CONIFERS
CONIFERS
Conifers are shrubs and trees that have seed-bearing cones. They are versatile and attractive additions to the landscape, providing evergreen colour and structure long after seasonal flowers fade and deciduous plants lose their leaves. Most conifers need minimal maintenance and like slightly acidic soil that is loamy and well drained in full sun away from strong winds. Use them to make great outdoor privacy screens all year round.
Typical examples include Cedars, Cypresses, Junipers, Kauris and Pines.
Planting:
Dig hole two times the size of original pot and incorporate ericaceous compost into the hole. Remove conifer from pot and tease out roots. Place plant in hole so slightly higher than surrounding soil. Water thoroughly. Check after a few days and water whenever soil is dry. Established plants only need supplemental water during drought periods. Conifers work well in pots and their growth can be curbed. Choose a container at least three times the size.
Care:
Conifers are not heavy feeders and only need an annual feed of Tui general fertiliser. Mulching is essential to maintain cool soil temperatures. Dead diseased branches need to be removed immediately. Any other pruning should be done in winter when the plant is dormant. Brown patches can be caused by aphids or fungal diseases, but most commonly due to adverse growing conditions like too dry, waterlogged, frosty or windy.
Examples of Conifers:
Pencil conifers are narrow and columnar in shape. Excellent for adding vertical dimension to your garden without using up much ground space. They have beautiful foliage colours, ranging from greens (Thuja Pyramidalis) to powdery blues (Cupressus Gauca Blue Ice), silver, (Chamaecyparis Boulevard) and golden yellow (Swandes Golden).
Thuja - Upright evergreen conifer with narrow columnar habit. Is useful where space is limited and height desired. Great as a screen or hedge to accentuate driveways, entrances and formal gardens. Or use in rockeries and small gardens eg Thuja Smaragd.
Cupressus - Upright, slender conifer that tapers to a point. A dramatic focal plant which retains form without trimming eg Cupressus Blue Ice or Swandes Golden.
Curvy - Juniperus Chinensis Kaizuka has long curvy branches at all angles spiralling upwards. (3m high)
Ground covers - Ideal in rockeries or group plantings eg Juniperus Bluestar (8-15cm high).