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GARDENER'S
READING ROOM
Trees and Shrubs
Wonderful
World of Conifers
 Not
too many years ago Colorado Blue Spruce was thought of as
an "exotic" conifer. Today our choices are endless,
because of nature's generous propensity towards diversity
rather than sameness.
The
genus Chamaecyparis, for example, has about a half dozen commonly
grown species, but probably ten THOUSAND cultivars total.
Yes, it's staggering, but these large numbers provide
the home gardener with many fun and wonderful choices for
one's garden or container. Forms can be cascading, stiffly
upright, mounding, twisted, curled, sprawling, or formal.
Foliage types might be rough or fuzzy, prickly or smooth.
Golden, blue, black-green, mid green, variegations of cream
or silver or yellow…a multitude of colors also awaits
the discerning gardener.
Generally
most conifers like full sun and well-drained soil, but yews
(Taxus) break those rules, and many Chamaecyparis bend them,
growing happily in less ideal situations. Conifers are an
excellent choice for today's gardener with little time
for maintenance. Slow growth rate and little need for water
make conifers, especially dwarf conifers, a great choice for
containers and home gardens. Sky Nursery has a huge selection
ready for your discriminating eye.
By
Chuck Pavlich, W.C.N.
Skylights Spring/Summer 2001, Vol 15, No. 2
Other
articles on trees and shrubs
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