Conifers have been popular elements for garden design since the 1960s. They are used both as hedge plants and on their own. In this article you will find out how you can make your garden interesting with conifers today.
How can conifers be used in garden design?
Conifers are suitable for garden style, privacy and evergreen accents. Recommended species are dwarf pines, bonsai pines, yews and thujas. Combine conifers with soft grasses, perennials or different shades of green for interesting contrasts.
Why should conifers be used in the garden?
The main argument for using conifers in the garden is theirevergreen appearance, which makes the garden appear lively all year round. Especially in winter, when all other plants are bare, they are an interesting eye-catcher and a welcome change from the otherwise rather dreary garden picture. At the same time, they form a calm constant in the garden that changes with the seasons.
What purpose do conifers serve in the garden?
Conifers are primarily used asscreening, but they also serve as a windbreak and limiting element in the garden. In terms of nature and species protection, conifers serve no significant purpose and even have a rather detrimental effect on soil quality.
What effect do conifers have in the garden?
Conifers have a more attractive effect in the gardenstrictAs a hedge, they provide a flat background that gives space to flowers and other soft elements. At the same time, individual garden areas can be demarcated with conifer hedges. As rigid topiary trees, conifers have a contrasting effect to movable and lighter garden elements and flowering shrubs.
Which conifer suits which garden style?
Conifers can complement almostany garden style. For example, dwarf pines look great in barren rock gardens, while bonsai pines are suitable in an Asian garden. In a more formal garden design, edgy-cut yews can be used. Densely growing varieties such as thujas, yews and false cypresses are particularly suitable as hedge plants.
Which plants can conifers combine well with?
Forinteresting contrasts a combination of evergreen trees with soft grasses is suitable. Perennials can be used well to underplant conifers. An arrangement of various conifers can also be considered. The combination of different shades of green and structures significantly loosens up the otherwise rather rigid appearance. The interaction between the silver-gray blue spruce and the sickle fir, for example, offers an interesting structure. The upright needles of the fir can also contrast well with the hanging needles of the teardrop pine.
Tip
Pay attention to the interaction of soft and hard elements
Conifers and other evergreen trees, like walls, paths and garden decorations, form the hard elements of garden design. These are mostly the same all year round and are complemented by soft elements such as perennials, grasses and deciduous trees.
