Coniferous plants for the backyard. Dwarf conifers in the country. How to choose coniferous undersized plants for the garden
Conifers for rock garden are especially valuable for creating a composition.
They help to cover construction defects - after all, it is not always possible to successfully dock terraces, pick up and naturally lay stones. In addition, columnar varieties visually increase the height of rockeries and stones near which they are planted, while rounded varieties emphasize the volume of the garden. Finally, the conifers on the hill serve as an excellent backdrop for any composition. You can use the same types of coniferous plants for any type of garden, you just need to choose more or less dwarf varieties. Even for miniature rockeries, you can find many forms that do not rise above 30 cm.
For coniferous plants on the lpiyskaya hill, several general rules concerning care and growing conditions:
- They develop best on moderately rich slightly acidic loams. They prefer loose soils, take root on heavy and clay soils for a long time.
- Most are photophilous, but tolerate shading.
- Ephedra are drought-resistant, but during the period of active growth, take care to provide them with sufficient moisture.
- Transplant in early spring before the start of growth. Keep in mind that varietal forms take root much easier than species. Transplant adult specimens only after preliminary pruning of the root ball.
- It is not necessary to feed. Fresh organics are not allowed.
- Propagate by layering (creeping forms) and cuttings. Optimal time for these procedures - early spring, before bud break. Most species can be propagated by seeds. The range of conifers depends on the size of the garden, but even when creating large compositions, it is better to take slow-growing varieties with a dense crown.
Below are photos and names of coniferous plants for Alpine slide, proven over the years, the most stable in the Russian climate.
First of all, coniferous plants such as, and are suitable for rockeries.
Spruce - Picea in the photo 
Needles of all shades of green, gray
Spruces are unpretentious and frost-resistant. Any dwarf varieties are suitable for rockeries. Cultural forms have various types of crowns, needles of all shades of green, gray and even golden yellow.
Norway spruce 
European spruce
Serbian spruce varieties (R. omorica) are also good. 
Spruce Serbian
Gray spruce in the photo 
Canadian spruce in the photo
Columnar varieties of spruce gray, or Canadian (P. glauca) are beautiful, but burn in the spring sun: be sure to shade them.
See photos of such conifers on an alpine hill:
It has many dwarf varieties with dark green, bluish-blue or golden needles, divided into three groups:
These photos show rockeries with conifers:
For rocky gardens, choose not large natural forms, but dwarf slow-growing varieties with dense crowns.
The most frost-resistant varieties of juniper:
For example, J. horizontalis ‘Plue Pygmy’, J. virginiana ‘Grey Owl’, J. sabina ‘Blaue Donau’, J. communis ‘Berkshire’.
Admire how beautiful the alpine hill with conifers is in these photos:
Fir - Abies
Most species are unpretentious and frost-resistant, but if last year's growth is poorly matured, in spring it can burn in the sun. Suitable for rockeries dwarf varieties with a dense crown have balsam fir, or black (A. balsamea), and Korean fir (A. kogeapa).
Pay attention to the photo - for rockeries from conifers, varieties with a spherical, wide pyramidal and flattened crown are especially valuable:
Pine - Pinus
For rockeries, dwarf varieties descended from northern or highland species are suitable.
The view provides ample opportunities for experimentation: there are varieties with a narrow pyramidal, spherical, flattened or exotically curved crown, with green, blue and even golden needles.
Dwarf varieties with a dense crown are suitable for rockeries.
However, even for this hardy plant, for good development, you will have to provide sufficient moisture and fertile garden soil - on poor dry soils, the branches of the thuja will be sparse, with faded needles.
The most beautiful alpine slides with conifers are presented in these photos:
Rules for the care of shrubs in rockeries
Deciduous woody plants are used in rockeries much less often than conifers, since only a few of the most unpretentious and compact species are suitable for rocky gardens in the temperate zone: evergreen magonia and boxwood, dwarf varieties of barberries, almonds, cinquefoil, daphne, spirea, stefanander, cotoneaster.
Common to them are the following rules of care:
- Transplant in early spring, before bud break, or in late summer - early autumn, after the annual growth is woody. Before transplanting in adult plants for two years, cut the roots several times according to the diameter of the crown to form a compact earthen lump.
- Reproduction by seeds is individual for each species, but in most cold stratification causes seed germination.
- Vegetative reproduction is varied. The most simple reproduction is horizontal layering. For better rooting, make an incision or constriction of the bark at the place of the dig.
- Most shrubs are easily propagated by cuttings. The best cuttings are the increments of the current year.
- Sanitary pruning and crown formation should be carried out in early spring, before the juices begin to move, and in autumn, after growth has ended. Prune flowering shrubs immediately after flowering.
The most suitable shrubs for rockeries are barberry, boxwood and spirea.
Thunberg barberry - Berberis thunbergii
Graceful shrub, completely strewn in early summer yellow flowers, which turn into red berries by autumn. Height is not more than 150 cm, there are dwarf varieties that do not rise above 30 cm. Extremely unpretentious: sun-loving, but tolerates shade, drought-resistant, but tolerates waterlogging. It is frost-resistant, but in snowless cold winters the crown freezes.
It lends itself perfectly to a haircut, although it is not necessary - the plant looks compact on its own. Particularly valuable are dwarf varieties with golden, variegated or purple leaves.
Evergreen boxwood - Buxus sempervirens
Dwarf evergreen tree, one of the few frost-resistant evergreen deciduous plants. Dwarf varieties wintering under the snow are best suited for rockeries. The main condition for normal growth is dry, well-drained soils. The nutritional value of the soil and its density are not too important, but fertile loam is preferable.
It is shade-loving, but shoots ripen better in the sun and winter more successfully.
One of the most beautiful views kind. Dwarf varieties are especially good, forming almost spherical bushes covered with small green, golden or purple leaves. "Dwarfs" bloom almost all summer. Winter-hardy, but in very cold winters they freeze slightly.
To prolong flowering and crown formation after the first flowering, lightly prune. 'Golden Princess' is slightly larger than 'Little Princess' so it can be trimmed more.
I recently visited an exhibition landscape design. The species and varieties of undersized conifers were of particular delight, and I wanted to plant several plants in my country house. Which of them are suitable for the conditions of my site, I did not know, so I decided to read articles on thematic sites, blogs, and chat on forums. I share the collected information here.
3 best types of coniferous plants for the garden
| Type 1: yew (yew, torreya)
View features:
Yew trees are smoke resistant, which allows them to be planted in cities. The root system is well developed, plants grow well both on loose and stony soils. |
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View 2. Cypress (cypress, thuja, juniper)
View features:
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View 3. Pine (spruce, fir, cedar, larch)
View features:
Low dwarf spruces can be grown in containers and placed on terraces, balconies and rooftops. To keep the plant compact, the soil should not be overly fertile. |
6 popular varieties of dwarf and undersized conifers
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1.
Dwarf mountain pine "Winter Gold"
Dwarf pines look harmoniously against a rocky background. Peculiarities:
"Winter Gold" is photophilous, unpretentious to the composition and acidity of the soil, requires moderate humidity, frost-resistant, adapts well |
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2.
Dwarf balsam fir "Hudsonia"
Miniature plants are ideal for a small garden. Peculiarities:
The plant has a pleasant balsamic aroma, as can be seen from its name. |
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3.
Dwarf cypress Lawson "Minima Aurea"
Looks great in heather and rocky gardens, alpine hills, in an oriental-style landscape. Peculiarities:
Easy to grow, loves bright light, fertile moist soil, good drainage must be protected from the winds |
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4.
Common juniper "Compressa"
The perfect solution for a summer cottage, an alpine hill, a rocky landscape. Peculiarities:
The plant is shade-tolerant, unpretentious to the composition, acidity and moisture of the soil. Successfully used to create a hedge |
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5.
Low-growing Scots pine "Pendula"
Pine "Pendula" - a wonderful decoration personal plot. Peculiarities:
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6.
Low spruce "Nidiformis"
Spruce "Nidiformis", reaching a height of no more than 1.2 m, is often considered a shrub. Peculiarities:
Used for planting on rocky hills, in single and group compositions, requires good drainage |
6 rules for planting undersized conifers
1. Calculate the distance from the main viewpoint of the composition to its location so that it is at least 3 of its heights.
2. Give preference to lawns as a background for coniferous plants.
3. Combine dwarf conifers planted near water bodies, with weeping deciduous plants. So they will look the most harmonious.
4. Orient coniferous compositions in landscape design to the west or east.
can be present in a group of 3 elements
5. Do not abuse the number of colors in one composition. In a group of 3 elements, 2 colors can be present, in a five-element composition - no more than 3 colors.
6. Combine multi-element compositions into groups 3 copies per color.
3 schemes for planting coniferous trees in landscape design
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Scheme 1: coniferous circular view group
This composition looks most advantageous on the bends of the tracks, in the illuminated corners and "pockets". Plant types:
The listed varieties of dwarf conifers prefer moderate watering and good lighting. |
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Scheme 2: coniferous group with deciduous plants
Coniferous groups are well complemented by deciduous plants, which gives the garden new colors. Plant types:
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Scheme 3: coniferous groups with perennials
Combine undersized conifers it is possible with perennials, shrubs and cereals. Plant types:
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- Think carefully about the placement of the elements.
- Choose the right plants.
- In addition to flower beds and shrubs, use compact species and varieties of woody plants.
What to remember
- Choosing coniferous plants for the garden the best of the three types: yew, cypress, pine. They are the most adapted to garden conditions.
- The most popular varieties of undersized and dwarf conifers are: mountain pine "Winter Gold", balsam fir "Hudsonia", Lawson's cypress "Minima Aurea", Common juniper "Compressa", Scotch pine "Pendula", Low-growing spruce "Nidiformis".
- Certain rules must be followed to create a healthy and harmonious landscape composition.
- You can create landscape compositions according to ready-made schemes.
- It is advisable to dilute compositions from coniferous plants to deciduous shrubs and flowers.
Since time immemorial, people have used coniferous plants to decorate the area around their home. And no wonder: coniferous trees and shrubs are very useful, they release special substances into the atmosphere - phytoncides that can kill pathogenic bacteria. Thus, coniferous plants make the surrounding air cleaner and fresher. In addition, this class of flora is very beautiful in and of itself, and properly selected and planted conifers can decorate even the most ugly and shapeless area. Therefore, be sure to plant conifers in your country house, and which ones to choose coniferous plants for the garden , we will talk further.
So let's start with the trees. These beauties look great both in winter and in summer, there are so many varieties of Christmas trees for the garden plot that your eyes run wide. There are even those who 
do not grow above 1.5 m, which is naturally a huge plus. I would not really like to have a huge spruce on the site, which takes up a lot of space, and even casts a shadow over the entire site. It is for small gardens that special small types of Christmas trees are bred.
This is Prickly Spruce Glauca Globosa - a fluffy prickly ball of blue or gray color. Perfectly grown in home gardens, not picky in care, and besides, its very slow growth makes it possible to grow this Christmas tree in the garden.
Another type of dwarf spruce is Norway spruce Frohburg. This plant has a drooping dark green crown. Caring for it, like the previous spruce, is simple, it can be planted near an alpine hill or gazebo. The unusual appearance of this spruce will no doubt enliven the landscape of your site.
Very beautiful undersized variety creeping Christmas tree - Norway spruce Lombartsii. Such a dark green Christmas tree can decorate the slopes of an uneven area, revive the rock garden, and become the main focus in decorating the shore of a country pond.
Cypress trees also fit wonderfully into garden landscape especially in Japanese gardens. Of the undersized cypress trees, I can recommend the following variety: Pea-bearing cypress Filifera Aurea. A very unusual plant of light green, even slightly yellow needles will become a bright spot against the background of the monotonous greenery of the garden.
Beautiful in its drooping harmony undersized Larch Pendula. This beauty must be planted near a garden pond so that the branches lightly touch 
water. The harmony of the ground part of the plant and the water surface fascinates and sets you up for reflection.
You can talk about juniper endlessly, they were bred so many varietal individuals that it is sometimes difficult to figure out which one is who. Therefore, I can say the following about junipers: undersized junipers include horizontal juniper, Cossack juniper, coastal juniper, medium juniper, scaly juniper. They differ in color scheme and by the structure of the needles, but in any case, all these junipers can serve as a green hedge along the border of the site or design a specific place in the garden. unpretentious in care, junipers will not cause you any problems in growing. Here, as they say, planted - and forgot.
I consider a coniferous stunted plant - Balsam Fir Nana - to be very beautiful. This spiny yet fluffy coniferous "ball" does not grow above 1.5 m in height, making Nana Fir another option for hedges. The beautiful unusual structure of the needles will surely attract the attention of the guests of your garden, and correct pruning This fir is able to give the overall picture a finished and original look.
Also, undersized coniferous plants for planting in the garden include: Mountain Pine Allgau, Mountain Pine Fruhlingsgold, Mountain Pine Gnom, Mountain Pine Humpy, as well as Thuja western Danica Aurea, Thuja western Golden Tuffet, Thuja western Rheingold, Thuja western Tiny Tim .
Low-growing coniferous plants will add charm to your garden or summer cottage, and rest in the shade of a coniferous tree will be not only pleasant, but also beneficial to health.
Now, at the time of the development of landscape design, it has become fashionable to plant dwarf conifers in your garden plot. Superstitions that coniferous plants in the yard are dangerous, that they are supposed to be planted only in cemeteries, have gone to the side.
And rightly so, because coniferous plants are very useful - they purify the air, fill it essential oils, which are so useful for our lungs, and the aesthetic appearance of properly cared for coniferous plants cannot be compared with other plants.
Yes, others beautifully blooming and decoratively deciduous naturally contribute to the overall landscape, but conifers, and especially dwarf conifers, complete the overall picture.
Now it's hard to imagine a good garden plot without conifers. And the dwarf forms of conifers are especially beautiful. They are comfortable, beautiful, have a different color of needles, they are easy to care for. And if you want to decorate your garden with dwarf conifers, then this article will help you navigate, choose a place for planting dwarf conifers, and we will also tell you which dwarf compact forms of conifers are best planted in the garden.
So, different coniferous plants have a variety of crown shapes, and this allows us to make a composition from several species or buy a compact conifer of the shape that you like best. And you can visit our partners.
Common, natural species of coniferous plants are mostly tall trees; in the forest, for example, pines can reach up to 50 m in height. But this is a rarity where the area of the site allows you to land such tall trees. Thanks to breeders, stunning forms and varieties of dwarf conifers have been bred, which, even for many years, can keep almost the same shape and height.
The tallest of the dwarfs reach 1 - 2 meters. Unless the conifers growing in breadth can also reach up to 2 m long, but they remain on average low in height. But there are varieties of creeping conifers that are limited in growth, so they are also considered dwarf.
And there are miniature, compact varieties that do not exceed 0.5 meters, then such plants are well planted in tubs and containers.
These, according to most landscape designers, are the most effective in terms of ease of cultivation, maintenance and aesthetic beauty plants. Why go far into the forest when you can sit on a bench under your green pets and enjoy the illuminating aroma of coniferous ether?…
How do dwarf conifers differ from the rest of their relatives? Dwarf conifers, like all other plants, grow. But very imperceptibly, approximately the annual growth is 2 - 3 cm. They have short branches, which are also at a small distance from each other, which makes the shape of the bush compact. And you will not find cute varieties of spherical forms of a bush in the wild!
And where did these coniferous "gnomes" come from? The perseverance of breeders gave us multivariance in vegetation, but at home it will not be possible to grow a dwarf coniferous plant from an ordinary breed.
Dwarf coniferous plants cannot be propagated by seeds, because the variety is not preserved and the plant grows ordinary, tall, wild. But gardeners are happy to propagate such plants by cuttings, layering.
You can buy dwarf conifers in many landscape design stores. Just be sure to be interested in the characteristics of the plant - what is the shape of the crown, what is the height of an adult plant, how to walk. And also make sure that the root system is well developed and not damaged.
Because sometimes it happens that the plant first has a spherical shape and can grow like this for several years, and then literally in 2 years it will stretch and take on a cone-shaped crown. This is not the fault of the plant, it is correct, just before buying conifers, you need to carefully find out the nature of the plant.
Dwarf conifers for the garden have a price, roughly speaking, not cheap in relation to other types and forms, but keep in mind that before they go on sale, they are grown in nurseries for several years. 10 cm plants can be grown 3 years!
Caring for dwarf conifers is easy, because they are a mutation different types conifers. Therefore, they require care that is suitable for other wild relatives.
What compositions can be created from compact, dwarf conifers in the garden?
Can you drop them off in the rocky garden. They have clear boundaries, so they will well emphasize the structure of a rocky garden.
These plants can decorate patio or especially entrance to the house in winter period. Add a couple of ornamental grasses to such a composition for a change, which retain their dry stems in winter.
They can be grown in garden pots, tubs, small containers. And this will allow you to place conifers along the paths, near the entrance to the building, near the place of rest, on the veranda, right on the lawn or even on the roof, if there is a space for relaxation!
Raised compositions or plants in a trough! A great option to slightly raise the level of plants in space, which will focus on them. If someone has an old trough lying around, then its bottom must be perforated in several places so that there is a drain of excess water, melted water or after watering. We install it on a well-laid layer of stones, and on the sides we also decorate with stones. Maybe someone can do it without cement mortar, but if the design is shaky, then the solution will help.
Next, you need to put drainage on the bottom, you can also broken bricks, cut branches from trees, which will add looseness. And we fill the trough with soil that is suitable for coniferous plants. Remember, it must be sour? Excellent! We plant dwarf coniferous plants in the ground, and in the intervals between them, you can plant some beautifully flowering or decorative leafy plants. For example, sockets can be planted along the very edge. Do not forget that other plants should not be taller than conifers!
Also, such conifers can be planted in containers and garden pots. Before buying, be sure to ask the seller about the future sizes of the crown and root system, so that later you can choose the plant exactly for your tub or container, the sizes can be different!
And now we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the most popular forms of dwarf conifers.
Dwarf spruce forms, especially the popular form of Norway spruce ‘Little Gem’- This is a small flat-rounded coniferous "ball" with a small depression in the center. It grows very slowly, usually grows by 2-3 cm per year. And at the age of 10 years, spruce 'Little Gem' reaches only 0.50 cm. The branches are thin, densely growing, and light green small needles are also densely located on it. The young growth is light green, from which it seems that the coniferous plant is speckled.
Photos of spruce ordinary Little Jam:
Mountain pine form ‘Gnom’- at the age of 10 years, it grows only up to 1 meter. And the forms of mountain pine ‘Mops’ and ‘Ophir’ at the age of ten they reach only 0.50 cm.
Dwarf pines are quite frost-resistant, less often than others are affected sunburn and fungal diseases. Attract gardeners with their spherical shape and long needles.
Photo of mountain pine Gnome:
Fir balsam grade ‘Nana’- imagine, in 10 years only 30 cm grows! Super-dwarf!) The shape can be narrow-pyramidal or cone-shaped. Nana fir is very fragrant, and the beautiful reddish cones are a wonderful decoration. dwarf plant for garden. Not demanding, frost-resistant.
Photo of balsam fir Nana: 
Korean fir grade ‘Tundra’- a little more, it can grow at the age of 10 to 0.40 cm, and in diameter - 0.6 cm. The needles are short, soft, young growth is light green. In winter, the needles remain the same bright. Unpretentious.
Photo of Korean fir Tundra:
Thuja western grade ‘Amber Glow’ is a mutation of the Danica variety. At the age of 10, it reaches 80-90 cm in diameter, as well as in height. Thuja Ameber Glow spherical. Very interesting branches and their coloring. They, like most thujas, are flat, but are most often arranged in parallel rows. And the color is yellow-green and almost orange in autumn! Here is a variety for other green conifers!
In the photo, thuja western Amber Glow:
Thuja western grade "Mr. bowling ball»- This is a spherical dwarf conifer, the crown is very dense, beautiful. It loosens up a bit over the years. The needles are fringe-like, tightly attached to the branches, dark green, and in winter with a bronze tint. At the age of 10, it usually reaches 60-70 cm, and up to 1 meter in width. the plant is unpretentious, but it is better to plant in moist, well-lit soil.
Photo of thuja western Mr. Bowling Ball:
Cypress obtuse variety "Nana Gracilis"- a very interesting dwarf coniferous plant. Cypress Nana Gratsilis has a rounded bush that looks like a twisted shell - it is wider at the bottom and narrows towards the top. Even the branches themselves are a little twisted. At the age of 10, it reaches 80 cm in height. The needles are dark green, shiny, dense. Not whimsical, but prefers partial shade.
Photo of the cypress tree Nana Gratsilis:
Gray spruce grade- a miniature Christmas tree with dense and small needles, densely located on the branches. At the age of 10, it reaches 40 cm in height. The crown is narrowly conical.
Photo ate gray Laurin:
Serbian spruce grade is a dwarf form selected by breeding from the Nana form. Age by 10 years - 20-25 cm, width - about 50 cm. Annual growth 3-4 cm. The shoots are short, the needles are also short, densely sitting on the shoots. Does not like dense and waterlogged soils.
In the photo, Serbian spruce Minima:
Yew berry variety ‘Stricta’ is a female clone of ‘Rustique’. The crown is columnar, loose. The needles are dark green. Perfectly complement the spherical varieties of conifers.
Photo of yew berry ‘Stricta’: 
Juniper vertical grade "Blue Arrow"- an adult plant reaches a height of 2-3 meters. But it is much narrower in width, because the crown is narrowly conical. The needles are not prickly at all, gray-blue in color. Frost-resistant, loves sunny places.
Photo juniper vertical Blue Arrow:
Arbor vitae grade «
Aurea Nana"- very decorative, because it has golden yellow needles! At the age of 10, it reaches a height of 80 cm or 1 meter. And in a year it grows only 8-10 cm. The crown is ovoid or cone-shaped. He likes sunny places, he needs shelter for the winter.
Photo of thuja eastern Aurea Nana:
Cypress pea variety "Filifera Sungold"- has golden needles and a rounded crown. The height of an adult plant is up to 2 m, wide - 3 m. But it grows very slowly, and by the age of 10 it grows only up to 0.50 cm - 1 m. It is interesting in that it has long and thin branches, they hang down. Not demanding, but if planted in the shade, the needles turn green.
Photo of pea cypress Filifer Sangold:
Juniper horizontal grade ‘Alpina ’
- a beautiful dwarf conifer for the garden. It reaches a height of 0.80 cm, grows up to 2 m in width. The branches rise slightly. The needles are bluish-green in summer and bluish-purple in winter. Frost-resistant, unpretentious.
Photo juniper horizontal Alpina:
Juniper Chinese variety "Expansa Variegata"- a wonderful and very attractive dwarf conifer. An adult plant reaches a height of up to 0.50 cm, and a width of 1.2 m. The unusual needles are bluish-green, have light cream blotches, as if anointed with light paint. Very decorative. Frost-resistant and undemanding.