Among the huge variety of vegetation in the temperate climatic zone, coniferous trees occupy a special place. They appeared on the planet many millions of years ago and are one of the main sources of oxygen. Their role in human economic activity is invaluable. Coniferous plants are used in medicine, chemical and cosmetic industries.
Characteristics of conifers
Conifers include arboreal and shrub forms. They are found in almost all corners of the world in mixed forests or taiga zone. By the degree of illumination of the areas they occupy, one can judge what kind of conifers there are. The names determine their photophilousness. These are dark coniferous and light coniferous species.
They belong to the most ancient class, which, in turn, includes the following types of families:
- Araucariaceae inhabit the forests of the Southern Hemisphere. Plants of this species are very demanding on moisture and heat. They have wide leaves, large cones and seeds. Bark and wood give off a large amount of resin. They are considered rare and have only about forty varieties.
- Podocarpaceae grow on moist, swampy soils of the Australian continent and Asia. The family includes over one hundred and forty species. Leaves can be of different sizes and shapes.
- Pine are a large family that occupies vast territories. In Siberia, they form natural biomes called taiga. These include more than two hundred and fifty evergreen and deciduous species.
- Cypress grows in northern and southern latitudes. The trees grow up to seventy meters in height and have a very wide trunk. Shrubs are slow growing, can be tall and creeping.
Modern conifers are vascular plants, their seeds develop inside the cones. They are long-livers, the oldest tree is nine thousand years old. And also trees of this species are the record holders in height.
Dark coniferous trees
The most popular varieties are:
- The juniper has different shades of needles - from green to golden. It belongs to the lower tier of coniferous and mixed forests. It lives in the temperate climate of the Eurasian continent, North Africa and the United States of America. At home, it does not require special care due to its unpretentiousness.
- Berry yew is a rare evergreen species. The habitat includes the southern regions of Europe and the Russian Federation. Yew attracts attention with small needles of light green color and reddish berries, ripening in autumn. Grows in light, alkaline soils with high humidity.
- Thuja has a conical crown with emerald needles. Very unpretentious and resistant to winter cold. It harmonizes well with flowering plants, therefore it is often planted in personal plots and city squares.
A beautiful appearance and a wide variety of species allows the use of coniferous shrubs for landscape design in any region.
Everyone's favorite beautiful conifers are spruce, pine, fir, cypress and others.
There are so many of them and they all look great in the garden, at their summer cottage and are generally used in landscape design.
Conifers have many different names, we will analyze in more detail to determine and decide what exactly you want to plant.
All trees are beautiful in their own way, and their scent attracts and relaxes. They are indispensable parts of every garden.
They ate from the Pine Family. They love a temperate climate, grow up to 35 centimeters in height. Their leaves are sharp green needles that look like a spiral. They stay on the tree for many years.
There are cones on the tree that grow after ten years of the life of the spruce. The spruce has many different species with different shapes, different heights, etc.
They are loved for their smell, decorativeness. Here are the species that most often grow in Russia:
- Glena spruce
The tree is large in size, significant in height. The lower branches hang downward, while the upper branches are located upward, as if stretching towards the sun. Purple bumps. Loves moist soil.
- Canadian spruce (white, gray)
Thick trunk, cone-shaped crowns. The needles are very long, the cones are about the size of an egg. Grows in the forests of America. An unpretentious spruce, it gets used even to drought and grows calmly.
The color is yellow-green, massive spruce, small cones, red. Fruits ripen late, towards the end of spring. Often used as a decorative spruce.
- Blue prickly
35 meters high. Thickness - a meter, can be divided into several trunks. The bark is thick, young - gray, older - turns brown. The needles are sharp, needles, of a beautiful blue color.
- Common spruce
Common view. They are usually planted near the fence as protection from the sun, to create shade in the country for recreation or some plants. The needles are long, large, thick, shiny and have a dark green color. Grows up to 500 years. The fact is known about it that at the beginning of ripening it grows little by little, then very quickly.
- Serbian spruce
Rare, grows in Serbia. Small, has a dwarf shape. The needles are small, have a color from dark blue to light blue mixed with green. Favorably tolerates any soil, climate and conditions.
- Siberian spruce
The spruce itself is large, its needles are small and very sharp, the cones are also small in size. It mainly grows in Europe, Siberia. She loves moist soil very much, so it is less common than other ate.
- Sitka spruce
Alaska State Symbol. Large massive spruce, mainly used as a decorative one. Loves a humid cool climate.
- Inversa spruce
Height up to seven meters, width up to two.
- Nidiformis
A small spruce almost a meter tall, one and a half meters wide.
- Glauka
It has blue needles, it is used as a decorative one in landscape design.
Fir. Views
The Pine family, a powerful tree. Cone shape. In the form of an oval or cylinder - cones. In youth, the tree does not like sunlight. Dislikes dirty, dusty places.
Here are the types of fir:
- Caucasian fir
The plant is considered heroic and powerful; its species was found in 1835 in Georgia. The Nordman Fir is otherwise called, in honor of the person who found it. 50 meters high. Crown in the form of a pyramid.
There is an opinion that when the Trojan horse was built, they used the bark of this fir. Therefore, it also has such a name. It is used for Christmas and decorated in Europe.
She lives for 700 years. It has a juicy green color and shines.
- Fir monochromatic
Differs in singularity and grace, it grows mainly in the North of America. Branches and needles in the form of a skeleton, sharp, prickly. Calmly endures the wind. Loves almost any soil, can withstand any conditions. It grows long up to 350 years old, unpretentious. He is calmly going through a transplant.
- Subalpine fir
Slender fir, low, has the shape of a column. Has a silvery blue tint. Has a strong, powerful bud odor. Does not like moisture, grows calmly mainly in shady areas. Loves rich soil, grows poorly in an urban environment.
- Sakhalin fir
Slender, short, pointed upward fir. The color of the young bark is gray; the older, the darker. He does not like to grow in the city because of the abundant air pollution, but it is frost-resistant.
- Argenta
The needles are unusual blue-gray, white tips. Luminescent shoots ripen in spring. This unusual phenomenon occurs within a month, looks great in the garden.
Cedar. Views
These plants have a stunning, beautiful look. Widely used by the British in gardens and parks. They at the same time enrich and make the landscape so cozy and pleasant.
Bonsai is made from the dwarf forms of this plant. These are all trees grown by people.
Real wild ones grow up to 3 thousand meters in height, above the clouds.
INTERESTING TO KNOW:
Those nuts that we buy in the store and eat (pine nuts) - in fact, do not grow on cedar, they are fruits from cedar pine. Real cedar fruit cannot be eaten.
Types of cedars:
- Strict;
- Pendula;
- Tortuosa;
- Nana (dwarf);
- Nana pyramidate.
Cypress. Views
Evergreens are conical or pyramidal. The foliage is pressed close to the bark.
Cones ripen for 2 years of plant growth. It is believed that there are about 25 species of cypress in total, but only 10 species are used as ornamental.
Here are the most common types that everyone uses in landscape design:
Larch. Views
Diameter - meter, height - 50m. The branches grow in a chaotic manner. Soft needles. Scientists have identified 15 species of larch plant. Widely used:
- Viminalis;
- Rapance;
- Corley;
- Kornik (in the form of a ball);
- Diana (branches in the form of a spiral, ash-colored needles);
Thuja. Views
Cypress family. It is very popular in Ukraine as an ornamental plant.
Unpretentious, able to get used to and get along in any conditions: frost, drought, bad soil.
Strong rhizome, branches grow upward, columnar or pyramidal shape of the tree, cones ripen in the 1st year of growth.
- Arbor vitae
It releases special essential oils, it has a great effect on human health. Therefore, finding a person and the ability to breathe thuja air has a beneficial effect on a person. Frost-resistant, drought-resistant, thermophilic, whimsical to the soil.
- Eastern yellow
It grows rapidly and densely. The plant loves light, does not tolerate shade, and is also not drought tolerant, likes abundant watering.
- Western Danica
Dwarf.
Pine. Views
It has a total of about 12 species, but only 11 are especially common. The breed is distinguished by the number of needles on the branches. By the way, pine trees are distinguished by the fragrant smell of needles.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
It is undesirable to plant in open ground - they dry up. It is better to plant pines from July to September.
There are several types of pine trees, some are large, grow in parks, for example, by themselves and decorate with their size and power, and specially grown dwarfs decorate personal plots.
Mountain pine is especially common; it grows in western Europe up to 12 meters high:
- Dwarf. Height - 2 meters, needles - 4 meters;
- Columnaris is a bush with dense needles;
- Pug - spherical shape of the branches;
- Mini Pug;
- Globosa Viridis - ovoid, long needles.
Conifers have long been an element of the landscape design of sites, but, as a rule, the simplest types are used: juniper, blue spruce, pine. On my site for a long time there was the same simple set of conifers, and the pine tree itself grew near the distant fence.
I really wanted to plant a cedar, so I went to the coniferous nursery. The variety of species just amazed me: weeping larches, globular spruces, creeping junipers, pyramidal thuja, dwarf pines, even an unfamiliar coniferous tree - Canadian hemlock.
Now I have 12 of the most diverse conifers on my site.
The article will describe the most interesting and decorative types of conifers that can create exquisite and luxurious compositions on any site.
When planting conifers and shrubs, a number of nuances must be taken into account:
- They grow poorly in the vicinity of birch, bird cherry, linden
- They are moisture-loving, therefore, other trees and plants cannot be planted next to them at a distance of up to 5 meters, since the conifers "take" all the water from the soil
- It is better for hypertensive patients to plant conifers in small quantities, since the aroma of the needles increases the pressure;
- Conifers, especially ate, attract mosquitoes, so it is not recommended to plant them near recreation areas
- You can not plant conifers close to the house, the roots can destroy the foundation and, in addition, this is a violation of fire safety rules
Conifers are divided into 4 groups:
- Spruce
- Pine
- Cypress
- Yew.
Spruce conifers
Spruce conifers require free space, do not tolerate shaded places (needles crumble in the shade), do not require shelter and feeding.
There is a lot of resin in their wood, therefore, in Russian villages, spruce was never used for sheathing a bath.
Spruce needles are one of the most ancient natural medicines for many diseases. They collected it in winter, it was then that it contains the largest number of useful components.
Colorado spruce (blue)
This type of spruce is distinguished by the extraordinary color of the needles - silver-blue or gray-green with a matte bloom, the cones are reddish in color, when ripe they turn brown, the needles are prickly.
At first, the spruce grows slowly, but when it reaches 10 years of age, it begins to give an annual growth of up to 15-30 cm and grows up to 35-40 m. The life span is 500-600 years, it tolerates cold winds and low temperatures well, but "does not like" digging up the soil near the tree.
Вialobok (Belobok)
One of the varieties of prickly spruce is the Belobok variety of Polish selection. Differs in the color of young growth of branches, they have an unusual golden color. The variety is low, grows up to 2 meters over the entire life period, the crown has an asymmetric shape.
The needles sit tightly on the branches, which creates the effect of splendor. It grows slowly, does not tolerate stagnant water. May lose its bright color in the shade. Suitable for growing in rock gardens.
Pine conifers
Plants in this group require a lot of space. The growth of the tree can reach 50 meters, the crown is high, has a "cap-like" shape. The pine grows rapidly, especially for the first 150 years. Needle needles, collected in bunches of several pieces, tough.
Different varieties of needles of different lengths, it can be from 2 cm to 35 cm. When frost approaches, the needles are covered with a thin layer of wax from frostbite, they stop "breathing".
Siberian cedar pine
This type of pine is also called Siberian cedar. A tree with a straight trunk, up to 45-50 meters high, with a dense crown. The needles are soft, up to 15 cm long, dark green. The cones are brown in color, ripen for a year and a half, so the collection of pine nuts occurs regularly every year.
Each cone can contain up to 200 nuts, and up to 1500 of them are collected from each tree. Fruiting occurs only at the 60th year of the tree's life, the life period is 900-1000 years. It cannot grow in places with dry and hot climates.
Larch
It belongs to the pine family, but it differs from all conifers: the larch needles fall off every year before winter. The needles are soft, not prickly, the cones are brown. Weeping larch is especially beautiful. It is unpretentious, grows quickly, therefore, in the spring, before growth begins, it requires pruning. The tree is a long-liver, the life of the tree is up to 800 years.
Types of larch:
- Siberian
- European
- Japanese
- Western
- Kamchatka
- Primorskaya
Mountain pine Mugus
This variety is a shrub globular pine, but can also be formed as a tree. The needles are dark green, short (3-4 cm), the branches are located close to the surface of the earth.
At the age of 6-7 years, small cones begin to ripen in the bush. This type of pine is not afraid of frost, drought, wind, has immunity against diseases, its wood does not burn. Life expectancy is about 600-900 years. The most interesting for decorating plots are its dwarf varieties: Gnome, Benjamin and Pug.
Dwarf
The height of the shrub is 1.5-1.6 meters, at first the bush grows in width, then the branches grow vertically. The crown is spherical, the needles are dark green. At the ends of the branches, small, no more than 4 cm, bumps are formed, ripen in the second year.
The variety is unpretentious, drought-resistant, tolerates frosts well, is not afraid of winds, and can grow on almost any soil. Many gardeners plant it along the paths on the site.
Cypress conifers
This subspecies of conifers feels good in sunny places, but cannot stand the scorching midday rays. This group includes cypresses, thuja and junipers. They are characterized by a different shape of needles, instead of needles - scales on branches. All of them have a unique specific smell.
Juniper
The height of different varieties of juniper can be from 50 cm to 15-20 meters. The shape of the bush is also varied: columnar, creeping, pyramidal, weeping. The needles are soft, greenish-gray in color, the fruits are similar to lumpy berries, in some varieties they are poisonous.
Sunny areas are best suited for them. The plant is unpretentious, does not require regular watering, tolerates pruning well, grows on any soil.
Juniper species:
- Juniper Cossack
- Common juniper
- Juniper scaly
- Rocky juniper
- Juniper chinese
Thanks to the many varieties, you can pick up any type of plant for the site, but large-sized ones need a lot of free space.
Cypress
The subgroup of cypress trees includes up to 19 varieties, which are represented by both trees and shrubs. The height of the tree can reach 35 meters, the growth of shrubs does not exceed 2 meters. During the growth period of the cypress, the shape of the needles changes: from needle to scaly. Cypress wood does not rot, is not affected by insects and mold.
Cypress varieties:
- Arizona
- Italian
- Mexican
- Large-fruited
Thuja
Thuja is another subgroup of the cypress family. Its shape is different: columnar, dwarf spherical, pyramidal. The color of the needles can be bright green, yellow, blue. The needles are soft, the seeds ripen in small cones in the first year.
The plant is not afraid of frost, drought, but it is necessary to protect it from the winds. Most often used as a hedge.
There are several groups of tui:
- Folded
- Eastern
- Western
- Japanese
Thuja Smaragd
Thuja western Smaragd is an evergreen tree, reaching a height of 5-6 meters. It has a conical shape, branches are flexible, do not break under the weight of snow. The needles are green throughout the year, although in other thujas the needles acquire a rusty hue in winter. It lends itself well to pruning; during drought, the crown thins.
Little Giant
One of the popular varieties of western thuja is the dwarf variety Little Giant.
Evergreen spherical shrub no more than 70-80 cm high with bright green needles. It can grow even on swampy soil, loves sunny places. Often used for Japanese-style decor.
Yew conifers
They prefer fertile soil with good air permeability, regular watering is required. Yews are not demanding for illumination, they grow well in shaded places.
Wood (mahogany) is a valuable material, but its use on an industrial scale is prohibited, as the yew is an endangered species.
There are several varieties of yew:
- Berry
- Golden
- Canadian
- Short-leaved
- Far Eastern
Yew berry
It grows slowly, is a long-lived tree, reaches the age of 4000 years. The needles fade in the sun, therefore, light partial shade is desirable. The seeds are in a red berry, the berry is deadly to humans, causes respiratory arrest. Sour soils are not suitable for yews.
Of the berry yew varieties, the David variety is especially attractive, from which various garden figures are formed with the help of a haircut.
Main conclusions
- Conifers are divided into 4 groups: spruce, pine, cypress and yew. For the design of the site, you can use both large-sized and dwarf varieties.
- For planting, you need to choose 3-4-year-old seedlings, they take root better.
- When choosing a place for tall conifers, it must be borne in mind that they grow slowly and it is necessary to provide for a free area for them.
- Conifers are unpretentious, grow on any soil, tolerate adverse weather conditions well, and are resistant to various diseases.
- They create a healthy microclimate: they reduce the noise level, absorb harmful emissions, and disinfect the air.
Sometimes, looking at evergreen conifers, people think: why does a person have such a short life on earth? Intelligent beings who can think, feel and create, on average, live 70-80 years, and ordinary trees - more than a thousand. Perhaps someday the dream of eternal life will come true, and then people will be able to enjoy the environment to the fullest. Until this time has come, it is worth getting to know more about different types of conifers in order to decorate your summer cottage with them.
It is these evergreens that harmoniously fit into any landscape design. Their austere and sophisticated forms stand out clearly on the green lawn in summer. And in cold weather, they refresh the country house with rich greenery and a pleasant resinous aroma. Many gardeners grow evergreen beauties on their plots, because their diversity is truly impressive. They are tall and dwarf. They are found in the form of a pyramid or cone. Therefore, the unforgettable landscape of coniferous trees remains in the hearts of grateful people forever. Let's take a closer look at the most popular types.
Among the huge number of coniferous centenarians, unique specimens are especially impressive: the Old Tikko spruce in Sweden (more than 9 thousand years old), the Methuselah pine in the USA (about 5 thousand). In general, there are up to 20 such trees on the planet.
National favorite - spruce
Probably, there is no person on earth who has not heard about this tree. Many poems and songs have been composed about him, pictures and fairy tales have been written. The plant is associated with various holidays, customs, and sometimes with bad omens. Because of this, the plant suffers from excessive felling, which brings a lot of grief to connoisseurs of nature.
Spruce is an evergreen coniferous tree that belongs to the Pine family and can grow to a height of 35 meters. It has a pyramidal or triangular crown, ending with a sharp top. Branches are located along the entire trunk, so it is practically invisible from the side. They grow dark green needles with a glossy shiny coating, which are much shorter than those of pine.
The tree is found almost everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the main component of the Russian taiga, where it grows next to oak, pine, hazel, etc. In nature, there are about 50 types of spruce. Some of them successfully take root on the lawns of country houses. The following types are especially widely used.
Spruce roots are close to the surface of the soil, so a strong hurricane wind can knock it down. Therefore, the tree should not be planted near living quarters.
Akrokona
This type of spruce is characterized by a wide conical crown with hanging branches. It is considered slow growing. For 30 years it grows up to 4 meters in height. Plant diameter about 3 m. Prefers shaded areas. Spruce tolerates cold temperatures well. In the summer heat, it needs watering.
Inversa
The tree has a columnar crown and flowing weeping branches, which, like a train, touch the ground. Grows up to a maximum of 8 meters. The diameter of an adult plant is about 2.5 m.
European Maxwelli
A dwarf shrub in the form of a wide cone. It tolerates winter frosts and shaded places without problems. It grows up to one meter in height. The diameter of an adult shrub is 2 m.
Glauka Globoza
The famous spruce stands out with blue needles. It grows up to 2 meters in height. Used in many countries to decorate urban and suburban landscapes. Due to the fact that the tree lends itself to shearing, original blue balls are made from it, which delight their fans all year round.
Fir - a tree with purple cones
Evergreen representative of the genus "Pine". It differs from its close relatives in the features of the needles:
- softness;
- shine;
- flat shape.
White stripes are visible on the underside of each needle, which gives the plant a festive look. The fir tree is decorated with purple cones, which is its main highlight. It grows slowly over 10 years, after which growth accelerates. Lives for about 400 years. Breeders have developed decorative varieties that are used to decorate urban and suburban areas.
Since the needles of a tree have healing properties, growing a fir in a summer cottage is a great idea. It helps in the fight against colds, sciatica and wound healing.
Columnaris
The tree has a straight trunk and a narrow crown resembling a column. Grows up to 10 meters. The dense branches point upwards, giving the tree a majestic character.
Prostrata
This fir is famous for its long branches outstretched above the ground, which can reach 2.5 meters in length.
Argenta
The variety is characterized by original silvery needles, the tips of which are painted in a whitish color. Every spring, shoots of a yellow color of a luminescent nature emerge from its buds. This unusual combination creates a stunning view of the country house site. And it lasts almost a whole month.
Nana
A dwarf tree that grows only up to 50 cm. The diameter of an adult plant is 1 m. The crown is rounded, slightly flattened. It takes root wonderfully in small areas.
Majestic cedar
Since time immemorial, these trees have been considered a symbol of greatness. In their natural environment, they grow at an altitude of 3 km above sea level and resemble real giants. They grow up to 50 meters. They live for more than two centuries.
Despite its greatness, it is a unique tree, as it can decorate any garden landscape. If you sit it at the front door, it creates an atmosphere of some kind of celebration. On spacious lawns - home comfort.
Some dwarf varieties are used to grow bonsai plants. To create original landscapes, species are widely used that differ:
- the color of the needles;
- the length of the needles;
- the size of the tree.
When choosing a suitable species, it is advisable to first get acquainted with the plant. For home cultivation, the following varieties are used:
Mysterious larch
Many people think that if a tree is called larch, then it is not a coniferous species. In fact, this is not the case. The plant is a representative of the Pine family, but unlike its relatives, it loses its needles in the fall.
Larch grows up to 50 m in height. In this case, the trunk reaches 1 m in diameter. The branches grow in a chaotic manner, with a barely noticeable slope. As a result, a cone-shaped crown is formed. The needles are noticeably flattened, soft to the touch, bright green in color. In the natural environment, there are 14 different varieties. For garden design, the following types are used:
This variety allows you to create magnificent landscapes on the territory of summer cottages.
Dignified pine
Biologists count over a hundred different varieties of such an evergreen. Moreover, a distinctive feature is the number of needles on one bundle. The pine tree often grows up to a height of 50 meters. The straight trunk is covered with reddish-brown cracking bark. Long needles are located on the branchy branches of the tree and have a rich aroma. Pine lives for about 600 years and perfectly tolerates cold and summer heat.
Planting a pine tree should be done quickly, as its roots can dry out in a quarter of an hour. Such a plant does not take root in a new territory.
For garden decoration, breeders have created original miniature species:
Without a doubt, such evergreen living decorations are suitable for creating landscape rock gardens or mixborders. In any case, a pine tree can become the hallmark of a summer cottage.
Her majesty - thuja
An evergreen tree of this type is almost always used to decorate city parks and green areas. Recently, this plant has been widely used to decorate home gardens. It is prized by gardeners for its ability to withstand severe winter frosts, drought and high humidity.
The thuja tree is distinguished by lush branches, on which are scaly leaves of a dark green color. Each year, the plant is covered with miniature bumps that resemble scattered beads on green cloth. In addition to traditional forms, thuja are:
- dwarf;
- weeping;
- creeping.
Most often, for the design of the personal plot, seedlings called "Occidentalis" are used. The tree can grow up to 7 m in height, and create a crown of about 2 m. Another type - "Sloth of Gold" - has a golden shade of needles. It takes root well in shady areas of the garden.
Medium-sized variety - "Columna" amazes with its dark green needles with a glossy sheen. It does not disappear even in winter, for which it is very appreciated by lovers of green spaces. "Columna"
Compact type of thuja tree - "Holmstrup" has a conical shape, despite its height - 3 m. It tolerates cold winters wonderfully, lends itself to pruning and is used as a hedge. Another giant - "Smaragd" - grows to about 4 m. The diameter of an adult tree is up to 1.5 m. The needles are juicy, dark green in color with a shiny sheen. Such a beauty will surely decorate the countryside landscape of connoisseurs of greenery.
Having got acquainted with the majestic conifers, it is easy to find the right option. And let the suburban area turn into a green oasis of joy, where hardy conifers grow.
Conifers in landscape design - video
Conifers are the love of many people, not only landscape designers. What aroma they give, especially in warm regions - cypresses, thuja, various types of pines. Think of their greenery in winter. Soft, fluffy, prickly, tall, giant, small and dwarf, forest, mountain - what a magical variety nature gives us! And of course, they are used almost every time for landscaping.
Trees not only save us from heat, rain or wind, but also serve as an irreplaceable source of oxygen. Some plants are capable of pleasing the eye with their greenery all year round. This is what the kingdom of conifers belongs to. Their characteristics are very easy to distinguish from other species. In addition to non-falling needles, which are used as protection, they have cones in which seeds are stored for further reproduction. The first representatives of this kingdom appeared in the Carboniferous period, and in our time they are evergreen woody plants. They are the most numerous among the plants on land. And only they have a special resin of conifers, which initially serves as protection against insects. The odors emitted by the needles contain phytoncides, the properties of which are used for the prevention and treatment of bacterial diseases.
In any weather it is pleasant to walk through the cool coniferous forest, which is not uncommon for Russia. But not every country can boast of such wealth, because for the cultivation of such trees, such as pine, spruce, for example, a special climate is needed. Evergreens are well-known centenarians; the average age of one plant reaches 500–800 years. It is also not uncommon for deciduous species for conifers, which are called "larch". Some species are already extinct, many live under protection in the Botanical Gardens, and the most popular species are used by gardeners as ornamental plants. They make wonderful garden compositions.
In total, there are 600 species of plants on the planet that belong to conifers. For a more convenient classification, they are divided into childbirth. Which trees are the most common among them, you will learn from this list:
- European spruce,
- silver prickly tree,
- Serbian spruce,
- Canadian tree,
- Scots pine,
- black pine,
- Weymouth pine,
- cedar pine,
- arbor vitae,
- thuja giant
- thuja western,
- balsam fir,
- Korean fir,
- Siberian fir,
- noble fir,
- Vich fir,
- Caucasian fir,
- white,
- European larch,
- Japanese larch,
- dahurian larch,
- Siberian larch,
- European cedar,
- Siberian cedar,
- Canadian yew,
- European yew,
- juniper,
- tuyevik.
Of course, this impressive list does not enumerate all the representatives of conifers, but it clearly makes it clear how huge the diversity of these plants is. Other decorative species are also suitable for cultivation, but are much less common in the wild. The softwood of these plants is used in industry, and the resistance to moisture allows ships to be built from reliable planks.
Each species has its own growth area, breeding characteristics, cones and the shape of needles. For most of them, acidic soil without specific fertilizers and a harsh climate with high humidity, winds and low temperatures, which are found in the northern part of Russia, Canada and Europe, are suitable. Fir-tree, spruce, pine, thuja, larch and other names of conifers are among the most frost-resistant species, the protection of which from low temperatures allows them to grow even in winter. Planting in such a territory will bring guaranteed fruits without much effort, and the resulting compositions will delight gardeners. Planting conifers is a simple process.
What plants are most suitable for decorative purposes, we will consider in the form of a table of differences for clarity of characteristics.
The table below shows the comparative characteristics and characteristics of conifers:
| Name | Lighting | Plant shape and height | Durability |
| European tree | moderate | Cone-shaped, 50 m | 250-300 years |
| Pine | Photophilous | Cone-shaped, gets wider over the years, 40 m | 200-250 years |
| Thuja western | Shade tolerant | Pyramidal, dense needles, 3 m high. | 150 years |
| White fir | Shade tolerant | Pyramidal, nest-shaped by old age, 60 m. In height | 300-400 years |
| Photophilous | Irregular or conical shape, 50 m high | 50-100 years | |
| Canadian yew | Shade tolerant | Shrub, 2.5 m. | Before 1500 years |
| Name | Planting and watering | Leaf and cone shape | Special growing conditions |
| European tree | Layers or seeds, do not overflow | Flattened needles 1-3 cm, oblong cylindrical cones | Loamy soil without stagnant water, spruce tolerates frost, haircuts, requires clean air |
| Scots pine | Grafting or seeds | The needles are dense, curved 4-7 cm, cones 2-3 pieces | Sandy soil, fast growth, poor moisture tolerance |
| Thuja western | Seeds or cuttings, abundant watering | Flat, deep green, small buds | Slow growth, but thuja tolerates a lack of light. Moisture-loving |
| White fir | Seeds or vegetatively, Moderate watering | Blunt needles up to 3 cm.Oval green cones | Poorly withstands frost |
| European larch | Seeds or vegetatively, Weak watering | The needles are long, dull. Ovoid bumps | Dry soil required, larch is wind-resistant |
| Canadian yew | Vegetative planting, moderate watering | Short, sharp needles 2 cm long Ball-shaped fruits, small invisible cones | Slow growing, frost resistant Poisonous leaves, bark, berries |
How to make a mixborder?
So, having dealt with the main differences between decorative trees, let's move on directly to their use and possible compositions. To decorate the territory, a coniferous evergreen tree will be an excellent option. First of all, you need to decide what exactly fits into your landscape design: it should be a shrub or a coniferous tree with large needles like pine or larch.
You can get any species that interests you in Russia from gardeners, the main thing is desire, hard work and beautiful compositions. And in order to play up the advantages of pine needles even more original, you can make a mixborder from decorative species. The mixborder will favorably set off adjacent lawns and decorate the landscape in style. Of course, with the help of such plants, it will be difficult to achieve even contours of the composition, but constant care and haircut will help bring the picture closer to the ideal one.
The simplest scheme for a mixborder is the principle: taller plants are planted in the background, and small ones in the foreground. If your landscapes are in the middle of the lawn, plant large plants in the center and low ones in the periphery.
The initial schemes for the composition can be modeled on a computer, or you can draw a mixborder by hand. The resulting mixborder pictures must first be born in the head. Spruce, thuja, certain varieties of pine with a bluish-green shade of needles will give nobility, and creeping junipers, Bergman pine are useful as evergreen shrubs.
An unusual highlight of any scheme can be a hemlock with original hanging branches. It will not be superfluous to show your imagination and fill the mixborder with bright colors in the form of flowers. Even if the climate of Russia is not so harsh for the breed of decorative evergreens, you can choose a southern coniferous tree that perfectly tolerates high temperatures in summer.
An important point: consider the characteristics of the soil and access to them. Indeed, most often dense planting of trees will complicate further passage and access to the rest of the plants in the composition. The selected trees should not be aggressive, grow too quickly and displace flowers, then the mixborder will look organic.
It is necessary to take into account the clarity of all plants and select in a mixborder in accordance with the soil. Larch prefers dry weather, while others are wet. The selection of the neighborhood of the composition is the key to a beautiful landscape. It is also necessary to plant plants somewhat "chaotically", without observing clear placements and intervals - this way the mixborder will look more natural. For the first winter, you can cover your mixborder with spruce branches to allow the trees to adapt to the weather conditions in Russia. It is the mixborder that will create a unique and unusual composition on your site, which caring and creative owners can be proud of.
How to prune conifers?
The disorganized shape of conifers looks out of place in any landscape. In principle, conifers are not particularly difficult plants and do not require daily supervision and maintenance. But you still have to take note of a few basic rules. In order to control the growth and size of the plant, they need to trim some of the roots. This procedure is carried out once a year, as well as in preparation for plant transplantation. Some breeds have shallow roots, so pruning must be done with extreme care with pruning shears or garden shears, and the rest of the root system is also properly protected. With regards to the crown, it is cut only in those breeds that change their shape with age.
In the wild, in the forest, in botanical parks and gardens, this is prohibited, so as not to disturb the composition and natural growth. A more natural shape can be maintained by thinning the branches occasionally. In some trees, the leading branches are pruned, in this way a greater density of the crown is achieved and its width is reduced. Also, pruning will not be superfluous to maintain the balance of the plant and give it decorative forms and complement the composition. The grafted tree will have several tops and in this case it is necessary to eliminate the side branches.
Some trees - spruce, fir, thuja, cypress, when pruned, even change the color of the needles, it becomes bluish-silver. The pruning itself, if necessary, is carried out every two years without harm to the plant. For species such as juniper or yew, early pruning can be done to keep the tree in shape in the future. The breeds tolerate the pruning of young branches less painfully; when the old ones are removed, the tree can be sore for a long time, and soon it will degenerate altogether.
Scheduled pruning is done in early spring, before buds burst but no buds appear. Thus, the trunk of the tree can be restored before the fall. Another important consideration in pruning is to protect buds and buds, which, if damaged, will cause the tree to lose its growth. Hedges in the composition require frequent pruning and are less painful to respond to. Thuja and yews are great for such purposes as pruning.
Planting and feeding for conifers
Planting, as well as pruning, on the territory of Russia requires compliance with the rules and regulations, because some breeds take root for a long time in a new area. First of all, you need to find out whether they grow well in neighboring areas and in the forest of your city. Immediately before buying, check the root system of the tree, evaluate its appearance. When planting, choose the right place, taking into account the amount of sunlight.
The best time for planting is spring or early fall. The main thing is to ensure sufficient soil moisture. The site should be cleared of weeds and a hole should be dug 30 cm deeper than the root system of the tree. You can put gravel at the bottom of the dug hole. The root collar cannot be buried and it must be remembered that the earth will sag over time. Around the planted tree, it will not be superfluous to sprinkle it with pine sawdust or mulch, which will help retain moisture in the first year. Protection from cold and snow in the first year is possible with the help of special sheds; it is not required from insects and pests. Keep in mind that they thrive best when they are small.
There are many factors to consider if you decide to change your tree transplant composition. A coniferous plant such as a spruce must be carefully prepared. Most often this is root pruning without damage and with protection of the root collar. After this procedure, the trees can be transplanted after a year. Remember that when replanting in the first two years, the growth of the tree will be significantly lost.
With regards to feeding and fertilizing for conifers, you can do without them. Almost all breeds do not bear fruit, do not shed their leaves for the winter. But if you want to achieve great results in the form of growth, you can provide the tree with additional fertilizing.
It is important to understand that these plants are quite whimsical with regard to all kinds of chemical additives and other fertilizers, so it is very easy to "overdo it" and ruin a tree. It is better to refrain from feeding than to do it illiterately.
Fertilizers with a high percentage of nitrogen are completely unsuitable for evergreens. They give intensive growth of young branches, which ends with yellowing and subsequent degeneration of the specimen. Manure as a fertilizer, accordingly, is also not suitable for such purposes. As you can see, conifers are not very fond of feeding.
Most often, such breeds are fertilized twice a season: in early spring and no later than July. The most effective are special fertilizers in the form of granules or a liquid solution. They must be diluted in exact concentration according to the instructions. You can pour the mixture into specially dug holes near the roots of the tree. Granular additives are also allowed, it is better to mix them together with the soil during loosening. In a similar way, fertilize with humus or compost. It is best to reduce the acidity of the soil with dolomite flour, which contains calcium and magnesium, which is absorbed by the roots.