Get to Know Different Types of Conifers

By: James A. Baggett

Conifers are in their glory right now. But which ones are best for your garden? Let us introduce you to 10 different types and help you decide.

Why grow conifers?

Conifers rarely need fertilizer, resist insects and diseases and only need to be watered during dry spells. And these versatile, low-maintenance plants come in an array of shapes other than the ubiquitous pyramid and in a surprising range of colors, including blues, grays, yellows, maroons and, of course, greens.

Find the right conifer for your garden

There are plenty of delightful conifers for every garden from coast to coast. And since a conifer can be a substantial purchase and a long-term investment, you want to make sure you're choosing the right one. Many cultivars will stay small and may grow for several years or even decades with little to no maintenance. Here are some to consider.

See also Conifer Q&A

| 1 of 10

Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara 'Feelin Blue')

Type Tree Foliage This dwarf creeping cedar with unique spreading form and blue-green foliage is a good choice for smaller spaces Light Full sun Size 4 to 5 ft. tall, 6 to 10 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9

| 2 of 10

False cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera Soft Serve^®)

Type Tree Foliage Compact false cypress with graceful fernlike branches that are bright green on top and silver-blue on the undersides Light Full to part sun Size 6 to 10 ft. tall, 5 to 6 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

| 3 of 10

Concolor fir (Abies concolor)

Type Tree Foliage Native American white fir with straight trunk and branches of soft, flattened blue-green needles and barrel-shaped (3 to 6 in. long) cones Light Full sun to part shade Size 40 to 70 ft. tall, 20 to 30 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7

| 4 of 10

Juniper (Juniper chinensis ‘Hetzii Columnaris’)

Type Tree Foliage Upright juniper with crisp green foliage on dense, tight branches of dark blue-green scalelike foliage (females produce black-green berries in fall) Light Full to part sun Size 12 to 15 ft. tall, 10 to 15 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

| 5 of 10

Larch (Larix decidua)

Type Tree Foliage Deciduous conifer best noted for soft green foliage that turns golden yellow in fall before dropping and red-brown erect cones covered with brown hair Light Full sun Size 60 to 100 ft. tall, 20 to 30 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 2 to 6

| 6 of 10

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'MonJers')

Type Tree Foliage New form of this evergreen with glowing golden yellow foliage on graceful, aching branches that tends to orange in fall Light Full to part sun Size 6 to 10 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

| 7 of 10

Mugo pine (Pinus mugo)

Type Shrub Foliage Compact, bushy, multi-stemmed conifer with bright green needles in bundles of two and brown, conical 2- to 3-in. cones Light Full to part sun Size 15 to 20 ft. tall, 25 to 30 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 2 to 7

| 8 of 10

Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)

Type Tree Foliage Conical conifer with feathery foliage that emerges light green and matures to deep green in summer and red-bronze in fall Light Full sun Size 70 to 100 ft. tall, 15 to 25 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

| 9 of 10

Norway spruce (Picea abies 'Pusch')

Type Shrub Foliage Sprawling dwarf evergreen with bright green needles on dense branches and tiny red cones that mature to brown Light Full to part sun Size 1 to 5 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7

| 10 of 10

Hicks yew (Taxus x media 'Hicksii')

Type Shrub Foliage Long branches of this columnar evergreen are covered in soft, dark green needles and red, berrylike cones Light Full sun to part shade Size 12 to 20 ft. tall, 8 to 12 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 7