Conifers are one of the most popular plants in landscape gardening. Almost all conifers are evergreen and retain their decorative effect and appearance all year round, and only some breeds drop needles for the winter.
Most conifers are tall trees: spruce, pine, thuja, fir
Among conifers and evergreens, there are many plants growing in the form of shrubs:
- boxwood
- many types of junipers (Cossack juniper)
- mahonia holly
- laurel (Daphne)
- Fatsia Japanese
- aucuba
- camellia
- photinia
Conifers for hedges
Spruce, thuja, fir, cypress are used by gardeners as an ideal background for garden and park plants. Chic hedge of evergreens (see more about hedge plants) will not only outline the boundaries of your garden, hide from prying eyes, but also hide the imperfections of the landscape.
If the plants for the hedge were eaten, then after 3-4 years of regular shearing, you can get a dense green barrier that neither man nor animals can overcome.
With the help of several thujas or spruces, the garden space can be zoned and its perception can be changed by planting plants taking into account different shades of the color of the needles.
Without the use of additional materials, you can organize a quiet nest for reflection, a Japanese-style garden, or maybe a regular English park. And all this will not lose its decorative effect all year round!
To make your garden look new every season, you only need to plant flowering perennials, annuals and bulbous flowers to coniferous and evergreen shrubs.
The combination of conifers and roses is considered the most spectacular and noble, by the way, roses also belong to evergreens and have soil and care requirements similar to conifers.
Boxwood
Topiary art - giving different shapes to plants with the help of shearing - is another facet of using conifers evergreen trees and shrubs in the art of creating the perfect garden.
The variety of forms is far from all the advantages of conifers. Conifers do not require special care and are rarely damaged by pests and diseases.
Healing air energizes us. Conifers are decorative in summer, but they are especially beautiful in winter, when they create a pleasant contrast with deciduous forms of plants. Therefore, conifers for the garden are an irreplaceable choice.
Thanks to their impressive size and amazing color of the needles, compositions with the use of conifers will decorate any territory.
Experiment, plant ephedra - dwarf, slow-growing forms of spruce, pine, thuja and juniper in rocky gardens and on alpine hills. Covered by the paws of a juniper, the plants of a rocky garden can grow comfortably even in the sun.
How to care for conifers and shrubs?
Watering... Mostly young trees need watering. They are watered abundantly at least once a week at the rate of 15-20 liters of water per plant.
Coniferous trees need to be watered abundantly in the fall - evergreen crops often dry up in winter period not from cold weather, but from lack of moisture. Drought-resistant species (for example, pines) do not need additional watering, and trees such as thuja suffer from a lack of moisture.
Sprinkling. All conifers need sprinkling, especially in the spring-summer period. In dry weather, sprinkling is good in the morning or evening. During the first year after planting conifers, it is carried out every other day. Thanks to sprinkling, the needles are cleared of dirt and dust.
Mulching - prevents the soil from drying out, restricts the growth of weeds and maintains the required soil temperature in the root zone. Coniferous bark, peat and fallen leaves are used as a mulching material.
How to choose the right place in the garden for a coniferous plant
Many conifers prefer areas protected from the bright sun and cold winds, sufficiently moist soils and good drainage... Plant your coniferous plant in such a place, and it will fully reveal its decorative qualities. Most conifers hibernate better when placed in groups.
As tapeworms, conifers are better suited, which normally tolerate wintering in the open air. It can be pine, spruce, larch. Plant these conifers along with other decorative evergreens and deciduous plants for a warmer, more protected microclimate.
Conifers are a beauty all year round, their resistance to the changing seasons invariably attracts gardeners and landscape designers. For the most part, they are undemanding to growing conditions and care, they tolerate and summer heat, and the winter cold. In addition, at present there are many varieties of conifers - 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 fits anywhere. Spruce will look great both as a centerpiece and as a background for other plants; in a single planting, in a group, in the form of a hedge. Currently, there are more than 40 types of spruce, including natural and hybrid varieties. Many of the natural species have several ornamental varieties.
Spruce is a long-lived tree, in Sweden in national park a spruce is growing, the age of which is 9550 years. This is a record figure even for spruce trees, the average life span of which is 200-500 years. The long-liver got its 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 natural 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 conical or pyramidal, with whorled, outstretched or drooping branches.
The roots of young trees are pivotal, but with age, the main root dries up, it is replaced by numerous shoots that spread horizontally and shallowly in the ground.
The bark is gray or brownish-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, they are picked up by the wind and carried around. Once in favorable conditions, they germinate and give life to a new tree, their germination lasts about 10 years.
In the photo, one of the representatives of the family is a dwarf Canadian gray-gray spruce:
Cedar
Cedar is another coniferous tree that has numerous forms that are attractive to designers. Naturally, if it is a real cedar, not a cedar pine. The cedar differs from other coniferous trees in the location of the needles, it is collected in bunches of 20-50 pieces, while in pines and spruces it is single. A similar attachment of needles is observed in larch, but its needles are soft, while in cedar they are prickly and tough, and do not fall off in autumn.
The cones of the cedar stand on the branches, and do not hang down, like in pines and firs. They are similar in shape to fir cones, but rounder. After ripening, they crumble into pieces, while the seeds are scattered by the wind.
The shape of the crown is also unique. In the Lebanese cedar, it is wide, spreading 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 needles are 3-4 cm long, they are collected in bundles of 30-40 pieces.
Atlas cedar
Atlas cedar has a conical crown, which is similar to an ordinary spruce. His needles are also collected in bunches, they are very short - about 2.5 cm. In color, they are silver-gray, or blue-green.
There is even a weeping form of the Atlas cedar, which, no doubt, will become a highlight of the landscape, especially if it is a rocky Japanese garden with a natural or artificial reservoir. We look at the photo:
Atlas cedar
His branches hang down just like weeping willow, only instead of delicate leaves there are thorny needles that look unusual, but quite gentle and attractive:
Atlas cedar
Himalayan cedar
Himalayan cedar has a wide conical 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 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 belong to evergreen trees growing up to 50-60 meters in height. At an early age, they grow slowly, then they gain in growth faster.
The bark of young specimens is smooth, with age it becomes scaly, cracking, dark gray in color.
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 does not take up much space in your garden, and does not require special care. But not all cypresses are laconic, among them there are shrubs with wide, spreading crowns. This large 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 United States.
The leaves of cypresses are small, at first they are acicular, similar to needles, then - scale-like, tightly pressed against 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.
Evergreen cypress
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, capable of living for more than 2 thousand years. In Turkey, it is considered a tree of sorrow, and is planted in cemeteries. In the photo there are evergreen cypresses:
Evergreen cypress
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 agrofibre for the winter.
Arizona cypress
Large cypress
Large-fruited cypress has a columnar crown. But this feature occurs only in young specimens; with age, the branches become flat, bend and form a wide, spreading crown.
The needles of large-fruited cypress have a pleasant lemon scent, so they are willingly grown in winter gardens, or in the Bonsai culture.
Large cypress
Weeping cypress
Weeping cypress is the owner of drooping branches. The plant is native to 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 conical crown. Branches growing upward, or outstretched 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, like small scales. Cones are not large, woody, round, up to 12 mm in diameter. The seeds ripen in the first year.
Weeping cypress
Lawson's cypress
Lawson's cypress is a tall and slender tree with a narrow, conical crown extending downward. The top is inclined to one side. The trunk has a thick, reddish-brown bark that becomes patchy and scaly over time. The needles are shiny, green, with whitish stripes. Cones are oval and round, about 1 cm in diameter, light brown, with a bluish bloom.
In general, the tree is very beautiful, looks great in alleys and in plantings together with cypress trees of other species, but, unfortunately, low frost resistance does not allow growing it in regions with severe winters. On the photo is Lawson's cypress:
Lawson's cypress
Pea cypress
Pea cypress is a tall, up to 30 meters, tree with a conical crown, originally from Japan. Outwardly, from a distance it looks like deciduous trees, but its needles are the same as that 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, and does not belong to the genus of cedars.
In nature, there is only one type of this plant, hybrid varieties on its basis, too, is not yet, although in culture it has been known 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, it grows 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 subulate, more like rose thorns than needles, but longer up to 3 cm. The color of the needles is light green, but in winter it becomes yellowish.
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 in length.
In the photo, Japanese cryptomeria:
Japanese cryptomeria
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 that 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 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 they grow spirally, and on short ones - in bunches, like those of a cedar. Falls off completely in the fall. The tree is monoecious with male and female flowers. Seeds develop in female cones, from 15-20 years.
From a distance, larch can be mistaken for a beautiful sprawling spruce:
Larch
Microbiota
Microbiota is a coniferous shrub of the Cypress family. There is only one species of this plant - the cross-pair microbiota growing in the Far East of Russia. The number of the species is decreasing, due to the fact that the seeds cannot spread far from the parent bush, and perennial thickets are destroyed by forest fires, therefore the species is included in the Red Book of Russia.
This is a sprawling shrub with thin creeping shoots, so it can be mistaken for a creeping thuja shape. The needles are scaly, green in summer and brown in winter; in young plants, they are needle-like on shaded shoots. Cones are small, single-seeded, consist of 2-3 scales. The root system is fibrous, dense.
Microbiota grows very slowly, it gives out 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, microbiota looks very appropriate in single and group plantings, 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. Various climatic zones the planet is inhabited by more than 70 species of this plant, some of which feel good in the Russian open spaces, and can live up to 600 years.
Treelike junipers are able to form separate forests, shrubs grow as an undergrowth or third layer 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, acicular, 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 from 1 to 10 seeds, which ripen for 2 years.
Juniper
Fir
Fir is a coniferous tree of the Pine family. Just like a cedar, its cones grow upward 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 conical 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 there are cones of Korean fir:
Taproot, deep deep. The needles are flat, with a pointed or rounded tip, on the branches they are located singly or spirally.
Cones are cylindrical, ripen in 1 summer, disintegrate in the fall, throwing out seeds with wings, carried by the wind.
Besides flower crops in recent times interest and demand for evergreen and coniferous trees and shrubs increased. And this is understandable. Because they look the same all year round, support the composition of the garden or plot, which in itself is very beneficial and attractive. In addition, these plants are very beautiful and harmoniously combined both in a group and one at a time.
- Back
- Forward
Grape
In gardens and in private plots, you can choose a warmer place for planting grapes, for example, on the sunny side of the house, garden pavilion, veranda. It is recommended to plant grapes along the border of the plot. The vines formed in one line will not take up much space and at the same time will be well lit from all sides. Near buildings, grapes must be placed so that water flowing from the roofs does not fall on it. On level ground, it is necessary to make ridges with good drain due to drainage grooves. Some gardeners, in the experience of their colleagues in the western regions of the country, dig deep planting holes and fill them with organic fertilizers and fertilized soil. Pits dug in waterproof clay are a kind of closed vessel that fills with water during monsoon rains. In fertile soil, the root system of grapes develops well at first, but as soon as waterlogging begins, it suffocates. Deep pits can play a positive role in soils where there is good natural drainage, permeable subsoil, or reclamation artificial drainage is possible. Planting grapes
It is possible to quickly restore an obsolete grape bush by the method of layering ("katavlak"). To this end, healthy vines of a neighboring bush are laid in grooves dug up to the place where the dead bush used to grow, and sprinkled with earth. A top is brought to the surface, from which a new bush then grows. Lignified vines are laid on layering in spring, and green vines in July. They are not separated from the mother bush for two to three years. A frozen or very old shrub can be restored by short pruning to healthy aboveground parts or by pruning to the “black head” of an underground stem. In the latter case, the underground bole is freed from the ground and cut down entirely. Not far from the surface, new shoots grow from dormant buds, due to which a new bush is formed. Grape bushes, neglected and severely damaged by frost, are restored due to stronger fatty shoots formed in the lower part of the old wood, and the removal of weakened sleeves. But before removing the sleeve, a replacement is formed. Grape care
A gardener who starts growing grapes needs to study well the structure of the vine and the biology of this interesting plant. Grapes are lianas (climbing) plants, they need support. But it can creep along the ground and take root, as is observed in wild Amur grapes. Roots and aerial part stems grow rapidly, branch strongly and reach large sizes. Under natural conditions, without human intervention, a branched bush of grapes with many vines of various orders grows, which comes into fruiting late and yields irregularly. In cultivation, the grapes are formed, give the bushes a form that is easy to care for, providing a high yield of high-quality bunches. Planting lemongrass
Chinese schisandra, or schizandra, has several names - lemon Tree, red grapes, gomisha (Japanese), cochinta, kozyanta (Nanai), Kolchita (Ulchi), usimtya (Udege), uchampu (Oroch). In terms of structure, systemic relationship, center of origin and distribution, Schisandra chinensis has nothing to do with a real citrus plant with lemon, but all its organs (roots, shoots, leaves, flowers, berries) exude a lemon scent, hence the name Schizandra. The lemongrass vine, clinging or twining around the support, along with Amur grapes and three species of actinidia, is an original plant of the Far Eastern taiga. Its fruits, like real lemon, are too sour for fresh consumption, but they have medicinal properties, a pleasant aroma, and this attracted a lot of attention to him. The taste of Schisandra chinensis is somewhat improved after freezing. Local hunters who consume such fruits claim that they relieve fatigue, give the body vigor and improve vision. The consolidated Chinese pharmacopoeia, compiled back in 1596, says: "The fruit of the Chinese magnolia vine has five flavors and is classified as the first category of medicinal substances. The pulp of schisandra is sour and sweet, the seeds are bitter-astringent, and the overall taste of the fruit is salty. it has all five tastes. " Grow lemongrass
In Russia, dark coniferous forests occupy quite significant areas, in the European part and in Eastern Siberia - about 15 million hectares, with a total timber reserve of 2.6 billion m3. Conifers grow both in mountainous areas and on plains. In dark coniferous forests, mainly evergreen, shade-tolerant conifers grow, such as:
- Fir;
- Spruce (European or common);
- Siberian Cedar Pine.
It is always gloomy, shady and humid in these forests. This is due to the fact that in them low illumination and low heating of the underlying forest plants and soil is observed due to the densely folded crowns of these trees and the high closeness of the tree canopy.
The average temperature in dark coniferous forests in July, the warmest month, is slightly above 10 degrees. It is at this temperature that, firstly, in conifers, the “ripening” of young shoots, which appeared in the spring, occurs; secondly, the formation of a tank-protective layer on the surface of the needles and branches, which is necessary for the wintering of these plants.
In dark coniferous forests, there are both pure stands and mixed species of coniferous trees with other deciduous species. For example, in the Carpathians and the Caucasus, Fir grows together with Buk; in Siberia - Fir and Siberian Cedar Pine; in the Far East - Korean Cedar Pine, Fir, Ash; on about. Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands - Fir together with Elya Ayanskaya. Mountain fir forests, on the other hand, are of great water protection, climate control, soil protection and water control significance.
Fir
The pine family, distributed in the mountains, less often on the plains, from the Carpathians to Kuril Islands... It is an evergreen decorative, coniferous pine tree of a dark coniferous forest. It has a straight trunk, the height of which reaches 80 (sometimes - 100 m), a diameter of 0.5-2 m, a dense cone-shaped crown with whorled branching and inter-whorled shoots. At the ends of the shoots - developing buds, dull or slightly pointed, greenish, reddish or brownish in color, in some species of Fir - resinous.
On the smooth bark of the plant, numerous swellings (nodules) are visible, containing a fragrant, transparent resin.
Fir leaves are perennial, flat, linear, fragrant thornless, dark green, shiny needles. At the top, the needles are slightly dull, on its lower side there are two oblong, white stripes. Each strip contains 3-4 rows of stomata. Observations have shown that each needle can survive on a tree for 7-10 years. Fir blooms in May.
In the lower part of the chrome, on the upper side of two-year-old shoots, in the axils of the needles, there are male spikelets (microstrobili), single, oblong, with yellow or red anthers. Spikelet pollen is transported even over long distances due to the presence of two flying, air sacs in the pollen grains.
In the upper part of the crown, at the end of last year's shoot, there are female seed cones (megastrobilae), single, green or reddish-purple in color. Inside the cone, the scales are spirally located, covered with a protective layer of resin, in the axils of which the seed of the kidney sits in pairs. Ripe buds are erect, purple or brownish, oval or cylindrical. Seeds are winged, after ripening in the first year, in September-October they are scattered together with scales.
Fir propagates by seeds, vegetatively (cuttings and layering) - rarely. Fir is a shade-tolerant, moisture-loving, soil-demanding tree of the pine family: they should be light, sandy loam, loamy, rather wet, well fertilized. The plant does not tolerate air pollution from smoke and gas; very unstable to fire, therefore fir forests are very affected by fires.
The various species of this plant are of great importance in various industries industry and medicine. Turpentine is obtained from the resin of the fir, from the needles of cones - essential oil- raw materials for obtaining medical camphor. V folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases, an infusion of needles and a decoction of the kidneys are used.
As the main forest-forming species, it is used in construction, in the pulp and paper industry, and container production. How beautiful ornamental plant, plant it in gardens and parks in populated areas.
European spruce or ordinary
Evergreen coniferous tree, pine family. Distributed in the European part of Russia, the Baltic states, Belarus, the Carpathians, Asia and North America. They are graceful, slender, ornamental trees. pine forest, whose height reaches 20-50 m, have a straight, large trunk, thinning gradually, up to the very top. Covered with scaly red bark Brown color... The crown is slender, dense, pyramidal, in which horizontally spaced or slightly drooping branches are observed, at the ends there are ascending branches.
Since Spruce is a shade-tolerant plant, its lower branches are well preserved and can even take root. But, having a superficial root system, it is unstable and therefore, it can turn out with the roots with a strong wind. On the folds of the bark, which look like oblong pads, one by one, spirally, needles are located, which remains on the tree for up to 7-8 years. The needles are tetrahedral, prickly, pointed at the top; "Blooms" in May. In a closed forest stand, it begins to "bloom" at the age of 25-30 years, in a discharged stand - from 10-15 years.
In the spring, Elya has male spikelets and female cones. Male spikelets (microstrobila) are greenish-yellow in color, located at the ends of last year's shoots. They consist of numerous scales spirally located on a rod. Each scale has two anthers with pollen grains. Each pollen grain has two air sacs, which increases its flying properties. This coniferous pine tree is pollinated by the wind.
Female cones (megastrobilae) are fusiform or ovoid, have a central axis on which scales are located along the edge - wavy, in the sinuses of which there are other scales containing two ovules. Cones before ripening are erect, purple, after ripening - sagging, light brown, shiny, the length of which is 10-16 cm, diameter - 3-4 cm. November, after which they completely spill out (the scales do not crumble). Seed germination is good and lasts for 8-10 years.
Norway spruce or European spruce propagates in nature - by seeds and vegetatively (by layering). In culture, mostly -, rarely - vegetatively (by cuttings and grafting of the apical shoot).
The soil for the cultivation of these conifers requires well-drained, fresh, loamy, clayey or sandy loamy soil. This frost-resistant plant tolerates frosts of 40-55 degrees Celsius, suffers from both spring and autumn frosts, dry air, and gas pollution.
European spruce, ordinary - an important forest-forming species. On the territory of Russia, the area of spruce forests exceeds 80 million hectares, the timber stock is about 12 billion m3. Its elastic, soft wood is used in construction, furniture production, papermaking, musical instruments(violas, violins, double basses).
Rosin, tar, turpentine are extracted from spruce, oil for making drying oil is obtained from cones, and tannins are obtained from bark. Cone seeds are a favorite treat for squirrels. Eli kidney broth, fresh kidney syrup, resin ointment are used in folk medicine. As a beautiful ornamental plant, it is planted in gardens and parks, as well as in forest protection plantations.
Siberian Cedar Pine
The pine family, distributed in the northeastern regions of Russia, in Western and Eastern Siberia, in North America. This is an evergreen, coniferous tree, the height of which is 40 m and the trunk diameter is 1.5-2 m. Young pine trees have a sharp-pyramidal crown, in adults they are conceived, multi-peaked, broadly spreading; has whorled branching. The upper branches are raised upward, candelabra-shaped.
On young branches and trunks, the bark is ash-silvery, with brownish transverse bristles. V mature age becomes fissured, gray-brown in color. The needles are long (5-12 cm), soft, in bunches of 5 needles, in cross section- triangular, dark green with a bluish bloom. It remains on the tree for 3-7 years.
In early spring, male spikelets and female cones appear on the branches of Siberian Cedar pine. In the middle part of the crown there are male spikelets (anther). At the ends of the upper shoots - female cones, 2-3 at the apical bud. Only the upper part of the crown bears fruit, the length of which is 1-1.5 m (rarely 2 m).
Cones are ovoid, 6-13 cm long, 5-8 cm wide, light brown in color. Scales of cones densely appressed with thickened shields. Cones contain from 80 to 140 brown seeds, the length of which is 10-14 mm, the width is 6-10 mm. The seeds are mostly wingless, however, rarely occur with a drooping wing.
Siberian Cedar Pine has a rod-type root system, with lateral, widely spread roots; "Blooms" in June. In closed stands "bloom" begins from 40-50 years of age, in thin stands - from 13-15 years old. In the second year after flowering, seeds ripen in August, and in September there is a massive fall of cones.
In a productive year, one such large tree of the pine family can get up to 10-15 thousand cones. Propagated in nature - by sameny, in culture - by seeds, seedlings, seedlings, grafts. Siberian Cedar Pine, being a plant of a sharply continental climate - frost-hardy. Photophilous in adulthood, can grow on different soils, but likes well-drained, light, loamy, deep loamy, podzolic soils... Cannot tolerate air pollution from smoke and transplanting in adulthood.
Siberian Cedar Pine is the most important forest-forming and nut-bearing species. The total area of forests, which it grows in Russia, is 40 million hectares, timber stock - 8 billion m3. Industrial harvesting of pine nuts mainly takes place in the Urals, Western and Eastern Siberia.
Pine nuts are a valuable food product - a source of pine nut oil. Resin is obtained from growing trees when they are cut. From needles - vitamin concentrates, coniferous pastes, coniferous flour. From soft, light, pinkish-yellow wood, pencils, furniture, musical instruments are made.
Siberian Cedar Pine is a very ornamental plant, thanks to its dense, golden, bluish, dark green needles. Therefore, it is planted in group or single plantings in gardens and parks in many countries of the world.
Sometimes, looking at evergreen conifers, people think: why does a person have such a short life on earth? Intelligent beings who can think, feel and create, on average, live 70-80 years, and ordinary trees - more than a thousand. Perhaps someday the dream of eternal life will come true, and then people will be able to enjoy environment fully. Until that time has come, it is worth getting to know better different kinds conifers to decorate your summer cottage with them.
It is these evergreens that harmoniously fit into any landscape design. Their austere and sophisticated forms stand out clearly on the green lawn in summer. And in cold weather, they refresh the country house with rich greenery and a pleasant resinous aroma. Many gardeners grow evergreen beauties on their plots, because their diversity is truly impressive. They are tall and dwarf. They are found in the form of a pyramid or cone. Therefore, the unforgettable landscape of coniferous trees remains in the hearts of grateful people forever. Let's take a closer look at the most popular types.
Among the huge number of coniferous centenarians, unique specimens are especially impressive: the Old Tikko spruce in Sweden (more than 9 thousand years old), the Methuselah pine in the USA (about 5 thousand). In general, there are up to 20 such trees on the planet.
National favorite - spruce
Probably, there is no person on earth who has not heard about this tree. A lot of poems and songs have been composed about him, pictures and fairy tales have been written. The plant is associated with various holidays, customs, and sometimes with bad omens... Because of this, the plant suffers from excessive felling, which brings a lot of grief to connoisseurs of nature.
Spruce is an evergreen coniferous tree that belongs to the Pine family, capable of growing up to a height of 35 meters. It has a pyramidal or triangular crown, ending with a sharp top. Branches are located along the entire trunk, so it is practically invisible from the side. They grow dark green needles with a glossy shiny coating, which are much shorter than those of pine.
The tree is found almost everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the main component of the Russian taiga, where it grows next to oak, pine, hazel, etc. In nature, there are about 50 types of spruce. Some of them successfully take root on the lawns of country houses. The following types are especially widely used.
Spruce roots are close to the surface of the soil, so a strong hurricane wind can knock it down. Therefore, the tree should not be planted near living quarters.
Akrokona
This type of spruce is characterized by a wide conical crown with hanging branches. It is considered slow growing. For 30 years it grows up to 4 meters in height. Plant diameter about 3 m. Prefers shaded areas. Spruce tolerates cold temperatures well. In the summer heat, it needs watering.
Inversa
The tree has a columnar crown and flowing weeping branches, which, like a train, touch the ground. Grows up to a maximum of 8 meters. The diameter of an adult plant is about 2.5 m.
European Maxwelli
A dwarf shrub in the form of a wide cone. Handles without problems winter frosts and shaded areas. It grows up to one meter in height. The diameter of an adult shrub is 2 m.
Glauka Globoza
The famous spruce stands out for its needles blue... It grows up to 2 meters in height. Used in many countries to decorate urban and suburban landscapes. Due to the fact that the tree lends itself to shearing, original blue balls are made from it, which delight their fans all year round.
Fir - a tree with purple cones
Evergreen representative of the genus "Pine". It differs from its close relatives in the features of the needles:
- softness;
- shine;
- flat shape.
White stripes are visible on the underside of each needle, which gives the plant a festive look. The fir tree is decorated with purple cones, which is its main highlight. It grows slowly over 10 years, after which growth accelerates. Lives for about 400 years. Breeders have developed decorative varieties that are used to decorate urban and suburban areas.
Since the needles of a tree have healing properties, grow a fir on summer cottage- great idea. She helps in the fight against colds, sciatica and wound healing.
Columnaris
The tree has a straight trunk and a narrow crown resembling a column. Grows up to 10 meters. The dense branches point upwards, giving the tree a majestic character.
Prostrata
This fir is famous for its long branches outstretched above the ground, which can reach 2.5 meters in length.
Argenta
The variety is characterized by original silvery needles, the tips of which are painted in a whitish color. Every spring, shoots of a yellow luminescent color emerge from its buds. This unusual combination creates a stunning view of the site. country house... And it lasts almost a whole month.
Nana
A dwarf tree that grows only up to 50 cm. The diameter of an adult plant is 1 m. The crown is rounded, slightly flattened. It takes root wonderfully in small areas.
Majestic cedar
Since time immemorial, these trees have been considered a symbol of greatness. V natural environment they grow at an altitude of 3 km above sea level and resemble real giants. They grow up to 50 meters. They live for more than two centuries.
Despite its greatness, it is unique tree as it can beautify any garden landscape. If you put it at the front door, it creates an atmosphere of some kind of celebration. On spacious lawns - home comfort.
Some dwarf varieties are used to grow bonsai plants. To create original landscapes, species are widely used that differ:
- the color of the needles;
- the length of the needles;
- the size of the tree.
When choosing a suitable species, it is advisable to first get acquainted with the plant. For home cultivation, the following varieties are used:
Mysterious larch
Many people think that if a tree is called larch, then it is not a coniferous species. In fact, this is not the case. The plant is a representative of the Pine family, but unlike its relatives, it loses its needles in the fall.
Larch grows up to 50 m in height. In this case, the trunk reaches 1 m in diameter. The branches grow in a chaotic manner, with a barely noticeable slope. The result is a cone-shaped crown. The needles are noticeably flattened, soft to the touch, bright green in color. In the natural environment, there are 14 different varieties. For garden design, the following types are used:
This variety allows you to create magnificent landscapes on the territory of summer cottages.
Dignified pine
Biologists count over a hundred different varieties of such an evergreen. Moreover, a distinctive feature is the number of needles on one bundle. The pine tree often grows up to a height of 50 meters. The straight trunk is covered with reddish-brown cracking bark. Long needles are located on the spreading branches of the tree and have a rich aroma. Pine lives for about 600 years and perfectly tolerates cold and summer heat.
Planting a pine tree should be done quickly, as its roots can dry out in a quarter of an hour. Such a plant does not take root in a new territory.
For garden decoration, breeders have created original miniature species:
Without a doubt, such evergreen living decorations are suitable for creating landscape rock gardens or mixborders. In any case, a pine tree can become the hallmark of a summer cottage.
Her majesty - thuja
An evergreen tree of this type is almost always used to decorate city parks and green areas. Recently, this plant has been widely used to decorate home gardens. It is prized by gardeners for its ability to withstand severe winter frosts, drought and high humidity.
The thuja tree is distinguished by lush branches on which scaly leaves of a dark green color are located. Each year, the plant is covered with miniature bumps that resemble scattered beads on green cloth. In addition to traditional forms, thuja are:
- dwarf;
- weeping;
- creeping.
Most often for design personal plot use seedlings called "Occidentalis". The tree can grow up to 7 m in height, and create a crown of about 2 m. Another type - "Sloth of Gold" - has a golden shade of needles. It takes root well in shady areas of the garden.
Medium-sized variety - "Columna" amazes with its dark green needles with a glossy sheen. It does not disappear even in winter, for which it is very appreciated by lovers of green spaces. "Columna"
Compact type of thuja tree - "Holmstrup" has a conical shape, despite its height - 3 m. It tolerates cold winters wonderfully, lends itself to pruning and is used as a hedge. Another giant - "Smaragd" - grows to about 4 m. The diameter of an adult tree is up to 1.5 m. The needles are juicy, dark green in color with a shiny sheen. Such a beauty will surely decorate the countryside landscape of connoisseurs of greenery.
Having got acquainted with the majestic conifers, it is easy to find the right option. And let the suburban area turn into a green oasis of joy, where hardy conifers grow.
Conifers in landscape design - video