Conifers come in all shapes and sizes, from the tallest trees in the world (Sequoia) to dwarf varieties, which rarely reach 30cm in 10 years. Some are low and spreading making useful ground cover, whilst others are tall and narrow, making focal points in the garden.
Virtually all conifers produce cones, and they are characterised by their needles. Many are evergreen, providing year-round colour, structure and interest in the garden. They come in a range of foliage colours, with greens, golds and blue tones – in winter some turn shades of red or bronze.
When shaping, it is worth noting that conifers will not grow back if they are cut back to old brown wood, instead they need to be cut back within the section of green, pliable stems. With hedging conifers such as Leylandii, we recommend trimming regularly as if the conifer gets out of hand it cannot be hard pruned.
Conifers for Specimen Plants
- Abies koreana
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Ellwoodii’
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Ellwoods Gold’
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Pembury Blue’
- Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans’
- Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Compacta’
- Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan-sugi’
- Cupressus arizonica
- Cupressus macrocarpa
- Cupressus sempervirens
- Ginkgo biloba
- Juniperus scopulorum
- Metasequoia glyptostroboides
- Pinus sylvestris
- Sciadopitys verticillata
- Taxodium distichum
- Thuja occidentalis
Conifers for Hedging
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
- Cupressus × leylandii
- Cupressus × leylandii ‘Castlewellan Gold’
- Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’
- Taxus baccata
- Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’
- Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’
- Thuja plicata
Dwarf Conifers
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Gnome’
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Snow White’
- Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Baby Blue’
- Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Blue Moon’
- Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Boulevard’
- Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Nana’
- Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Aurea’
- Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sungold’
- Cryptomeria japonica ‘Vilmoriniana’
- Juniperus chinensis ‘Pyramidalis’
- Juniperus squamata
- Picea glauca ‘Conica’
- Pinus mugo ‘Carstens Wintergold’
- Pinus mugo ‘Ophir’
- Pinus mugo ‘Sherwood Compact’
- Podocarpus
- Thuja occidentalis
Low Growing, Spreading Conifers
- Juniperus communis ‘Green Carpet’
- Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’
- Juniperus horizontalis ‘Andorra Variegata’
- Juniperus horizontalis ‘Lime Glow’
- Juniperus × pfitzeriana ‘Carbery Gold’
- Juniperus × pfitzeriana ‘Old Gold’
- Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’
- Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Carpet’
Explore our Full Range of Conifers
Our garden centres stock an even wider range of conifers than those featured in this guide, with varieties to suit gardens of every size and style. Visit your local Tates of Sussex garden centre to explore the full selection and speak to our knowledgeable team for advice on choosing the right conifer for your space.
Continue your Gardening Journey
Need a little extra advice? Visit your local Tates of Sussex Garden Centre today, where our friendly knowledgeable, team will be happy to help you choose the right plants and offer expert guidance.
