conifers - A Selection

Juniperus sabina 'Tamariscifolia' is a low, spreading conifer with spiky, blue-green, scale-like leaves that produce a carpet. It grows a little taller as it matures, eventually forming a mound shape. This thickly branched evergreen is ideal for reducing weeds and undergrowth on banks and neglected areas because of its dense branching. This resilient shrub, like all Savin Junipers, is easy to cultivate and requires little maintenance. Height: 1.5m (5'). Spread: 2.5m (8').

Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Smaragd' is a vivid yellow-green variation of Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd,' which turns a shade more golden in the winter. Over time, this slow-growing conifer grows into a dense, conical tree. The gorgeous yellow tints of early spring growth make a superb focal point where a vertical feature is sought. This resistant evergreen can also be used as a hedging plant, either alone or in combination with the greener 'Smaragd' for a color contrast. Height: up to 5m (16').

Picea abies 'Wills Zwerg' is an evergreen, dwarf spruce with a classic conifer tree shape that looks fantastic planted in a rockery or alpine garden. It is a real slow grower and takes decades to reach its full height of 3 metres, as it only grows roughly 2 inches (5cm) per year. In the festive season the tree can be decorated with outdoor fairy lights, to transform it into a mini Christmas tree. It can also be planted in a container and moved next to the front step during this period. After

Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Smaragd' is a bright yellow-green version of 'Smaragd', turning a shade more golden during the winter. This slow growing conifer forms a conical, dense tree over time. Flushes of new spring growth show lovely yellow tinges, making a perfect focal point where a vertical feature is desired.

Very much a strong and striking conifer, Juniperus squamata 'Meyeri' grows with both vigor and grace. Sporting a silvery needle-like foliage and a tawny-orange bark, this large and captivating confer is hard to ignore. This Flaky juniper looks sensational all year round - as a stand alone specimen or fabulous as part of a evergreen flock. Height: 10m (32'). Spread: 8m (26')

Discover the elegance of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Pygmaea Argentea', a small and rounded shrub that adds a touch of sophistication to any garden. With its stunning dark bluey-green foliage that gracefully fades to white tips, this variety is a true standout. Winner of the prestigious RHS AGM Award, 'Pygmaea Argentea' boasts a slow-growing habit and a lovely rounded shape, reaching a height of 2m. Despite its long history, it remains one of the best dwarf conifers available, offering timeless

Thuja orientalis 'Franky Boy' has distinctive foliage that looks like vertically spreading coarse yellow-green strands and creates a fascinating specimen plant in the garden. This resistant evergreen conifer, which has a rounded pear form, can develop a bronze/orange color in the winter before returning to green in the spring. Oriental Thuja is a low-maintenance plant that only needs trimming if you want a more formal shape. It will grow happily in full sun or light shade, is slow-growing, and

An eye-catching dwarf conifer that will gradually form a conical dome, with rusty-brown branches smothered in short, slender needles. Pinus mugo subsp. uncinata 'Heideperle' will produce elegant, upright cones that stand out amongst the evergreen needles. A low maintenance Dwarf Mountain Pine that makes an excellent addition to rockeries. 'Heideperle' also makes an eye-catching stand-alone specimen that copes well in a wide variety of sites. Height: 100cm (39). Spread: 200cm (78).

?Blue Rock? is a striking Chamaecyparis, that boasts masses of thin blue leaflets. Developing nicely into a dome-like shape, this hardy shrub is slow growing and incredibly textured, with a dwarf form. It would work well in dull borders, rockeries and containers, whilst thriving in direct sunlight. It will grow in height to 50cm and spread to around 40cm.

A compact form of spruce with attractive light green foliage. 'Wills Zwerg' will produce a conical shape and look attractive when planted in a border or on its own. Height 90-100cm.

A low-growing Hinoki Cypress with a wide spreading habit and beautiful green and yellow foliage. Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Kamarachiba' is a low maintenance variety that is easy to look after and will just require some light pruning if creating a formal shape or using for hedging. An excellent choice for growing in rockeries and borders where it will provide wonderful colour and texture all year round. Height 45cm (18?) and spread 100cm (39?).

A bushy evergreen prostrate conifer shrub with blue-grey foliage

Thuja plicata 'Can-can' is a useful semi-dwarf tree with a much slower habit than many other varieties of Thuja plicata. This Western Red Cedar is a much more gardener friendly variety for hedging as growth slows greatly on reaching 2.5m (8') - the perfect height for a boundary hedge!

This splendid conifer has a distinctive upright habit that sets it apart from other ?Brabant? forms. Thuja occidentalis 'King Of Brabant' is particularly dense, forming a neat cone-shape as it grows.

The tidy, compact, yellow foliage of Thuja occidentalis ?Dawid? is great for providing colour, texture and structure all year round. This white cedar naturally forms its spherical shape without pruning and won't fade in the winter or scorch in the height of summer. Thuja ?Dawid? is a slow-growing variety, growing to only 50-60cm tall in over 10 years and growing well in semi-shade or full sun. Perfect as a stand alone specimen in a patio container or grown amongst bulbs or bedding plants as a