How many types of conifers? Which coniferous species to choose. Passing the remaining levels
Sometimes, looking at evergreen coniferous trees, people wonder: why does a person have such a short life on earth? Intelligent creatures that can think, feel and create live on average 70-80 years, and ordinary trees live more than a thousand. Perhaps someday the dream of eternal life will come true, and then people will be able to enjoy the environment to the fullest. Until this time comes, it’s worth getting to know different types of coniferous trees better in order to decorate your summer cottage with them.
It is these evergreens that fit harmoniously into any landscape design. Their strict and sophisticated forms stand out clearly on the green lawn in summer. And in cold weather, they refresh a 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 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 long-lived conifers The 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 years old). In total, there are up to 20 such trees on the planet.
The people's favorite - spruce
There is probably not a person on earth who has not heard about this tree. Many poems and songs have been written about him, paintings 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 cutting, 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 shape, ending with a sharp tip. The 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 and. There are about 50 species of spruce in nature. Some of them successfully take root on lawns country houses. The following types are especially widely used.
The spruce roots are close to the soil surface, so a strong hurricane wind can knock it down. Therefore, the tree should not be planted near residential premises.
Akrokona
This type of spruce is characterized by a wide conical crown with hanging branches. Considered to be slow growing. In 30 years it grows up to 4 meters in height. The diameter of the plant is about 3 m. It prefers shaded places. Spruce tolerates cold temperatures well. IN summer heat needs watering.
Inverse
The tree has a columnar crown and cascading weeping branches that, 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 Maxwelly
Dwarf shrub in the form of a wide cone. It tolerates winter frosts and shaded areas without problems. Grows up to a meter in height. The diameter of an adult bush is 2 m.
Glauka Globoza
The famous spruce stands out with its blue needles. Grows in height up to 2 meters. Used in many countries to decorate landscapes of urban and suburban areas. Due to the fact that the tree can be trimmed, original blue balls are made from it, which delight their fans all year round.
Fir - a tree with purple cones
An evergreen representative of the Pine genus. It differs from its close relatives in the characteristics of its needles:
- softness;
- shine;
- flat shape.
White stripes are visible on the underside of each needle, which gives the plant a festive look. The fir tree is decorated with purple cones, which is its main highlight. It grows slowly for 10 years, after which growth accelerates. Lives about 400 years. Breeders have developed decorative varieties that are used to decorate urban and suburban areas.
Since the needles of the tree have healing properties, growing fir in your summer cottage is great idea. It helps in the fight against colds, radiculitis and wound healing.
Columnaris
The tree has a straight trunk and a narrow crown, reminiscent of a column. Grows up to 10 meters. The dense branches point upward, giving the tree a majestic character.
Prostrata
This fir is famous for its long branches spread above the ground, which can reach 2.5 meters in length.
Argenta
The variety is characterized by original silver needles, the tips of which are painted whitish. Every spring, shoots of a luminescent yellow color emerge from its buds. This unusual combination creates a stunning view on the site of a country house. 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, this is a unique tree because it can decorate any garden landscape. If you plant it at the front entrance, an atmosphere of some kind of celebration is created. The spacious lawns provide the comfort of home.
Some dwarf varieties are used for growing bonsai plants. To create original landscapes, species that vary are widely used:
- needle color;
- length of needles;
- tree size.
When choosing a suitable species, it is advisable to first become acquainted with the plant. For home grown The following varieties are used:
Mysterious larch
Many people think that if a tree is called larch, it means it is not a conifer. Actually this is not true. 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. As a result, a cone-shaped crown is formed. The needles are noticeably flattened, soft to the touch, and bright green in color. In the natural environment there are 14 different varieties. The following types are used for garden design:
This diversity allows you to create magnificent landscapes on the territory of summer cottages.
Majestic pine
Biologists count more than a hundred different varieties of this evergreen plant. Moreover, the distinctive feature is the number of needles on one bunch. The pine tree often grows to a height of 50 meters. The straight trunk is covered with reddish-brown, cracking bark. Long needles are located on the spreading branches of the tree and have a rich aroma. Pine lives for about 600 years and tolerates cold and summer heat well.
Planting a pine tree should be done quickly, since 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 created original miniature species:
Without a doubt, such evergreen living decorations are suitable for creating landscape rock gardens or mixborders. In any case, pine can become the calling card of a summer cottage.
Her Majesty - Thuja
An evergreen tree of this type is almost always used to decorate city parks and green areas. IN Lately This plant is widely used to decorate home gardens. It is valued by gardeners for its ability to withstand severe winter frosts, drought and high humidity.
The thuja tree is distinguished by lush branches on which scaly leaves of a dark green color are located. Every year the plant is covered with miniature cones that resemble scattered beads on green fabric. In addition to traditional forms, thujas come in:
- dwarf;
- weeping;
- creeping.
Most often, seedlings called “Occidentalis” are used for garden plot design. The tree can grow up to 7 m in height, and create a crown of about 2 m. Another species - “Cloth of Gold” - has a golden hue of needles. It takes root well in shady areas of the garden.
A medium-sized variety - "Columna" amazes with its needles of dark green coloring with a glossy tint. It does not disappear even in winter, for which it is highly valued by lovers of green spaces. "Columna"
The compact appearance of the thuja tree - "Holmstrup" has a conical shape, despite its height - 3 m. It tolerates cold winters wonderfully, can be pruned and is used as a hedge. Another giant – “Smaragd” – grows to approximately 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 tint. Such a beauty will certainly decorate the garden landscape of greenery lovers.
Having become more familiar with the majestic coniferous trees, it is easy to choose the appropriate option. Let it go suburban area will turn into a green oasis of joy, where persistent coniferous trees grow.
Conifers in landscape design - video
In most cases, coniferous trees can be easily identified by their leaves (needles).
Photo 1. Cedar pine or Siberian cedar. Needles.
Let's start with the simplest option, but at the same time, as practice shows, the least known for the average person living in the Urals.
Quite remarkable needles, aren't they? Can you guess what kind of tree it is? This is a cedar pine. The second name of this tree is “Siberian cedar”, although the tree belongs to the genus pine. The needles of the cedar pine are noticeably longer than the needles of the Scots pine, which is why the tree looks very fluffy.
On average, the length of the needles is 7-8 cm, but can reach 12-13 centimeters, color dark green. In Yekaterinburg this plant can be seen in Botanical Garden on 8 March Street, near the bridge over the Iset on Malysheva Street, etc. Natural habitat: Siberia, Ural, Altai; practically never found in forests around Yekaterinburg.
(See also cedar pine in the catalog)
Photo 2. Scots pine. Needles.
Pine is the most common coniferous tree in the Urals; in most cases, no one has problems identifying it. Pine needles are steamed (2 needles each), 4-7 cm in length, dark green colors.
Photo 3. Blue spruce. Needles.
One of the most popular coniferous trees used for landscaping cities in Russia.
Of course it's blue spruce. The needles of this spruce are very hard and prickly, they stand out for their dove-blue In color, as a rule, unlike spruce trees, the trees are fluffier - the needles are located almost perpendicular to the shoot and are 2-3 centimeters long. The needles are evenly distributed around the branch.
Photo 4. Norway spruce. Needles.
A keen eye will immediately notice differences in the shade of the needles, and if you put two spruce trees (blue and common) next to each other, the differences will become obvious to anyone. Unlike the blue spruce, which was brought (introduced) from Canada, the common spruce is well known to us since childhood; many people dress it up for decorations. New Year, and the generation of boys of the seventies and eighties of the 20th century remembers these trees as excellent sticks for playing hockey with a ball, when the tip of the tree bent and a rope net was stretched, forming a feather. Norway spruce needles green or dark green, its rigidity and prickliness to the touch is somewhat less than that of blue spruce, largely due to the fact that the needles are less fluffy and lie closer to the branch. The length of the needles is relatively small, on average 1.5-2 cm. In mature trees, shoots with needles, branching from slightly curved central stem branches, are usually directed downwards. The appearance of a mature tree resembles a candelabra with a crystal pendant. Based on these characteristics, it is not difficult to distinguish Norway spruce from other conifers. Spruce can often be found in forests; it is the second most common coniferous tree in the Urals (more often only pine trees can be found)
Photo 5. Larch. Needles.
What is the name of a coniferous tree that sheds its leaves for the winter? Of course it's larch. But you don’t have to wait until winter to separate this conifer from others. Larch needles are very delicate and soft.
The color is lighter ( light green) shade than other conifers.
Photo 6. Fir. Needles.
And finally, one of the most beautiful coniferous trees is fir.
Fir needles are soft compared to spruce and pine trees; in cross-section, as a rule, they have a narrow elliptical or flat shape, unlike spruce and pine trees, whose needles have a diamond-shaped cross-section. The tips of the needles, in most cases, are either blunt or forked, and on the underside of the needles a pair of light stripes can be distinguished.
Coniferous trees
Correct answers to the game Guess the words. Level 6-35
1) The most popular home tree (3 letters):
2) Genus of woody and shrubby plants of the Sapindaceae family (4 letters):
3) Confectionery (8 letters):
PRETKEL
4) Tool for drilling holes (5 letters):
5) Part of the week (4 letters):
6) Coniferous tree with large needles (4 letters):
7) Lateral tilt (4 letters):
8) Tool for marking holes (4 letters):
9) Upper layer soils (4 letters):
10) Engine of progress (4 letters):
11) French distance unit (3 letters):
12) Tasteless, but an important component of many cocktails (3 letters):
Passing the remaining levels
Coniferous trees will perfectly decorate any garden. What do you need to know when growing them?
When choosing pine trees, you need to understand that you need to skillfully combine them with other trees in the garden. In addition, you need to consider the conditions in which certain species of coniferous trees can grow.
Conifers can make excellent compositions, for example, with heather or other plants.
In general, everyone can choose compositions to their taste or invite landscape designer. You can plant several types of coniferous trees in the garden - pine, thuja, spruce, juniper, but first study the information on the topic of growing conifers. You can select suitable seedlings here, on the page “Spruce, pines, thujas and other coniferous plants: www.sankt-peterburg.xn--80ajgpcpbhkds4a4g.xn--p1ai/Cvety-i-dekorativnye-rasteniya/Eli-sosny-tui-i -dr.-hvoinye-rasteniya/
Before you start planting, you should carefully examine the area:
how it is lit, what is the composition of the soil on it, is it sufficiently permeable to moisture. If necessary, the soil can be acidified. But you won’t be able to influence the lighting level. It is important to take this into account in advance when choosing a site for a particular tree. When choosing, you must also take into account what size the crown of the tree will be when it grows, what its shape will be.
At what distance can coniferous trees be planted?
So that they do not interfere with each other, they can be planted in groups, and planted next to them perennials. This is how you can achieve good things decorative effect. But at the same time, groups of plants must look externally as a single composition. These should not be just scattered plants planted.
Name and description of coniferous trees and shrubs
Conifers continue to grow throughout their lives. With age, their crown increases in size. This must be taken into account when choosing a place for nearby plants. The space between coniferous and herbaceous trees is filled with bark or wood chips. If you want to plant several different coniferous trees nearby, it is first recommended to carefully study how compatible they are with each other.
Coniferous plants - their classes and types
Home > Taiga articles > Taiga forests. Taiga plants
Taiga forests, taiga plants
Boreal taiga forests are the largest ecosystem in northern Eurasia, North America and Scandinavia.
Taiga plants are represented mainly by conifers, mosses, lichens and small shrubs, but taiga is different. There are several types of boreal taiga forest, in which certain plants predominate. Taiga forests are divided into light-coniferous taiga, dominated by pine and larch, and dark-coniferous taiga, dominated by spruce, Siberian cedar, and fir. The taiga soil is soddy-podzolic and acidic.
Let's look at the main plants of the taiga, which in some way can be useful to a traveler, hermit or commercial hunter.
First, let's look at the habitat of these plants:
We see that coniferous forests spread across almost the entire north of the land. On my own behalf, I would like to add that taiga also covers the mountain ranges of the European Alps, the Carpathians, and the Rocky Mountains of North America, which is not shown in the diagram.
Coniferous trees of taiga forests
Siberian spruce
The most important representative of the taiga. The basis of the dark coniferous taiga, which has become its symbol. Most often, spruce grows in mixed forests, but is often the main forest former. Spruce wood is used in logging and is suitable for construction, although a little worse than pine wood. A spruce cone appears at the age of 15 to 50 years, depending on the place of growth. The interval between harvests is 3-5 years. Needles and cones are rich in vitamin C and other beneficial substances, and they also contain a lot of essential oils.
What do the branches and cones of coniferous plants (spruce, pine, cedar, fir) look like?
The needles secrete phytoncides that play an antibacterial role.
Scots pine
Pine forest
Scots pine, along with spruce, is widespread in Russia. The basis of the light-coniferous taiga. Pine wood is widely used in construction; due to its high resin content, it is one of the best natural building materials in the taiga zone. The resin has a very pleasant smell and is used for distilling tar, turpentine, and rosin. Previously, resins were widely used in shipbuilding and other construction projects that required the preservative properties of pine. The needles contain vitamin C and other beneficial substances.
Fir
I call fir the most affectionate tree of the dark coniferous taiga due to the fact that its needles are very soft and do not prick at all. Fir paws are good to use for bedding if you spend the night in the forest without a tent or foam mat. I also prefer to drink tea with brewed needles. The tea turns out aromatic, although without vitamins, since vitamins are destroyed when heated. Fir wood is little used and is poorly suited for construction.
Fir is more of a medicinal tree than a building material. Fir resin can be used to cover wounds: it has an antiseptic effect and promotes their rapid healing. Fir oil is widely used in cosmetics.
Siberian cedar
I already have an article about Siberian cedar. Let me just say that this is the most noble tree of the dark coniferous taiga. Pine nuts are highly valued due to their rich composition of nutrients. The presence of pine trees in the taiga indicates the presence of fur in it, which is another important factor. Cedar wood is used in construction and carpentry. It has a reddish tint and a pleasant smell. The wood is less resinous than pine wood. Cedar lives up to 800 years. The growing season is 40-45 days a year. The cones ripen within 14-15 months. Each cone contains from 30 to 150 nuts. Cedar begins to bear fruit on average after 60 years, sometimes later.
Larch
Larch forest, Yakutia
Larch is the hardiest tree in the taiga zone. It grows in mixed forests, but most often, due to its resistance to frost, larch forms a monoforest - larch. Larch can withstand frosts of -70°C, and even more. The needles are annual, not at all prickly, soft. Larch loves light areas of the area, so in dark coniferous forests it is very difficult to meet her. As a rule, these will be solitary trees or monoleaf forests. Larch wood is very dense due to the short growing season. She has many rings. A thin tree can be very old. Very well suited for construction, it is a desirable material for making the first crowns of taiga winter huts. Wood is not afraid of moisture and rots very slowly. Contains a lot of resin.
Deciduous taiga trees and shrubs
Birch
The most popular representative of deciduous trees in the taiga forest. Distributed everywhere. Present in almost all mixed forests of northern latitude. Almost all parts of this tree are widely used. Wood is used for construction, crafts, carpentry work. Tar is extracted from the bark, various items are made, and it burns well. In the spring, birch sap, rich in vitamins and sugars, is extracted from living birch trees. Buds and leaves are used in medicine.
Aspen
Another representative of deciduous species in the taiga. Aspen is a relative of poplar; their bark can even be confused. Used for landscaping settlements as a fast-growing tree. The bark is used for tanning leather. It is used to produce yellow and green paint. Bees collect pollen from aspen flowers in April, and glue from the blossoming buds, which is processed into propolis. It is used in the construction of houses, used as roofing material (in Russian wooden architecture, church domes were covered with aspen planks), in the production of plywood, cellulose, matches, containers and other things. Young growth is winter food for moose, deer, hares and other mammals. Is medicinal plant. Aspen has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, choleretic and anthelmintic effects. The combination of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in aspen bark makes it promising in the complex treatment of tuberculosis, smallpox, malaria, syphilis, dysentery, pneumonia, coughs of various origins, rheumatism and inflammation of the bladder mucosa.
An aqueous extract of aspen bark is used to treat opisthorchiasis.
Green alder
From the Berezov family. In the north it is a small shrub, in the south it is a tree about 6 m in height. Distributed in the taiga zone, less common than birch and aspen. Grows on wet soils. Bark and leaves provide dye for animal skins. Practically not used in everyday life. It is food for moose and serves as a refuge for game animals.
Linden
In the taiga forest, this guest is quite rare; it grows mainly in the south, in the central part of Russia, and in some places in Western Siberia and in the Amur taiga. Wood is widely used in carpentry and joinery; it lends itself well to processing due to its softness. Medicines are made from some parts of the linden tree, and it is also an excellent honey plant. Basts, bast shoes, and mats are made from the bark of the tree (bast).
Rowan
Widely distributed throughout Europe, Asia and North America. It grows everywhere in the taiga. The use of rowan is small. The berries are eaten, rowan is a honey plant, and carpentry is made from the wood. The berries are used in folk medicine as an antiscorbutic, hemostatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, choleretic, laxative and as a remedy for headaches. Fresh rowan fruits have a bitter taste, but the first frosts lead to the destruction of the bitter glycoside sorbic acid - and the bitterness disappears. The fruits of the most famous variety of rowan (nevezhinskaya), containing up to 9% sugar, have a sweet taste even before frost.
Juniper
A small shrub that grows everywhere in the taiga. It also grows in the mountains of Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan. The fruits are cones and contain sugars, organic acids and microelements. Juniper is widely used in folk medicine due to its high content of phytoncides.
Used in the treatment of various diseases such as tuberculosis, kidney disease, bronchitis, etc.
Cedar elfin wood
It grows in relatively mountainous areas, on the border of taiga and tundra. It grows on stones, very slowly, and lives up to 250 years. The resin of dwarf cedar is rich in various substances. Turpentine is obtained from resin, which is an antiseptic, diuretic, causing skin hyperemia, and anthelmintic. Used to treat kidneys and bladder. Nuts are rich in useful substances and are in no way inferior to their older brother - Siberian cedar. Previously, pine needles were used as an antiscorbutic remedy; it also contains more carotene than carrots.
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Some of the most common representatives of the plant kingdom are conifers. They grow almost throughout the entire landmass, but mainly in the temperate climate zone. Coniferous plants are widely used by humans and are very important for their life. In addition to the fact that they are the main supplier of oxygen on Earth, pine needles are used in cosmetology and medicine, wood is used for making furniture and building houses, and decorative types used in gardening and park art. All representatives of this class are very different from the rest, as they have a number of features.
Characteristics of conifers
This class includes about 600 species. Some of them are widespread, while others are quite rare. These plants were named so because the leaves of almost all of them are modified into needles called needles. And in botany they are classified as gymnosperms. All of them are characterized by the fact that the seeds develop in their cones. What else is class? coniferous plants different from the rest?
- These are the most ancient representatives of the plant kingdom. Their remains are found in layers belonging to Carboniferous period. Moreover, they were then widespread even beyond the Arctic Circle.
- Almost all modern conifers are trees. And their structure is also different from all the others. They have one trunk with shoots extending from it in different directions.
- Many representatives of coniferous plants are long-lived. Now there is a North American pine, which is almost five thousand years old, and the mammoth tree lives about 3,000 years.
- In terms of size, coniferous plants are also record holders. The tallest tree in the world is the sequoia. Its height can reach more than 110 meters. The thickness of the trunk of conifers is also striking in its size: in the Mexican swamp cypress and mammoth tree it reaches 12-16 meters.
- The peculiarity of all conifers also includes the presence of resin in their wood. It is thick, has a strong smell and healing properties.
- All representatives of conifers are used by humans in one way or another and are among the most necessary plants on the ground.
Appearance
This class mainly includes trees, but there are also tree-like shrubs. Almost all conifers are evergreen, only some less common species lose their leaves. It is quite easy to distinguish representatives of this class from the rest by the special structure of the leaves. Almost all of them are changed into needles - needle-shaped shoots or flat scales. They have a small surface area and evaporate little water. This makes it possible for such plants not to shed their leaves in winter. In addition, the peculiarities of the geographical distribution of conifers explain other characteristics of their leaves. They are located on the branches in a spiral and have a dark green color. This gives them the ability to catch scattered sunlight, because conifers grow mainly in northern and temperate latitudes. Almost all such plants have a dense woody trunk, but thin bark. They have a powerful taproot with lateral branches. This is necessary so that the plant can get water from great depths and stay in mountainous and sandy areas.
Distribution of conifers
They mainly grow in temperate climates. Sufficient soil moisture is necessary for their life. Therefore, coniferous forests are common in northern and temperate latitudes. Some of their representatives are found even close to the permafrost boundary. Their further advance to the north is hampered by the inability to obtain water in such conditions. In warm latitudes, they are found only in the mountains, where it is not very hot.
Basically, all coniferous plants are concentrated near the Pacific Ocean, where conditions are most favorable for them. Most of them are distributed in the northern hemisphere, but they are also found in Australia, New Zealand and South America. We can say that in every corner Globe there are coniferous plants.
Names of the most common genera
- Pine.
- Cedar.
- Fir.
- Larch.
- Sequoia.
- Cypress.
- Juniper.
Coniferous plants for the garden
Many gardeners use them in the design of their plots. Even an ordinary spruce or pine brought from the forest can decorate a garden. But decorative species grown in a nursery take root better. The richness and variety of shades and sizes of coniferous plants allows you to decorate any area. Even for a small flower bed there are dwarf species, and tall trees add to the garden, especially in large area, unusual appearance and splendor. The most common coniferous plants for the garden are spruce and pine. They can be used as hedges and borders. Pine tolerates pruning well and can be given any shape. Medium-sized plants - thuja globulus, juniper and cypress - are also in great demand, as they look beautiful in any area. Flowerbeds can be decorated with creeping varieties of juniper and other dwarf species.
Deciduous and coniferous trees are always appropriate when decorating your summer cottage. In summer they go well with flowers and lawns, leaving them in the shade, and in winter they save the garden from dullness with their bright colors. They give clean air and aroma due to the content of essential oils. Modern gardeners no longer see their garden without green plants. There is a huge range of coniferous plant species, so there is plenty to choose from.
Evergreen spruce
Coniferous trees called “spruce” look very effective in the garden, both singly and in frequent plantings. Some gardeners use them to build living fences. Spruce nowadays is no longer just a huge crop with dry branches at the bottom and a narrow crown at the top, as we are used to seeing it. The number of thorny trees is regularly replenished different varieties. In summer cottages spruce trees are most in demand, For example:
- Acrocona. Reaches 3 m high and 4 m wide at maturity;
- Inversa. Barely this variety is up to 2 meters wide and up to 7 meters high;
- Maxwellii. A small tree with a width and height not exceeding 2 meters;
- Nidiformus. A compact tree about 1.5 m wide and high;
- Glauca. Blue spruce.
Fir from the Pine family
The dark green fir needles are very soft. Young animals grow for quite a long time, but at the age of 10 years, development accelerates much more. Fir is a very popular tree, but many cannot answer whether it is a coniferous or deciduous tree. Among gardeners 
The following types of fir are in particular demand:
- Columnar fir;
- Prostrale;
- Nana. The fir reaches half a meter in height and a meter in width, with a flattened crown;
- Argenta. Silvery needles with a white tip;
- Glauca. Blue fir, needles have a waxy coating;
- Veriegata. There are yellow spots on the needles.
Juniper from the Cypress family
Juniper in the list of coniferous plants is famous for its bactericidal and medicinal properties; some varieties have fruits in the form of berries. The plant appeared in the world about 50 million years ago. There are about 80 varieties.
Among the variety of junipers there are both 20 cm dwarfs and 40 meter giants. Each such plant has its own characteristics not only regarding the shape of the crown, but also in the rules for care. The most common varieties found in summer cottages are:
- Gold Cone. About 4 m high, a meter wide, the branches form a narrow conical shape;
- Hibernika. It reaches a height of about 4 m, the crown is a meter in diameter, columnar and very narrow, has blue inedible berries;
- Green Carpet. Dwarf tree up to 50 cm high, one and a half meters in volume;
- Suecica. It reaches a height of up to 3.5 m, a width of up to a meter, and a columnar crown.
Junipers are better plant at a distance from fruit trees, because they are carriers of rust. For the sake of prevention, other crops are separated by tall plants. Areas of branches affected by the disease are either pruned or treated with various fungicides.
Cedar trees
Cedars are most often found in English manor parks and are a large southern tree. by them decorate the front entrance or a large lawn in front of the estate. These trees create an atmosphere of home comfort.
Cedars in their natural form are bulky and tower on mountains. Such species grow up to 60 m in height. No one can say exactly how many types of cedar there are.
Some scientists are convinced that all individuals are the same and recognize only the Livonian breed, others also distinguish Atlas, Himalayan and short-coniferous varieties. The Catalog of Life, which includes all species of plants and animals, describes all varieties except the short-coniferous one.
Cedar has many design varieties that differ in color and size:
- Glauca. Tree with blue needles;
- Brevaramulosa. Cedar has long and sparse branches;
- Strict. The tree has dense short branches;
- Pendula. Branches falling down;
- Tortuosa. The difference is the twisting branches;
- Nana and Nana Pyramidata. Dwarf trees, the latter variety is distinguished by upward-sloping branches.
Low growing cypress
The evergreen plant resembles a cypress in appearance and grows up to 80 meters in height. Scientists are trying to develop new varieties to please summer residents.
In landscape design, low varieties are often used to create fences, medium-sized trees are planted singly, and dwarf trees are planted in mixborders or rock gardens. Cypress has very soft and fluffy needles. The needles are not prickly at all, they are pleasant to touch.
The most popular are dwarf trees below 4 meters in height. Among them are:
- Ericoides. Mop-shaped cypress tree up to 2 m high;
- Nana Gracilis. Round crown, the tree grows up to half a meter;
- Ellwoodii. Pyramidal crown, trunk grows up to 2 meters;
- Minima Aurea. Dwarf plant, with a pyramidal rounded crown;
- Compacta. Small compact tree with dense branches.
Dwarf varieties of cypress do not winter well. They don't freeze under the snow, but they can dry out. Be sure to monitor the density of the snow cover.
Cypress varieties
Cypress in the wild appears to be an evergreen crop with a crown in the shape of a pyramid or cone, the trunk has a very thick bark, and the foliage is pressed against the branches. There are about 30 varieties of cypress trees, about eight of which are highly popular in landscape design. Each variety has its own care conditions and growing rules. The most common varieties:
- Benthamii. Graceful cap and bluish needles;
- Lindleyi. It has large cones and bright green needles;
- ristis. Branches growing downwards, crown in the form of a column;
- Aschersoniana. Low-growing appearance;
- Сompacta. Shrub with bluish needles;
- Сonica. The crown is like a skittle, bluish with a haze of needles that does not tolerate frost;
- Fastigiata. Bluish needles on a stocky tree;
- Glauca. The hat is like a column, the silver color of the needles.
Slender tree - larch
Larch, judging by its name, like linden, is often classified as a deciduous plant. But it belongs to conifers, namely the pine family. This is a fairly tall tree and sheds its needles.
In good growing conditions, the tree can grow to a height of about 55 m and a diameter of up to a meter.
The bark is very thick, covered with grooves of a brownish tint. The branches grow chaotically upward, forming a cone-shaped cap. The needles are very soft, green, and as long as spruce. There are 15 types of wood. Among them are especially popular:
- Weeping;
- Corley. Cushion tree;
- Kornik. Globular larch;
- Blue Dwar. low growing tree with blue needles;
- Diana. Grows up to two meters, spherical crown, branches in the form of spirals, green needles with haze;
- Stiff Weeper. Elongated sprouts spread along the soil, needles with a bluish tint;
- Wolterdinger. The tree has a thick, dome-shaped cap, and its development is very slow.
mountain pine
There are approximately 120 species of pine trees known in the world. Pines differ from other conifers by their fragrant needles, which are located in bunches on the branches. The types of pine trees are determined depending on the number of needles.
The tree's roots dry out in air in about 20 minutes. It is better to plant them at the beginning of autumn or spring.
Scientists have bred many miniature trees for the garden. Huge varieties can be found in forests and park areas. And in summer cottages, low-growing species of pine trees look impressive. Green bushes can be planted in rock gardens and mixborders. The most popular varieties of mountain pine are:
- Gnome pine, which grows up to 2 meters in height and crown diameter;
- Columnaris. The bush grows three meters in height and width, it has dense and rather long needles;
- Mops. Due to the branches, the shape of a ball is formed near the crown;
- Mini Mops. Cushion-shaped bush;
- Globosa Viridis. The bush has the shape of an egg, the needles are up to 10 cm long.
Decorative thuja
Small coniferous plants found in many public gardens and parks. Plants are cultivated for decoration. Gardeners note the trees’ resistance to dry weather, frosty periods and rot.
Thuja has thick roots, tall branches that form pyramidal or columnar shapes, dark leaves and small cones that ripen very quickly. Breeders have developed creeping, dwarf and weeping species. Of these, the leader is western thuja(occidentalis), which grow very quickly, reach a height of approximately 8 m and a diameter of about 2 meters. The shrub is evergreen; only the Cloth of Gold variety has orange needles and copper branches in winter. Such specimens are best grown in the shade with neutral soil.
In Europe, thuja appeared and became popular thanks to the French king Francis the First. He loved unique plants and constantly planted them in his garden. He called the thuja the tree of life and planted large areas around his estate with it. Two hundred years later, the plant was cultivated in eastern Europe. In the wild, thuja can grow up to 40 m, so gardeners were sad when growing a tree from seeds and getting huge individuals.
The medium-growing Columna variety creates a dense, narrow crown. It can be seen from afar by its dark green shiny needles, which do not change throughout the seasons. The tree is frost-resistant and does not require maintenance.
The Holmstrup variety is ideal for small gardens: it is small, with a lush conical crown and a rich green color. The variety is resistant to frost and tolerates pruning of branches well. In young specimens they form into a narrow cone, but with age they straighten out. The needles are green and glossy. When caring, you will need constantly moist soil.
Cryptomeria - the national tree of Japan
It is found on mountain slopes, in wild forest areas and in park alleys. Cryptomeria belongs to the conifers, it can grow up to 60 m, and the trunk reaches 2 meters in girth.
The needles have a dark or light shade, the branches create a lush, thick head. The needles are sometimes colored red or yellow. In appearance they are shaped like an awl, but they do not prick when touched. They have small brownish bumps. Cryptomeria belongs to the cypress family; there are no varieties of it. The tree’s connections with the east are explained by its different name.
People call the tree “Japanese cedar” among themselves, although there are no general properties they have nothing to do with each other. The tree is royal in nature, very majestic, so it is difficult to imagine it as a shrub grown in a summer cottage or in an apartment space. But scientists who are creating new varieties have taken care of this. Now there are many dwarf forms of Cryptomeria that do not grow above two meters.
When choosing evergreen decorations for your summer cottage, you need to know the types existing trees, understand their rate of development and required care. After all, instead of decorating your garden plot, you may end up with an unnecessary huge tree that will shade all the plants in the circle.
When choosing types and varieties of coniferous species, one must take into account how they will look, what size they will reach at maturity, not forgetting, of course, about growth rates, color, and habitat requirements. It is important to compare all these characteristics with specific conditions, including the size of the garden area. This is the only way we will be able to create compositions of coniferous plants that are interesting in color, contour and spatial terms.
For the most part, coniferous trees 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 are distinguished by their great adaptability, which develop well in partial shade and even full shade. Young growth of fir, pseudo-hemlock, spruce, hemlock, cryptomeria, thyssolist or Douglas fir, and from pine - Pinus flexilis, P. koraiensis and P. reiss, tolerate shading. For cypress trees, the optimal conditions are partial shade or a place not on the sunny side. Thujas adapt relatively well. The remaining species of coniferous plants grown here prefer a place in the sun, and junipers do not tolerate shading very well.
As for soil conditions, the requirements for them among coniferous species are very different. The most unpretentious in this regard are larch, juniper, pine (with the exception of species with five needles in a bunch) and cypress. These species grow well on sandy-clayey soils, and pine trees even on rocky ones. Cypress trees, junipers, larches, spruces and yews love lime. Juniper also tolerates dry soils well. But cypress trees, on the contrary, require sufficient soil moisture. Spruce trees grow better on moist clay-sandy soils. Fir trees are more demanding of soil quality than spruce trees. They thrive in deep clay-sandy, moderately moist, nutrient-rich soils and, as a rule, do not tolerate high groundwater levels. For other coniferous trees and shrubs, thicker soils are needed, in which there is enough nutrients and moderate soil moisture content. IN marshy areas, even in shallow standing water, only swamp cypresses grow well.
If we talk about hardening, most conifers are resistant to cold. Fir, cedar, cryptomeria, spruce and more delicate species of certain species should not, however, be planted in cold hollows where they may freeze.
Of the firs, 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 spruce - Picea abies, P. alba, P. asperata, P. omorika and P. pungens; from pines Pinus banksiana, P. cembra and R. race.
Firs need a place more protected from the winds, and cedars develop well only in such places. Due to the fact that variegated coniferous trees, and from thujas - Thuja orientalis, can suffer from solar radiation in winter, the place for them must be chosen taking this point into account.
Coniferous trees also tolerate air pollution differently. Some species generally grow quite well in industrial areas. However, most fir trees cannot tolerate smoky, polluted air at all. Among them, Abies concolor, A. grandis, A. koreana, A. nordmanniana, A. procera, A. veitchii are relatively the most hardened in this regard. Most spruces, pines and cryptomeria cannot tolerate such pollution. Although, in the same conditions, some types of cedars and cypress trees, yews, thujas take root quite well, and among pine trees - dwarf pine, black pine, Scots pine, etc.
Those species that suffer from encroachment by forest animals are those with soft needles, as well as cypress trees, mainly young ones, some junipers (also at a young age), for example, Chinese juniper, Virginian juniper, and in the spring, when the needles bloom, common juniper. The animals also bite the bark of young larch, and from the pine trees they choose those with soft needles. Neither the berry yew nor the western thuja will be protected from them. Other coniferous species do not suffer from animals.
Tree nursery workers are often faced with the fact that many gardeners seek to purchase for their small plots and front gardens, coniferous tree species that are distinguished by their tall growth, without, however, giving due importance to this point. In most cases, they are simply attracted by the beauty of young plants and seduced by the size of the specimens being sold. Such buyers naively hope that as soon as they plant similar 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, will interfere with admiring the surrounding landscape, or even completely plunge the garden into permanent shadow.
Tall coniferous tree species
Fir Vetkhova ( Abies veitchii) is a slender tree, reaching 15-20, or even 25 m in height and 4 m in crown diameter. It has thick, shiny, dark green needles with a silvery tint on the underside. Every year this tree grows approximately 70 cm in height and 20 cm in width. It is planted mainly singly in large gardens.
Norway spruce or common spruce ( Picea abies) - a well-known tree 20-25 m high (it can reach 30-35 m), with a narrow pyramidal crown and symmetrical branches located in horizontal plane. It grows wildly, annually increasing by about 80 cm in height and 30 cm in width. It is used more often in large gardens and parks individually or in group plantings as trimmed hedges.
Serbian spruce, or Balkan spruce ( Picea omorika) is a beautiful, surprisingly slender tree, the crown of which begins to branch strongly from below. It is one of the hardiest conifers, is not at all afraid of frost and can withstand city air well. This spruce reaches 25-35 m in height, but its width at the ground 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 single-planted plant of exceptional merit, suitable for both large and medium-sized gardens.
Black pine, Austrian ( Pinus nigra austriaca - P.n. ssp. nigra) at first has a cone-shaped, and later an ovoid-shaped crown, reaching 4-8 m in diameter. This tree can reach a height of 20 m, and in exceptional cases, 25 m. Annual growth averages 70 cm in height and 35 cm in crown diameter. Black pine is an excellent tree for large gardens; she loves dry, well-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 coniferous trees, 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 with sufficient water permeability.
One of the varieties of Lawson cypress ( Chamaecyparis lawsoniana "Alumii") steel-blue color is a very slender coniferous tree with a cone-shaped dense crown. It reaches a height of about 10 m, and a diameter of 2-3 m. Its annual growth is approximately 30 cm in height and 10 cm in width. This variety is unpretentious, loves a sunny place and is believed to tolerate frost well. It is planted mainly singly or used to create hedges of unusual shapes.
Yew berry, or ordinary, European ( Taxus baccata) is able to tolerate deep shade, although it develops well in full sunlight. This tree is 10-20 m in height with a rounded crown 10-15 m in diameter. It often has a bush-like form and reaches a very respectable age. Loves and calcareous soil, well permeable to water; it is planted singly or in group compositions, as undergrowth next to taller trees. Berry yew is suitable for creating hedges, both free-growing and trimmed. Its annual growth in height and diameter is approximately 30 cm.
Thuja occidentalis ( Thuja occidentalis) - a cone-shaped growing coniferous tree with short horizontal branches, reaches 10-15 m in height and 3-4 m in diameter. Its annual growth is about 20-30 cm in height and the same in width. The tree loves a sunny position, is extremely frost-resistant and is especially suitable for planting as natural free-growing or trimmed hedges.
Single color fir ( Abies concolor) - a tree 20-30 m in height with a straight trunk and a beautiful cone-shaped crown with a diameter of up to 3-4 m, starting right at the ground. This fir has peculiar, crescent-shaped 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. A single-color fir needs nutritious soil with sufficient water permeability and a place with good sunlight. It is considered an excellent single tree in a big city.
Medium-sized coniferous trees
Coniferous trees of medium size and even very squat ones play a significant role in decorating gardens and parks. Lower-growing species are usually planted near driveways or footpaths, near houses and cottages, as well as in rock gardens and in places where for some reason it is not possible to plant trees of large size.
In recent years, Korean fir (Abies koreana) has become especially popular among gardeners. This slowly growing tree is distinguished by a dense pyramidal crown, and in maturity it is, as a rule, not so much tall 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 up by about 30cm and spreads out 15-20cm in width. Korean fir is very prolific. And the young tree produces beautiful, purple-violet cones up to 7 cm long.
Attractive in appearance is the gently pubescent variety of Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana "Ellwoodiif"), which has gray-blue scaly needles and a narrow, pyramidal crown. An adult tree reaches 2-3 m in height and approximately 1 m in crown diameter. This variety of cypress grows slow (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 variety Chamaecyparis pisifera "Plumosa Aurea" is distinguished by its striking yellowish-golden needles and wide cone-shaped 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 is on average 25 cm in height and 15 cm in width. This is a very modest, undemanding plant, which, however, loves damp places and sandy soil that drains water well. It should be taken into account that the needles acquire a rich color only when the tree grows in the sun. This type of tree can be placed individually and in group plantings, in the form of hedges.
In recent years, another interesting variety of pea cypress, Ch.p., has gained great popularity. "Boulevard". It grows slowly and forms a cone-shaped, densely branched crown, reaching 2 m in height and 1 m in crown diameter. This is also an undemanding plant that loves well-draining soil and a sunny place. In gardening practice, the tree is placed singly. This cypress tree, distinguished by its rich steel-blue color and soft needles, looks especially good among the lawn.
Attractive juniper common variety Juniperus communis "Hibernica", which is distinguished by its slender columnar shape and is one of the coniferous trees suitable for planting in large gardens and parks, as well as 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 sun, sandy, well-permeable soil and looks great in untouched corners of the garden, in and near large rock gardens, as well as in heather thickets. It is planted individually and in small groups.
Picea glauca "Conica" is a slow-growing white spruce plant. In adulthood, the plant can reach 3-4 m in height. It is planted both individually and in groups and, of course, also placed in rock gardens
Juniperus chinensis "Pfitzeriana" is an unpretentious, well-growing and decorative juniper with spreading, slightly arching branches. It is placed mainly singly. Juniper reaches 2 m in height and about 4 m in crown diameter. One of his varieties, J.oh. "Pfitzeriana Aurea" is distinguished by widely spreading branches and gray-green, golden-yellow when blooming, and bronze needles in winter. It reaches about 2-2.5 m in height and has a crown diameter of 6-8, and sometimes 10 m. Over the course of a year, the plant gains a height of only about 20 cm, while its growth in width is up to 40 cm. This frost-resistant variety is one of the most beautiful junipers with a spreading crown, loves soils that drain water well, and sunny ones, in extreme cases. , slightly shaded areas. It is planted as a single plant, as well as in groups with other conifers.
The well-known white spruce variety Picea glauca "Conica" is distinguished by a symmetrical cone-shaped shape and reaches a height of 3 m with a diameter of 1 m by the age of thirty. The plant grows very slowly (annual growth is 15 cm in height and 5 cm in crown diameter). It is characterized by a dense, compact crown and delicate grass-green needles. 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. In the sun it suffers from burns.
The quiet area, formed by trees, grasses and perennials, is dominated by three pyramidal junipers Juniperus communis "Hibernica"
Mountain dwarf pine ( Pinus mugo var. pumilio) is one of the small-sized pines most beloved 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 low-growing pine prefers a place well lit by the sun; It can be planted individually, as well as in group plantings.
Coniferous trees with colored needles
The silver-blue variety of prickly spruce (Picea pungens "Glauca") is most often called silver spruce. 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 propagated by grafting are also bred, for example, Picea pungens "Koster", which has needles of a juicy silver-blue color, P.p. "Moerheimi", characterized by a slender cone-shaped shape and the same silver-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" were planted, immediately attracting attention.
Gardeners, especially beginners, should not be distressed when looking at the asymmetrical shape of young scions. Such a plant, as it develops, levels itself out over the course of three or more years and becomes slender. But often it is the unusualness and whimsicality of the form that is highly valued, which is typical for creeping varieties. P.p. "Glauca Pendula" is an example of this.
Among the firs, distinguished by their juicy blue for their needles, gardeners mainly choose silver fir, or the noble Abies procera "Glauca"; This is a powerful plant, reaching 20-30 m in height. In adult scions, long cones, up to 25 cm, appear annually. The annual growth of this tree is usually 30 cm in height and 15 cm in crown diameter.
Chamaecyparis obtusa "Nana Gracilis" reaches 2 m in height when mature. It grows slowly. Often used in rock gardens and for planting in large growing vessels
The color of the bluish needles of the juniper genus is rich and varied. Large, spreading, but not too tall bushes form, for example, varieties of medium juniper Juniperus chinensis "Pfitzeriana", J.ch. "Hetzii", J. squamata "Meyeri" with a compact form and clear gray-blue corners grows much more slowly and needs regular cutting: only then does it look beautiful.
An interesting tree with steel-blue needles is the "Glauca" variety of horizontal juniper (J. horizontalis). Due to its low growth, it is well suited for green covering of the soil surface. This plant also develops successfully 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 m2 with its branches. With its fleshy round cones, beautiful columnar shape and delicate needles from bluish-green to silver-gray, the Virginia juniper variety J. virginiana "Glauca" attracts attention.
Among the yellowish conifers, 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 lawsoniana "Golden King". In winter, its needles take on a brownish-yellow tone.
On the hill among the alpine plants, 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 yew and western thuja (Taxus baccata "Fastigiata Aurea". Thuja occidentalis "Rheingold").
Conifers for rock gardens and garden vases
It is impossible to imagine rock gardens and the space around them without coniferous plants. For small rocky gardens and mini-rock gardens, which are laid out in tubs and garden vases, for dry walls or to cover the ground, primarily dwarf, low-growing and creeping varieties of various types are used. They are distinguished by their bizarre shapes and outlines, and the variegation of their needles. Dwarf plants are characterized by slow growth. Many similar crops have been developed. In large, monumental rock gardens, taller species and varieties should be placed.
From the wide range of coniferous species 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 thick.
A. concolor "Glauca Compacta" is a very rare dwarf variety, which is characterized by 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 The diameter of the crown is greater than the height of the entire plant. This tree has beautiful, dense, lush green needles on top and white below, and, most importantly, attractive purple cones that appear even on young fir.
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana "Fletcheri" is a variety of cypress with a columnar or cone-shaped shape. The needles of young trees are lighter gray-green in 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" is a beautiful dwarf form of cypress with branches resembling shells in their 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, it acquires the contours of a cone.
Ch. obtusa "Crippsii" is a striking-looking cypress tree with a slowly growing wide cone-shaped crown and light yellow, sulfur-tinged needles, which sometimes acquire a golden yellow color. Many years pass before the plant reaches three meters in height. This is one of the most beautiful crops among the low-growing, so-called. golden coniferous trees.
Ch. O. "Filicoides" is a slow-growing cypress variety characterized by its straight and even shape; sometimes asymmetrical individuals, similar to bushes, are also found. The branches of this plant resemble fern leaves, and its needles are dark green. Already a young tree looks spectacular and catchy. In a quarter of a century it reaches 2 m in height.
Ch. O. "Lycopodioides" is a compact plant with lush green needles, dense, moss-moss-like, very decorative branches. It often looks like a pyramid. This cypress tree reaches 1.5-2 m in height and 2 m in diameter.
Picea glauca "Alberta Globe" reaches three meters in height. This tree is placed in rock gardens, in groups of lower-growing conifers, or on foreground forested part of the site
Ch. O. "Nana Gracilis" grows many years after planting to only 80-100 cm in height; The plant is notable for its fresh green needles and branches like small shells.
Ch. O. "Pygmaea" is a spreading spherical plant of dwarf size with small branches arranged in a ladder and almost horizontally. Its needles are initially reddish-brown and later brownish-green and glossy. In winter, the needles take on a reddish-bronze hue. The plant slowly increases in size, reaching 1-2 m in height.
Ch. pisifera "Aurea Nana" is also a dwarf and very slowly growing cypress tree with a cone-shaped crown and juicy yellow needles. 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 pyramidal crown that goes straight up and the rich color of its 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, develops well even in unfavorable atmospheric conditions of industrial cities. Its needles, soft to the touch, take on a beautiful purple hue in winter. In 1934, the Squarrosa variety was developed. However, only in recent years has it become popular among gardeners. "Boulevard" is also suitable for small gardens. Ch. p. "Nana Aureovariegata" reaches a height of barely one meter. This variety has short and delicate branches arranged like a ladder and bent downwards, the ends of which seem to be curled. The needles are very small, matte yellow. The plant is also suitable for small rock gardens. Ch.p. Tilifera Nana" is distinguished by thread-like branches that hang on all sides and the fresh green color of the needles. It reaches a maximum height of one meter. Ch.p. "Plumosa Compressa" is one of the smallest coniferous plants intended for rock gardens. In height it rises only about 30 cm and has an excellent shape; its needles are light green, sometimes with blue.
Yews are a very valuable coniferous species. It is the only tree that can tolerate full shade and can act as a barrier to trap dust. It is easier to cut than other conifers to form a crown. Pictured: Taxus baccata "Repandens"
Cotoneaster multiflorus is planted both as a single plant and in a group: it is undemanding and grows well in direct sun and partial shade.
By thoughtfully using decorative tree species, you can create an impressive composition in a small garden, where architecture and greenery will form a single whole.
Cryptomeria japonica is a member of the hardy Japanese Cryptomeria, growing slowly, with an asymmetrical bushy form 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 crops. Cryptomeria japonica requires a protected location or at least light cover during the winter.
Juniperus chinensis "Old Gold" is similar to J.ch. "Pfitzeriana Aurea", from which it differs in a more compact crown and a constant 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 thick, seemingly 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 more severe conditions and in unprotected places, it needs winter cover with spruce branches. J.c. var. depressa is different flat creeping shape and reaches a height of 50-60 cm. This plant has short and wide green needles with a yellowish or brownish tint; in winter they turn bronze. This is a natural, uncultivated juniper native to the mountainous regions of North America. It is one of the best carpet conifers suitable for landscaping large areas in sunlit areas. J.c. "Depressa Aurea" is similar to the previous plant, but its needles remain a rich golden-yellow color until the beginning of summer and only later acquire a light yellow tint. J.c. "Depressa Aureospicata" is especially suitable for planting in rock gardens. Its young needles are light yellow in color. J.c. "Hibernica" is known and popular among gardeners. This is an evenly growing juniper with bluish-green needles, reaching 4 m in height. At 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, glossy branches of different lengths usually lie on the ground, only their tips rise slightly upward. The needles are light green, with silvery-white stripes, dense, and acquire a brownish tint in winter. The plant has the ability to cover large stones of rock gardens or hillsides with a thick carpet.
J. horizontalis "Douglasii" is a beautiful creeping juniper, only 30 cm tall, valued for its slow growth. Only a very old plant reaches 2-3 m in crown diameter. Its needles are the color of steel blue, which in the fall acquire a purple tint and a bluish-green waxy coating. This plant is planted in cemeteries.
J. sabina "Cupressifolia" is a low-growing, slow-growing crop with a creeping trunk, developing mainly in width. It rises in height by about 60 cm. The needles are dark green. Used mainly to decorate lawns and slopes. A beautiful tamarisk-leaved variety of creeping juniper with bluish-green needles - J.s. Tamariscifolia". It is also short in stature (up to 60 cm) and is distinguished by widely spaced branches.
J. squamata "Meyeri" is a slow-growing creeping juniper with upturned branch tips and very showy bright bluish-white needles. It reaches a height of 2 m.
J. virginiana "Globosa", or "Nana Compacta", - low bush reaching a meter in height. The plant is distinguished by its spherical shape and densely branched crown. Its needles, greenish-gray above and green below, turn pale purple-green in winter. Variety J.v. "Skyrocket", although not one of the short ones (up to 5 m in height), nevertheless deserves attention due to its extremely slender appearance and columnar 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 approximately 60 cm. R.a. "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 dwarf spruce with a nest-like depression in the middle. Well suited for rock garden. Its height is up to 60-100 cm. R.a. "Pumila Glauca" is a mostly wide-growing dwarf plant with a dark green crown. Height within 80 cm.
P. glauca "Conica" is a dwarf spruce with a lovely cone shape and soft light green needles. It grows slowly, reaches 2 m in height, and is attractive for its spectacular decorative appearance.
P. omorika "Nana" is a dwarf form of the very famous Serbian spruce, characterized by a cone-shaped shape with a wide base, dense branches and compact general view. 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 radial manner, thanks to which their bluish color underneath 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 grown from cuttings grow very slowly and have an extremely compact appearance.
P.p. "Glauca Globosa" is a beautiful dwarf form of spruce with lush blue needles and a spherical crown contour. An adult plant is usually no more than one meter in height.
Pinus cembra - European cedar, one of the most beautiful European pines with a picturesque narrow cone-shaped crown and very dense needles of dark green color on the front side and bluish-white on the back side of the needles. Spruce adapts better if it is planted in good, moderately moist soil. Suitable for use in more severe conditions natural conditions. She likes 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, is a low tree most often with a wide, asymmetrical, umbrella-shaped crown and horizontally located branches. Its needles are soft and have a striking light bluish-green hue. This is a very hardy variety, which reaches about 2 m in height in 30 years.
R. tido is an elfin tree of almost shrubby forms with branches that often creep 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 wider than tall 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 shrubby pine, similar to dwarf pine, but related to European cedar. It reaches a height of 1-1.5 m and is distinguished by bluish-green needles. The tree grows slowly, is unpretentious in terms of living conditions, 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. This is an undemanding and frost-resistant variety that can be planted singly and in small gardens.
Taxus baccata "Compacts" is a slow-growing yew crop with a compact oval or cone shape with raised branches and dark green needles. Suitable for small rock gardens.
T. cuspidata "Nana" is a dwarf yew 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" is distinguished by a narrow, even crown and light green needles. Grows to a height of 1.5-3 m; Suitable for planting in both sunny and shaded areas.
Thuja occidentalis "Rheingold" is a slow-growing thuja with a spherical crown and golden-orange needles. It reaches a height of approximately 1.5 m. Thus. Tittle Gem" is a dwarf variety with a dense, wide rather than high crown and juicy green needles. Thus, "Recurva Nana" is distinguished by a dense spherical or cone-shaped crown with a wide base and green, and in winter - brown needles. Ends The branches are slightly curved. An 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.
