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What is small and green and glorious all year round? Yes, you guessed right, the dwarf specimen conifer. This is not your average 20-metre-tall Christmas tree. A number of larger specimen trees have been transformed into wonderful miniature cultivars.

The word cultivar originates from the term "cultivated variety." I categorize them as plants created from controlled breeding that have clearly distinguishing characteristics. They can be recognized by the use of single quotation marks around the name; for example Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh' is a cultivar called the Jeddeloh dwarf hemlock.

In our northern climate, we rely on evergreens to provide winter colour, texture, form and mass. Completely deciduous plantings tend to perform a disappearing act in the late fall so remember to include evergreens in your garden. Look outside your window in late October or November. Is there anything colourful to see? Evergreens provide that super splash of green in the bleak days of winter.

There are three reasons why dwarf conifers are important to plant in an urban landscape. They are all slow growing and easy to prune if necessary for overall shape. Also, these evergreens have a distinct form giving them great winter character. Their wonderful texture and shape may be further highlighted with lights draped over them.

Situating dwarf conifers near an open window or in close proximity to an entry allows the evergreen specimen maximum visibility. Even though they are small, they are so beautiful you will want to notice them. The dwarf evergreens look best if planted in odd numbered groupings.

Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh' has a feathery mounded form and can grow in both sun and shade. There are not too many evergreens that will thrive in shade. The Jeddeloh dwarf hemlock is slow growing and can be easily maintained at a height of one to three feet and a width of three to five feet (depending on the location and size of the space). It is really an eye-catching evergreen.

Picea abies 'Little Gem' or little gem spruce is a wonderful low-maintenance dwarf evergreen. Shaped like a flat-topped globe, this spruce requires full sun. It would be an excellent addition to any rock garden. The new growth is a bright green colour and blends well with the darker green needles.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' or dwarf hinoki false cypress is my final selection of favourites. The name is long, but this dwarf evergreen is fabulous. I have planted it in a Japanese garden setting, but it would work well by a front entrance. It has bright green fan-shaped sprays of foliage and is quite irregular in shape; this is what makes the plant unique. I would plant it in a more sheltered location, away from winter winds.

Even the smallest urban garden can have winter form and interest all season long. Focus on the most difficult season of winter when you are designing your space and you will be impressed by the results.

 

Marilyn Pomer is a landscape designer for Greenescape Designs Inc. If you have any questions or comments e-mail Marilyn at marilyn@greenescape.ca.