Fall 2024
Dwarf conifers: small stature, big impact
When you think of conifers – trees and shrubs that produce cones -- you probably picture a towering redwood tree or Monterey cypress sweeping over a blustery cliff. And you’re not wrong: these are iconic conifers. In fact, California is home to 52 conifers, fourteen that grow nowhere else on Earth. The world’s tallest, largest, and oldest trees are all conifers and they are all in California.
Photo: Paul, pexels
Think small
Now, rather than envisioning branches reaching for the sky, picture a menagerie of low-growing, evergreen shrubs and groundcovers. These are dwarf conifers. A dwarf conifer grows more slowly than its larger relative that grows out in the wild. They usually grow one to six inches per year and are under six feet tall after ten years. Many stay much lower.
Which ones should you grow?
Check out our list of dwarf conifers to get an idea of what’s available and what might be a good fit for your garden.
Why add dwarf conifers to your garden?
Dwarf conifers benefit gardens and gardeners in three key ways: they’re easy to grow, they look great, and they’re good for the environment.
They’re easy to grow and maintain
Conifers are unfussy plants. They’re tough, water-wise, and some can even take a little foot traffic. Low-growing and ground-hugging conifers can even help to snuff out weeds. Most appreciate full sun or light shade and well-drained soil, although some require slightly acidic soil. Water well after planting and apply mulch to help the soil retain as much water as possible. Skip the fertilizer but read up on the specific needs of whatever species you introduce into your garden. Prune out any branches that are growing inordinately fast, because it’s probably trying to revert to its fast-growing full-size relative.
They look great all year
Dwarf conifers add structure to the garden and come in many shapes, colors, and textures -- including short spiky green needles, feathery bright blue foliage, and yellow-tinged mini-spires. For best results, avoid over-pruning and allow them to grow into their natural size and shape. They look terrific tumbling over rocks, creeping alongside pathways, or dotting a mixed bed. And the best part? They look great all year. Some even sport colorful cones and change appearance in response to the seasons.
These hard-working plants are perfect additions to petite gardens and urban spaces. They’re also versatile, equally at home in raised beds, borders, or containers. Just be sure your container can accommodate the species you choose. They mix beautifully with other plants, from grasses to flowering perennials to small trees, often providing a contrasting punch to keep beds interesting. This is especially helpful during the coldest, darkest months of the year when other plants are not looking their best. Some dwarf conifers can even add an architectural element to the garden.
They’re good for the environment
Since they’re there year-round, dwarf conifers provide important habitat and protection for birds and other small animals. This is especially important in winter when food and shelter can be tougher for wildlife to find. Many of these plants are water-wise and even drought tolerant, a plus in our Mediterranean climate. Finally, because they’re evergreen, dwarf conifers absorb planet-warming carbon dioxide all year long, even in winter when other trees have dropped their leaves.