If you’re looking for something to set your garden apart, but you don’t have much space; a smaller specimen evergreen might be the ticket. Don’t underestimate the power of little plants- these little stunners are incredibly impactful.
False Cypress
This lovely group of plants brings the year round interest of evergreens but with a soft touch. Similar in texture to arborvitae, false cypress come in interesting shapes and colors. The graceful branches are simply marvelous. These plants require very little pruning or maintenance, so you can enjoy all of the glamour of these unique plants with very little effort. Choose a site with full sun to part sun and well-drained, evenly moist (not wet) soil for best performance.
Check out: Soft Serve and Soft Serve Gold
Beautiful pyramidal form on a compact size. Organized and elegant, these beauties will bring an air of formality without being stuffy. Soft Serve is a lovely shade of green, while Soft Serve Gold is kissed with a golden yellow. These will slowly size up to 6-10 feet tall and wide. Beautiful near your front door or anywhere you want a charming accent.
Check out: Golden Mop
This fun little plant makes a beautiful golden mound reminiscent of a mop of golden hair. The texture is quite unique and sets Golden Mop apart from other dwarf conifers. Looks beautiful in rock gardens and as a low hedge, and is a good choice for places where larger plants would quickly outgrow the space. Slow growing, so it can be helpful to plant in groups for best effect.
Small but Mighty Miscellany
Holding ground, crowding out weeds, and bringing interest to the low-lying plain of the garden are some of the most important roles we assign to our plants. Why not use a magnificent dwarf conifer for ground cover or some year-round shrubbery? Here are some of our favorites:
Check out: Hillside Creeper Scots Pine
This is a vigorous and tough low-growing selection that works beautifully to cover ground. Slopes look positively eye-catching covered by this gorgeous green blanket, where it brings the green uniformity of a lawn without the cumbersome maintenance of mowing on a hill.
Check out: Blue Star Juniper
This juniper’s steely blue foliage works overtime to bring year round interest to the garden. The densely packed needles look like they come to a star shape at the end of the branches, giving this dwarf juniper its name. Beautiful planted with other lovely evergreens, among boulders, or intermingled with perennials and shrubs that would be complemented by its blue color. This is a slower grower that won’t outgrow its space too quickly.
Check out: Blue Shag Eastern White Pine
This gorgeous dwarf white pine has soft blue-green needles accented by fresh green candles in spring. Blue Shag features a reliably rounded habit and grows to about 6 feet tall and wide. Tuck this compact plant in where you need some soft, shaggy texture and year round interest. A beautiful, unique choice that blends well with other plants and won’t outgrow its space quickly.
Caring for your new plants is a breeze, and it starts with choosing the right site. Opt for well-drained soil in a sunny spot for absolute best performance. A touch of shade won’t be the end of the world, but full shade will negatively impact vigor and appearance. Soggy and poorly drained soil should be avoided. Water and mulch consistently for the first few years until they’re established, and these dwarf conifers will reward you for years!
