Mountain ash is a coniferous or deciduous tree. Coniferous trees - species names and examples. Conifers in landscape design - video


Coniferous trees are a beauty all year round, their resistance to the change of seasons invariably attracts gardeners and landscape designers. For the most part, they are undemanding to growing conditions and care, they endure both summer heat and winter cold. In addition, at present there are many varieties of coniferous plants - trees and shrubs, it is not at all difficult to choose something suitable for this site.

Spruce

Spruce is a landscape classic, an evergreen tree that is appropriate for any site. Spruce will look great both as a centerpiece and as a backdrop for other plants; in a single landing, in a group, in the form of a hedge. Currently, there are more than 40 species of spruces, including species of natural origin, and hybrid varieties. Many of the natural species have several ornamental varieties.

Spruce is a long-lived tree; in Sweden, a spruce grows in the national park, whose age is 9550 years. This is a record figure even for spruces, whose average life expectancy is 200-500 years. The long-liver received his own name - Old Tikko.

Spruce grows slowly, in 10 years it grows only up to one and a half meters in height, but it grows for centuries. In nature, this tree can be seen in the forests of the Northern Hemisphere. The spruce forest is dark and dense, most often without undergrowth, consisting of beautiful, slender trees up to 30 meters high.

Spruce is a monoecious tree, the crown is cone-shaped or pyramidal, with a whorled, outstretched or drooping arrangement of branches.

The roots of young trees are taproot, but with age the main root dries up, it is replaced by numerous processes that spread horizontally and shallowly in the ground.

The bark is gray or brown-gray, with thin exfoliating plates. The needles are tetrahedral, short, sharp, green. Each needle grows separately, from a leaf cushion, which becomes noticeable after the needles fall off.

Cones are oblong and pointed, up to 15 cm long, 3-4 cm in diameter. They do not crumble, but fall off after the seeds ripen in the year of fertilization. Seeds - lionfish ripen in October, and fall out of the cones. At this time, the wind picks them up and carries them around. Once in favorable conditions, they germinate and give life to a new tree, their germination capacity lasts about 10 years.

In the photo, one of the representatives of the family is a dwarf Canadian gray spruce:

Cedar

Cedar is another coniferous tree that has numerous and attractive shapes for designers. Naturally, if it is a real cedar, and not a cedar pine. The cedar differs from other coniferous trees in the arrangement of needles, it is collected in bunches of 20-50 pieces, while in pines and spruces it is single. A similar fastening of needles is observed in larch, but its needles are soft, while in cedar it is prickly and hard, and does not fall off in autumn.

Cedar cones stand on branches, and do not hang down, like those of pines and firs. They are similar in shape to fir cones, but rounder. After ripening, they break into pieces, while the seeds are dispersed by the wind.

The shape of the crown is also unique. In the Lebanese cedar, it is wide, sprawling like an umbrella. The branches in it are arranged in tiers, the symmetry of which is not observed in all trees. The needles are green, gray-green, blue-green, the length of the needles is 3-4 cm, they are collected in bunches of 30-40 pieces.

Atlas cedar

Atlas cedar has a cone-shaped crown, which is similar to an ordinary spruce. His needles are also collected in bunches, it is very short - about 2.5 cm. In color - silver-gray, or blue-green.

There is even a weeping form of Atlas cedar, which, no doubt, will become the highlight of the landscape, especially if it is a rocky Japanese garden with a natural or artificial reservoir. See photo:

Atlas cedar

Its branches hang down just like a weeping willow, only instead of tender leaves there are prickly needles that look unusual, but quite gentle and attractive:

atlas cedar

himalayan cedar

Himalayan cedar - the owner of a wide cone-shaped crown with a blunt top and horizontally growing branches. But he also has hanging shoots, although a non-specialist will easily mistake him for a spruce tree of a slightly unusual shape:

himalayan cedar

The needles of the Himalayan cedar are light green, up to 4-5 cm long, growing in bunches.

Despite certain differences, cedars have a lot in common. All of them are evergreen trees growing to a height of 50-60 meters. At an early age they grow slowly, then they increase in growth faster.

The bark of young specimens is smooth, becoming scaly, cracking, dark gray in color with age.

Cypress

Cypress is a completely different matter, a special species in the family of evergreen conifers and shrubs. No wonder in the East he is considered the standard of harmony. This tree, with all its appearance, seems to indicate that it will not take up much space in your garden and will not require special care. But not all cypresses are concise; among them there are shrubs with wide, sprawling crowns. This numerous family consists of 20 genera and 140 species.

Cypress prefers a warm climate. In the Northern Hemisphere, it can be seen in the tropical and subtropical zones, on the coasts of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. And also in the Himalayas, in the Sahara, and in China. In the Western Hemisphere, it grows in Central America, Mexico and the southern states of the USA.

The leaves of cypresses are small, at first they are needle-shaped, similar to needles, then they are scaly, tightly pressed to the branches. Cypress is a monoecious plant - male and female flowers appear on the same tree. Cones are ovoid or round, ripen in the second year after emergence, the seeds are flattened, with wings.

cypress evergreen

Evergreen cypress is a tree that can be seen on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and Crimea. Its height reaches 30 meters, the crown is narrow, columnar, with short branches raised up and pressed against the trunk. In culture, it has been grown since ancient times, it is a real long-liver, able to live for more than 2 thousand years. In Turkey, it is considered a tree of sorrow, and is planted in cemeteries. Pictured are evergreen cypresses:

cypress evergreen

Arizona cypress

Arizona cypress, native to the southwestern regions of the United States and Mexico. This is a fairly tall tree, up to 20 meters high with well-developed roots. Despite its southern origin, it endures frosts down to -25 degrees, but young trees must be covered with agrofiber for the winter.

Arizona cypress

large-fruited cypress

Large-fruited cypress has a columnar crown. But this feature occurs only in young specimens; with age, the branches become gentle, bend and form a wide, sprawling crown.

The needles of large-fruited cypress have a pleasant lemon smell, so it is readily grown in winter gardens, or in bonsai culture.

large-fruited cypress

weeping cypress

Weeping cypress - the owner of dangling branches. The plant comes from China, where it is often planted in cemeteries.

Cypress is also part of the Cypress family, and has 7 species that grow in the Northern Hemisphere. The plant is evergreen, monoecious, coniferous, with a cone-shaped crown. Branches growing upwards, or prostrate and drooping, the trunk is scaly, brown or brown. Under natural conditions, it grows up to 70 meters, in culture - up to 20-30 meters.

The leaves of the cypress are pointed, similar to small scales. Cones are not large, woody, round, up to 12 mm in diameter. Seeds ripen in the first year.

weeping cypress

Lawson's cypress

Lawson's cypress is a tall and slender tree with a narrow cone-shaped crown, expanding downwards. The top is tilted to the side. Trunk with thick, reddish-brown bark that becomes patchy and scaly over time. The needles are shiny, green, with whitish stripes. Cones are oval and rounded, about 1 cm in diameter, light brown, with a bluish-blue bloom.

In general, the tree is very beautiful, looks great in alleys and plantings along with cypress trees of other species, but, unfortunately, low frost resistance does not allow growing it in regions with harsh winters. In the photo, Lavson's cypress:

Lawson's cypress

Pea cypress

Pea-bearing cypress is a tall, up to 30 meters, tree with a cone-shaped crown, originally from Japan. Outwardly, from afar it looks like deciduous trees, but its needles are the same as those of all members of the family.

Pea cypress

Cryptomeria

Cryptomeria - the name of this evergreen tree is often written or pronounced along with the definition: "Japanese". And not without reason - the tree comes from the Japanese islands, is considered a symbol of the Land of the Rising Sun, and has a second name: Japanese cedar. Although it belongs to the Cypress family, it does not belong to the genus of cedars.

In nature, there is only one species of this plant; there are no hybrid varieties based on it yet, although it has been known in culture since 1842. In Russia, it is grown in the Crimea and on the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea.

The tree is quite tall and fast growing, growing up to 70 meters. The crown is dense but narrow. The bark is fibrous, red-brown, the trunk is massive - up to 4 meters in diameter.

The needles are awl-shaped, more like rose thorns than needles, but up to 3 cm long. The color of the needles is light green, but in winter it acquires a yellowish tint.

The tree is monoecious, male flowers grow from the axils of the shoots in bunches. Female solitary, located at the ends of the shoots. Cones are round, 2 cm in diameter, ripen in the first year, but fall off the next summer. Seeds with wings, about 5-6 mm long.

In the photo, Japanese cryptomeria:

Cryptomeria japonica

Larch

Larch is a deciduous tree of the Pine family. The leaves of this tree are very similar to needles, but in the fall they fall off, and in the spring they reappear, like in deciduous trees, which is why it is called larch in Russia. In total, there are 20 species of this tree, 9 of them grow in Russia.

The tree is large, up to 50 meters high, and with a trunk diameter of about 1 meter. For a year, the growth is 1 meter, larch is a long-liver, able to live up to 400 years, but it is rarely used in culture.

Her crown is not dense, in young specimens it is cone-shaped, in areas with constant winds it can be one-sided, or flag-shaped. The root system is strong, branched, without a pronounced main root, but with numerous and deeply extending lateral processes.

The needles are soft, bright, on elongated shoots it grows spirally, and on short ones - in bunches, like a cedar. Falls off completely in autumn. The tree is monoecious with male and female flowers. Seeds develop in female cones, from 15-20 years.

From afar, larch can be mistaken for a sprawling beautiful spruce:

Larch

Microbiota

Microbiota is a coniferous shrub of the Cypress family. There is only one species of this plant - the microbiota is cross-pair, growing in the Far East of Russia. The number of the species is declining, due to the fact that the seeds cannot spread far from the parent bush, and perennial thickets are destroyed by forest fires, so the species is included in the Red Book of Russia.

This is a prostrate shrub, with thin creeping shoots, so it can be mistaken for a creeping form of arborvitae. The needles are scaly, green in summer and brown in winter, in young plants it is needle-shaped on shaded shoots. Cones are small, one-seeded, consist of 2-3 scales. The root system is uric, dense.

The microbiota grows very slowly, it produces only 2 cm of growth per year, but it is distinguished by longevity - it can grow in culture for more than 100 years. In general, the microbiota looks very appropriate in single and group plantations, therefore it is always in demand among gardeners. On the picture:

Microbiota

Juniper

Juniper is a dioecious, coniferous plant of the Cypress family, very common in the Northern Hemisphere. More than 70 species of this plant inhabit various climatic zones of the planet, some of which feel good in the Russian expanses, and can live up to 600 years.

Arborescent junipers are able to form separate forests, shrubs grow as an undergrowth or third tier in coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as on rocky slopes.

Juniper shrubs are creeping, with shoots about 1.5 meters long, but tree-like forms can reach 30 meters in height.

Juniper leaves are opposite, needle-shaped, oblong. In young specimens, they can be in the form of needles, in adult plants - scaly, pressed against the stems. The berries are cone-shaped, with tightly closed scales, each with 1 to 10 seeds that ripen for 2 years.

Juniper

Fir

Fir is a coniferous tree of the Pine family. Like the cedar, its cones grow upwards and disintegrate on the tree. Up to 50 species of fir grow in the Northern Hemisphere. The tree is powerful and tall - up to 60 meters, with a moderately spreading cone-shaped crown.

The bark of the trunk is gray, in different species it can be smooth and thin throughout its life, or thick and fissured.

In the photo, Korean fir cones:

The root is taproot, strong deepened. The needles are flat, with a pointed or rounded tip, located singly or spirally on the branches.

Cones are cylindrical, ripen in 1 summer, disintegrate in autumn, throwing out seeds with wings, carried by the wind.

Among the plants that adorn our gardens, conifers occupy a special place. They give the garden a noble look and decorate it all year round. They are loved because they are very decorative and set the tone in many compositions. But, conifers are especially popular in winter - on the eve of the New Year. They look spectacular in New Year's decoration in our apartments, under snow caps in large parks and squares, and in very small areas.

As regards the planted coniferous plants, then we can say that the sympathies of gardeners are almost evenly distributed among various types of spruces, pines, thujas, junipers and larches. All of them can be called centenarians, many of them live even more than one hundred years.

Almost all coniferous plants are evergreen. Only some of them, for example, larch, sheds needles for the winter. All the rest update their needles gradually. Once every few years, old needles fall off, and new young green needles appear in their place.

The variety of coniferous plants allows gardeners to choose the most suitable tree or shrub for their garden.

The following advantages of conifers make them very popular in landscape gardening:

  • They tolerate the lack of light and moisture well.
  • Many varieties naturally have the correct shape, and therefore do not need a haircut.
  • Due to the medicinal coniferous aroma, they are widely used in folk and official medicine.
  • Due to the variety of types and forms, they are actively used in landscape compositions in areas of any size.

If you decide to plant a coniferous plant on your site, you need to approach the choice very carefully.

Key questions to ask yourself:

  • What do you want to plant - a tree or a shrub
  • Is the composition ready for the conifer
  • Have you taken into account your climatic conditions and soil composition on the site

coniferous plants go well, in particular with cereals, with roses, etc. If the answers are ready, you can start selecting the variety, type and shape of the coniferous plant.

Types of coniferous plants

Spruce

Evergreen monoecious and wind-pollinated plant. Its Latin name (Lat. Picea) spruce is due to the high content of resin in the wood. Widespread use in industry is due to the softness of wood and the absence of a core.

Spruce- perhaps the most beloved and common coniferous tree in our country. These beautiful slender trees with a pyramidal crown occupy one of the first places in the coniferous kingdom and have almost 50 plant species in their genus.

The largest number of spruce species grows in Western and Central China and in the northern hemisphere. In Russia, 8 types of spruce are well known.

Spruce is considered a fairly shade-tolerant plant, however, it still prefers good lighting. Her root system is superficial, i.e. close to the ground. Therefore, the earth at the roots is not dug up. Spruce is demanding on soil fertility, loves light loamy and sandy loamy soils.

Types of fir trees successfully used in landscaping the site:

Sometimes reaches 40 meters. Fast growing tree. Due to the special color of the needles - the top is a shiny dark green, and the bottom - with noticeable white stripes - it gives the impression that the tree is bluish-green. Brown-purple buds give the plant a special charm and elegance.

Serbian spruce looks great, both in a single and in a group planting. An excellent example is the magnificent alleys in the parks.

There are dwarf varieties with a height of no more than 2 meters.

(Picea obovata). On the territory of our country, it grows in Western and Eastern Siberia, the Far East and the Urals.


A coniferous tree up to 30 m high. The crown is dense, wide-conical, with a pointed top. The bark is fissured, gray. Cones ovoid-cylindrical, brown. It has several subtypes that differ in the color of the needles - from pure green to silver and even golden.

European spruce, or common (Picea abies). The maximum height of a coniferous tree is 50 m. It can live up to 300 years. This is a slender tree with a dense pyramidal crown. Norway spruce is considered the most common tree in Europe. The trunk width of an old tree can reach 1 m. Mature cones of an ordinary spruce are an oblong-cylindrical shape. They ripen in autumn in October, and their seeds begin to fall from January to April. European spruce is considered the fastest growing. So, in a year it can grow by 50 cm.

Thanks to breeding work, several very decorative varieties of this species have been bred to date. Among them there are weeping, compact, pin-shaped spruces. All of them are very popular in landscape gardening and are widely used in park compositions and as hedges.

Spruce, like any other coniferous plant, becomes especially beautiful with the advent of winter. Any shade of needles effectively emphasizes the snow cover, and the garden looks elegant and noble.

In addition to the above types of spruce, prickly, oriental, black, Canadian, Ayan spruce are popular with gardeners.


The genus of pine consists of more than 100 names. These conifers are distributed throughout almost the entire Northern Hemisphere. Also, pine grows well in the composition of forests in Asia and North America. Artificially planted pine plantations feel good in the southern hemisphere of our planet. It is much more difficult for this coniferous tree to take root in the conditions of the city.

It tolerates frost and drought well. But the pine does not really like the lack of light. This coniferous plant gives a good annual growth. The dense crown of the pine is very decorative, and therefore the pine is successfully used in landscaping parks and gardens, both in a single planting and in a group. This conifer prefers sandy, calcareous and rocky soils. Although there are several types of pine that prefer fertile soils, these are Weymouth pine, Wallich pine, cedar and resinous.

Some properties of pine are simply amazing. For example, the peculiarity of its bark delights, when the bark below is much thicker than the one above. This makes us once again think about the wisdom of nature. After all, it is this property that protects the tree from summer overheating and a possible ground fire.

Another feature is how the tree prepares in advance for the winter period. After all, the evaporation of moisture in frost can destroy the plant. Therefore, as soon as the cold approaches, the pine needles are covered with a thin layer of wax, and the stomata close. Those. pine stops breathing!

Scotch pine. It is rightfully considered a symbol of the Russian forest. In height, the tree reaches 35-40 meters, and therefore it is deservedly called a tree of the first magnitude. The circumference of the trunk sometimes reaches 1 meter. Pine needles are dense, bluish-green. The shape is different - sticking out, curved, and even collected in bunches of 2 needles.


The life expectancy of needles is 3 years. With the onset of autumn, the needles turn yellow and fall off.

Pine cones, as a rule, are located 1-3 pieces on legs. Ripe cones are brown or brown in color and reach a length of 6 cm.

Under adverse conditions, Scotch pine may stop growing and remain a "dwarf". Surprisingly, different instances can have a different root system. For example, in arid soils, a pine tree may develop a taproot that extracts water deep underground. And in conditions of high occurrence of groundwater, lateral roots develop.

The life expectancy of Scots pine can reach 200 years. There are cases in history when a pine lived for 400 years.

Scotch pine is considered fast growing. For a year, its growth can be 50-70 cm. This coniferous tree begins to bear fruit from the age of 15. In the conditions of the forest and dense planting - only after 40 years.

The Latin name is Pinus mugo. This is a multi-stemmed coniferous tree, reaching a height of 10-20 meters. Dwarf varieties - 40-50 cm. Trunks - semi-lodging and ascending. In adulthood, it can reach a diameter of 3 m. A very decorative coniferous plant.

The needles are dark, long, often curved. The bark is brownish-gray, scaly. Cones ripen in the 3rd year.

To date, more than 100 varieties of mountain pine have been registered. And this number is increasing every year. In landscape gardening, dwarf varieties are especially used, which form beautiful compositions along the banks of reservoirs and in rocky gardens.

Magnificent view with a narrow pyramidal crown. Homeland - North America. In our country, it grows well in the southern and middle lane. Grows up to 10 meters. It does not tolerate urban conditions very well. Especially at a young age, it often freezes slightly. Prefers places protected from the winds. Therefore, yellow pine is best planted in groups.

The needles are dark and long. The bark is thick, reddish-brown, cracking into large plates. Cones ovoid, almost sessile. In total, there are about 10 varieties of yellow pine.

A very showy variety of pine. Homeland - North America. The needles have a blue-green tint. The cones are large and somewhat curved. An adult tree can reach a height of more than 30 meters. It is considered a long-liver, as it can live up to 400 years. As it grows, it changes its crown from narrow-pyramidal to wide-pyramidal. It acquired its name thanks to the English Lord Weymouth, who brought it home from North America in the 18th century.


It does not tolerate salty soils and. It is relatively resistant to frost, but does not like winds. Weymouth pine is characterized by reddish pubescence on young shoots.

A relatively low coniferous plant - up to 20 m high. This is a slow-growing tree. The bark is light gray, lamellar. The needles are bright green, hard, curved. Cones are yellowish, shiny, long. The diameter of the crown can reach 5-6 meters.


Some experts consider it Geldreich's pine. Indeed, the resemblance is great. However, since there are varieties under both names, we will still focus on whitebark pine. To date, about 10 varieties of this species are known. Approximately the same number of Geldreich's pines. Often varieties can be mixed.

This type of pine in the conditions of our country takes root best in the southern regions, as it does not tolerate frost well. Whitebark pine is photophilous, it is undemanding to the nutritional composition of the soil, but it grows better on moderately moist, drained and moderately alkaline soils.

Looks good in a Japanese, rocky and heather garden. Great for both solitary planting and mixed group.

Fir

Tall (up to 60 m) coniferous tree with a conical crown. A bit like a spruce. It can be up to 2 meters in diameter. This is a real long-lived plant. Some specimens live 400-700 years. The trunk of a fir is straight, columnar. The crown is thick. At a young age, the fir crown has a cone-shaped or pyramidal shape. As they grow older, the shape of the crown becomes cylindrical.

The needles, depending on the variety, have different lengths and live 8-10 years. Fir begins to bear fruit from the age of about 30 years. Cones are erect and long (up to 25 cm).

This coniferous plant does not tolerate frost, drought and great heat. The pluses include the fact that this is the most shade-tolerant tree. Sometimes shoots can appear under the mother tree in full shading. With good lighting, firs naturally grow better.

This coniferous plant is a real find in landscape gardening. Fir is used both in a single planting and for decorating alleys. Dwarf forms look great in a rocky garden and on an alpine hill.

Botanical name Abies balsamea "Nana". This coniferous plant is a dwarf cushion tree. Naturally grows in North America.


In care unpretentious. He likes good lighting, but he also tolerates shade well. For balsam fir, not so much frost is terrible as strong gusty winds that can simply damage a small tree. The soil prefers light, moist, fertile, slightly acidic. It reaches a height of 1 m, which makes it a favorite decorative object in landscape gardening. It is equally good for decorating a garden, landscaping terraces, slopes and roofs.

Propagated by seeds and annual cuttings with an apical bud.

The needles are dark green with a special reflection. Exudes a characteristic resinous aroma. Cones are red-brown, elongated, reach a length of 5-10 cm.

It is a very slow growing coniferous plant. For 10 years, it grows no more than 30 cm. It lives up to 300 years.

Fir Nordmann (or Caucasian). An evergreen coniferous tree that came to us from the mountains of the Caucasus and Asia Minor. Sometimes it grows up to 60-80 meters in height. The shape of the crown is a neat cone-shaped. It is for this neat appearance that gardeners love Nordmann fir.


It is she who is dressed up instead of a Christmas tree for the New Year holidays in many European countries. This is largely due to the structure of the branches - the branches are often located and raised up. This is a distinctive feature of the Nordmann fir.

The needles are dark green with some sheen. Young shoots are light green, even yellowish. Needles - from 15 to 40 mm, look very fluffy. If the needles are lightly rubbed between the fingers, you can feel a specific citrus aroma.


The trunk of an adult plant can reach a diameter of two meters. At a young age, the bark of the Caucasian fir is grayish-brown, smooth. As it matures, it cracks into segments and becomes matte.

Nordmann fir is growing quite fast. Under favorable conditions, this coniferous tree can live up to 600-700 years. Moreover, the increase in height and width continues until the very last day of life!

Depending on the type of soil, the root system can be either superficial or deep with a central core. The cones of this fir are large, up to 20 cm, arranged vertically on a short stem.

It has a unique property - the needles on the branches remain even after they have dried, up to mechanical damage.

A coniferous evergreen plant belonging to the Cypress family. It can be both a tree and a shrub. Common juniper (Juniperus communis) grows mainly in the Northern Hemisphere of our planet. However, in Africa you can also find your own juniper - East African. In the Mediterranean and Central Asia, this plant forms juniper forests. Quite common are undersized species that creep along the ground and rocky slopes.

To date, more than fifty species of juniper are known.


As a rule, it is a photophilous and drought-resistant culture. Absolutely undemanding to soils and temperatures. However, like any plant, it has its own preferences - for example, it develops better in light and nutritious soil.

Like all conifers, it belongs to centenarians. Its average life expectancy is about 500 years.

The needles of the juniper are bluish-green in color, triangular, pointed at the ends. The cones are spherical, gray or blue in color. Rod root.

Magical properties were also attributed to this coniferous plant. For example, it was believed that a juniper wreath scares away evil spirits and brings good luck. Perhaps that is why in Europe there was a fashion to hang wreaths on the eve of the new year.

In landscape design, both juniper trees and shrubs are widely used. Group plantings are good for creating hedges. Single plants also do an excellent job with the main role in the composition. Low-growing creeping varieties are often used as ground cover plants. They strengthen slopes well and prevent soil erosion. In addition, juniper lends itself well to a haircut.

Scaly juniper (Juniperus squamata)- creeping shrub. Thick branches with the same dense needles look very decorative.


Evergreen coniferous plant. Has the appearance of trees or shrubs. Depending on the genus and species, it differs in color, quality of needles, crown shape, height and life expectancy. Representatives of some species live up to 150 years. At the same time, there are specimens - true centenarians, who live up to almost 1000 years!


In landscape gardening, thuja is considered one of the basic plants, and like any conifer, it is good both in group planting and as a solo plant. It is used to decorate alleys, hedges and borders.

The most common types of thuja are western, eastern, giant, Korean, Japanese, etc.

Thuja needles are soft needle-shaped. In a young plant, the needles have a light green color. With age, the needles acquire a darker shade. The fruits are oval or oblong cones. Seeds ripen in the first year.


Thuja is famous for its unpretentiousness. She tolerates frost well, and is not capricious in care. Unlike other conifers, it tolerates gas pollution in large cities well. Therefore, it is indispensable in urban gardening.

Larches

Coniferous plants with needles falling down for the winter. This partly explains its name. These are large, light-loving and winter-hardy plants that grow quickly, are undemanding to soils and tolerate air pollution well.

Larches are especially beautiful in early spring and late autumn. In spring, larch needles acquire a soft green hue, and in autumn - bright yellow. Since the needles grow every year, its needles are very soft.

Larch fructifies from 15 years. Cones have an ovoid-conical shape, somewhat reminiscent of a rose flower. They reach a length of 6 cm. Young cones are purple in color. As they mature, they turn brown.



Larch- long-lived tree. Some of them live up to 800 years. The plant develops most intensively in the first 100 years. These are tall and slender trees, reaching 25-80 meters in height depending on the species and conditions.

In addition, larch is a very useful tree. It has a very hard and durable wood. In the industry, its red core is in the greatest demand. Also, larch is valued in folk medicine. Folk healers harvest its young shoots, buds and larch resin, from which "Venetian" turpentine (turpentine) is obtained, which is used for many diseases. The bark is harvested throughout the summer and used as a vitamin remedy.

Photo of coniferous plants

Enjoy the beauty of nature with us












Deciduous plants play a very important role. They are able to purify the air, protect us from the wind, play the role of a hedge, and beautifully and effectively decorate any area. Many species look spectacular in the spring during flowering, and in the summer they delight you with their fruits. All trees can be divided into deciduous and coniferous. All of them are beautiful and unusual in their own way. If you want to complement your garden with beautiful plants, then you can buy deciduous trees at greensad.ua/category/listvjannye-derevja/.

Deciduous and coniferous trees: what is the difference

Deciduous and coniferous differ from each other not only externally. The main feature of conifers is that they do not shed their leaves. And deciduous plants usually prepare for a dormant state in the fall and shed their leaves. There are also exceptions to the rule. Evergreen deciduous trees that grow in consistently warm climates always stay green. In latitudes where heat-loving deciduous plants grow, all plants remain evergreen. Consider tropical forests. Tall plants, creepers have lush green foliage all year round. The question arises why deciduous trees shed their leaves for the winter.

In latitudes with climate change, plants have their own cycle. In spring, the seedling wakes up, grows, leaves appear on the shoots, which turn yellow and fall off in autumn. And the tree itself seems to go to sleep. The main task of a tree in winter is to slow down life processes. The circulation of juice stops, the plant stores moisture. In order for the resource to last until winter, the leaves must be shed. Their area is large and they will not be able to retain moisture, unlike conifers. The leaves of coniferous plants are needles that are covered with a waxy coating, have a compact size, a solid structure and a narrow shape. Such needles ideally retain moisture, which is enough until the start of the new season. This is why deciduous trees shed their leaves while conifers do not.

Deciduous trees:


How are deciduous trees different from conifers? Firstly, conifers are considered unpretentious, and secondly, deciduous plants usually bloom, while conifers do not. In coniferous plants, the fruits ripen in cones. Thirdly, conifers never shed their needles (the only exception is larch). Most deciduous plants produce edible fruits, and coniferous cones are not suitable for consumption.

Coniferous trees:

Beautiful trees for your garden

Now you know what deciduous trees look like and how they differ from conifers. What trees to plant in your garden - you decide! For the garden, you can use fruit and decorative foliage. Coniferous plants are indispensable on an alpine hill, in a rocky garden.

Decorative leafy plants for the garden can be divided into shrubs and trees. Popular deciduous shrubs for the garden: lilac, spirea, rhododendron, jasmine, barberry, chaenomeles, hydrangea, weigela, mock orange, tree peony, magnolia, viburnum, azalea and many other beautiful shrubs.

The most demanded and popular deciduous trees in Ukraine: linden, birch, chestnut, maple, catalpa, sakura, decorative cherry and plum, elm, ash. Oaks and other large plants are often planted in large parks.

Popular coniferous trees and shrubs are spruce, pine, thuja, hemlock, larch, junipers, yew berry and other plants.


In the pre-New Year's turmoil, people storm the Christmas tree markets. Of course, what is a holiday without the traditional "fluffy beauty"? The smell of pine needles brings peace, comfort, and a festive mood to the house. But most of us do not even suspect that one of the most popular New Year trees is not spruce at all, as is commonly believed, but its close relative, fir. Outwardly, these conifers are very similar, but upon closer examination, you can see a number of differences.

Description of spruce and fir

Spruce- an evergreen tree belonging to the pine family, the average height is 20-40 meters. Spruce has a pyramidal shape, a straight trunk, gray - brown bark. It is a "long-liver" and can reach the age of 500 years.

Fir also belongs to the genus of evergreens, height is about 40-60 meters. The symmetrical pyramidal shape of the fir makes it valuable as an ornamental plant. It lives long enough, a fir is known that has reached 1300 years. Fir trees do not have resin canals, which makes these trees unlike other conifers.

Spreading

Spruce mainly grows in the Northern Hemisphere. And if in the taiga it forms full-fledged spruce forests, then closer to the Central part of Europe it becomes part of mixed forests. Many species of spruce are named after the area of ​​growth, for example, Serbian spruce, eastern spruce.

Due to the fact that fir is rather capricious and requires certain growing conditions, for example, high humidity and certain soil, it is less common in our forests than spruce. In addition, fir trees grow extremely slowly up to 10 years, though then their growth accelerates. This tree is common in the South of Primorsky Krai, North-East of China, North of the USA and Korea.

Needles and cones

Spruce needles are located spirally around the branch, the length can reach 2.5 centimeters, the needles have a tetrahedral shape.

thuja tree

If you clear the branch of needles, you can see the tuberculate surface of the shoot. Adherents of a “live” Christmas tree for the New Year holidays are well aware of how prickly the needles of the Christmas tree are. Spruce cones grow at the ends of branches and are egg-shaped.

Fir needles are long, up to 4.5 cm, flat, dark green with two white stripes, narrowed at the base. Its main property, which distinguishes it from other conifers, is softness and lack of causticity. The fir cones are also quite remarkable: they grow at the very top of the tree and are directed not down, but up.

Use of wood

Durable spruce wood is the second most used wood after pine. It is used in the construction of houses, the manufacture of furniture and even musical instruments, such as violins. Due to the white color of the wood, spruce is an indispensable raw material for the pulp and paper industry. In addition, spruce has healing properties, its needles are widely used in medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic.

Fir wood is also used to make paper. In construction and in furniture production, fir is not valued as highly as other conifers, because of its brittleness and fragility. But due to the property of wood not to give food products odors, it is used in the manufacture of barrels for storing these very products. For medicinal purposes, "fir oil" is often used as a medicine against rheumatism and colds.

Conclusions TheDifference.ru

  1. For ornamental crop production, fir is more advantageous due to its symmetrical shape and the absence of resin passages.
  2. Due to the fact that fir is more demanding on growing conditions and grows slowly, its cultivation is more costly.
  3. Fir needles are not prickly, wider and longer than spruce, and the cones grow up, not down, like spruce.
  4. Spruce wood is more durable than fir wood, so it is used more often in furniture production and construction. Both fir and spruce are widely used in medicine and the production of medicines.

Thuja: planting and care, reproduction and types

A story about coniferous trees. Reflection. Yatskova O.A.

Senior educator MBDOU No. 316

Yatskova O.A.

Dear teachers and caring parents!

Kids, these are big whys. They constantly ask us interesting, sometimes difficult questions. And you don’t always know how to answer a child a particular question.

When my son was just a baby, he explored the world with great interest. And one day he heard the expression "coniferous trees", immediately without delay, asked what "coniferous trees" were. Of course, every adult knows what it is and what benefits it brings. It seems that I told my son everything. But just recently I found an amazing story for children "Coniferous Trees" (author's project "Children's Hour", 2012-2016), which will help any parent or teacher to explain very easily. I want to share this story with you.

Coniferous trees. Story for children.

Conifers are trees whose leaves are needle-shaped. They got their name - "coniferous" from the word "needles".

Thuja: an overview of the most interesting varieties

Needles are a lot of green needles covering the branches of trees.

Coniferous trees differ from other trees in that their leaves do not fall for the winter, while all our deciduous trees remain bare-branched in the coldest season.

The needles of coniferous trees are not eternal, they change, but this happens gradually, almost imperceptibly. Replacement takes place sometimes within a year, sometimes every two or three years...

And since the branches of coniferous trees are of unequal age, the leaves from them fall off at different periods. Therefore, a significant part of the needles is always stored for the winter, and the trees remain constantly green.

Coniferous trees differ from deciduous trees in that their seeds are formed in large woody cones.

The most common of our coniferous trees are spruce and pine. Their leaves are narrow, spiny, and unlike those of most other trees.

In addition to spruce and pine, conifers also include larch, fir, cedar, juniper, sequoia, yew, cypress.

Coniferous trees, due to the rigidity of their needles, do not serve as a source of food for the animal world.

In the coniferous forest, only a few plant species can grow due to the lack of sunlight. They are always cold.

In relation to coniferous trees, the expression "most-most" is often used. The oldest tree, the tallest tree, the thickest tree - all these champions among trees are representatives of the coniferous kingdom.

The main types of conifers

Coniferous plants belong to a large and ancient group of gymnosperms, only cycads and ferns are more ancient. Coniferous trees have more than 560 species. These plants are found all over the world, growing both in the hot tropics and beyond the Arctic Circle.

Coniferous trees are quite diverse: conical firs, fluffy pines, spreading spruces, creeping junipers are an integral part of coniferous mixborders, hedges, borders, alleys, rocky gardens. There is nothing to be surprised here, varieties of all conifers are an endless source.

An evergreen large beautiful tree always attracts the eye, because it is the most prominent component of any garden.

Thanks for attention!

Topic:"Deciduous and coniferous plants." (Grade 1) for children with disabilities

Bernikova Lyubov Vladimirovna, primary school teacher.

C ate a lesson:-introduce the variety of coniferous plants;

To teach by needles to determine the type of tree;

- foster respect for nature.

During the classes.

Repetition of what has been learned.

1. Teacher. -What changes in nature occurred with the advent of autumn? How do plants prepare for winter?

Consider pictures. Try to determine the time of year from different trees.

What are trees with leaves called? Choose the correct answer:

(coniferous, deciduous)

- What is leaf fall?

Leaf fall - adaptation of plants to the harsh conditions of winter

Why do trees need leaf fall?

Tree protection from winter drought. (leaves evaporate a lot of moisture)

Ridding the tree of toxic substances from the earth and air.

Protection of thin and fragile branches from the weight of falling snow.

New topic.

What are plants that have needles called?

Compare leaf blade and needles.

What is the difference? What coniferous trees do you know?

Acquaintance with coniferous trees.

We even ate at first

They did not distinguish from pine:

Once the needles stick out -

So these are trees.

And when they ate on a branch

We took a better look

It turned out that she

Not like pine.

A spruce forest is called a spruce forest. Sharp apex, widening towards the bottom. Loves moisture. Needles are prickly, solitary. The crown is dense, gives a strong shadow. Spruce lives 300-500 years. Spruce wood is used to make paper and artificial silk.

blossom in spring,

I bear fruit in summer

I don't fade in autumn

I don't die in winter

I look like a tree

But the needle is longer.

The pine forest is called a forest. Pine loves light. Pair of needles. Pine grows on any soil. Healing air in the pine forest. Wood is a good building material.

Larch.

Is eating
b at a relative of the Christmas tree

Non-thorny needles.

But unlike the tree

Those needles are falling off.

People call larch the queen of Siberian forests. In autumn, golden needles fall to the ground like leaves. Hence the name of the tree. The needles are collected in bunches of 20-60 pieces. Photophilous. The wood doesn't rot.

Fir and cedar are also conifers.

Consolidation of what has been learned. Knowledge check.

Crossword What tree is this leaf from?

Answers: 1. Oak. 2. Birch. 3. Spruce. 4. Maple.

Test.

1.Which sheet has a complex sheet plate?

2. What is superfluous?

3. How to correctly name a leaf of a coniferous tree?

a) thorn; b) a needle; c) needle.

4. Which of the coniferous trees sheds needles for the winter?

a) pine; b) larch; c) spruce.

Summary of the lesson. Thank you for your work.

  1. Adapted educational program of the basic general education mbskou "Boarding school No. 37 of the VIII type"

    Educational program

    … educational program 5-9 classes for children with violations ... plants Gymnosperms. Pine and spruce - coniferous trees. Their difference from deciduous… (correctional) educational institution for children from limited opportunities health" (edited by ...

  2. The main educational program of primary general education of the mobu "Kirov Primary General Education School"

    Main educational program

    … specific conditions for children from limited opportunities health on … 2 classes) and subject or complex excursions (3 and 4 classes) for studying… plants, their distinguishing features. Conifers And deciduous trees. wild plants

  3. Work program Educational area: Natural science Subject: The world around us Grade: 1-4 Teacher

    Working programm

    … to people with limited opportunities health. Chapter … plants Deciduous And coniferous plants. Aesthetic impact plants… project execution children learn: - ... albums for drawing. K Hardware class Student …

  4. Educational program of primary general education for the period 2011-2015

    Educational program

    plants(algae, mosses, ferns, coniferous, flowering), species plants. Breathing and nutrition plants. Reproduction and development plants. Role plants… adaptive learning environment for children having limited opportunities health and problems...

  5. Pleshakova A. A. at the course "The world around us" for grades 1-4 A.

    Thuja in the city and in the country: planting, care, reproduction

    A. Pleshakov

    Working programm

    limited possi… plants Manifold plants. Trees, shrubs, herbs. Deciduous And coniferous plants. Aesthetic impact plantspossibilitychildren. Specially for family activities are designed inserts in workbooks 1 and 2 classes

Other related documents..

coniferous long-liver

Answer options for your crossword puzzle

SEQUOIA

AKSAKAL

ARA

CROW

BISCUIT

ISOCRATES

Kashchey

MACROBIOT

METHUSELAH

LOBSTER

The strict outlines of conifers are always appropriate in any landscape design. In summer, they are perfectly combined with the lawn and other flowering crops, shading them favorably, and in winter they save the backyard with their bright branching from dullness and lifelessness. In addition, they endlessly give clean air enriched with healing essential oils. The unjustified superstitions about the prohibitions of growing such crops in private courtyards have sunk into oblivion. Modern gardeners can no longer imagine their garden without evergreen ornaments. And there is plenty to choose from. Take a closer look at which of the coniferous trees is right for you.

Did you know? Coniferous trees lead the list of long-lived plants. The oldest spruce found in Sweden today is considered to be Old Tikko, which, according to various estimates, is more than 9.5 thousand years old. Another "old-timer" - the Methuselah intermountain pine, has been growing in the USA for 4846 years. In general, for conifers, the normal age is measured in millennia. Only 20 ancient trees are known on the globe, of which only one is deciduous - this is a sacred ficus from Sri Lanka, which is 2217 years old.


Tall slender coniferous fir trees in the garden very effective both in single and in composite plantings. Some craftsmen build unique hedges from them. Today's spruce is not only a tall large culture familiar to us since childhood with a cone-shaped narrow crown and dry lower branches. The assortment of prickly beauties is regularly renewed with decorative varieties. For planting in personal plots in demand:

  • "Acrocona" (when mature reaches a height of 3 m and a width of 4 m);
  • "Inversa" (spruce trees of this variety up to 7 m high and up to 2 m wide);
  • "Maxwellii" (is a compact tree up to 2 m high and wide);
  • "Nidiformis" (such a spruce no more than a meter high and about 1.5 m wide);
  • "Ohlendorfii" (the trunk of an adult tree stretches up to 6 m, the crown is up to 3 m in diameter);
  • "Glauca" (spruce with blue needles, this beautiful garden decoration is often used in compositions with deciduous trees).


Fir is a magnificent tree from the Pine family (Pinaceae). Among other conifers, it stands out with purple cones growing upwards and flat needles. The needles are shiny and soft, they are dark green above, and each is marked with a white stripe below. Young seedlings grow for a very long time, and from the age of 10, development accelerates and lasts until the roots die. Despite the prevalence of fir, many find it difficult to answer whether it is a coniferous or deciduous tree. Among gardeners, varieties of decorative balsam fir are in demand:

  • "Columnaris" (columnar);
  • "Prostrate" (branches grow horizontally, their length is up to 2.5 m);
  • "Nana" (tree up to 50 cm high and 1 m wide, rounded flattened crown);
  • "Argenta" (silver needles, each needle has a white tip);
  • "Glauca" (blue needles with a wax coating);
  • "Variegata" (distinguished by yellow spotting on needles).


Juniper is the leader in the list of coniferous trees in terms of bactericidal properties. The plant appeared more than 50 million years ago. Today, scientists classify it to the Cypress family and distinguish about 70 species, of which only nine are cultivated in Ukraine.

Among the juniper variety there are 30-meter giants and 15-centimeter elfins. Each of them has its own characteristics, not only in the form of a crown and hairpins, but also in the requirements for conditions and care. In the garden, such a culture will look in rockeries, rock gardens, and as a hedge. Most often on personal plots there are varieties of ordinary juniper:

  • "Gold Cone" (the height reaches 4 m, and the width is 1 m, the branches form a dense narrow-conical shape);
  • "Hibernika" (trunk of a mature tree up to 3.5 m high, crown narrow, columnar, 1 m in diameter);
  • "Green Carpet" (dwarf variety up to 50 cm tall and 1.5 m in volume, ground cover crown);
  • "Suecica" (the shrub stretches up to 4 m and grows in breadth up to 1 m, the crown is columnar).

Important! In the garden, junipers are recommended to be planted away from fruit trees, as they are conductors of a disease such as rust. From a preventive point of view, fruit crops are separated by a protective strip of tall plants, regularly inspected for damage to the branch, pruned as necessary. The affected areas are treated with fungicides.


Do you know which conifers are more common in aristocratic English gardens? Of course, cedars. They kind of frame the entire garden landscape. Such trees have become an integral part of the decoration of the front door or the vast lawn in front of the house. Cedars simultaneously create an atmosphere of home comfort and solemnity. In addition, dwarf forms are widely used for bonsai.

In their natural form, these trees rise majestically in mountain ranges at an altitude of up to 3 thousand meters above sea level and seem like real giants. Wild breeds grow up to 50 m in height. And although mankind has known about this plant for more than 250 years, scientists still cannot come to a single number of cedar species.

Some argue that all mature trees are identical and suggest the existence of only the Lebanese species, while others additionally distinguish the Himalayan, Atlas and short coniferous species. The database of the international project "Catalogue of Life", which is engaged in the inventory of all species of flora and fauna known on the planet, contains information about the above species, with the exception of the short-coniferous.

Taking into account the experience of the experts - participants of the project, who managed to collect information about 85% of all life on the globe, we will adhere to their classification of all conifers.

Did you know? Purchased pine nuts, which are loved by many, actually have nothing to do with cedar. The grains of genuine cedars are inedible, unlike the seed of the cedar pine. It is she who in narrow circles is called the Siberian cedar.

Cedar has many decorative forms, differing in the length of the needles, the color of the needles, and in size:

  • "Glauca" (with blue needles);
  • "Breviramulosa" (with sparse long skeletal branches);
  • "Stricta" (columnar crown is formed due to dense, short branches, slightly raised upwards);
  • "Pendula" (branches fall down easily);
  • "Tortuosa" (distinguished by sinuous main branches);
  • "Nana" (dwarf variety);
  • "Nana Pyramidata" (short tree with upward branches).


These evergreens from the genus Cypress in their native environment grow up to 70 meters in height and are very reminiscent of cypress trees. Through the efforts of breeders, the culture of such coniferous trees is actively replenished with the names of new varieties that will satisfy every taste.

In landscape design, undersized varieties are often used to create hedges, medium trees are planted singly or in compositions, dwarfs are settled in rock gardens and mixborders. The plant easily fits into all design ensembles of garden decoration, it is distinguished by fluffy and soft needles. When you hit the needles, you will feel a pleasant touch, not a bristly tingle.

Dwarf varieties that do not exceed 360 cm in height are very popular with gardeners. Such popularity is due to the versatility and decorativeness of coniferous bushes. Today the most popular varieties are:

  • "Ericoides" (thuja-shaped cypress up to 1.5 m high, shock-shaped);
  • "Nana Gracilis" (by the age of 10 it grows up to half a meter, the crown is round or conical);
  • "Ellwoodii" (a tree with a columnar crown, transforms into a pyramidal crown with age, grows up to 1.5 m by the age of ten);
  • "Minima Aurea" (the plant is dwarf, its crown resembles a rounded pyramid);
  • "Compacta" (distinguished by dense branches, neat crown up to 1 m high);

Important! Dwarf varieties "Gnom", "Minima", "Minima glauca", "Minima aurea" winter very badly. Under the snow cover, they will not freeze, but they can sweat. It is recommended to monitor the density of snow.


In the natural environment, these plants are evergreen trees or shrubs with a crown in the shape of a cone or pyramid, a slender trunk covered with thick bark, foliage pressed to the branches and cones ripening in the second year. Scientists know about 25 species of cypress, of which about ten are used in horticulture. Moreover, each of them has its own requirements and whims for growing conditions and care. Common varieties of cypress:

  • "Benthamii" (graceful crown, bluish-green needles);
  • "Lindleyi" (distinguished by bright green needles and large cones);
  • "Tristis" (columnar crown, branches grow down);
  • "Aschersoniana" (undersized form);
  • "Сompacta" (cypress develops in the form of a shrub, has a rounded crown and bluish needles);
  • "Сonica" (pin-shaped crown and blue needles with a smoky shade, does not tolerate frost);
  • "Fastigiata" (stocky form with smoky blue needles);
  • "Glauca" (crown tends to be more columnar, silver needles, not hardy).


Based on the name, many do not consider this tree to be coniferous and are deeply mistaken. In fact, larch belongs to the Pine family and is the most common species of coniferous crops. Outwardly, this tall, slender tree looks like a Christmas tree, but every autumn it sheds its needles.

The larch trunk in favorable conditions can reach a diameter of 1 m and 50 m in height. The bark is thick, covered with deep brown furrows. The branches grow chaotically upwards at an angle, forming an aura cone-shaped crown. Needles 4 cm long, soft, flattened, bright green. Botanists distinguish 14 types of larch. The following varieties are popular in horticulture:

  • "Viminalis" (weeping);
  • "Corley" (cushion);
  • "Repens" (with creeping branches);
  • "Cervicornis" (twisted branches);
  • "Kornik" (spherical, used as a scion on a stem);
  • "Blue Dwarf" (characterized by short stature and bluish needles);
  • "Diana" (slowly stretches up to 2 m, the crown resembles a ball, the branches are slightly spiral, the needles are smoky green);
  • "Stiff Weeper" (distinguished by long sprouts creeping along the soil, needles with a bluish tint, often grafted onto a trunk);
  • "Wolterdinger" (the crown is dense, similar to a dome, it develops slowly).


About 115 species of pines (Pinus) are known in the world, but seventeen species are common in Ukraine, and only eleven of them are cultivated. From other conifers, pines differ in fragrant needles located on branches in bunches of 2-5 pieces. Depending on their number, the breed of pine is determined.

Important! In the open air, pine roots dry out after 15 minutes. Pine planting is best planned for April-May or mid-September.

For garden collections, breeders have bred many miniature forms with slow growth. In large-scale forest park areas, giant natural species of pines are more common. In small adjoining territories and in the backyard, undersized varieties of pines will look spectacular. Such evergreen bushes can be identified in a rock garden, on a lawn or in a mixborder. Mountain pine varieties are popular, which in the wild is found on Western European slopes and reaches a height of 1.5 to 12 m:

  • "Gnom" (characterized by a crown height and diameter of 2 m, needles up to 4 cm long);
  • "Columnaris" (shrub up to 2.5 m high and up to 3 m wide, long and dense needles);
  • "Mops" (trunk up to 1.5 m high, branches form a spherical shape);
  • "Mini Mops" (shrub reaches up to 60 cm, grows up to 1 m in diameter, cushion-shaped crown);
  • "Globosa Viridis" (pine shrub height and width about 1 m, ovoid shape, needles up to 10 cm long).


Compact columnar arborvitae of ornamental varieties are found in almost every botanical garden and park. R Asthenia from the Cypress family is cultivated in Ukraine exclusively as an evergreen decoration. Gardeners in the reviews note the culture's resistance to decay, severe frosts and drought.

Thuja has a powerful superficial rhizome, branches growing upwards, forming the shape of a column or pyramid, scaly dark leaves, small cones that ripen in the first year. Weeping, creeping and dwarf varieties are also bred. Of these, varieties of the western thuja (occidentalis) are in the lead, which is distinguished by a fast-growing powerful trunk, reaching a height of 7 m, and branching up to 2 m in diameter. The needles of such a shrub are always green, regardless of the season. The variety "Cloth of Gold" is distinguished by a rich orange tint of needles, in winter the branches acquire a copper tint. Such specimens are best cultivated in shady areas with neutral soil.

Did you know? Thuja spread in Europe thanks to the king of France, Francis the first, who was a fan of the unique cultures that appeared in his garden at Fontainebleau. He called the plant the "tree of life" and ordered that large areas around the palace be planted with it. After 200 years, thuja was already cultivated in the east of Europe. At the same time, inexperienced gardeners were often disappointed, because they grew a marvelous tree from seeds, and instead of the expected "Columna" they got a giant 30-meter monster with rare branches. It is this thuja that grows in its natural environment.

A dense crown in the form of a narrow 7-meter column is created by branches of the medium-sized variety "Columna". It can be seen from afar by dark green needles with a brilliant sheen, which does not change either in winter or in summer. Such a tree is frost-resistant, not demanding in care. For small gardens, compact arborvitae of the "Holmstrup" variety are suitable, which grow up to 3 meters in height and branch out in a volume of up to 1 m, forming a lush conical shape of rich green color.

The variety is characterized by increased frost resistance, tolerates pruning well, is used mainly for creating hedges. Gardeners consider "Smaragd" to be one of the best varieties of thuja with a conical crown. An adult tree reaches 4 m in height and 1.5 m in width. In young specimens, the branches form a narrow cone, and as they age, it expands. The needles are juicy, green with a glossy sheen. In care requires moist soil.


It is a very decorative evergreen columnar tree, reaching a height of 20 meters in adulthood. The shoots grow intensively, annually adding up to 1 m. The branches are covered with scaly leaves, develop in the same plane. The fruits are small. For many, such a wonderful name is a discovery, so in Ukraine you can only meet cupressocyparis in the areas of advanced collectors and ardent gardeners. In its native UK, where the hybrid is cultivated, it is used to create a hedge, especially since the culture is easily adapted after pruning. In Ukraine, the most common varieties of cupressocypress Leyland:

  • Castlewellan Gold. It is characterized by resistance to winds and frosts, not demanding in care. It has a bright golden crown. Young branches purple.
  • Robinson's Gold. Dense green branches form a pin-shaped wide crown of a bronze-yellow color.
  • Leithon Green. It is a tree with an openwork crown of yellowish-green color. The branches are arranged asymmetrically, the trunk is clearly visible.
  • Green Spire. A hybrid with bright yellowish leaves and a slightly columnar shape.
  • "Haggerston Grey". Differs in loose gray-green branches.

Important! Cupressocyparis grows best on fresh, sufficiently moist and mineral-enriched substrates, regardless of the pH level. It is not recommended to plant a plant on waterlogged or dry carbonate lands.


In Japan, this majestic coniferous giant is considered the national tree. It can be found not only in wild forests and on mountain slopes, but also in the design of park alleys. Evergreen cryptomeria grows by the age of 150 to a height of 60 m, in favorable conditions its trunk cannot be hugged - in girth it can reach 2 m.

Branches with a light or dark shade of needles create a narrow dense crown. In some trees, the needles are filled with a reddish or yellowish tone for the winter. To the touch they are not prickly, in appearance they are short, subulate. Cones are round, small, brown, ripen throughout the year. Botanists classify cryptomeria to the Cypress family and distinguish it into a single species. The eastern origin of the culture explains its parallel names.

The people often call the tree "Japanese cedar", which causes indignation among scientists, since cryptomeria has nothing to do with cedar. The adverbs "shan" (Chinese) and "sugi" (Japanese) are also used. Contemplating a majestic tree in the wild, it is hard to even imagine that it can be grown in a home garden or in an apartment. But breeders took care of this by creating many decorative dwarf forms, reaching a height of no more than 2 m. spherical "Compressa", "Globosa".


These are evergreen trees or shrubs belonging to the Yew family, with purple-smoky bark of a smooth or lamellar structure and soft long needles. Scientists distinguish 8 species of the genus, which are common in Europe, North America, Africa and East Asia. In Ukraine, only berry yew (European) grows in its natural environment.

The species is a large tree up to 20 m tall with reddish-brown bark, lanceolate leaves with a narrowed base on short legs. The needles are glossy dark green above and light matte below. In care, these representatives of coniferous trees replenish the list of undemanding crops. Yew needles are dangerous for animals, can provoke severe poisoning and even death. Garden varieties of yew amaze with a wide range. Due to the good adaptability of the plant to pruning, it is used to create borders and various green figures. Each species has its own characteristics. The most common varieties:

  • "Aurea". Dwarf yew up to 1 m high, with dense small yellow needles.
  • "Pyramidalis". Low pyramidal shape, becomes loose with age. The needles are longer at the base of the branches and shorter at the top. Bush height 1 m, width 1.5 m.
  • "Capitata". The crown is in the form of a skittle, grows rapidly, has one or more trunks.
  • "Columnaris". The crown is wide columnar. With age, the apex becomes wider than the base.
  • Densa. Slow growing, female plant, crown wide, flattened.
  • "expansa". Vase-shaped crown, stemless, with an open center.
  • Farmen. Low-growing yew with a wide crown and dark needles.

Did you know? Pharmaceutical companies have been using yew raw materials for the manufacture of drugs for malignant tumors for more than 20 years. The berry yew, common in our country, is known for its healing properties for cancers of the mammary glands, ovaries, intestines, stomach, and hormonal imbalance. In Europe, after trimming hedges, gardeners take yew branches to specialized points for further processing.

When choosing an evergreen decoration for your garden or house adjoining area, you need to know not only what coniferous trees and shrubs are, the names of their species and varieties, but it is also important to understand the characteristics of growth, final size, crown shape, development rate, care. Otherwise, instead of a luxurious decoration in the garden, you can get a highly branched monster that will create a shadow for all living things around.

Was this article helpful?

Thank you for your opinion!

Write in the comments what questions you did not receive an answer to, we will definitely respond!

369 times already
helped