conifers - A Selection

Picea omorika 'Karel' is a slow-growing and compact Siberian spruce, with rich green colouring. Growing at just 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8cm) each year, 'Karel' takes many years to reach full size, and forms a dense, rounded clump of evergreen needles. Good for providing permanent greenery and structure in the flower borders, it is also ideal for use in a dwarf conifer collection, container arrangements and window boxes - a very useful plant! Height: 120cm (47). Spread: 120cm (47).

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Maureen' is a compact but beautiful variety of a Hinoki cypress which has an upright habit but still grows wider than it will be tall.

This prosperous silvery needle-like foliage of the Flaky Juniper is very stunning. When young, Juniperus squamata 'Meyeri' has a very open habit, showing its contrasting tawny-orange bark. In larger gardens, this enormous conifer offers an eye-catching focus point. Grow it as a stand-alone specimen for year-round interest and structure, or mix it in with darker evergreens for a stunning colour contrast. Height: 10m (32'). Spread: 8m (26').

Pinus mugo 'Pumilo Group', otherwise known as Dwarf Mountain Pine, is slow growing, compact and neat, making for a fantastic addition to large patio containers. Foliage is made up of dense green needles, forming on spreading branches. Female cones are produced on the tip of each stem with maturity. Needs very little maintenance and provides all year-round interest in gardens, tolerating wind and coastal situations. Pinus mugo 'Pumilo Group' is ideal for small gardens. Height: 3.5m (11').

Spreading branches with steely blue foliage grow up to 30 cm (12) per year, forming a dense evergreen carpet. This Creeping Juniper takes on a dull purple colour throughout the chilly winter months, which only adds to its allure. Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' is an excellent prostrate conifer for generating ground cover, but it also works well as a low specimen in rockeries and conifer beds, spilling over low walls. Height: 50cm (20). Spread: 2m (6',5).

Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' is a captivating conifer renowned for its unique braided look and weeping branches that develop into a low, rounded dome over time. This dwarf variety of Western Red Cedar is not only visually intriguing but also brings a touch of elegance and structure to any garden. Its evergreen foliage provides a lush, green backdrop that transitions to gentle bronze shades during the winter, ensuring year-round appeal.Perfect for adding a distinctive element to rockeries or as a

This big upright conifer is a show-stopping specimen tree. Over time, ascending branches with silvery foliage produce a broad conical shape. Juniperus scopulorum 'Moonglow' can also be used as a dense evergreen hedge, providing a welcome alternative to Leyland Cypress. This Rocky Mountain Juniper deserves a prominent spot in the garden, with lots of room to display its magnificent form and colour. Height: 6m (19',6) Spread: 2.5m (8').

Pinus sylvestris 'Blue Pearl' is a delightful dwarf variety of Scots Pine that captivates with its striking blue-silver needles and well-defined conical shape. This compact tree is perfect for small gardens, rockeries, or even container planting, making it a versatile choice for various landscaping needs. Its unique coloration and tidy form provide an eye-catching texture that remains appealing throughout the year, all while requiring minimal upkeep.The 'Blue Pearl' cultivar features short,

Forms a dense column of foliage

Incredibly eye-catching and aptly named, Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Globe' produces a dense, spherical plant as it matures. A slow-growing conifer with vibrant, golden-green, evergreen foliage that keeps its shape exceptionally well, providing all-year-round colour. The foliage takes on bronze-orange hues from late autumn and during winter. 'Golden Globe' is a fuss-free, low maintenance shrub that makes a wonderful addition to rockeries and borders or grown as a specimen plant in a patio pot.

A bushy, compact Yew with greeny-yellow, golden-like evergreen young foliage that fades to a darker green in winter. Taxus baccata 'Kupfergold' thrives in most UK soils and, like most Yews, tolerates both sun and shade. It is also suitable for hedging and topiary. Caution: If consumed by humans or animals, this plant is toxic. Height: 2m (7'). Spread: 1.5m (5').

Picea abies 'Echiniformis' is a dwarf Norway Spruce variety, that is slow-growing, needs little maintenance and is easy to grow in shade or sun in any garden. Foliage is evergreen, producing in dark green tones. Needles form in dense cushions, working well in rockeries and alpine gardens. Grow Picea abies 'Echiniformis' in a large patio pot or among conifers ? either way, this tough and resilient plant will thrive all year-round. Height: 60cm (24). Spread: 60cm (24).

Picea orientalis 'Aureospicata' is a captivating cultivar of Oriental spruce that stands out for its slow growth and stunning visual appeal. This conifer is particularly celebrated for its vibrant golden-yellow shoots that emerge in spring, creating a striking contrast with the mature dark green needles that develop as the season progresses. Its symmetrical, pyramidal shape adds an element of elegance to any ornamental garden, making it a favored choice among landscape enthusiasts who

A stately columnar tree with evergreen foliage that forms a slender pillar. It is pencil thin as a young plant and remains so even at maturity. Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Robusta' is a slow-growing Yew tree that makes an excellent statement plant, adding structure and formal punctuation to planting schemes. Once established, it will require little upkeep. Ideal as a stand-alone specimen or for establishing formal pathways. Height: 9m (30'). Spread 3m (10').

If you have a space to fill in your garden you may want to consider this large, spreading Juniper, Juniperus x pfitzeriana 'Mint Julep' as a worthy specimen conifer. The attractions are many, like all Junipers it requires very little maintenance and will be happy in most soil types and positions. It also has a very pleasing form with dense, arched branches and lush feathery foliage that has a hint of gold. With it's height and spread it will offer a lot of interest for very little effort as it