The vast world of conifers offers a wide range of possibilities in the garden. Slender, pyramidal or drooping, the silhouettes of these trees are always elegant. The choice is yours!
How to choose your conifer?
Conifers generally become large trees, most of them imposing and very decorative. Except for the ginkgo or the bald cypress, they have the advantage of not losing their leaves and therefore remain green all year long.
Very hardy, they adapt to most gardens, even in the mountains for most of them. Some of them, such as the lariccio pine, the Atlas cedar or the Nordmann fir, are recommended in places where the elements are unleashed in winter and where the cold reigns. Others particularly appreciate sandy soils and tolerate sea spray and drought, such as the umbrella pine, which is very well adapted to the seaside, majestic in its bearing and producing delicious pine nuts, or the Florence cypress, which once well established, will launch its arrow towards the sky despite poor soil and drought.
If your garden is crossed by a stream or borders a marshy area, think of the magnificent Bald Cypress which will adorn the banks with its drooping and tortuous branches. Reserve a nice space for it, as this tree can reach 30 m in height for a spread of 20 m. In cool and chalky soil, think of the yew to decorate a shady area.
If your garden is very large and you wish to create an imposing alignment, don't hesitate to use the sequoia, a tree with an erect bearing and a narrow crown that can reach 60 m in height. It needs deep, rich, acidic soil to do its best.
As isolated specimens on a lawn, the large Atlas or Lebanese cedars always do wonderfully with their imposing port shaped by the elements. Again, allow for space as these majestic trees can grow to impressive sizes.
Conifers are also ideal for forming compact hedges, windbreaks and privacy screens. Choose the Leyland or Florence cypress that you can prune to contain their vigorous growth.
Let's not forget the ginkgo, a conifer that is a bit special since it does not have needles or scales but rather curiously cut leaves, very original, green then turning golden yellow in autumn. Very ornamental, it deserves a place of choice in a patio or on a lawn, but also finds its place in a Japanese or Zen garden.
How to plant your conifers?
A fall planting in September or October, when the ground is still warm but the rain is abundant, is recommended.
Always ask about the adult size of your conifer, because as we have seen, some of them can reach 60 m in height and a spread of 20 m. Do not consider such a tree if your garden is small and respect the planting distances and the regulations concerning the plantations on property lines.
Prepare the planting hole a month in advance. If your plants arrive sooner than expected, don't panic! They can survive in their containers until your land is ready for them.
Add compost and ground horn to the planting hole.
Soak the root ball to hydrate it before planting, then carefully remove the pot, keeping the root ball whole and not disturbing the roots (no pruning or pruning).
Install your tree in the planting hole, fill in, pack and water very abundantly.
Leave a basin around the foot to contain the water.
