At the onslaught of Winter, the garden loses most of its structure and greenery. Small conifers are a great opportunity to restore some of these volumes thanks to the many possibilities these dwarf-sized evergreens share.
Dwarf pines and cedar trees, false cypress, and even the small Korean pine are among the countless numbers of slow-growing conifers.
Unlike their big brothers that tend to grab all the space to themselves, small conifer trees (dwarf pine and cedar, false cypress, Korean pine…) tend to grow very slowly and stay small. This smallish size is a major asset when it comes to integrating them into a garden. Almost every desired bearing and silhouette can be found, surprising arrays of colors make for stimulating combinations together with flowers and grasses of all kinds. Many species will do just as good in rocky terrain as they would in rich, fertile soil.
They often come from Asia, so go ahead and create a Zen rock garden to let them stand out from beds of crushed shale or bright white gravel. When carefully clustered in a growing bed, they’ll make a small garden seem much larger than it actually is. Planted as standalones, in a row, they’ll bring rhythm to driveways, shrub beds, and more …
Garden centres carry a small, reliable core of dwarf conifers that stay genuinely compact for years. The shapes below cover most of what a pot, a rock bed or a narrow border needs.
| Variety | Habit | Height after 10 years | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Blue Star’ | Low spreading mound | 12-16 in (30-40 cm) | Colour contrast at the front of a bed |
| ‘Little Gem’ | Flat-topped cushion | Under 12 in (30 cm) | Trough and sink gardens |
| ‘Nana Gracilis’ | Shell-like fanned sprays, broad cone | About 3 ft (1 m) | Zen and gravel gardens, large pots |
| ‘Conica’ | Neat dense cone | About 3 ft (1 m) | Matched pair either side of a door |
| ‘Compressa’ | Very narrow column | 16-20 in (40-50 cm) | Troughs, rock gardens, sink gardens |
| ‘Mops’ | Rounded bun | 20-30 in (50-75 cm) | Containers and gravel beds |
| ‘Danica’ | Tight globe | About 20 in (50 cm) | Low edging, paired planters |
| ‘Ellwoodii’ | Slim upright column | 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) | Vertical accent in a container |
From all existing species, the miniature Ginkgo biloba is the most surprising. Till recently, the golden maidenhair tree with its fan-shaped leaves that turn to true gold in Fall, was only to be found in larger parks and vast gardens due to its longevity and massive size. Now, even a tiny space will accommodate it thanks to newly discovered weeping varieties, grafted atop a healthy root-stock. These go by the names ‘Troll’ or ‘Mariken’ and come in sizes that range from under 3 feet (80 cm) to at most 8 feet (2.5 m), which makes them ideal for terraces small and large, and small gardens, too.
Make the most of Autumn to settle these little trees in. Choose them carefully, aiming to find the ones with the most balanced structure and densest foliage. Whether you plant them in a pot or in the ground, it’s important to enrich the soil beforehand with humus, and to ensure it drains very well. Having acidic soil is a great bonus for the small conifers, too.
Avoid locations with too much sun, since it might burn their foliage. Water abundantly upon planting, and then again during the entire first year: this will guarantee that they settle in well.
In Summer, give the leaves an occasional hose-down to rid them of spider mites and other parasites. There you go! A perfectly structured garden, even in Winter!
M.-C. H.
