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Thin conifers suitable for a north facing garden.
mimi's-garden
Posts: 34
I would like a thin conifer to put in the front garden near to the house, the garden faces north and is about 15ft long.Obviously it cant be too tall but above window height or slightly taller would be preferable. any ideas would be very gratefully received.
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The problem with conifers - and just about any plant - is that they do grow bigger than when you first buy them. Even when one is sold as a dwarf conifer, they are only referring to the height after 10 years and they do continue getting bigger.
What made you decide to look for a thin conifer? Size, colour, need for privacy, a focal point?
Something else to consider is where you are in the country, exposure to strong winds or frosts, the kind of soil you have - sand/loam.clay/silt/stony and whether it is alkaline or neutral or acid.
Tell us more.
Juniperus scopulorum 'Skyrocket' or the Irish juniper, Juniperus communis Hibernica are both tall, thin trees that do not extend sideways or become excessively tall. I have grown both for a number of years and can vouch for them
The other option is that columnar golden yew - Taxus standishii. It'll grow in most places.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Do you really mean the garden is only 15feet long? I would not put a conifer anywhere in a garden that is that small. It could be over powering. You could create some height with other plants.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
Thanks everyone.
Lamweedy, Yes my front garden is 15ft long, don't think that is all that small, especially as the gardens
are all open plan in the street.
Fairygirl, I like the idea of golden yew, I will be looking further into that one.
Buttercupdays, not too sure about the Juniper as I have read they are not keen on shade and where I want to put it doesn't get much sun at all, especially in the winter. the skyrocket is exactly what i was looking for but I am concerned it wouldn't be happy.
Obelixx, I just love the way they look so I suppose it's just a focal point. I live in the middle of the country, Northants. The position is fairly sheltered as it is quite close to the house and my soil is clay.
Have a look at this then - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=729 info on yew and their cultivation.
There is a columnar form - not golden - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/95998/Taxus-baccata-Fastigiata-(f)/Details
The great thing about yew is that they can be pruned and shaped whereas most conifers do not regenerate if you cut into brown wood so inevitably get fatter over the years.
I can give you 4 names if you want to look into these... I don't grow Yew or other types..
Thuja 'Smaragd' [Emerald]. A very popular slimline conifer, much planted. Not too slow growing and like all conifers, it won't stop at 6 foot so you will have to prune off the top, which is easy to do. As with Thuja's they regenerate from old wood, so pruning is not a problem there. Will grow very tall eventually if left to its own devices, and I'm talking 30 foot or more.. after as many years... but it's gentle, manageable growth...
Thuja 'Brobecks Tower'. Very slow to grow, much slower than the one above.. Mine is about 4 foot after 6 years or so..
Thuja 'de Groot's Spire'... quicker than Brobeck's, and very slim. I don't have this one.
Chamaecyparis 'Van Pelt's Blue'... a lovely slimline bluey conifer. Will grow in full sun on heavy clay, and tolerates drought when established. 6 foot in about 8 years for me...
...best of luck choosing..
Last edited: 28 May 2017 17:23:52
mimi's-garden
It's not so much the size of you garden I was surprised at , it was putting a tall tree in there. That looks to me like a lot of tree in a small place.
suggestions are.
'Van Pelt's Blue'.
Size
Ultimate height 2.5-4 metres
Ultimate spread 1-1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height 10-20 years
Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata
Size
Ultimate height 8-12 metres
Ultimate spread 2.5-4 metres
Time to ultimate height 20-50 years
I know they don't always make their height but someone will eventually have to deal with them .
I really do not like conifers . It probably has a lot to do with the neighbours who lived in the two gardens our house bordered on. They planted Leylandii as soon as the houses in our close were developed. These wretched trees blighted our garden for 30 yrs .
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
Leylandii is a totally different beast altogether though IAW, but I can understand how it gives you some dread of all conifers.
Having said that - I wouldn't be putting conifers of any kind in a garden that size, unless you're prepared to keep them trimmed regularly and properly, and, as Obelixx said, if you cut back too far they're done. They all get big eventually - especially if you have the right conditions for them. There are plenty of nicer shrubs which would give cover and privacy all year round, and without the hassle.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It's not just me then. There are so many lovely small trees that would work and look far more interesting than monochome conifers. Good perfumes, good autumn colours etc etc.
I should perhaps keep my opinions to myself.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'