shaped, scaly or linear leaves. Conifers belong to the class of gymnosperms. In total, there are about 600 species of coniferous plants. It is difficult to list the names of all conifers, but you can imagine a list of the most famous and common conifers in our strip.

Pine is an evergreen coniferous tree that grows throughout the entire territory of Russia, it is distinguished by its long needles and unpretentiousness to natural conditions. Sunny pine groves are a real natural sanatorium.

- a coniferous ornamental tree from the cypress family, many varieties of thuja are widely cultivated for landscaping parks and private farms.

- in the wild, it grows in the tropical zone, it is also successfully bred as an ornamental tree or shrub, foliage differs from all previous conifers, leaves on upward-directed shoots are arranged spirally, on horizontal shoots - linear. Yew is very poisonous, only seedless berries are edible in it.

- a coniferous shrub of the cypress family, used for ornamental gardening.

- a mighty tree of the North Ocean coast of America of the cypress family. Long-lived trees of this genus live for several thousand years.

Is a beautiful coniferous tree that grows wild in the mountains of China.

The above list of conifers describes plants, each of which has many species - these are just the most common conifers.

In addition to those listed, conifers include: cypress, hemlock, ginkgo, araucaria, oritedrus, pseudo-suga, cunningamia, cryptomeria, sciadopitis, sequoiadendron and many others.

When choosing species and varieties of conifers, it is necessary to take into account how they will look, what sizes they will reach at the time of maturity, not forgetting, of course, about the growth rate, color, and requirements for the habitat. It is important to match all these characteristics with specific conditions, including the size of the garden area. Only in this way will we be able to compose compositions that are interesting in color, contour and spatial relation from conifers.

Most of the conifers and shrubs are light-loving plants. This means that for healthy growth and development, they need enough light, space and a place where they will not suffer from lack of air.

Yews, which develop well in partial shade and even full shade, are distinguished by their great adaptability. Shading is transferred by young fir, pseudo-slug, spruce, hemlock, cryptomeria, thissol or Douglas fir, and from pine - Pinus flexilis, P. koraiensis and P. reyse. For cypress trees, the optimal conditions are partial shade or a place not on the sunny side. Thuja adapt relatively well. The rest of the breeds of conifers grown in our country prefer a place in the sun, and junipers do not tolerate shading very well.

As for soil conditions, the requirements for them in conifers are very different. The most unpretentious in this respect are larch, juniper, pine (with the exception of species with five needles in a bunch) and cypress. These rocks grow well on sandy-clay soils, and pines - even on stony soils. Cypress, juniper, larch, spruce and yew trees love lime. The juniper also tolerates drying out soils well. But cypress trees, on the contrary, require an abundance of soil moisture. Spruce grows best on moist clay-sandy soils. Fir, compared to spruce, are more demanding in soil quality. They thrive on deep clay-sandy, moderately moist, nutrient-rich soils and generally cannot stand high level underground waters. For the rest of the conifers and shrubs, more powerful soils are needed, in which there are sufficient nutrients and a moderate soil moisture content. In marshy areas, even in shallow stagnant water, only marsh cypresses grow well.

If we talk about hardening, then most conifers are resistant to cold. Fir, cedar, cryptomeria, spruce and more gentle views individual species should not, however, be planted in cold basins where they may freeze.

Of the fir, the most hardy and not afraid of frost are Abies balsamea, A. concolor, A. grandis and A. homolepis; from cypress trees - Chamaecyparis nootkatensis and Ch. lawsoniana; from spruces - Picea abies, P. alba, P. asperata, P. omorika and P. pungens; from the pines Pinus banksiana, P. cembra, and R. voyse.

Fir trees need a place more protected from the winds, and cedars thrive only in such places. Due to the fact that variegated conifers, and from thujas - Thuja orientalis, in winter they can suffer from solar radiation, the place for them must be chosen and taking this moment into account.

Conifers also tolerate air pollution in different ways. Some species generally grow quite well in industrial areas. However, the smoky, polluted air cannot stand most of the fir trees at all. Among them, Abies concolor, A. grandis, A. koreana, A. nordmanniana, A. procera, A. veitchii are relatively hardened in this respect. Most spruces, pines and cryptomeria do not tolerate such pollution. Although in the same conditions, some types of cedars and cypress trees, yews, thuja, and from pines - dwarf pine, black pine, Scotch pine, etc., take root quite well.

Those species with soft needles, as well as cypress trees, mainly young ones, some junipers (also at a young age), for example, Chinese juniper, Virginia juniper, and in spring, when the needles open and ordinary juniper, also suffer from the damage of forest animals. The animals also bite the bark of young larch, and from the pines they choose those with soft needles. Neither berry yew nor western thuja will protect themselves from them. The rest of the conifers do not suffer from animals.

Nursery workers are often faced with the fact that many gardeners seek to acquire for their small plots and front gardens high-growth coniferous trees, although they do not attach due importance to this point. However, in most cases, they are simply attracted by the beauty of young plants and seduced by the size of the specimens sold. Such buyers naively hope that as soon as they plant such plants in the garden, they will immediately become a decoration of the site. They forget that over time, thujas, cypress trees, spruces, firs, pines and other large species will create an almost impenetrable wall, interfere with admiring the surrounding landscape, or even plunge the garden into permanent shade.

Tall coniferous trees

Fir Vetkhov ( Abies veitchii) is a slender tree, reaching 15-20, or even 25 m in height and 4 m in diameter of the crown. She has thick shiny needles dark green with a silvery sheen on the underside. Every year this tree grows about 70 cm high and 20 cm wide. It is planted mainly singly in large gardens.

European spruce, or ordinary ( Picea abies) - a well-known tree with a height of 20-25 m (it can reach 30-35 m), with a narrow pyramidal crown and symmetrical branches located in a horizontal plane. It grows violently, annually increasing by about 80 cm in height and 30 cm in width. It is used more often in large gardens and parks alone or in group plantings as trimmed hedges.

Serbian spruce, or Balkan ( Picea omorika) is a beautiful, surprisingly slender tree, the crown of which begins to branch strongly from the bottom. It is one of the most hardy conifers, is not afraid of frost at all and withstands city air well. This spruce reaches 25-35 m in height, but at the ground its width is only 2-3 m. Its annual growth is approximately 50 cm in height and 15-20 cm in crown diameter. Serbian or Balkan spruce is a singularly planted plant of exceptional value, suitable for large and medium-sized gardens.

Black pine, Austrian ( Pinus nigra austriaca - P.n. ssp. nigra) first has a conical, and later - an ovoid crown, reaching 4-8 m in diameter. This tree can reach a height of 20 m, and in exceptional cases even 25 m. The annual growth is on average 70 cm in height and 35 cm in crown diameter. Black pine is a wonderful tree for large gardens; she loves dry, water-permeable soil, which also contains lime.

Falling larch, or Western European ( Larix decidua), also a very tall tree, rising up to 35 m. Its crown is wide, 4-6 m in diameter, the needles are light green, sometimes even gray-green. This larch grows faster than all other conifers, adding about 80 cm in height and 50 cm in crown diameter per year. Such a tree needs a place in the sun, a lot of free space around and deep, but not too light soil, which has sufficient permeability.

One of Lawson's cypress varieties ( Chamaecyparis lawsoniana "Alumii") of bluish-steel color is a very slender coniferous tree with a dense cone-shaped crown. It reaches about 10 m in height and 2-3 m in diameter. Its annual growth is about 30 cm in height and 10 cm in width. This variety is unassuming, loves a sunny place and is believed to tolerate frost well. It is planted mainly one at a time or is used to create hedges of an unusual shape.

Yew berry, or ordinary, European ( Taxus baccata) is able to withstand deep shadow, although it develops well in full sunlight. This tree is 10-20 m in height with a rounded crown of 10-15 m in diameter. It is often bush-shaped and reaches a very respectable age. He also loves calcareous soil, which allows water to pass through well; it is planted singly or in group compositions, like undergrowth next to more tall trees... Berry yew is also suitable for creating hedges, and free growing, and trimmed. Its annual growth in height is, as well as in diameter, about 30 cm.

Thuja western ( Thuja occidentalis) is a cone-shaped growing coniferous tree with short horizontally located branches, reaching 10-15 m in height and 3-4 m in diameter. Its annual growth is about 20-30 cm in height and the same amount in width. The tree loves a sunny location, is extremely frost-resistant and is especially suitable for planting as natural free-growing or cut hedges.

White fir ( Abies concolor) is a tree of 20-30 m in height with a straight trunk and a beautiful cone-shaped crown beginning at the very ground with a diameter of up to 3-4 m. This fir has peculiar, sickle-like bent gray-green needles. The annual growth of the plant is 50 cm in height and about 15 cm in crown diameter. It loves the sun, is very frost-resistant and tolerates a smoky, polluted atmosphere. Monochromatic fir needs a nutritious soil with sufficient water permeability and a place with good sunshine... It is considered an excellent single tree in a large city.

Medium conifers

In the decoration of gardens and parks, conifers of medium size and even very squat trees play a significant role. Shorter species are usually planted near access roads or walking paths, near houses and summer cottages, as well as in rock gardens and in those places where, for whatever reason, it is not possible to plant trees that reach large sizes.

In recent years, the Korean fir (Abies koreana) has been especially popular with gardeners. This slow-growing tree is distinguished by a dense pyramidal crown, and in adulthood it is, as a rule, not so high as wide, reaching 2-4 m in height and 2-3 m in diameter, although it can be larger - up to 8 m height and 4 m in diameter. Every year the tree rises about 30 cm and spreads 15-20 cm in width. The Korean fir is very prolific. And the young tree produces beautiful, purple-violet buds up to 7 cm long.

An attractive-looking, gently pubescent variety of Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana "Ellwoodiif), which has blue-gray scaly needles and a narrow, pyramidal crown. An adult tree reaches 2-3 m in height and about 1 m in crown diameter. This variety of cypress grows. slowly (annual growth is about 20 cm in height and 5-10 cm in diameter), very unpretentious and is considered by gardeners to be an excellent single plant that can be planted in small gardens.

The slender pea cypress of the Chamaecyparis pisifera "Plumosa Aurea" variety is distinguished by its striking yellowish-golden needles and a wide conical shape. It reaches 6-8 and even 10 m in height and 2-3, or even 4 m in crown diameter. The annual growth of the tree averages 25 cm in height and 15 cm in width. This is a very modest, undemanding plant, but loves, however, humid places and sandy, water-permeable soil. It should be borne in mind that the needles acquire a juicy color only when the tree grows in the sun. This type of tree can be placed singly and in group plantings, in the form of hedges.

In recent years, another interesting pea cypress cultivar, Ch.p. "Boulevard". It grows slowly and forms a conical, densely branched crown, reaching 2 m in height and 1 m in crown diameter. This is also an undemanding plant that loves water-permeable soil and a sunny place. In horticultural practice, the tree is placed singly. With a luscious steel-blue color and soft needles, this cypress tree looks especially good in the middle of the lawn.

An attractive common juniper of the Juniperus communis "Hibernica" variety, which has a slender pillar-like shape and is one of the conifers suitable for planting in large gardens and parks, and in small areas. As a rule, it reaches 3-4 m in height and about 1 m in crown diameter. Its not too prickly and dense needles have a silvery bluish-green color. This variety of common juniper loves the sun, sandy, water-permeable soil and looks great in untouched corners of the garden, in large rock gardens and near them, as well as in heather thickets. It is planted both individually and in small groups.

Picea glauca "Conica" is a slow growing white spruce crop. In adulthood, the plant can reach 3-4 m in height. It is planted both individually and in a group and, of course, is also placed in rock gardens.

Juniperus chinensis "Pfitzeriana" is an unpretentious, well-growing and decorative juniper with sprawling, slightly curved branches. It is placed mostly singly. Juniper reaches 2 m in height and about 4 m in crown diameter. One of its varieties J.oh. "Pfitzeriana Aurea" is distinguished by widely spreading branches and gray-green, when blooming - golden-yellow, and in winter - bronze needles. It reaches about 2-2.5 m in height and has 6-8, and sometimes even 10 m in diameter of the crown. Over the course of a year, the plant grows in height only about 20 cm, while in width its growth is up to 40 cm.This frost-resistant variety belongs to the most beautiful junipers with a spreading crown, loves soils that are well water-permeable, and sunny, in extreme cases , slightly shaded areas. It is planted as a single plant, as well as in groups with other conifers.

The well-known variety of white spruce Picea glauca "Conica" has a symmetrical conical shape and reaches a height of 3 m by the age of thirty with a diameter of 1 m. The plant grows very slowly (annual increments are 15 cm in height and 5 cm in crown diameter). It is characterized by a dense compact crown and delicate needles of a grassy green color. The plant is great for small gardens, where the best place for it is in the middle of a grassy area or in a rock garden. However, the tree needs light partial shade. It suffers from burns in the sun.

In a quiet corner of trees, grasses and perennials dominated by the three pyramidal junipers Juniperus communis "Hibernica"

Mountain pine elfin ( Pinus mugo var. pumilio) belongs to the most beloved small-sized pines by gardeners. It has a wide rather than high semicircular crown (the plant reaches 1-1.5 m in height and 3 m in width). Annual growth is within 5 cm in height and up to 10 cm in crown diameter. This undersized pine tree prefers a place well lit by the sun; it can be planted singly, as well as in group plantings.

Conifers with colored needles

The silver-blue variety of prickly spruce (Picea pungens "Glauca") is commonly called silver spruce in everyday life. The stores sell young plants grown from seedlings, which over the years in our conditions reach 10-20 m in height. Along with them, several varieties are bred, propagated by grafting, for example, Picea pungens "Koster", which has juicy silver-blue needles, P.p. "Moerheimi", distinguished by a slender conical shape and the same silvery-blue needles. The annual growth of these varieties is 15-25 cm in height and 10-15 cm in crown diameter.

To decorate the entrance to the house, two pyramidal junipers Juniperus communis "Hibernica" are planted, immediately attracting attention

Gardeners, especially beginners, should not be overwhelmed by the asymmetrical shape of young grafts. Such a plant, as it develops, evens out, becomes slender over the course of three or more years. But it is often the unusual, quirky form that is characteristic of creeping varieties that is highly valued. P.p. "Glauca Pendula" is an example of this.

Among the firs, distinguished by the juicy blue color of their needles, gardeners choose mainly silver fir, or the noble Abies procera "Glauca"; it is a powerful plant reaching 20-30 m in height. In adult scions, long, up to 25 cm cones appear annually. The annual growth of this tree is usually 30 cm in height and 15 cm in crown diameter.

Chamaecyparis obtusa "Nana Gracilis" in adulthood reaches 2 m in height. It grows slowly. Often used in rock gardens and for planting in large growing vessels

The color of the bluish needles in the genus of junipers is rich and varied. Large, spreading, but not too tall bushes form, for example, juniper varieties of the middle Juniperus chinensis "Pfitzeriana", J.ch. "Hetzii", J. squamata "Meyeri" with a compact shape and clear blue-gray corners grows much slower and needs to be cropped regularly: only then does it look beautiful.

An interesting tree with needles of a bluish steel color is the "Glauca" variety of horizontal juniper (J. horizontalis). Due to its short stature, it is well suited for green covering of the soil surface. This plant also successfully develops in semi-shaded areas, rising above ground level by only 20-30 cm; an adult plant is capable of covering an area of ​​2-3 m 2 with its branches. With fleshy round cones, beautiful pillar-like shape and delicate needles from bluish-green to silver-gray color, the Virginian juniper variety J. virginiana "Glauca" attracts attention.

Among the conifers of a yellowish color, you can choose extremely picturesque species and varieties for the garden. These include, for example, an interesting cypress tree with hanging branches and golden yellow needles, known as Chamaecyparis lawso-niana "Golden King". In winter, its needles acquire a brownish-yellow tone.

On the hill among alpine plants are planted low-growing conifers - Pinus mugo var. mughus and Juniperus communis "Depressa"

The most beautiful cypress trees, painted in yellow tones, include Ch. lawsoniana "Lane", which reaches a height of 5 meters or more, as well as varieties of Chinese juniper, for example J. chinensis Tfitzeriana Aurea ", J. ch." Old Gold ", J. ch." Plumosa Aurea ", whose needles have many shades - from yellowish to juicy golden yellow.

Among the yews and thujas there are also several representatives with interesting yellow-variegated needles, for example, varieties of berry yew and western thuja (Taxus baccata "Fastigiata Aurea". Thuja occidentalis "Rheingold").

Conifers for rock gardens and garden vases

Rock gardens and the space around them cannot be imagined without conifers. For small rocky gardens and mini-alpinariums, which are laid out in tubs and garden vases, for dry walls or for covering the ground, primarily dwarf, undersized and creeping varieties of various types are used. They are distinguished by bizarre shapes and outlines, variegated needles. Dwarf plants are characterized by slow growth. Many similar cultures have been bred. Larger species and varieties should be placed in large, monumental rock gardens.

Of the rich assortment of conifers suitable for such plantings, we will name a few that are most familiar to gardeners.

Abies balsamea "Nana", or "Hudsonia" is a dwarf variety of Canadian balsam fir, characterized by a squat nest-like shape. This fir grows slowly, reaching a height of 50-100 cm. Its needles are dark green, short, glossy and dense.

A. concolor "Glauca Compacta" is a very rare dwarf cultivar with a dense asymmetrical crown shape and striking blue-gray needles. (This crop is suitable for larger rock gardens, it can be planted next to them, as well as placed in the middle of the lawn and in small gardens.

A. koreana - Korean fir in adulthood seems too bulky for a small garden, but nevertheless it is quite suitable for such use. It will take many years before this plant reaches 2-4 m in height. It grows slowly; It often happens that the old Korean fir has a crown diameter that is larger than the height of the whole plant. This tree has beautiful, dense, juicy green needles on top and white underneath, and, most importantly, attractive purple cones that appear even on young fir.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana "Fletcheri" is a columnar or cone-shaped cypress variety. The needles of young trees are of a lighter gray-green color. This culture is recommended for rock gardens. It reaches a height of 5 meters or more, which should be taken into account in a timely manner.

Ch. I. "Minima Glauca" - a beautiful dwarf form of a cypress tree with branches resembling shell outlines. This variety reaches a height of about one meter and is distinguished by short matte, bluish-green needles with a waxy coating. At first "Minima Glauca" has a spherical shape, but over the years, changing, acquires the contours of a cone.

Ch. obtusa "Crippsii" is a catchy-looking cypress tree with a slowly growing wide cone-shaped crown and light yellow needles with a shade of gray, which sometimes acquire a golden yellow color. It takes many years before the plant reaches a height of three meters. This is one of the most beautiful crops among the undersized, the so-called. golden conifers.

Ch. O. "Filicoides" is a slow growing cypress variety with a straight and even shape; sometimes there are also asymmetrical specimens, like bushes. The branches of this plant resemble fern leaves, its needles are dark green. Already a young tree looks spectacular, catchy. For a quarter of a century, it reaches 2 m in height.

Ch. O. "Lycopodioides" - a plant of compact size with lush green needles, dense, reminiscent of a lycophone, very decorative branches. It often looks like a pyramid. In height, this cypress tree reaches 1.5-2 m, in diameter - 2 m.

Picea glauca "Alberta Globe" reaches three meters in height. This tree is placed in rock gardens, in groups of shorter conifers, or in the foreground of the forested part of the site

Ch. O. "Nana Gracilis" grows only 80-100 cm in height many years after planting; the plant is remarkable for its fresh green needles and branches like small seashells.

Ch. O. "Pygmaea" is a sprawling spherical and dwarf-sized plant with small branches arranged in a ladder and almost horizontally. Its needles are first reddish brown and later brownish green and glossy. In winter, the needles take on a reddish-bronze tint. The plant slowly grows in size, reaching 1-2 m in height.

Ch. pisifera "Aurea Nana" - also a dwarf and very slowly growing cypress tree with a cone-shaped crown and needles of succulent yellow color... It is suitable for small rock gardens and garden vases. Ch. p. "Boulevard" is one of the new varieties; It is notable for its dense, straight upward pyramidal crown and the juicy color of the needles, shimmering in the color of blue steel. This tree grows slowly. The oldest specimens barely reach 2.5 m in height. The plant is very hardy, it develops well in the unfavorable atmospheric conditions of industrial cities. Its needles, soft to the touch, acquire a beautiful purple hue in winter. In 1934, the Squarrosa variety was bred. However, only in recent years has it become popular among gardeners. "Boulevard" is also suitable for small gardens. Ch. p. "Nana Aureovariegata" is barely one meter high. This variety has short and delicate branches arranged in a ladder and bent downwards, the ends of which seem to be curled. The needles are very small, dull yellow. The plant is also suitable for small rock gardens. Ch.p. Tilifera Nana "features filamentous branches that hang down on all sides, and fresh green needles. It reaches a maximum of one meter. Ch.p." Plumosa Compressa "is one of the smallest conifers intended for rock gardens. it rises only about 30 cm and is beautifully shaped, with light green needles, sometimes bluish.

Yews are very valuable conifers. It is the only tree that can withstand full shade and can serve as a dust barrier. It is easier to cut than other conifers, forming a crown. Pictured - Taxus baccata "Repandens"

Cotoneaster multiflorus is sown both as a single plant and in a group: it is undemanding, grows well in direct sunlight and in partial shade.

Thoughtfully using decorative tree species, you can also small garden to create an impressive composition where architecture and greenery form a single whole.

Cryptomeria japonica is a representative of the hardy Japanese Cryptomeria, growing slowly, with an asymmetric shrub shape and fleshy, bluish-green needles that turn reddish-brown in winter. The plant reaches a height of about one meter and is of interest mainly to those who like to collect various curious cultures. Cryptomeria japonica requires a sheltered site or at least light shelter for the winter.

Juniperus chinensis "Old Gold" is similar to J.ch. "Pfitzeriana Aurea", from which it differs in a more compact crown and a permanent bronze-golden color of the needles, which does not change even in winter. Over the years, the diameter and height of this plant become approximately the same - within one meter.

J. communis "Compressa" is a slow-growing, dwarf-sized variety of common juniper, which grows only 2-5 cm in height per year. It has dense, as if compacted branches and delicate, light bluish-greenish needles. This is a remarkable and rare plant, suitable for small rock gardens, the care of which requires special experience. In harsher conditions and in unprotected places, it needs winter shelter spruce branches. J.c. var. depressa has a flat creeping shape and reaches a height of 50-60 cm. This plant has short and wide needles of green color with a yellowish or brownish tint; in winter they turn bronze. It is a natural, uncultivated juniper native to mountainous areas. North America... It is one of the finest softwood carpets suitable for large areas in sunlit areas. J.c. "Depressa Aurea" is similar to the previous plant, but until the beginning of summer the needles of a juicy golden yellow color remain and only later acquire a light yellow hue. J.c. "Depressa Aureospicata" is especially suitable for planting in rock gardens. Its young needles are light yellow in color. J.c. "Hibernica" is famous and popular with gardeners. It is an evenly growing juniper with bluish-green needles, reaching 4 m in height. J.c. "Hornibrookii" creeping trunk. Over time, this juniper reaches 2 m in width, but its height, even in an adult specimen, is usually no more than 30-50 cm. Dark brown branches with a gloss different lengths usually lie on the ground, only their tips are slightly lifted up. Needles, light green, with silvery-white stripes, dense, acquire a brownish tint in winter. The plant has the ability to cover large rocks of rock gardens or hillsides with a thick carpet.

J. horizontalis "Douglasii" is a beautiful creeping juniper, only 30 cm high, prized for its slow growth. Only a very old plant reaches 2-3 m in crown diameter. His needles are of the color of blue steel, which in the fall takes on a purple hue and a bluish-green waxy coating. This plant is planted in cemeteries.

J. sabina "Cupressifolia" is a low-growing, slow-growing, mainly wide-spread crop with a creeping trunk. It rises in height by about 60 cm. The needles are dark green. It is mainly used for decorating lawns and slopes. Beautiful and tamarisk-leaved variety of creeping juniper with bluish-green needles - J.s. Tamariscifolia ". It is also short (up to 60 cm) and has widely spread branches.

J. squamata "Meyeri" is a slow-growing creeping juniper with upward-curved branch ends and striking, bright bluish-white needles. It reaches a height of 2 m.

J. virginiana "Globosa", or "Nana Compacta", is a low shrub, reaching a meter in height. The plant is distinguished by its spherical shape and dense branching of the crown. Its needles, greenish-gray above and green below, turn pale purple-green in winter. J.v. "Skyrocket", although not one of the undersized (up to 5 m in height), nevertheless deserves attention due to its extremely slender appearance and pillar-like shape. With a height of 2 m, it has a diameter of only 30 cm. Its branches are closely adjacent to each other. The needles are bluish gray. This juniper is especially good among heather thickets and where we would like to break the monotonous monotony of growing conifers and other plants.

Picea abies "Echiniformis" - dwarf spruce with delicate dense branches, light yellow-green needles; it resembles a pillow lying on the ground. A very beautiful variety for a rock garden, for planting near it and among the lawn. It reaches a height of about 60 cm. "Maxwellii" is distinguished by its density, spherical appearance and light green needles. Its height is about a meter. R. a. "Nidiformis" is a cushion-shaped form of a dwarf spruce, with a nest-like depression in the middle. Well suited for a rock garden. Its height is up to 60-100 cm. R. a. "Pumila Glauca" is a mostly wide dwarf plant with a dark green crown. Height within 80 cm.

P. glauca "Conica" is a dwarf spruce with a beautiful conical shape and soft light green needles. It grows slowly, reaches 2 m in height, attractive for its spectacular decorative appearance.

P. omorika "Nana" is a dwarf form of the very famous Serbian spruce, characterized by a conical shape with a wide base, dense branches and a compact overall appearance. This plant often has a crown diameter greater than its height. Over the years, it reaches 1.5-3 m in height. The needles on its branches are arranged in a ray-like manner, due to which their bluish coloration from below is clearly visible.

P. pungens "Glauca Compacta" is a spectacular dwarf form of "silver spruce" 1-1.5 m high with dense branches and beautiful blue needles. Individuals raised from cuttings grow very slowly and are extremely compact in appearance.

P.p. "Glauca Globosa" - a beautiful dwarf form of spruce with juicy blue needles and a spherical crown contour. Adult plant usually no more than one meter in height.

Pinus cembra is a European cedar, one of the most beautiful European pines with a picturesque narrow cone-shaped crown and very dense dark green needles on the front and bluish-white on the back of the needles. Spruce adapts best when planted in good, moderately moist soil. Suitable for use in more severe environmental conditions. Loves to have enough free space around her. The tree reaches a height of 10-20 m, but despite this, it is often planted in large rock gardens.

P. densiflora "Umbraculifera" grows very slowly, it is a low tree most often with a wide, asymmetrical, umbrella-shaped crown and horizontally arranged branches. Its needles are soft, catchy light bluish-green hue. It is a very hardy variety that reaches about 2 m in height in 30 years.

R. tido is a dwarf tree of almost shrub forms with branches, often creeping along the ground. This plant looks best in natural groups in the garden or in large rock gardens. Height - up to 3-4 m. P.m. van pumilio grows in width rather than height, and is one of the favorite conifers used by gardeners in rock gardens. Reaches one meter in height.

P. pumila "Glauca" is a low-growing shrub pine, similar to elfin trees, but a relative of the European cedar. It reaches a height of 1-1.5 m, it is distinguished by bluish-green needles. The tree grows slowly, unassuming in terms of habitat, but loves moist soils. The plant is suitable for rock gardens and for planting on slopes.

P. sfrobus "Nana" is a dwarf form of the famous Weymouth pine, characterized by a dense and wide crown. The plant is up to 1.5-2 m high, with bluish-green, relatively short needles. It is an undemanding and frost-resistant variety that can be planted singly and in small gardens.

Taxus baccata "Compacts" is a slow growing yew culture of compact oval or conical shape with raised branches and dark green needles. Suitable for small rock gardens.

T. cuspidata "Nana" is a dwarf yew tree with a beautiful dense crown shape and juicy dark green needles. Reaches 1 m in height and 3 m in crown diameter.

T. x media "Hicksii" has a narrow, even crown and light green needles. Grows to a height of 1.5-3 m; suitable for planting both in sunny places and in the shade.

Thuja occidentalis "Rheingold" is a slow growing thuja with a spherical crown and golden-orange needles. It reaches a height of about 1.5 m. Tittle Gem "is a dwarf variety with a dense, rather wide rather than high crown and juicy green needles. Thus," Recurva Nana "is distinguished by a dense spherical or conical, with a wide crown and green, and in winter - brown needles. the branches are slightly bent in. The adult plant reaches 2 m in height.

T. orientalis "Aurea Nana" is a slow growing thuja with a spherical crown and yellow-green needles. Suitable for small rock gardens.

Conifers include trees, small plants, and evergreen shrubs. The life expectancy of coniferous representatives is quite impressive, so they have the ability to develop defense mechanisms against external factors. Thus, they help many plants to overcome some diseases and get rid of pests. A characteristic feature of conifers is that they do not shed their foliage or needles during the year. They change it gradually, completely imperceptible to the prying eye. That is why they got the name evergreen.

Characteristic features of conifers

Conifers are especially popular in the design of gardens and landscape designs. Every gardener certainly grows at least one coniferous tree or shrub on his land plot. Without conifers, the garden is simply transformed. And it seems that the design of the garden will be unfinished if there is not a single representative of this genus in it.

They become popular decorations in the garden due to their characteristic merits. When growing, ephedra have some advantages.

Pros of evergreen trees and shrubs:

There are many plants of the coniferous forest, but before planting a coniferous tree on your site for a beginner, you need to carefully study its characteristics.

How to find the right plant

Before you start choosing a suitable coniferous tree or shrub, you need to ask how many species of conifers there are in the region. And which ones are more suitable for the area where they will be grown. In addition, you need to decide for yourself what result should be achieved when planting an ephedra.

What you need to decide on:

• what exactly you need to plant a shrub or tree;
• the plant will grow alone or a composition with an ephedra is planned;
• are the climatic conditions and soil composition suitable for planting ephedra;
• what color the tree should be.

When everything has been decided with these questions, you can start choosing a coniferous representative. Next, you need to think carefully about what kind of ephedra will be grown. Based on the variety, the type and shape of the ephedra is selected.

Genus and species of conifers

The number of coniferous plant species in the world is about 560. They grow in different parts of the earth. Therefore, first you need to find out which species can feel comfortable in certain climatic conditions. To find out, you need to get acquainted with the various conifers, examples, names and species.

Most popular spruce

An elegant coniferous monoecious tree, one of the most beloved of all gardeners and decorators. Tall and slender, she is able to decorate absolutely any design. In total, there are about 50 species of beautiful spruce. Only 8 grow in Russia.

Spruce prefers light, but still remains shade-tolerant plant... Her root system located shallow, in the upper layers of the soil. Therefore, in order not to harm the root system, it is impossible to dig up the earth around the spruce. Feels comfortable in sandy and loamy soils. The following are the most popular spruces in gardens and design projects.

Serbian spruce... A fast-growing tree, it can grow over 40 m. It has a specific color. At the top, the crown of the tree has dark green needles, at the bottom of the crown there are white stripes on the needles. Due to the specific color of the needles, the spruce appears bluish-green.

Brown cones with a purple tint give a special grace and charm to the fabulous plant. Spruce can often be seen in parks along the alley; it also looks good in a single composition. There are dwarf analogues of the Serbian spruce. They grow only up to 2 meters, but in beauty and grace they are not inferior to their stately sister at all.

Siberian spruce... This representative of the species can be found in the Urals, in Eastern and Western Siberia, in Far East... It grows up to 30 meters in height. Has a wide-conical dense crown. Sharpens towards the top. Its cones are brown, ovoid cylindrical in shape. There are several subtypes of Siberian spruce. They differ among themselves in a varied color of needles, which can be either ordinary green, or silver and even golden hue.

European, or common spruce ... The plant can live 300 years, and by this age its height will reach about 50 meters. The crown of the tree is characterized by a pyramidal density. In some cases, the trunk diameter reaches up to 1 meter. For 1 year, the spruce can grow by 50 cm, so it is rightfully called a fast-growing coniferous plant. The cones have the usual oblong cylindrical shape. They ripen in October.

Experienced breeders have bred decorative hybrids of this species of spruce. In landscape design, design of parks and gardens, decorative weeping, small-sized and compact spruces are now very popular.

Pine and its types

There are more than 100 representatives of the pine trees. Pine grows well in forests, worse within the city. It tolerates well both drought and very coldy... Therefore, the plant can often be seen in the northern regions. The pine tree looks great in group plantings and in single, thanks to its dense spreading crown. Prefers stony, sandy, and calcareous soils.

It is striking that with the onset of frost, the needles of the tree are covered with wax, while their stomata are closed. This means that in cold weather the pine simply stops breathing. In this form, she will sleep all winter. You can read about the most popular types of pine in decoration below.

Common pine... In height, it is considered the first tree in the forest. It can reach a height of up to 40 m. The trunk diameter can be equal to 1 meter. Has a gray-green dense needles. On the branch, the needles can be located different ways... It can grow in bunches of 2 needles, it can stick out in different directions, there are concave needles. The needles live for 3 years, after which they turn yellow and fall off. Instead of the fallen ones, new, young needles grow. Cones are brown, 2-3 pieces are located on a branch. Often the bump reaches 6 cm or more in length.

The root system can be different, it depends on where it grows. Sometimes a tree can remain a dwarf altogether if it grows in unfavorable conditions for it. On average, a tree lives for 200 years, but there have been cases in history when a tree could live for 400 years. Pine can grow 50-70 cm in height annually. It is considered a fast growing tree. Fruiting begins at the age of 40.

Mountain pine... Multi-stemmed plant 10-20 meters tall. There are dwarf varieties, only 40-50 cm tall. The diameter of an adult tree can be 3 meters. Ornamental plant with long curved dark green needles. As early as 3 years old, the ripening of the cones begins. Dwarf pine is very good in the design of park areas and on the rocky shores of the reservoir.

Yellow pine... Height up to 10 meters. It grows well in regions with a warm climate. This type of pine almost completely endures the conditions of the city. Juveniles cold winter may freeze a little. Does not tolerate winds, it is necessary to plant it only in groups.

Weymouth Pine... Spectacular pine with blue-green needles. Curved cones give it sophistication. Grows up to 30 meters. She can be called a long-liver. A tree can live for 400 years. Although it can withstand frosts, it does not tolerate winds at all.

The pine genus can look great in any design project. And it doesn't matter if it will be landed alone or in small groups.

Cephalotis trees

Very interesting conifers. Their needles are located on branches opposite each other or in pairs in 2 lines. Plants grow mostly in China, Japan, Korea, on the island of Taiwan. Capitate yews are monoecious, they are capable of self-pollination. They can be dioecious, that is, they can bloom female flowers and male. So far, the genus Cephalotis has not been fully understood.

Cypress trees and shrubs

Representatives of cypress can be in the form of trees and shrubs. Plants grow in warm climatic conditions. In all types of cypress trees, the leaf of a coniferous plant adheres tightly to the branch. The plant is monoecious. It is capable of self-pollination. The male bumps have an oval shape with an attractive sheen. Womens are like a rod with scales. The crown shape is mostly pyramidal. The plant looks very nice in decoration.

All conifers in landscape design are simply irreplaceable. They are able to revive any design at any time of the year.

Sometimes, looking at evergreen conifers, people think: why does a person have such a short life on earth? Intelligent beings who can think, feel and create, on average, live 70-80 years, and ordinary trees - more than a thousand. Perhaps someday the dream of eternal life will come true, and then people will be able to enjoy environment fully. Until this time has come, it is worth getting to know more about different types of conifers in order to decorate your summer cottage with them.

It is these evergreens that harmoniously fit into any landscape design. Their austere and sophisticated forms stand out clearly on the green lawn in summer. And in cold weather, they refresh the country house with rich greenery and a pleasant resinous aroma. Many gardeners grow evergreen beauties on their plots, because their diversity is truly impressive. They are tall and dwarf. They are found in the form of a pyramid or a cone. Therefore, the unforgettable landscape of coniferous trees remains in the hearts of grateful people forever. Let's take a closer look at the most popular types.

Among the huge number of coniferous centenarians, unique specimens are especially impressive: the Old Tikko spruce in Sweden (more than 9 thousand years old), the Methuselah pine in the USA (about 5 thousand). In general, there are up to 20 such trees on the planet.

National favorite - spruce

Probably, there is no person on earth who has not heard about this tree. Many poems and songs have been composed about him, pictures and fairy tales have been written. The plant is associated with various holidays, customs, and sometimes with bad omens... Because of this, the plant suffers from excessive felling, which brings a lot of grief to nature lovers.

Spruce is an evergreen coniferous tree that belongs to the Pine family and can grow to a height of 35 meters. It has a pyramidal or triangular crown, ending with a sharp top. Branches are located along the entire trunk, so it is practically invisible from the side. They grow dark green needles with a glossy shiny coating, which are much shorter than those of pine.

The tree is found almost everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the main component of the Russian taiga, where it grows next to oak, pine, hazel, etc. In nature, there are about 50 types of spruce. Some of them successfully take root on the lawns of country houses. The following types are especially widely used.

Spruce roots are close to the soil surface, so strong hurricane winds can knock it down. Therefore, the tree should not be planted near living quarters.

Akrokona

This type of spruce is characterized by a wide conical crown with hanging branches. It is considered slow growing. For 30 years it grows up to 4 meters in height. Plant diameter about 3 m. Prefers shaded areas. Spruce tolerates cold temperatures well. In the summer heat, it needs watering.

Inversa

The tree has a columnar crown and flowing weeping branches, which, like a train, touch the ground. Grows up to a maximum of 8 meters. The diameter of an adult plant is about 2.5 m.

European Maxwelli

A dwarf shrub in the form of a wide cone. It tolerates winter frosts and shaded places without problems. It grows up to one meter in height. The diameter of an adult shrub is 2 m.

Glauka Globoza

The famous spruce stands out with its blue needles. It grows up to 2 meters in height. Used in many countries to decorate urban and suburban landscapes. Due to the fact that the tree lends itself to shearing, original blue balls are made from it, which delight their fans all year round.

Fir - a tree with purple cones

Evergreen representative of the genus "Pine". It differs from its close relatives in the features of the needles:

• softness;
• shine;
• flat shape.

White stripes are visible on the underside of each needle, which gives the plant festive look... The fir tree is decorated with purple cones, which is its main highlight. It grows slowly over 10 years, after which growth accelerates. Lives about 400 years. Breeders brought decorative varieties, which are used to decorate urban and suburban areas.

Since the needles of a tree have healing properties, to grow a fir in a summer cottage - great idea... It helps in the fight against colds, sciatica and wound healing.

Columnaris

The tree has a straight trunk and a narrow crown resembling a column. Grows up to 10 meters. The dense branches point upwards, giving the tree a majestic character.

Prostrata

This fir is famous for its long branches outstretched above the ground, which can reach 2.5 meters in length.

Argenta

The variety is characterized by original silvery needles, the tips of which are painted in a whitish color. Every spring, shoots of a yellow color of a luminescent nature emerge from its buds. This unusual combination creates a stunning view of the country house site. And it lasts almost a whole month.

Nana

A dwarf tree that grows only up to 50 cm. The diameter of an adult plant is 1 m. The crown is rounded, slightly flattened. It takes root wonderfully in small areas.

Majestic cedar

Since time immemorial, these trees have been considered a symbol of greatness. In their natural environment, they grow at an altitude of 3 km above sea level and resemble real giants. They grow up to 50 meters. They live for more than two centuries.

Despite its greatness, it is a unique tree, as it can decorate any garden landscape. Placing it at the front door creates an atmosphere of some kind of celebration. On spacious lawns - home comfort.

Some dwarf varieties are used to grow bonsai plants. To create original landscapes, species are widely used that differ:

• the color of the needles;
• the length of the needles;
• the size of the tree.

When choosing a suitable species, it is advisable to first get acquainted with the plant. For home cultivation, the following varieties are used:

Mysterious larch

Many people think that if a tree is called larch, then it is not a coniferous species. In fact, this is not the case. The plant is a representative of the Pine family, but unlike its relatives, it loses its needles in the fall.

Larch grows up to 50 m in height. In this case, the trunk reaches 1 m in diameter. The branches grow in a chaotic manner, with a barely noticeable slope. The result is a cone-shaped crown. The needles are noticeably flattened, soft to the touch, bright green in color. In the natural environment, there are 14 different varieties... For garden design, the following types are used:

This variety allows you to create magnificent landscapes on the territory of summer cottages.

Dignified pine

Biologists count over a hundred different varieties of such an evergreen. Moreover, a distinctive feature is the number of needles on one bundle. The pine tree often grows up to a height of 50 meters. The straight trunk is covered with reddish-brown cracking bark. Long needles located on the spreading branches of a tree and have a rich aroma. Pine lives for about 600 years and perfectly tolerates cold weather and summer heat.

Planting a pine tree should be done quickly, as its roots can dry out in a quarter of an hour. Such a plant does not take root in a new territory.

For garden decoration, breeders have created original miniature species:

Without a doubt, such evergreen living decorations are suitable for creating landscape rock gardens or mixborders. In any case, a pine tree can become the hallmark of a summer cottage.

Her majesty - thuja

An evergreen tree of this type is almost always used to decorate city parks and green areas. Recently, this plant has been widely used for decoration household territories... It is prized by gardeners for its ability to withstand severe winter frosts, drought and high humidity.

The thuja tree is distinguished by lush branches, on which are scaly leaves of a dark green color. Each year, the plant is covered with miniature bumps that resemble scattered beads on green cloth. In addition to traditional forms, thuja are:

• dwarf;
• weeping;
• creeping.

Most often, for the design of the personal plot, seedlings called "Occidentalis" are used. The tree can grow up to 7 m in height, and create a crown of about 2 m. Another type - "Sloth of Gold" - has a golden shade of needles. It takes root well in shady areas of the garden.

Medium-sized variety - "Columna" amazes with its dark green needles with a glossy sheen. It does not disappear even in winter, for which it is highly valued by lovers of green spaces. "Columna"

Compact type of thuja tree - "Holmstrup" has a conical shape, despite its height - 3 m. It tolerates cold winters wonderfully, lends itself to pruning and is used as a hedge. Another giant - "Smaragd" - grows up to about 4 m. The diameter of an adult tree is up to 1.5 m. The needles are juicy, dark green in color with a shiny sheen. Such a beauty will surely decorate the countryside landscape of connoisseurs of greenery.

Having become better acquainted with the majestic conifers, it is easy to pick up suitable option... Let it go suburban area will turn into a green oasis of joy, where hardy conifers grow.

Conifers in landscape design - video