Conifers for Gardens in Northern California

See regional picks for conifers , and read the article by Andrew Brand for even more theme .

“ Evergreen conifers provide the bones for any landscape painting . They offer a sort of people of colour , textures and habits all year long . While coniferous tree are sometimes relegated to the hindquarters or limit of a attribute where they courteously test out nosey neighbors or unkempt yards , these plants can make marvellous additions to all parts of a garden . ” say moreConifers for Any Size Landscape .

1.Golden Dwarf Japanese Yew

Name:Taxus cuspidata‘Nana Aurescens’

Zones:4 to 7

Size:2 to 3 foot tall and 3 to 6 feet broad

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; well - drained , loamy soil

This plant , a diffuse selection of Japanese yew , is a ravisher all year and much loved for its compact growth drug abuse , rounded form , and finely textured leaf . However , ‘ Nana Aurescens ’ is a special standout in early spring , when its reinvigorated unexampled growth emerges in vibrant hue of hopeful chartreuse , contrasting beautifully with the robust , showy honey oil of the more matured foliage . This low - maintenance , easy - growing , highly adaptable conifer is an excellent choice for a sundry border in either Sunday or tincture or as a foundation planting candidate or a rock garden specimen . Be sure to protect it from cervid , who happen it tasty . It can be determine or sheared but is endearing when left in its natural contour .

2.‘Slowmound’ Mugo Pine

Name:Pinus mugo‘Slowmound’

Zones:2 to 8

Size:4 feet improbable and 6 foundation all-inclusive

stipulation : Full sun to partial shadowiness ; well - drained soil

This slow - growing mugo pine tree is an outstanding class - round performer , with fine - textured , abstruse - green foliage forming a dense , pincushion mound of rugged evergreen beauty . ‘ Slowmound ’ is peculiarly showy in spring , when abundant upright buds come along uniformly all over , lend an spare boost to its value in the landscape . This well-favored specimen is easy to raise , needing no shearing or defining , and is very dense to reach its full height and width , so it works every bit well in either the garden or a container . Because of its stiff phonograph needle and pitchy oil in the leaves , this is as confining to deer repellent as you’re able to get .

3.‘Cole’s Prostrate’ Canadian Hemlock

Name:Tsugacanadensis‘Cole’s Prostrate’

Zones:3 to 7

Size:2 to 4 foot improbable and 4 to 6 feet blanket

Conditions : fond tincture ; fertile , moist , well - drain ground

The uncompromising , silver - barked independent branches of this hemlock give it a truly bewitching substance abuse . The branches grow upwards , reaching 12 to 18 inches high before bending dramatically downward , then fan out , allowing the dark - light-green , flat , very well - textured foliage to drape in a elegant , gnarly fashion around or over whatever is close by . Over time , the scanty branches will become exposed , and the tree diagram then takes on even more character . ‘ Cole ’s Prostrate ’ apprize even watering and does not do well in a drouth situation , so be sure to mulch this beauty well and give it some good afternoon shade . Also , be sure to shelter it from rough , drying current of air . Its new growth may be susceptible to cervid .

4.‘Gold Splash’ Japanese Plum Yew

Name:Cephalotaxus harringtonia‘Gold Splash’

Zones:6 to 9

Size:2 feet marvelous and 4 ft spacious

Conditions : fond to full spook ; fertile , moist , well - drained ground

‘ atomic number 79 Splash ’ is a particularly lovely member of the plum yew family with a low - growing , horizontal ramification framework . Each subdivision is tip with big , promising chartreuse needle that counterpoint attractively with the more ripe slaked lime - light-green leaves . Its growth is more encompassing than tall , so it can be used as a ground cover for any shaded area , and it ’s a stunning understory choice for your favourite burgundy - leaved Japanese maple . This slow - growing , deer - resistive sweetheart require no shearing or shaping and is very low maintenance once its water and spectre - bed demand are met .

Fionuala Campion is the glasshouse manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Northern California .

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

The Nature of Oaks : The Rich Ecology of Our Most of the essence Native Trees

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through connection on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advert programs .

Pruning simplify : A Step - by - Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and shrub

DeWalt Variable - Speed Cordless Reciprocating see

Get our latest tip , how - to article , and instructional videos transmit to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Gold Splash Japanese Plum Yew

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Conifers for Gardens in the Midwest

Conifers for Gardens in the Mid-Atlantic

Conifers for Gardens in the Northeast

Conifers for Gardens in the Southern Plains

Join Fine Gardening for a liberal enlist live webinar feature Dr. Janna Beckerman , a far-famed works pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical manager …

When I spotted a exceptional sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delicious color rule …

When we only prioritize plants we desire over plant our landscape penury , each season is fill with a never - finish listing of chores : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Golden Dwarf Japanese Yew

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you insert the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …