Principles for combining conifers in the garden

Who wouldn’t want evergreen giants in their garden? Even in Tuscany, people can’t imagine their gardens without conifers. Conifers are found in both gardens and parks, and they are a wonderful decoration for almost any such space. In every season you can enjoy their shapes and their scent.

Advantages of conifers

Conifers are long-lived woody plants that do not change during the year. They boast a great variety of shapes, which you will certainly appreciate. You can choose conical, ovoid, globular, prostrate or spreading forms. You can also influence their shape by regularly pinching out young shoots. Their range of colours is also interesting, from green to blue.

Buying conifers

If you want a beautiful tree or trees in your garden, don’t go only by price or looks. Consider whether you can give them a suitable location and enough space. It is unpleasant when they interfere with power lines or cast shade on someone. Also forget about cutting the top off a conifer. It will take its revenge by growing bulkier. It may not be as tall, but you won’t be able to move around it much.

Growing conifers

Most of these trees prefer neutral to slightly acidic soils. That is why the soil also needs to be kept slightly moist. However, some species even require soil improvement, such as adding peat or bark. Remember that you must always plant them with a root ball in early spring or in autumn. Never plant them in frozen soil, as their chance of taking root is then minimal. The planting depth should match the depth at which they grew in the pot. Overall, the hole should be twice as large as the root ball. Once planted, don’t forget to water them. In dry periods, make sure you water them regularly. Only ever transplant conifers in spring.

Which species to plant?

There is a whole range of conifers. So it is more a matter of trial and error.

• Scots pine    
• Norway spruce
• Silver fir
• European larch
• English yew    

Different growth forms

There is a wide range of different growth forms. Among them we find ground-cover species. Evergreen conifers, for example, are a good way to green hard-to-reach slopes while also stabilising them. Another interesting feature of evergreen conifers is that their needles protect the soil surface, which reduces soil erosion. Their advantages include modest demands on location, soil conditions and care.

In any case, combine solitary and group-planted conifers in your garden. Then you can simply look forward to their growth and their effect on your health. Remember, trees can reduce stress in almost anyone.