Rock Garden conifers

St. John's, NL(Zone 5b)

With such enthusiasm in this forum, I thought we should start a thread on dwarf conifers. We are all so engrossed in perennial alpines, that we often forget that dwarf conifers deserve a place in all rockeries. For us in the north, they provide some colour in the dreary winter months (or even April and May in Newfoundland!). Of course, the larger the rock garden, the larger the dwarf conifer you can accomodate. However, some conifers are very small indeed and can be used even in a trough. So to start the ball rolling I'll share a few of my dwarf conifers. This is Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold'.

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St. John's, NL(Zone 5b)

Juniperus communis 'Compressa'. This one can be used in a large trough where it's growth rate will be even slower.

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St. John's, NL(Zone 5b)

This is Juniperus communis 'Depressa Aurea'. It will form a groundcover effect so requires a larger rock garden.

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St. John's, NL(Zone 5b)

Picea abies 'Little Gem'. This one will form a rounded mound and only puts on about 1-2" per year.

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St. John's, NL(Zone 5b)

Picea pungens 'St. Mary's Broom'. This is one of the smallest blue spruce on the market.

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St. John's, NL(Zone 5b)

Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh'. A small mounding conifer with a weepy habit. It can get larger with time but overall it is quite a slow grower.

Thumbnail by Todd_Boland
St. John's, NL(Zone 5b)

and Abies balsamea 'Nana'. Another mounder to nest-shaped conifer that only grows about an inch per year.

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Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a)

How large is your garden? Miles and miles? It looks fabulous..is it ever on tour? Do you have Meconopsis?

St. John's, NL(Zone 5b)

My garden is quite small...the back is only 60 X 50'....and way overplanted! I've tried Meconopsis and kept it for 5 years but then it disappeared one winter. A loal nursery is selling it so I will get a new one this year.

Keene, NH(Zone 5a)

the evergreens are definitely worth getting to know! I have a little chamaecyparis that has whitish tips that I'm just moving out of the trough it has outgrown- wondering where to put it... I love your pic of Picea pungens St Mary's broom- well I love them all! (want them all).........

Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a)

Todd........ Okay..I thought you were someone special! I just read about you! WOW! Very impressive...I am envious of your knowlege. Privilege to be able to correspond in a small way. Nancy

St. John's, NL(Zone 5b)

Now you have me blushing! I'm just a keen gardener who likes to share what knowledge I have.

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