New conifers for plant enthusiasts

Over the years I have written multiple columns on the merits of conifers, or what we like to call in the vernacular, “needle-leafed evergreen." It always boggles my mind to think of the variety of evergreens available to the northwest gardener. In our little nursery alone, we offer 25 different genera and close to 300 individual varieties. Some of these can grow up to 3 feet a year, creating a tree 40 to 60 feet tall, making them great for privacy screens for natural areas, or they can be sheared into formal hedges and maintained at a six-foot height. Others may be ground huggers, growing only horizontally and reaching 4 to 6 inches tall at most, lending themselves as ground covers. And of course, the vast majority fall somewhere in-between these two extremes, which makes them perfect candidates for our home landscapes.

March is the month when garden centers start bringing in their new inventory of conifers and the real connoisseurs will often gobble up the really unusual ones before the general public gets motivated to shop. That being said, there are still lots of great options to be had as long as you don’t wait too long. Here are some new introductions I discovered just the other day from one of our main suppliers of quality conifers, Iseli Nursery.

Thuja occidentalis ‘Primo’ — Iseli describes this plant as follows: “Rich, deep green summer color combines with the compact textural foliage and naturally sculpted spire-like shape making this new selection an unexpected breakthrough for the hardy common Arborvitae. With a muted green winter color, a very young tree has proportions perfect for mini-scapes or container gardening. As it ages, an elegant small tree develops." I would add that this evergreen will top out at only 4 feet tall, but since it only grows 3 to 4 inches a year, it will take several years to get there. I can see this little guy as a solo specimen in a container or tucked next to a rock in a small garden setting.

Orange Beauty English Yew — A new introduction from Iseli Nursery, this one has an extremely narrow form with outstanding color. The exposed foliage is yellow, changing to an amber, orange-tinged color in winter. The slender habit makes it a good choice for tight garden spaces needing a spot of color. Typical of the species, it is tolerant of many soil types and sun or shade exposure. It matures at around 8 feet tall and only 1 foot wide.

Miniature Columnar English Yew — As a horticulturist, anytime I spot a new form of an old standby plant, I am smitten and must possess it. This dwarf upright yew is a stunner. Like all upright yews, it grows tall and slender but just seems to be tighter and narrower than all the others. Found as a seedling in Germany in 1982, it is just now getting into production for us. It will grow very slowly and only reach 4 feet tall and 8 to 10 inches wide in 10 years. Again, I would be inclined to feature it as a soloist in a container, but it will also work well in the smaller scale garden.

Sciadopitys verticillate ‘Typ Bohlje’ — Japanese Umbrella Pines are just the coolest conifers ever. Their soft-to-the-touch, glossy needles are so unique that you can’t help but fall in love with them. For years, the seedling grown species was the only one on the market, but now there are several new selections. ‘Typ’ is a dwarf form with thick, flat needles and only reaches 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide at the base.

Sciadopitys ‘Picola’ — This little guy is dense and compact, perfect for the patio garden. Shorter, thinner needles on short shoots account for an overall bushy habit. Its mature height is only 4 feet tall with a perfect pyramidal shape.

‘Avatar’ Blue Spruce — This variety has exceptionally lush blue needles and a distinctively tiered pattern of branching. Slower growing and more compact than the good old Colorado Blue Spruce, ‘Avatar’ will mature at only 20 feet tall, perfect for most any garden.

‘Melody’ Hinoki Cypress — ‘Melody’ has sprays of attractive lemon-yellow foliage that stand out in the garden. Winter brings bronze tones to the tips of the yellow foliage for a nice seasonal change. Tolerates full sun, but can flourish in partial shade as well. Grows to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

These selections are just a few of the many varieties available this time of year. Shop early and be sure to read the label for growth habits and ultimate size. The last thing you want to do is to have to dig up your choice conifer 10 years from now because it got too big. Shop wisely, stay safe, and keep on gardening.

Steve Smith represents Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached at [email protected].