Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’

Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’
syn. ‘Lemon yellow’
“Monterey Cypress”
CUPRESSACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Tree

Zone: 7 – 10
Native habitat : Coastal California (Monterey area)

Conditions
Soil: average
Moisture: well drained, moderate to regular
Light: full sun to full shade
Exposure: seaside
Plant size (h x w): to 33′ x 10′-15′
Other: tolerates stronger winds

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: upright, columnar, holds conical shape, flakey bark
Leaf: bright golden-yellow, ascending sprays, small, ,scale-like, colour persisting into winter
Flower:small, spherical female cones
Bloom: insignificant
Other: slow to grow; size can vary based on conditions

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: stake for the first year
Maintain:  no pruning is required; don’t prune top till desired height, can prune to be hedge (late spring) otherwise prune out dead; rake out needles every so often
Propagate: cutting

Uses
Landscape: specimen, winter interest, evergreen tree, hedge, screen, windbreak, seaside, accent, architectural, hedge
Companion planting: look to colors of dark greens, full bodied greens, purples 
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant; may see cypress aphid
Deer resistant: yes; deer proof hedge too

Interest
Local info,: not native,
Pot size (to purchase): 2 g or bigger
Nature: small evergreen conifer tree
Identification (key features): distinct layered look to growth, foliage has a lemon scent to it
Comments: more stressed it is the more yellow it will be; very popular cultivar
Cultivars:‘Wilma Goldcrest’ – smaller at 15′ tall

Sciadopitys verticillata

Sciadopitys verticillata
“Japanese umbrella pine”
SCIADOPITYACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Tree

Zone: 5 – 9
Native habitat : Japan’s cloud forest

Condition
Soil: moderately fertile, neutral to slightly acidic
Moisture: well drained, moist
Light: full sun to part shade (no hot sun)
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): typically 20′ – 30 x 15′ – 20′ (slow to 30′-70’x20′-25′) (age 10: 4′-7’x3′)
Other: cool summer climates are ideal 


Aesthetic
Shape/stem: upright, conical, opens with age , not so symmetrical, peeling red-brown bark hidden by foliage
Leaf: glossy, dark green, linear “leaves”, 2″-5″ long, in terminal whorls of 15-25 needles; true leaves are randomly scattered scales on twigs
Flower:inconspicuous flowers followed by ovoid cones 8cm in length
Bloom: insignificant
Other: needles die and reform every 3-4 years

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; plant in an area that will allow adequate space
Maintain: low maintenance; no pruning
Propagate: cutting, seed

Uses
Landscape: a true specimen tree, woodland main, estate, screening
Companion planting: 
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant;
Deer resistant: unknown

Interest
Local info,: not native, often seem to be chlorotic in Victoria (maybe look to part shade locations for more healthy specimen)
Pot size (to purchase): 5 g (slow growing so the bigger you can find the better)
Nature: sacred specimen tree
Identification (key features): scales on twigs (leaves); needles whorl around stem tips, needles long, bundles of needles alternate

Interesting facts: very sacred (spiritual) plant in Japan;
Cultivars:
Comments:

Podocarps nivalis

Podocarps nivalis
“Alpine totara””Plum yew”
PODOCARACEAE

Evergreen Conifer  Shrub

Zone:  7 – 10
Native habitat:  New Zealand (mountains / sub alpine regions)

Conditions
Soil: fertile, humus
Moisture: well drained, average, tolerates some drought
Light: full sun (best) to part shade
Exposure: protect from cold, drying winds
Plant size (h x w): 3′ x 3′; usually wider than higher; can rarely see them 6’x6′
Other: tough

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: bright green stems, horizontal growth habit (wider than tall)
Leaf: rigid green-bronze needles attached radially around shoots needles short, messy off stem with sharp tips
Flower: dioecious; male plants yellow catkin-like cons; older females green cone-like parts which develop into bright red arils with seed protruding from each
Bloom: insignificant
Other:

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general
Maintain: low maintenance, remove dead and damaged, responds well to pruning
Propagate: cutting, seed

Uses
Landscape: specimen, winter interest, mixed boarder, top of rockeries so the branches can tumble down, short hedge, erosion conrtrol
Companion planting: can be nice planted with heathers to mixed into an entirely heather bed; can prune to allow it to weave nicely into empty areas of a bed 
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant, very little disease seen, more of a problem if grown in cold, wet soils
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 1 g or bigger
Nature: adaptable evergreen shrub
Identification (key features): needles close-set, spirally arranged, erect or subpatent, rigid, coriaceous, margins thickened, linear-oblong
Interesting Facts: family related to Taxus
Cultivars:
Comments: species tends to vary both in the wild and plant nuseries
has a sharp almost toxic smell when foliage is crushed

Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’

Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’
“Spreading English Yew”
TAXACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Shrub

Zone: 7 -8
Native habitat : USA garden/nursery origin; straight species Europe

Conditions
Soil: average
Moisture: well drained, moist to average, drought tolerant once established
Light: full sun to deep shade
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): 2′ – 4′ x 10′ – 15′
Other: very hardy, will thrive in shade

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: mounding, low growing, with arching branches drooping at their tips, spreading habit
Leaf: needles soft, overlapping, two off brach in wings, top needles dark green, light green underside, new growth lighter
Flower: dioecious, female, red fruit
Bloom: insignificant
Other:

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; develops best when it is given enough room to spread (nice if left unpruned)
Maintain: low maintenance; can prune yews hard (even into hard wood) only prune sides at first, prune top growth only once reaches desired height
Propagate: cutting,

Uses
Landscape: specimen, winter interest, medium sized ground cover, erosion control, slope plantings (covering large areas), mixed boarder, low hedge, shade garden
Companion planting: ferns and other shade loving perennials 
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant; may see can get scale, sooty mold, black vine weevil
Deer resistant: no

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 2g +
Nature: mounding spreading hardy conifer
Identification (key features): mounding to spreading, dark green needles that end in a horny tip, wide spreading branches with spirally arranged needles, brown scales in stems, reddish brown flaking bark, red fleshy seed
Interesting facts:
Cultivars: T. b. ‘Fastigiate’  – upright, narrow – often used as hedge
T. b . ‘Repens Aurea’ – prostrate and golden colour
Comments: may be hard to find

 

Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’

Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’
“Weeping Eastern Hemlock”
PINACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Shrub

Zone: 4 – 8
Native habitat: Eastern North America

Conditions
Soil: humus
Moisture: well drained, average to moist
Light: full sun to part shade
Exposure: protect from wind and excessive sun
Plant size (h x w): to 20′ – 33′ wide at age 100
(height depends on how trained and initially staked)
Other:

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: gracefully weeping mound, leaning columnar, narrow, pendent side branches, messy but nice
Leaf: soft fine needles, mostly in 2 opposite rows with a few short needles lying flat along shoots, dark green on top with showing silvery underside
Flower: insignificant
Bloom: insignificant
Other: 

Treatment (how to…)

Plant: general; train to desired height by staking (tie in) and then directing growth; be sure to give it plenty of space; be sure to water when young
Maintain: low maintenance, prune dead and damaged, train if needed to direct growth (leaning or tie in) in right direction
Propagate: cutting,

Uses
Landscape: specimen, screen, wind break, can pin up to train horizontally along a fence like a curtain, shade garden, foliage garden, mixed boarder, over a stone wall,
Companion planting: see photo bellow for good color pairing ideas (would be nice trainned along the back fence in this garden); complement shrubs with larger leaves (ideas for a shady spot: rhododendrons, viburnums, hybrid mahonias, witch alders, witch hazels, camellias)

Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: native to Canada but not the island
Pot size (to purchase): 2 g or bigger
Nature: unique weeping conifer tree with gracefully messy pendulous form
Identification (key features): notice the 2 shaded lines of foliage (dark needles on top laid out flat then left and right on top with white underside with green margin and edges)

Cultivars:
T. canadensis has many excellent dwarf cultivars (but note.T. c. ‘Coles’ becomes bare of needles in the center)
Comments: hemlocks are great for shade

 

Pinus mugo var. mugo

Pinus mugo var. mugo
(was P. mugo mughus)
“Mugo” “Swiss mountain pine”
PINACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Shrub

Zone: 3 – 7
Native habitat : Europe

Conditions
Soil:  average
Moisture: well drained, average to drought tolerant;
Light: full sun
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): 8′ – 10′ x 15′
Other: Aesthetic
Shape/stem: dense, rounded form, branches spreading and ascending
Leaf: needles dark green (1.25-3″ long) in pairs (2 per bundle) whorles, needle growth directed up and relatively soft
Flower:
Bloom: brown ovoid female cones, tall, symmetrical
Other: highly variable if grown from seed

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; prefers ball and burlap
Maintain: low maintenance; can shorten candles or even sheer “candles” in march or remove candles in July
Propagate: seed, grafting

Uses
Landscape: specimen, backyard shrub, screen, informal thick hedge
Companion planting: nice contrast to bright green foliage and purple blooms 
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant; may see spider mite
Deer resistant: yes

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 1 g +
Nature: thick handsome conifer shrub
Identification (key features): id by 2 needles (true pine squeeze needles together and they make a perfect circle), growth direct up in “candles”
Interesting facts: not a strong scent to them
Cultivars: over 28 forms of pinus mugo; grafted of predictable size but more expensive
P. m. ‘Mops’
P.m (straight species) – 10′-16 x 10′-13 – irregular habit
Comments:

 

Pinus aristata

Pinus aristata
“Bristlecone Pine”
PINACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Tree

Zone: 4 – 8
Native habitat : USA (Colorado rocky mountains to Mexico)

Conditions
Soil: deep, rich to average
Moisture: well drained, average to drought tolerant; prefers drier conditions
Light: full sun
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): 15′ – 30′ x 20” – 13′ (age 10: 5-6.5′)
Other: 

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: dense, tear drop shape, lowest branches can sweep the ground, upturned branch tips,  bark is grey-brown, thin and scaly at the base
Leaf: needles dark green with distinct specks of white resin, in bundles of 5
Flower:
Bloom: cones ovoid-cylindrical, 5–10 cm long and 3–4 cm broad, purple at first, ripening yellow at 16 months old, with numerous thin, fragile scales
Other:

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general;
Maintain: low maintenance; does not need major pruning; remove dead, clean out needles as needed
Propagate: seed, grafting

Uses
Landscape: specimen, park, estate, back of property densely wide screen, backyard tree
Companion planting: nice contrast to bright green foliage and purple blooms 
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant; may see spider mite
Deer resistant: yes

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 1 g +
Nature: thick handsome conifer shrub
Identification (key features): id by 5 needles (true pine squeeze needles together and they make a perfect circle) and resin (white spots on needles)

Interesting facts: can live for 2000 years
Cultivars:
Comments:  dense forest Colorado mountains 

 

Picea pungens ‘Globosa’

Picea pungens ‘Globosa’
(was P. p.  ‘Glauca Globosa’)
“Dwarf Colorado Blue Spruce”
PINACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Shrub

Zone: 3 – 8
Native habitat : Bosnia and Siberia

Conditions
Soil: deep, rich
Moisture: well drained, average (adequate to good moisture is best especially in Victoria summers)
Light: full sun
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): age 10: 20″ x 28″ age 25: 5-6′ x 5′
Other: more drought tolerant than other spruces

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: mounded, round to triangular
Leaf: blue-grey needles radially arranged around twigs on stiffly horizontal branches, needles can be sharp, thick, bluer at tips
Flower:
Bloom: insignificant
Other: slow growing

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; spruces don’t transplant well; Plant slightly above soil grade and mulch top of soil in a 2 -3 foot diameter circle. Water regularly until established
Maintain: low maintenance; does not need major pruning; remove dead, clean out needles as needed; water in dry summer to reduce risk of spider mites; wash out or spray out to reduce as well
Propagate: cutting, graft
Uses
Landscape: mixed shrub boarder, winter interest, townhouse garden
Companion planting: nice contrast to dark green, gold
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: conifer red spider mite
Deer resistant: yes

Interest
Local info,: not native, spider mites problem here
Pot size (to purchase): 1 g +
Nature evergreen dwarf shrub
Identification (key features): id spruces by each fallen leaf leaving a peg (indent off branch) and cones hang down
Interesting facts:
Cultivars: P. glauca var. albertiana ‘Conica’ – “Dwarf alberta spruce” – 5′-10’x3.5′-5′ in Victoria – hates dry wind – prone to defoliation by insects
Comments:

 

Picea omorika

Picea omorika
“Serbian spruce”
PINACEAE

Evergreen ConiferTree

Zone: 5 – 8
Native habitat : Bosnia and Siberia

Conditions
Soil: deep, rich
Moisture: well drained, average to moist
Light: full sun
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): 70′ – 100′ x 2.5′ – 13′ (age 10: 8′ – 11.5′)
Other: least drought tolerant of all the spruces; takes cold, wind and even wet soils

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: wafting pendulous branches, graceful, slender tree of narrowly conical habit
Leaf: dark foliage, whitish beneath, in drooping sprays curving up at the tips
Flower:
Bloom: insignificant
Other: best forms are very narrow

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; spruces don’t transplant well
Maintain: low maintenance; does not need major pruning; remove dead, clean out needles as needed
Propagate: cutting,

Uses
Landscape: entrance way, narrow hedge, privacy, screening, townhouse garden, hide a telephone pole
Companion planting: nice contrast to dark green, copper to gold and blue
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant; may see aphids, conifer red spider mite
Deer resistant: yes

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 1 g +
Nature: nest shaped, flat-topped, evergreen dwarf shrub
Identification (key features): id spruces by each fallen leaf leaving a peg (indent off branch) and cones hang down
Interesting facts:
Cultivars: Picea abies – Norway spruce
Comments:

Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’

Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’
“Bird’s nest spruce”
PINACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Sub-Shrub

Zone: 5 – 8
Native habitat : Central and Eastern Europe

Conditions
Soil: deep, average
Moisture: well drained, average to moist
Light: full sun (best) to part shade
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): slow to 2′ – 6′ x 4′ – 6′
Other: not fussy


Aesthetic
Shape/stem: mounded, chunky, concave when young to less when older, flat-topped evergreen dwarf shrub, wider than tall, nice branching
Leaf: needle-like leaves arranged singly all round the shoots, prickly, stiff, single needles, needles relatively soft, flat at base then angle on top,
Flower: narrow, leathery-scaled cones borne near the ends of the shoots
Bloom: insignificant
Other:

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; spruces don’t transplant well
Maintain: low maintenance; does not need major pruning; remove dead, clean out needles as needed
Propagate: cutting,


Uses
Landscape: foreground planting, winter interest, mixed boarder, front yard,
Companion planting: nice contrast to dark green, copper to gold and blue
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease:none significant; may see adelgids, aphids, conifer red spider mite
Deer resistant: yes

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 1 g +
Nature: nest shaped, flat-topped, evergreen dwarf shrub
Identification (key features): id spruces by each fallen leaf leaving a peg (indent off branch) and cones hang down
Interesting facts:
Cultivars: Picea abies – Norway spruce
Comments: