{"id":8670,"date":"2011-01-11T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2011-01-11T13:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nybg.org\/plant-talk\/?p=8670"},"modified":"2011-04-11T11:52:24","modified_gmt":"2011-04-11T15:52:24","slug":"conifers-contained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nybg.org\/blogs\/plant-talk\/2011\/01\/tip-of-the-week\/conifers-contained\/","title":{"rendered":"Conifers Contained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\nSonia Uyterhoeven is Gardener for Public Education. <\/span><\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/a>Last week we were looking at some dwarf conifers<\/a> that would be suitable for the perennial garden. Remember that miniature conifers grow less than one inch a year; dwarf conifers grow 1-6 inches per year; and the epithet \u2018nana\u2019 that you often see in cultivar names means \u2018dwarf\u2019.<\/p>\n

This week we will look at miniature and dwarf conifers as excellent candidates for container gardens. When choosing your conifers for a container garden make sure that you not only pay attention to the growth rate (a miniature or dwarf conifer will be your best choice), but also to its growth habit. Some conifers spread and are not suitable for containers (use them as ground covers). Look for mounding, rounded or upright forms.<\/p>\n

Dwarf conifers thrive in containers and are comfortable with restricted root growth. Nonetheless, it is best to choose a container that is at least 4-6 inches wider than the container that your conifer came in so that you give it space to grow.
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\nContainer grown conifers need good drainage. This is generally provided by standard potting mixes. These mixes, however, tend to be light and evergreens are prone to blowing over in heavy winds. The remedy is simple: weight the bottom of the container down with gravel or small stones. You not only provide a layer of drainage but also add stability with the additional weight.<\/p>\n

Feed your conifer in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. Remember not to over-fertilize \u2013 you are not trying to push growth. Water your container regularly so that the conifer does not dry out. For city dwellers that battle with exposed sites, pines and junipers fare well. Below is a list of some suitable container conifers. <\/p>\n

Chamaecyparis obtusa <\/em>\u2018Golden Sprite\u2019 \u2014 Dwarf Golden Hinoki-cypress
\nChamaecyparis obtusa<\/em> \u2018Mariesii\u2019 \u2014 Variegated Hinoki-cypress
\nChamaecyparis obtusa<\/em> \u2018Nana Gracilis\u2019 \u2014 Dwarf Hinoki-cypress
\nChamaecyparis obtusa<\/em> \u2018Tsatsumi Gold\u2019 \u2014 Golden Hinoki-cypress
\nChamaecyparis pisifera<\/em> \u2018Filifera Aurea Nana\u2019 \u2014 Dwarf Threadleaf Sawara-cypress
\nChamaecyparis pisifera<\/em> \u2018Tama-himuro\u2019 \u2014 Miniature Sawara-cypress
\nPicea pungens<\/em> \u2018R.H. Montgomery\u2019 \u2014 Dwarf Blue Colorado Spruce
\nPinus mugo <\/em>\u2018Honeycomb\u2019 \u2014 Dwarf Mountain Pine
\nPinus mugo<\/em> \u2018Paul\u2019s Dwarf\u2019 \u2014 Dwarf Mountain Pine
\nPinus mugo<\/em> \u2018Pot o\u2019 Gold\u2019 \u2014 Dwarf Mountain Pine
\nPinus strobus<\/em> \u2018Coney Island\u2019 \u2014 Dwarf Eastern White Pine
\nPinus strobus<\/em> \u2018Sea Urchin\u2019 \u2014 Miniature Eastern White Pine
\nThuja occidentalis <\/em>\u2018Hetz Midget\u2019 \u2014 Dwarf American Arborvitae
\nThuja occidentalis<\/em> \u2018Teddy\u2019 \u2014 Miniature American Arborvitae
\nTsuga canadensis<\/em> \u2018Jervis\u2019\u2014 Dwarf Eastern Hemlock<\/p>\n

Come visit both our perennial garden and the Benenson Ornamental Conifer Collection to see a fine collection of miniature and dwarf conifers. In our ornamental conifer collection we have an area devoted to conifers for the sun and correspondingly one for shadier situations. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sonia Uyterhoeven is Gardener for Public Education. Last week we were looking at some dwarf conifers that would be suitable for the perennial garden. Remember that miniature conifers grow less than one inch a year; dwarf conifers grow 1-6 inches per year; and the epithet \u2018nana\u2019 that you often see in cultivar names means \u2018dwarf\u2019…. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n