conifers - A Selection

Thuja occidentalis 'Danica' is a dwarf White Cedar variety with beautiful, dome-shaped, bright green leaves that grows slowly. This hardy, evergreen, coniferous shrub, which has been awarded a coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, turns a tinted bronze color in the winter. A tough plant that can be used in a container or in a sunny border; for added effect, put one every now and then throughout the border. Height & Spread: 50cm (20).

This hardy, evergreen conifer has a compact, rounded habit and green foliage with yellow tips that change to orange-bronze from late autumn and through winter. Thuja occidentalis 'Anniek' is very tactile and soft to touch, providing colour and texture throughout the year. An ideal choice for patio pots, the front of mixed borders, rockeries and gravel gardens. Height and spread: 40cm (16).

If you are looking for a conifer that will grow to a decent size, but will not grow too big, then Juniperus scopulorum 'Moonglow' is a good choice. When fully mature it will reach a height of 6 metres. Suitable for medium and large gardens, it has striking, silvery foliage and can be planted in lines to create a dense conifer hedge, it is a nice alternative to Leylandii. As a standalone specimen it has a bold conical shape, but can also be used for topiary and be trimmed and trained to a much

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Baby Blue' is an eye-catching evergreen. This Sawara Cypress may take on attractive purple tones during particularly cold periods, adding to its allure. It grows slowly and compactly into a dense, cone-shaped conifer with silver-blue foliage. It looks especially good when planted alongside darker conifers for a striking contrast. Height: 100cm (39). Spread: 80cm (31).

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

This is a delightful soft cushion of a plant! Small and neat, Thuja occidentalis 'Danica Aurea' makes a perfect small dome of glorious yellow-green feathery foliage. Plant several dotted throughout the border, or a single one in a tall container. Whichever way you choose, this evergreen coniferous shrub is very adaptable: it's not fussy about soil or sun or shade, needs no maintenance, and will last for years. Height & Spread: 60cm (24).

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').

Bring structure, texture, and year-round interest to your garden with Picea sitchensis 'Midget', a charming dwarf variety of the Sitka spruce. This slow-growing, globe-shaped conifer is prized for its tidy, compact form and blue-green needles that hold their colour beautifully throughout the seasons. Mature specimens also bear miniature, light brown cones. Slow growing and reaching just 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, 'Midget' is the perfect choice for rock gardens, alpine plantings, troughs, small

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.

Taxus x media 'Hicksii' is a sleek cultivar that grows more quickly than the common English Yew and makes an outstanding evergreen hedge. It is also stunning when left to grow unpruned. It eventually forms a magnificent, upright conifer with thick foliage. This female yew tree has an upright, columnar growth habit, deep green foliage, and vibrant red berries in autumn. With regular pruning, it, like all Yews, can be kept to much smaller proportions. Yew is easily flexible, growing in almost any

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

Taxus baccata 'Black Tower' is a striking columnar yew that adds a bold vertical accent to any landscape. Its dark, evergreen foliage maintains year-round interest and structure, standing out as a living exclamation mark among broader plantings. This yew is perfect for topiary enthusiasts, allowing for the creation of natural sculptures with regular pruning.Ideal for both large and small gardens, 'Black Tower' grows slowly, making it a long-term investment in garden design. Its upright form is

Pinus strobus 'Minima' forms a slow growing, compact, almost spherical, evergreen hummock. The blue-green needles have a silvery sheen, borne in bundles of five making them soft to the touch. A spectacular, 'must have' addition to the rock garden, containers or borders.

Taxus x media (Taxus) 'Densiformis' is a dwarf Yew with a low, spreading growth habit. The dark green, evergreen foliage provides year-round colour and structure, serving as the foundation of many formal gardens. This compact variety, which takes on a bronze tint in autumn, makes an excellent hedge or stand-alone specimen in borders, laws, and rockeries. Once established, yew is low-maintenance and simple to grow. Height: 1m (3'). Spread: 1.5m (5').

This dwarf Hinoki Cypress has an upright habit but will spread wider than it will grow in height. Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Maureen' 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 its dense, brilliant green foliage will provide wonderful colour and texture all year round. Height 80cm (31?) and spread 120cm (48?).

Pinus mugo 'Carsten's Wintergold' is extremely slow growing, forming a flattened mound of open branches that remain neat and compact. Green needles in spring and summer turn a beautiful golden-yellow as winter approaches, bringing a glowing splash of colour to the garden during the bleakest months.