Flowers and plants

Conifers   

This page contains following subjects:

• Introduction
• Use
• Care
• Some species

Introduction

Information is based on a moderate climate such as in Holland.
Conifers in general are wintergreen plants and they have cones. They can have needles or are squamous. Most are in Dutch climate also winter hard. Conifers can stay very small or become very big.
There are some species who loose their needles in winter time such as Larix and Metasequoia.
There are some species who not have cones: Juniperus and Taxus. 
Conifers are an important element in the many gardens. Also hedges often are made with conifers. Often we use conifers as solitairy or in groups. The shape can be like a pillar shaped, piramidal or overhanging, but also low creeping species are available.
A very special conifer is Ginko biloba who have nice triangular leaves. 
There are conifers in many species, colours and shapes. 

In flower art the species with needles, the bald branches of some species and the cones are important. Some times the bald branches are nicely covered with moss such as Larix.

Many conifers do not need pruning, bit when they become to big pruning is a good solution. The best is to start with young plants to keep the shape nice. Conifers in hedges can be pruned twice a year. Prune the hedge at the bottom wider than at the top. Do not wait till the conifers are too big. You can not prune till the old wood. Only by Taxus this is possible.
See wind is for many conifers not good or even it can kill them. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Picea omorika, Thuja plicata and Pinus nigra can stand see wind better.
Do not put conifers in the draught. Yellow-green or white-green conifers like a safe sunny place.

Multiplying

Conifers can flower and give seed. The seed is in the cones. Also by slipping plants or grafting we can multiply some species.

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Last update of this page 23.05.2004