Conifers for Gardens in the Midwest

See regional pickax for coniferous tree , and read the clause by Andrew Brand for even more ideas .

“ Evergreen coniferous tree put up the bones for any landscape painting . They offer a change of colour , texture and habit all year long . While conifers are sometimes relegated to the rear or boundary of a belongings where they politely screen out nosy neighbour or unkempt yards , these plants can make wondrous additions to all parts of a garden . ” Read moreConifers for Any Size Landscape .

1.‘Skylands’ Oriental Spruce

Name:Picea orientalis‘Skylands’

Zones:4 to 7

Size:10 to 20 feet improbable and 6 to 12 feet wide

Conditions : Full sunto partial shade ; well - drained dirt

Plant this slow - acquire , midsize beauty , and you ’ll recollect you ’ve struck landscape painting gold . The shortest needles of this spruce are bright gold upon spring emergence . Site ‘ Skylands ’ out of scorching midday summertime sun , or it can cauterise and develop browning . If give too much tone , the prosperous colour will break to lime . Adhering to that avowedly tricky siting caveat will honour you with gold all twelvemonth long . It ’s a dandy specimen that , if place out of unbridled winter wind , will give you a medium - stature focal level but a narrow footprint . ‘ Skylands ’ tolerates dry atmospheric condition and thin soil , and deer incline to leave it be . At maturity , this stunner don narrow royal cone that age to embrown .

2.Compact White Fir

Name:Abies concolor‘Glauca Compacta’

Size:6 feet grandiloquent and 3 feet wide

Conditions : Full sun;well - drained soil

For those rat for a footling blue “ something ” for the landscape , attend no further than this true fir . The striking , upturning needles rival the unassailable coloration of the good blue spruce , but , unlike spruces , they are soft to the touch . My compact white fir tree is 4 year old and already has a very thick silhouette . This small cutie grows only 4 inch per year and digest drought , heat , salt , and air befoulment , so it ’s a hand - off , no - maintenance garden proposition . That means little or no lachrymation once it ’s established , too . I ’ve institute mine in a assorted boundary line , where it quiet shines ( without being bothered by cervid ) until its neighbors make their declivity passing and this charming fir tree takes middle stage for winter .

3.‘Yellow Ribbon’ Western Arborvitae

Name:Thuja occidentalis‘Yellow Ribbon’

Zones:2 to 7

Size:10 foot grandiloquent and 3 to 4 feet wide

condition : Full sun to partial shade ; dampish soil

chickenhearted and gold are easy to exaggerate . The average hue of ‘ Yellow Ribbon ’ throughout the grow time of year , however , is just right . It has the typical arborvitae ferny sprays that are bright chicken , gradually soften to lime as you move to the inside of the plant . Give it the full Sunday it like , and the color will ride out with you all year long , although perhaps bronzing at the tips in winter . ‘ Yellow Ribbon is large-minded of alkaline soils , loves summer humidness , and respond gratefully to supplemental water , although that ’s not a necessity once build . Beware of sharp-set cervid who make out to nosh on its lush branches during a snowy wintertime .

4.‘Jakobsen’ Mugo Pine

Name:Pinus mugo‘Jakobsen’

Zones:3 to 7

Size:3 feet tall and 5 feet wide

atmospheric condition : Full sun to fond shade ; well - drained soil

If you bonk the artistic body structure of bonsai but incur the pruning intimidating , seek out ‘ Jakobsen ’ mugo pine tree . Even when vernal , this plant carries short , tightly clumped , moderately turn , dark - green needles at the terminal of thick arm . The foliage curves upwardly just at the tips , so the internal social structure of the arm is always on display . The overall effect is an open , flap silhouette that contrasts sharply to the predictable mushroom cloud profile that screams , “ Mugo pine tree ! ” Like its pine cousin , ‘ Jakobsen ’ weathers acidic or alkaline grime , twist , drought , and high temperature with few cares and little upkeep . Deer stay aside , too . If improperly sited , pine needle shell and sawfly could be pests to watch for .

Tony Fulmer is chief gardening ship’s officer at Chalet , a speciality nursery in Wilmette , Illinois .

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Jakobsen Mugo Pine

Photo: Doreen Wynja

Conifers for Gardens in the Northwest

Conifers for Gardens in the Mid-Atlantic

Conifers for Gardens in the Northeast

Conifers for Gardens in the Southern Plains

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Skylands Oriental Spruce

Photo: Doreen Wynja

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