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Suggestions for dwarfs please...

8 years ago

I would like to add some conifers to my beds. I currently have many dwarf spruce scattered throughout them. Also have red twig dogwood, burning bushes, weeping redbud and many chartreuse coloured plants. Just to give you an idea of colors...also many perennials.

I would like to add a couple dwarf conifers to each dwarf spruce I currently have lining the driveway. Ive looked and looked at many, and quite honestly I'm now overwhelmed.

I do know I'd like some blues and yellows, along with some low sprawlers/creepers....sure wish they had red....thinking maybe some red barberry?

I'm in zone 5 and hoping for some suggestions from you experts. Also, do you think making "trios" will look ok, or do you have other recommendations?

Thank you so much!

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Comments (12)

Mike McGarvey
8 years ago
Usually dwarf conifers don't work, design wise, scattered about in perennial beds or lined up in a straight line. They get lost and out of scale. They are much better in their own groups and area, in my opinion.
mike
GardenHo_MI_Z5
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thanks Mike.

They are not really going to be scattered. I wanted to group them with the dwarf spruces on outer edges of bed, in trios or quads (with low species).. Using different heights and colours. My beds are all curved not straight lined...one side is a steep slope so I would like to add creepers to the groups.

Having so many choices I was hoping for suggestions in blues or yellows that would do well in my area.

Heres a pic I found, that is similar to how I'd like to group mine....
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i couldnt get BACedar to grow in the ground in my z5 ..just south of ann arbor MI ... due east of chicago ... plus throw in the whole roof deal ... and i would bet against it ... larch on the other hand.. cant beat them back with a stick .... winterwise ... but i dont know pot wise ... ken
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
any chance at some pix ...

a trip to hidden lakes garden in tipton MI might thrill you ....

ken
GardenHo_MI_Z5
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Rooaadtrip!!

May just have to check it out some weekend thanks!

was hoping you'd reply Ken, thanks :)

Here are some pics...sorry they are so bad...took last night and I should have went out later. Just to give you and idea of what I'd like to build off.....

Here is 1st dwarf on right with a red pillar barberry. There is a another dwarf spruce to the left shown in 2nd pic..(trees in back are neighbours)

Close up

These are both on sloped side...this one has a young nine bark in front/side that is hidden by flowers...

This one has a gold mop (mismarked as its never been gold) to the front left...

The sloped area does have maple roots to compete with.....
Lily777
8 years ago
I've seen dwarf conifers in trios. Some people do that with junipers, or bird's nest spruce, etc. I just don't care for it, but if you like it, it's your yard.
User
8 years ago
Not having much experience with Conifers, I just picked out what I liked, paying attention to all the facts regarding mature height and spread, water and light requirements, etc.--just as you would with a perennial. HTH, GH!
GardenHo_MI_Z5
Original Author
8 years ago
Cat...I'm trying to narrow it down now. So many to choose from lol. Thought I'd post here and maybe get some suggestions to make it a little easier....
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
where are you .... in my MI??

you might also tour the arboretum at Gee tree farm in stockbridge ...

ken
GardenHo_MI_Z5
Original Author
8 years ago
Ken how many times are you gonna ask me?! Yes I'm from (my) MI lol.

Can we skip the tours and give me some ideas?! I thought I could count on you.....
sc77 (6b MA)
8 years ago
Check out coniferkingdom.com, they have a great site and focus on premier cultivars, not big box store junk. Browse their dwarf conifer section. They break it out by color, shape, ext... Once you narrow down your criteria, we can help further
GardenHo_MI_Z5
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks SC..I'll check it out.
plantkiller_il_5
8 years ago
Ken's suggestion of Gee farm was right on ,,,huge retail nursery,,,,see plants in person

their web catalogue is not working

ron

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