Conifers for the garden: choosing a place for planting, what types are, how to care

The evergreen conifers and trees are especially attractive. Moreover, in the conditions of the Russian climate, when snow lies on the ground for six months, these gifts of flora remain green both in winter and in summer. For my plot, I chose a spruce of medium height, and decorated a small flower bed with flowers around. Despite the decent result, quite a few mistakes were made and now I know how to plant a spruce correctly. I hope this humble experience will be useful to you as well.

Main landing features

Spruce is an unpretentious plant. If you plant it correctly, then the tree will definitely take root on your site.

The features of this process include:

the seedling must be with a clod of earth;
overdrying the roots is not allowed, so they need to be moistened as necessary;
the tree should be planted immediately after its acquisition or self-excavation in the forest;
ate, unlike other plants, take root well if planted in late autumn.

Basic requirements for cultivation

All conifers are demanding on soil moisture and absorb water from the soil around the perimeter at a distance of up to three to five meters. If garden plantings and flower beds are not planned, then you can safely opt for unpretentious pines or a spectacular juniper.

When to plant trees? In the middle lane - late May - early April, with a minimal threat of severe frosts;
When digging a seedling in the forest, try to take as much sod as possible at the roots;
Within a month after planting, watch out for regular watering and spraying;
Pine roots can withstand open air for no more than two hours - then they die. Therefore, try to limit the contact of the root system with air when transplanting.

Advice. Renting a diesel generator for a summer cottage will help create an industrial cultivation of expensive tree species for sale, even on a small garden plot in a small greenhouse.

Transporting wood

To safely deliver the dug out spruce to your personal plot, you need to follow the simple rules for transporting seedlings:

preserve the earthen lump and ensure its integrity with a damp breathable fabric (cotton, burlap);
tie the branches of the plant with a rope, slightly pulling them to the trunk to avoid damage;
transported on a horizontal or inclined surface so as not to damage the barrel;
transport as quickly as possible so that the tree loses a minimum of nutrients.

Selecting and preparing a landing site

Many novice gardeners believe that these trees prefer to grow in the shade, since in natural conditions pine forests are dark, with little access to sunlight. But in home gardens, spruce tends to grow better in a sunny location... The tree grows faster, forms a correct crown and looks healthier than in the shade.

Important! When choosing a site, pay attention to the color of the needles of the tree. Ate of dark tones grows normally in the shade, light ones prefer sunny areas.

Choose a location with good drainage... Excess moisture can kill the plant. The earth should be light and breathable. Before planting, the site must be dug well, weeds must be removed.

The soil should be with a certain level of acidity - 4.5-6 pH... If this indicator is higher, then bacteria begin to actively develop in the soil, which can significantly reduce the growth rate of the tree.

Choosing a seedling or tree

Planting material can be purchased at a specialty store, nursery, garden center, or you can dig it yourself in the forest.

If you want to buy a spruce in the nursery, then when choosing it, pay attention to the following:

Sapling appearance... The plant should have smooth, shiny and not dry needles.
Soil moisture... This is very important as dry soil can be detrimental to the tree.
Root system... The further growth of the spruce depends on its condition, the absence of damage. Make sure that the roots do not protrude outside the pot.
Container size... The seedling should be spaciously located in the container (for example, if the spruce is 1 m high, then the optimal pot width for it is at least 50 cm).

When searching for a Christmas tree in the forest on your own, you must follow these rules:

Immediately after the tree is dug out, it is necessary to wrap the roots in a damp cloth, and then wrap them in polyethylene. Access to open air damages the roots very quickly.
Transportation must be done as carefully as possible so that the soil does not crumble from the roots.
Disembarkation must be carried out on the same day, after digging.
Choose a cold, preferably frosty, autumn day for this procedure.

Video: How to plant a coniferous plant correctly

Subtleties of transplant

If you want to shade some part of the site, you will hardly be able to find anything better than spruce.
There are some interesting points to consider when planting a Christmas tree on your site:

- If the spruce is small, decorative, it can be planted not far from home. But if we are talking about ordinary spruce, then you need to remember about its superficial root system, which will take moisture from other plants. It is better to plant such a tree outside the site. However, if you want to see the Christmas tree closer to home, you will have to cut its roots every year;

- If you want to increase the chance for survival of a tree, then when digging it in the forest, orient yourself to the cardinal points and plant a spruce in your area in accordance with them.

One way to get a Christmas tree on the site is to dig it up in the forest, the main thing is to do it carefully

How to water and care

If in the first weeks after planting the spruce needs abundant watering, then in winter the situation is different - Mother Nature will do everything for you. In summer, the tree needs to be watered like any other plant, especially in hot dry weather.

The height of the tree can be limited according to your wishes... This is done due to the effect on its top. The upper shoots are twisted as they arise, and the entire supply of nutrients is distributed over the remaining crown. So the tree will be slender and fluffy and will stop dropping needles from the lower branches.

Read also: Timing of planting seedlings in open ground

Just like other conifers, spruce can be cut at your discretion if you want to achieve an unusual shape.

How to choose a good tree

In order for the plant to adapt without problems in the summer cottage, you need to correctly approach the choice of a seedling. The spruce must be young, strong and healthy. The experience of foresters confirms that free-standing trees that have grown on the edge, meadow, roadside, as a rule, have a stronger immunity and take root well in their summer cottage.

Young specimens, 50–100 cm high, with evenly growing symmetrical branches, healthy needles and a trunk are best suited for planting in the country. You need to carefully inspect the plant for damage and check if it has serious defects.

Individual features of growing conifers

The rules for planting conifers must take into account the personal preferences of different types of trees and shrubs.This applies to growing conditions, soil composition and even planting depth. It is advisable to make the soil for planting conifers on your own, taking into account the characteristics and preferences of different species. Important nuances and tips for planting coniferous varieties of popular ornamental plants are discussed below.

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Growing spruce

For a spruce on the site, it is advisable to look at the most open and illuminated place, but even in partial shade, this beauty will feel good. It is very important that there is no close groundwater flow on the site intended for planting this plant.

Other prerequisites:

The drainage layer is at least 15-20 centimeters.
The optimum planting depth is 50-70 centimeters.
The soil can be prepared from sod and leafy soil, peat and sand. The proportions of these components are 2: 2: 1: 1.

When planting, in no case should you trample or tamp the root area in any other way. A sufficient amount of voids in the soil will provide ideal conditions for plant development.

Planting and caring for a pine tree

Scots pine is also often used for decorating plots. It is better for her to find open and well-lit places.

Additionally, it is worth considering:

The composition of the soil is as close to ideal as possible when mixing two parts of sod land and one part of sand.
The planting depth of the seedling is from 80 to 100 centimeters.
On dense and heavy soils, it is imperative to provide a drainage layer of 15-20 centimeters.

A prerequisite for successful rooting is the age of the seedling up to five years. Otherwise, the plant can be sick and wither for a long time.

Junipers: growing rules

Garden varieties of junipers are diverse and unpretentious. That is why this original shrub is often used in group plantings.

For a juniper, it is important to prepare:

A suitable backfill soil composition consisting of peat, turf and sand (proportions 2: 1: 1).
The drainage layer consists of crushed stone, pebbles and broken bricks. Layer height - 15 centimeters or more.
Planting depth within 60-70 centimeters.

The most popular variety in landscape design is Chinese juniper. He is quite unpretentious, loves well-lit places, as well as thickened plantings. So that weeds do not break through the bushes, the surface of the earth after planting is covered with agrofibre or spandboard (various materials are allowed), on which it is then necessary to pour a decorative layer of gravel, bark or other covering filler.

Larch on the site

Larch can be called an original decoration in summer cottages. This beautiful tree is famous for its long lifespan, as well as for its original appearance and beauty of flowering.

You may be interested in: Thuja, planting and care in the open field

To grow larch you will need:

A suitable nutrient mixture can be made with three parts of leafy soil, two parts of peat. For sufficient aeration, one more part of the sand is added.
On heavy soils, drainage is equipped with a layer of 20 centimeters.
The optimum age of a seedling for transplanting is from 4 to 6 years.

All varieties of larch, except for Japanese, love well-lit places. When planting, you should take into account the future dimensions of the plant and place it with the calculation of the optimal position.

Garden fir

To plant a fir on your site, it is important to provide it with the conditions necessary for nutrition and development. First of all, this is the composition of the earth. It is prepared from leafy earth, clay, sand and peat (proportions 3: 2: 1: 1). In addition, it should be noted that the fir does not like direct lighting; a small partial shade will be the best place for planting.

Growing thuja

Thuja is considered one of the most unpretentious garden representatives of conifers. They grow well in sunny open areas, but they can easily tolerate partial shade. The composition of the soil for them is prepared from sod or leafy soil (2 parts), clay and sand (one part each). Drainage is required, the height of which must be at least 20 centimeters. In this case, the plant is actively developing and growing rapidly.

In addition, the amazing shade tolerance of the yew can be noted, which can be planted near buildings or fences. For it, you can create an optimal soil from turf, sand and peat (in a ratio of 3: 2: 2). With the right combination, coniferous varieties can be used in group plantings, as well as bright accents.

Spruce tree care in autumn

Conifers are capable of decorating any area very elegantly and stylishly. That is why spruce is popular among gardeners. Beautiful appearance is not the only advantage of this tree. The plant does not require much effort and skill to care for, and this is one of its main attractive advantages for gardeners. A set of standard procedures will help you keep your plant in top condition. The rest of the article will focus on autumn care.

Video: General recommendations for caring for conifers

Watering and feeding

Adult ate does not need additional watering. They tolerate drought well. For their existence, the moisture that natural conditions provide them is enough..

Young plants (1-2 years old) need to be watered frequently. They are not yet strong enough to cope with the lack of moisture on their own. Usually, watering should be done once a week... In the fall, before the onset of cold weather, it is very important to nourish the plant with moisture. For example, if a young spruce has not reached a height of 1 m, then it is enough to pour 2 buckets of water under such a tree, and if it grows more than 1 m, the liquid should be twice as much.

In the autumn period, potassium-phosphorus fertilization will be a suitable fertilizer for spruce.... Spread 50 g of the product around the peristemal circle and loosen the soil. It helps to strengthen the root system and lignification of young branches.

Important! You should not feed the spruce with nitrogen fertilizers in the fall, since they increase the growth of young coniferous branches. This top dressing should only be applied in the spring.

Mulching

Before winter, it is better to protect the plant from severe frosts. This can be done using mulching. A suitable material is tree bark.... It is this type of mulch that perfectly permeates oxygen, which is very important for conifers. Leaves and sawdust can cause moisture to stagnate, preventing it from evaporating properly. These care measures only apply to young trees. Adults ate do not need insulation for the winter, as they tolerate low temperatures very well..

A haircut

Not all types of spruce need to be trimmed. Usually, undersized trees have the correct shape and do not require any pruning... If you planted a tall wild plant near your house or summer cottage and want to get a crown of the desired shape, then annual pruning is mandatory.

Find out in more detail when and why you need a haircut.

In the autumn period, it is necessary to do a haircut at the beginning of September, so that the cut sites have time to tighten well and are not additionally damaged with the onset of severe frosts. In the process of pruning, you should also very carefully cut off the side branches, since their part near the trunk is a "dead zone"where the needles have not grown for a long time and have fallen off, while new buds are not formed.

Planting conifers in spring: expert advice

If you plan to decorate a garden using coniferous crops, we recommend using the advice of specialists who will help you plant and grow a tree or bush correctly.

Basic landing requirements include (Figure 5):

Correct site selection: it must be protected from drafts and bright sun so that the branches of a young seedling do not get burned or damaged by strong winds.
Selection and purchase of a seedling: it is better to buy planting material from specialized nurseries located in your area. This way you will receive planting material adapted to the climatic conditions of the region.
Correct fit: it is better to plant young seedlings in the spring, so that they have time to take root and get stronger before winter. The root collar should be above the ground surface.
Keeping the distance between plants: The optimal distance is one and a half meters, but if a hedge is being planted, this distance can be reduced.

Figure 5. Options for the location of trees and shrubs near the house
In addition, young seedlings need to be watered regularly and fed several times per season. In the first five years, the seedlings must be covered for the winter, and the trunks are mulched to retain moisture in the soil.

What if the seedling is over three years old?

In most cases, New Year's conifers die not even from an incorrect transplant, but from the dry and too warm air of the apartment. But this is not immediately noticeable, because trees die slowly.

Therefore, in general, conifers in an apartment are quite a rare occurrence, only among amateur collectors. They require mandatory cold wintering, even southerners (at least by the window, with lighting, regular spraying and screening from the heat and dry air of the room).

To understand how many chances such plants have in general, you need to go through the points:

1) Which nursery is the seedling from? Local or imported, Dutch?

Those. what climate the plant is accustomed to during the cultivation period. If it grew up in the local climate, then, of course, it has a better chance.

2) Is it really a container plant?

It often happens that a plant is grown outdoors or in a greenhouse, and before being sold, it was transplanted into a container and sold as a ZKS. Naturally, such a plant will have few roots, as well as the chances of taking root in a new place.

3) The age of the plant.

Naturally, the younger the seedling, the better. You already have a fairly mature tree, in which the growth processes are already slowed down. Therefore, it will be extremely difficult for a plant to take root in a new place.

The age of your tree (from the photo) is actually 8-9 years old. You can determine the age yourself by counting the whorls on the trunk. One year - one whorl (this is the place on the trunk from which the “floor” of branches comes). Provided that the lower branches are preserved. Otherwise, you can safely add another two or three years.

4) In what conditions was the plant kept at the time of sale?

If it was on the street, it was better than if it was in a stuffy supermarket. Conifers are very sensitive to heat and dryness of the air, as I wrote above.

5) How long will the plant stay warm in the apartment and what is the temperature outside the window at the time of transplanting?

6) Correct fit in a new place.

From the sum of all these factors, the probability of survival of the planted plant is obtained. As it is easy to understand, it is very low for New Year's conifers.

Of course, I would not advise purchasing such adult plants, and even those with a dubious origin: a lot of things are sold for the New Year holidays under the guise of a living Christmas tree in a container. Often these plants are designed simply to keep the spruce fresh in the house longer, and not live even after transplanting. Those. the probability of their survival is very small.

Description of a coniferous plant

The blue spruce always stands out favorably among its fellows. Shades of this tree can range from blue to bluish-gray, and the crown has a characteristic conical shape and is dotted with oblong cones. Experts recordedthat the maximum lifespan of needles in their natural habitat is 700 years. In the vastness of our country, such trees live for about 100 years.

The average height of the tree reaches 30 meters, although in some cases there are specimens up to 70 meters. Adults ate fruit every spring (ovaries of male and female strobila - cones appear on the trees). Conifers can propagate only with the help of seeds and cuttings.

To date, breeders have bred more than 70 species of conifers. Among them are dwarf, massive and even specimens creeping along the ground. Some species from ordinary trees have turned into ornamental shrubs that rise 50 cm above the ground and are up to 3 meters wide. The intensity of cultivation of such plants depends on the amount of fertilizer applied. The huge demand for blue spruce is due to the factthat they are easy to care for and they are able to transform any personal plot.

Types and varieties of conifers

Conifers for the garden are usually divided into varieties by height:

Tall
Medium-sized
Undersized

Tall plants are used for hedges, shady areas, compositions from different crops: Juniper Skyrocket has a classic conical crown with a blue tint. Spruce Hoopsie - thorny, silvery-blue needles. Korean fir - the shape of the crown is conical, the cones are purple, grows up to fifteen meters in height. Thuja - a hardy evergreen tall shrub. Pine Watery grows in the shape of a ball, has a twisted structure.

Medium-sized ones are used mainly in compositions with tall ones.

Berry yew
Golden yew
Thuja Reingold
Fukai Pine
Stunted pine
Konik spruce

Low-growing conifers grow on average up to fifty centimeters. They are planted as full-fledged ornamental plants and in compositions.

Weeping larch
Lorin dwarf spruce
Hampi mountain pine
Juniper horizontal
Pine Pendula

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How to transplant a tree from a forest to a pot. How to plant a Christmas tree from the forest

It is not always possible to buy a spruce, sometimes it is dug up in the forest, however, in order for such a tree to grow on the site, it is important to choose the right plant. So the trees on the outskirts of the forest, which reach a height of one and a half meters, will be optimal.

In order for the tree to grow and develop normally, the transplanting process must obey a number of rules. If they are observed, problems will be minimized.

So it is recommended:

Under the selected tree, dig a circle along the diameter of the lower branches to a depth of half a meter.
After that, you need to start carefully digging up the roots. At the same time, be sure to mark with ribbons where the tree had the north and where the south side.
The latter is especially important when planting, helping to reduce stress on the tree;
After the tree has been dug up, fill the bag with the native soil of the spruce;
When it is delivered to the site, proceed with the preparation of the pit, which should correspond in size to the land coma;
At the bottom of the pit, be sure to pour the forest soil native to the tree;
Carefully place the roots in the dug hole, make sure that the roots do not curl or break, if this happens - expand the edges of the hole;
Make sure that the location of the branches corresponds to the south and north. Sprinkle the roots with the rest of the forest soil, moisten with fertilizer and water abundantly.

The main care for a young seedling is regular and abundant watering. The earth should not dry up, this can lead to his death.

Types of trees and shrubs, their properties and impact on humans

Popular beliefs claim that the sharp needles of pines and firs protect from the evil eye. But at the same time, it is not advised to plant these trees near the house, as they attract the early death of the owners.

Is it so?

Christmas tree - the main beauty of the New Year holidays

Where does the belief that the spruce brings misfortune and death to the house originates from? Even in pagan times, this tree was associated with the goddess of the kingdom of the dead - Marena. It was believed that the spruce is the tree of the world of the dead.

Therefore, people who are suspicious and suggestible should not plant conifers in their summer cottage. The people believed that when the spruce grows above the roof of the house, the person who planted it will go to another world. Sharp needles of the tree do not contribute to harmonious good relations in the family.

There are quite logical explanations for folk signs:

The spruce root system is very close to the soil surface. Therefore, when the tree grows up, its roots will be able to break the paths and.

Advice. Don't plant a tree near your home. When the tree grows, it is quite capable of destroying the foundation.

Another disadvantage of this tree species is the increased absorption of moisture from the soil. In arid regions, spruce plantings simply will not take root, ordinary black soil is not suitable for them, and if the tree has grown, then within a radius of five meters other plants simply will not survive. The tree will take all the water.

Advice. Having decided to plant a spruce with your own hands, after digging a tree in the forest, you must take into account that you need to dig out the root with as much turf as possible.

When asked which trees should not be planted in a suburban area, you can hear a lot of answers, the most common of which are the following.

It is the Christmas trees that attract mosquitoes; it is also not worth planting them near the gazebos;
For hypertensive patients, spruce and pine are not recommended, since pressure often rises from the spruce aroma;
If the house is made of wood, then the fire safety instruction prohibits planting spruce and pine trees at a distance of up to 10 meters from the walls. In summer, there is a high probability of fire, and, as you know, it is conifers that ignite instantly.

Output. If the desire to plant a spruce is very high, then place the tree at the end of the garden, away from residential and outbuildings.

Juniper is an ideal solution for small summer cottages

The resinous aroma of this shrub is capable of treating many diseases and has a beneficial effect on the shattered nervous system, normalizes sleep and is able to relieve headaches. The plant disinfects the air and contributes to the creation of a unique microclimate in the garden. There is also an opinion that this plant drives away evil spirits and promotes peace and harmony in family relationships.

When planting conifers in your summer cottage, do not forget about the juniper. This natural healer has been familiar to all peoples of the world for more than one century. In Egypt, houses were fumigated with smoke from its branches during epidemics, and the American Indians treated joint diseases and many skin diseases with this plant.

This evergreen shrub can have a wide variety of shapes and colors of needles. The height of junipers ranges from fifty centimeters to 20 meters. This plant is ideal for creating a wide variety of landscaping compositions in different styles.

Features of cultivation:

Choose seedlings at least four years old - this guarantees one hundred percent survival rate;
Planting of plants is carried out in late April - early May.

Important. After planting, a young bush needs frequent spraying and regular watering for a month after planting in the ground.

This bush is unpretentious to soils, it can grow on sandy, clayey and rocky areas. But, naturally, in case of marginal soils, increased care of plants is needed within a month after transplantation.

Important. The distance between seedlings should be at least half a meter for group plantings.

How beautiful to plant a juniper and build a spectacular landscape composition? Choose three different varieties, for example - the ordinary juniper of the "Hornibrook" variety, a short plant with wide, clawed branches and silvery-green needles, and the Daurian juniper, which easily tolerates frost and drought. Variety "Expanza" is notable for its short stature and bright greenery.
For hedges, the Caucasian juniper "Tamaristsofoli" with silver-gray needles or the "Erekta" variety, up to two meters high, is suitable.These shrubs are easy to shape into spectacular green hedges of different architecture.

Output. Juniper is an ideal choice for owners who do not have a lot of time to maintain their garden. And the price of seedlings is quite democratic.

Pines at their summer cottage

A coniferous corner in a Japanese-style dacha will be decorated with pines of the "Pug" or "Pumilio" varieties. These trees look great in landscape compositions and sandy rockeries in a small area;
An ordinary pine dug in the forest needs a lot of room to grow. We must immediately agree that it is not planned to plant anything around the perimeter at a distance of five meters. The only plus is that there will always be shade and coolness in the house, plus a great smell of pine needles.

Output. Houses, especially country houses made of block containers, need an abundance of sunlight. Therefore, it is better to plant pines from the southern edge of the site, away from any buildings. Or give preference to dwarf decorative varieties that do not require a lot of free space.

Low-growing fir - a spectacular hedge without the hassle

Mountain fir of the "Compact" variety with a wide-conical shape is an ideal choice for creating a fragrant evergreen hedge at a summer cottage. For thirty years, a tree grows up to only three meters and easily lends itself to any curly pruning.

Important. It should be borne in mind that fir is demanding for watering and is recommended for planting in wet, swampy areas.

Possible growing problems

Ate can be affected by fungal diseases:

Shütte is manifested by reddening of the needles. After a while, it darkens.
Tracheomycotic wilting is a viral disease that affects the root system. The needles turn red and crumble.
Rust of needles and cones. Yellow bubbles appear on them.
Bark necrosis leads to the formation of growths. Leads to the death of the spruce.
Ulcerative cancer leads to the formation of resinous wounds.

You need to fight by cleaning and removing damaged areas. Treat wounds with garden pitch. In the spring, for the prevention of diseases, they are treated with preparations containing copper.

The main pests ate:

Weevil, kidney sawfly, spider mite damage the needles.
Goldfish, borer, bark beetle, grinder affects the bark.
Leafworm, gall midge, seed-eater spoil the cones.

They are treated 3 times with insecticides.

The best spruce varieties to grow

An ordinary 50 meters high prefers slightly acidic sandy sands. Dislikes stagnant water. Her decorative forms:

A compact with a rounded shape, 2 meters high.
Echiniformis 20 cm high can have needles of different colors, from yellowish to gray.
Nidiformis with a nest-shaped crown.
Akrokona with red bumps. Frost-resistant variety. Transfers the shadow. Dies from stagnant water.
Inversa is a very beautiful tree with a drooping crown.
Maxwellii is cushion-shaped. Height is about a meter. Needles with a yellow tint.

Thorny spruce in 100 years grows up to 45 m, in urban conditions up to 20 m. Thorny needles, the color can be from green to silver. Growing in the city, it needs to be washed three times during the summer with water, washing away dust and dirt. Forms:

Argenta with yellow needles. Tolerates drought and frost.
Glauca with blue needles with a gray tint. Winter hardy, drought tolerant. Loves light areas.
Hoopsii is the bluest of the spruce trees. It grows up to 10 m. The branches are strong. Loves sunny areas.

Canadian spruce is distinguished by light needles. The bark is gray. The crown has the form of a cone, height 25 m.Lives up to 500 years. Young branches grow upward, old ones - downward. Forms:

Konica up to 1.5 m high.
Albert Blue.
Ehiniformis 50 cm high.

Serbian spruce with a narrow pyramidal crown. The branches grow upward. The needles are dark on top, white stripes are visible on each needle below. The spruce is decorated with dark purple cones. Does not tolerate stagnant moisture in the soil. Frost resistant. Varieties:

Minimum 30cm high, half a meter wide. The needles are hard, the top is green, the bottom is blue. Loves light soils.
Nana is a popular variety with a round crown. It grows by 2 cm per year. It tolerates frost well.
Pendula with a columnar crown, branches hanging down.Two-color needles.

Eastern spruce can reach a height of 60 meters. The trunk is powerful, up to 2 m. The needles are short, up to 8 mm, flattened, tetrahedral. The needles are yellow at first. They darken over the years. Transferring shading. Doesn't like frost. Varieties:

Aureospicata with asymmetrical branches drooping downward. The needles are 8 mm long. First golden, later darken. Cones are cylindrical, up to 8 cm long. The color is purple. It should be planted in a place sheltered from the northern winds. The crown can be formed by cutting.
Bergman Gem up to half a meter high. First, the crown is elongated, then it becomes round. Suffers blackout.
Skylands grows up to 11 m. Golden needles.

Ayan spruce - low, up to 9 m, tree. The needles are flat, 1.2 to 2 cm long and 1.2 mm thick, keeled. The twigs have a tousled look. The top of the needle is dark, the bottom has light stripes, due to which the tree acquires a silvery hue. Cones are loose, red or green before ripening. Differs in high frost resistance. Popular varieties:

Nana Kalous (Marianske Lazne) is a small plant with a rounded crown. The needles are silvery. Differs in high frost resistance.
Mariana (black). Cones are dark purple, brown when mature.

What conifers can not be planted on the site

Folk omens provoke a lot of superstitions, because of which novice gardeners often think about which conifers can be planted on the site, and which ones are best avoided.

Most of all she will take and superstition is associated with spruce. We will try to figure out why it is impossible to plant such plants near the house from the point of view of folk signs. The spruce is believed to be a female tree that does not bear fruit. The people called it a widow's tree, and if you plant it near the house, only women will live in it. In addition, our ancestors considered the spruce to be a symbol of death and burial.

In fact, such assumptions have not been scientifically proven, and decorative and dwarf spruce varieties are widely used in landscape design.

Reproduction methods

How to properly grow esl from seeds:

When grown from seed, only this year's buds are used. You can extend the germination period by hiding the seeds in an airtight package. If you store them at temperatures from 0 to 5 degrees, they can be used for reproduction up to 15 years. Germinate seeds in several ways.

Sow before winter to a depth of 2 cm, mulch on top with a layer of peat 1.5 cm high. In the spring, dense seedlings dive to a new place. Some of the seedlings can be left without transplanting. They are transplanted to a permanent place in the fall or next spring. You can sow in special boxes, then take them out into the snow. There the seeds will undergo stratification.

This process can be carried out in a refrigerator or basement. The seeds are mixed with washed sand and kept at a temperature of about 4 ° C for 1-3 months. Then sow and set in a warm place. If it is possible to place dishes with seeds in a cold place, they are sown immediately in small containers.
Seedlings are kept in a bright place, but not in hot sunlight. Thickened plantings are thinned out by diving the seedlings into a separate bowl.

The disadvantage of this method of reproduction is that maternal properties are poorly transferred. Only a small amount retains the characteristic features. When growing blue spruces, a large number of seedlings are planted. After a few years, it will become clear which of them has a blue color of needles.

It is easier to propagate young varietal spruces by cuttings.

Good results are obtained by growing Canadian or black spruce in this way. For cultivation, choose the type of branches that corresponds to the type of tree. In columnar cuttings, vertical cuttings are cut, in drooping ones - inclined. For reproduction spherical take any branches.

What mistakes can be when planting ephedra

The most common mistakes made when planting such plants are:

Damage to the earthen coma on the root of a coniferous culture.
Inadequacy of the landing pit.
Filling the root collar with soil mixture.
Unaccounted for features of a certain grade.

All these mistakes lead to the death of the coniferous plant. To avoid this, the planting process should be carried out taking these aspects into account.

Damage to the earthen coma on the root of a coniferous culture

When landing, it is necessary that the earthen lump does not shake, does not fly around, does not crumble. That is, it is important not to lose it. Otherwise, the roots can dry out quickly, and then die off. And the coniferous will definitely not survive! To preserve the coma - it does not matter whether the tree is transplanted from soil or container - you should first, the day before, water the plant well. Thus, the ground will crumple up at the root.

After the plant is dug out, or removed from the container, the root with a lump must be quickly placed in burlap (or something similar), and tied securely. When fixing, use twine, ropes, wire, etc.

The release of the root from the packaging occurs only after the coniferous plant is placed in a prepared pit! If this is done before placing it in the pit, the lump may crumble. Many gardeners even recommend leaving the packaging material at the root - the burlap, one way or another, will rot in the ground. It is only worth freeing the root from rigid fixing materials (metal, synthetic cords).

Inadequacy of the landing pit

The second common mistake is the size of the planting hole, which does not correspond to the plant being planted. The pit for planting should be larger than an earthen clod of shrubs, both from the sides and in height. When the plant is placed in a hole, about 5 cm should remain between its walls and the root ball. If this is not observed, the plant will be cramped, the roots will pinch, it may die.

Backfilling of the free space occurs after the shrub is installed in a pit, with specially prepared soil suitable for a specific species of coniferous plant. Of course, you can fill the hole with earth that was removed from it before planting, but in this case, the culture will take root much worse.

Filling the root collar with soil mixture

When transplanting a coniferous plant, it is important not to cover its root collar with earth. If this nevertheless happened, then it must be freed from the earth, removing the excess.

But there are times when the overlap of the neck is inevitable, in this case forced air drainage is done. Small trenches are dug near the coniferous culture, which are laid out with pebbles. These trenches communicate with the outer space through tubes through which the necessary air is freely supplied to the root system.

Unaccounted for features of a certain grade

This is perhaps the most important mistake - to ignore the conditions necessary for good growth and development of conifers. Each breed requires different individual planting characteristics, which would be good to create if possible. Therefore, we will separately dwell on the requirements for planting some breeds.

Spruce
... For these conifers, you should choose a shady place, with no nearby groundwater. The composition of the soil for the planting pit: turf (2 parts), peat (1 part), sand (1 part) and leafy soil (2 parts). The depth of the spruce hole reaches 50-70 cm. Also, for them, it is imperative to arrange a drainage system, the layer of which should not be less than 15 cm. Compaction of the soil is strictly prohibited.
Cypress
... The choice of a planting site largely depends on the color of the plant. For variegated colors, it is better to choose the sunny side, and for the rest, a darkened place.The composition of the soil for filling the planting pit: humus, sand, leafy soil, peat (in a ratio of 3-2-2-1). The depth of the pit for planting a cypress should be at least 70 cm, and sometimes even deeper. They also arrange drainage, where sand, pebbles, and fragments of brick are used.
Juniper
... As for this type of conifer, it is necessary to plant them in open places, with access to the sun. Backfill land is composed of peat, sand and turf. Their number may vary, it depends on the specific variety. For example, the Siberian variety prefers the predominance of sand, while the Virginian variety loves clay soils. The drainage system and the depth of the pit are the same as that of the spruce.
Fir
... This conifer grows well only in shaded areas. The preferred plant age for transplanting is 5 to 10 years. For the soil, a mixture is used: leaf earth (humus is possible) - 3 parts, clay 2 parts, sand is mixed with peat (1 part each). It is noteworthy that fir is not as demanding on drainage as others, but if the soil where it is planted is heavy, then it is better to arrange it, moreover, it is 20 cm deep. The planting hole for the tree requires a small one - about half a meter.
Larch
... Prefers open areas with good access to the sun. The only exception is the Japanese variety, which loves semi-shaded terrain. For soil, leaf soil (3 parts) is interfered with peat (2 parts) and sand (1 part). The root drainage system is only fitted on heavy soils. The pit is the same as that of the spruce. When transplanting larch, it is important to observe the time - planting must be carried out in the spring, before the buds begin to bloom. As for age, it is preferable to do this when the tree reaches 5 years.
Pines
... Planted in an open area. To backfill the planting pit, use sod land, where sand or clay is added. The pit itself is dug to a depth of 1 meter, drainage is arranged (recommended on heavy soils). The best pine seedlings are not yet 5 years old.
Thuja
... Tuya loves both partial shade and the sun. Soil mixture: leaf / turf soil (2 parts), sand and peat (1 part each). The drainage system is always arranged - its height should be 20 cm.
Yew
... This conifer prefers only darkened planting sites. Composition of the soil for backfill: turf (3 parts), sand (2 parts), peat (2 parts). The depth of the pit is 60-70 cm, a drainage device is required.

Cozy composition of conifers: planting scheme with breed names

You can combine conifers with shrubs, perennials and cereals, we give a small scheme for planting conifers:

Hosta fortunei;
Black pine - Pinus mugo 'Mops';
Juniper Cossack - Juniperus sabina ‘Variegata’;
Molinia blue - Molinia coerulea;
Thuja western - Thuja occidentalis ‘Hoseri’;
Norway spruce - Picea abies;
Thuja western - Thuja occidentalis ‘Globosa’;
Thuja western - Thuja occidentalis ‘Brabant’;
Thuja western - Thuja occidentalis ‘Golden Globe’;
Juniper scaly - Juniperus sguamata ‘Blue Star’.

In any case, after the coniferous plant is planted, the soil is mulched. This is what will protect it from drying out and weeds. Pine needles are also used for mulch; it is a good conductor of oxygen to the roots. Also, after a while, a mycelium starts up in it, which contributes to the comfortable growth of conifers. Mulching must be carried out every spring, and if the soils are dry, then every autumn. Here, in fact, are all the main recommendations for planting conifers.

Conifers of trees and shrubs are unpretentious to care for and delight the eye with luscious greenery even on cold winter days. There are many preconceptions about planting spruce and pine trees near the house. Some of them are not without foundation.

What conifers to plant in the country in order to decorate the site and attract well-being and prosperity to the house, we will find out today.