THE SOFT SIDE OF CONIFERS
Horticulture|March - April 2024
SCALE-LEAVED TYPES CONTRIBUTE A GENTLY SCULPTURAL PRESENCE TO THE GARDEN
MEGHAN SHINN
THE SOFT SIDE OF CONIFERS

Evergreen conifers have always been a staple for yearround interest and structure in the landscape. Undemanding, reliable and ever-present, these shrubs and trees are nonetheless special. The group's smorgasbord of colors, textures, sizes and shapes leave us spoiled for choice when it comes time to add conifers to the garden. How can one narrow the options?

Lately I've been thinking about conifers in terms of their foliage type. At first, this may seem too broad of a feature. Foliage: there's evergreen, applying to the vast majority of conifers; and there's deciduous, which can be found on a handful of coniferous trees, including larch (Larix) and dawn redwood (Metasequoia). Conifers do not offer the wide assortment of leaf shape that deciduous shrubs and trees do, so can we really use this detail to help sort our choices? Yes, if we take a closer look and distinguish between conifers' two leaf types: needles-such that you find on pines, firs and spruces-and scale-like foliage. In this article I'll highlight the beauty of the latter and offer some excellent garden candidates with this unique type of leaf.

GENERAL CARE

Conifers with scaly foliage are mostly found in the Cupressaceae, or cypress family. Genera include juniper (Juniperus), false cypress (Chamaecyparis), arborvitae and false cedar (Thuja), cypress (Cupressus) and more. While the leaves can be needle-like on young plants, and certain varieties retain that characteristic throughout their lifespan, with maturity most develop flat foliage with a surface reminiscent of the scales of a fish.

この記事は Horticulture の March - April 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Horticulture の March - April 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

HORTICULTUREのその他の記事すべて表示
GAGA FOR GALANTHUS
Horticulture

GAGA FOR GALANTHUS

As easy as they are irresistible, snowdrops boast a devoted and growing following

time-read
6 分  |
September - October 2024
NEW PLANTS
Horticulture

NEW PLANTS

Multiseason Marvels

time-read
4 分  |
September - October 2024
BLUEBERRIES & CO.
Horticulture

BLUEBERRIES & CO.

Members of the genus Vaccinium provide sweet flavor, health benefits and beauty in the garden

time-read
5 分  |
September - October 2024
AN ECOLOGICAL AGREEMENT
Horticulture

AN ECOLOGICAL AGREEMENT

How three great minds think alike

time-read
4 分  |
September - October 2024
Take It Indoors
Horticulture

Take It Indoors

Cs the growing season dwindles, _ potted cittus became a summer souuenir

time-read
4 分  |
September - October 2024
ROOTED IN PLACE
Horticulture

ROOTED IN PLACE

LAYERING IS A PROPAGATION TECHNIQUE THAT TAKES A WHILE TO COMPLETE, BUT IT DEMANDS LITTLE EFFORT FROM THE GARDENER

time-read
4 分  |
September - October 2024
AT HOME WITH PLANTS
Horticulture

AT HOME WITH PLANTS

Business travel and pleasure trips helped inspire this Cincinnati garden

time-read
6 分  |
September - October 2024
THE GARDEN GOES DARK
Horticulture

THE GARDEN GOES DARK

Yes, gardens have their dark side. But-surprise! A garden's darkness can be good, not sinister.

time-read
7 分  |
September - October 2024
LOW-WATER WONDERS
Horticulture

LOW-WATER WONDERS

EXPLORE ONE PLANTSMAN'S DROUGHT-TOLERANT FAVORITES FOR EACH LEVEL OF THE GARDEN

time-read
4 分  |
September - October 2024
Succeed With Succession- The best crops to plant throughout summer, plus how to time them right
Horticulture

Succeed With Succession- The best crops to plant throughout summer, plus how to time them right

The best crops to plant throughout summer, plus how to time them right. Once a crop like spring turnips or snap peas has finished, I tidy up the bed, amend the soil with a thin layer of compost and replant. Depending on the new crop, I may be sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings.

time-read
5 分  |
July - August 2024