conifers - A Selection

Juniperus squamata 'Blue Carpet' produces a prostrate structure of low spreading branches, true to its name. The dense, needle-like leaves are silvery-blue in colour, getting bluer as the winter progresses. This Flaky Juniper makes a beautiful evergreen ground cover that cascades down banks or over low rockery walls. Juniperus squamata 'Blue Carpet' is a low-maintenance shrub with an RHS AGM for outstanding garden performance. Height: 50cm (20). Spread: 2.5m (8').

Juniperus communis 'Gold Cone' produces slow, steady growth that will gradually form a dense, upright, conical tree. Like all Common Junipers, the yellow foliage has a characteristic pungent aroma.

Planted in a group, Picea glauca 'Conica' can transform a border into a micro conifer forest, or as a stand alone specimen, amongst other conifers and alpine plants in a rockery garden. It has a dense and neat conical shape, making it a perfect Christmas tree in the garden, to decorate in the festive season with outdoor Christmas decorations and outdoor fairly lights. In its early years it can also be placed in a container and be used as an indoor table top or mantelpiece Christmas tree, as

?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.

Juniperus x pfitzeriana 'Old Gold' has golden needle-like foliage that is densely cloaked on its softly arching branches. The low-growing habit of this spreading Juniper eventually forms a flat-topped mound. Junipers make excellent specimen shrubs, and this one maintains its colour well throughout the year, making it well worth a place in a conifer bed or in a border with other evergreens. This conifer has also received a prestigious RHS AGM for its outstanding garden performance. Height: 1m

Juniperus horizontalis 'Prince of Wales' is a prostrate Creeping Juniper with a low, flat growth habit. Over time, the spreading branches will form a dense mat of blue-green foliage that makes excellent evergreen groundcover.

Thuja occidentalis ?Green Egg? forms a perfect, ovoid shrub that resembles a green egg! The beautiful dense foliage is a rich emerald colour and will keep its colour through the winter. This hardy shrub is an excellent choice for a container where it will provide year-round colour and vertical structure on patios, balconies and terraces. Height: 1m (39in). Spread: 40cm (16in).

This Sawara Cypress makes a compact slow growing specimen. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Baby Blue' forms a dense cone shaped conifer with handsome silver-blue foliage. During particularly cold periods it may take on attractive purple tones that add to its appeal.

Taxus baccata 'David,' with its narrow, green leaves and attractive gold edging, is a more compact version of golden Irish Yew that is ideal for the smaller garden. This compact, hardy evergreen grows slowly and has a dense, stiffly upright habit that makes an attractive feature in the garden. Ideal for formal container plantings or as a stand-alone specimen in borders and rockeries. This is a male plant that does not produce the highly poisonous fruits, making it ideal for gardens frequented

Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Robusta' is a magnificent columnar Yew tree, perfect for adding a touch of elegance and formality to any garden. This stately evergreen forms a slender pillar of dark green foliage, making it an ideal statement plant for creating structure and visual interest. Its slow-growing nature and narrow, pencil-thin habit in its youth ensure it remains a manageable size even at maturity. Perfect for use as a standalone specimen or for creating formal avenues, Taxus baccata

Broad pyramid with attractive rusty red colour. Suitable for a container, rockery or small border. RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. Height 100-150cm.  

This conifer has a clean, miniature habit that will complement any environment. At maturity, the dense branches produce a compact, globe-shaped, evergreen shrub that provides color and structure all year. The leaves of Thuja occidentalis 'Fire Chief' are bright gold in the spring, deepening to bronze over the summer, and finally strengthening to a reddish red in the autumn. Rockeries, containers, and the front of borders are all great places to use this. Height and spread: 120 cm (48).

Thuja occidentalis 'Tiny Tim' is a dwarf type of White Cedar that creates a globe-shaped mound of stunning green foliage, as the name suggests. This conifer can be used in borders, containers, and rock gardens, and its fresh growth is easy to shape if needed. Full sun is best, with light, fertile, acidic to neutral soil. fully hardy, but heavy snow may require some protection. Height & Spread: 100cm (39).