Colourful Dwarf Conifers

Conifers are valuable plants for providing colour and shape in the garden.   Structure and colour are important elements when selecting choices for the garden.  We have selected some choice dwarf conifers that display excellent foliage colour either all year round or seasonally. 

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’ is a delightful, very slow growing dwarf conifer that is perfect for container planting or rock gardens.  A dense, compact habit with a conical habit as it matures.  Height after 10 years 60cm. 

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sungold’ is another dwarf conifer with a totally different semi-weeping, slightly mounding habit.  The gold tipped foliage is thread like in appearance and does not burn in full sun.  This mounding conifer will tolerate some shade.  Height after 10 years 1m. 

Ginkgo biloba ‘Mariken’ is a recent introduction from the Netherlands and is another dwarf variety.  All the colour of a Ginkgo that can be planted in a small garden – Perfect.  This new Ginkgo is very slow growing with a slightly pendulous, compact habit eventually forming a spherical mass of leaves.  Plant in full sun for fabulous yellow autumn colour.

Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’ is a prostrate variety which is an excellent choice for ground cover.  The foliage is bluish-green in colour and slightly prickly to the touch.  Height 50cm, spread 2m. 

Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ is a blue gem of a conifer that prefers rich acid soils and eventually forms a star-like shape.  Truly tiny after 10 years ‘Blue Star’ will reach height of 30cm and spread of 50cm. 

Picea pungens ‘Globosa’ is a dwarf, flat topped conifer forming a globular shape.  The dense habit has needles of glaucous blue. 

Don’t forget to feed your conifers this growing season.  Such heavy rains over the last few months may have leached nutrients out of the soil.  These nutrients can be easily replaced benefiting the plant in the growing season ahead.  Feed with a good quality slow release fertiliser that will feed over the growing season such as Conifer & Shrub fertiliser , Vitax Q4 or Growmore. 

                            

 Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis        Ginkgo biloba ‘Mariken’                             Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’