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Conifers include approximately 625-700 species worldwide and
up to 900 taxa including distinctive subspecies and
varieties, compared with an estimated 400,000 species of
flowering plants, but conifers are much more important to
the world's landscape and ecology than their relative small
number of species might suggest. Conifers have their own
unique appearance.
Debreczy, Zs. and I. Rįcz,
2011. Conifers Around the World. Vpls. 1-2 DendroPress Ltd,
Budapest. 1089 pp.
Conifers, a diverse and vast group of plants are spanning in
size from tiny miniatures to giant forest trees.
Conifers
provide unsurpassed beauty with their spectacular color
changes. Their most astonishing transformation takes place
during springs new growth. These four-season plants have
fascinating and unusual forms: some are weeping, pendulous,
columnar and pyramidal, others are prostate, globose and
dwarf. Conifers provide interest in all season and they add
essential ingredients to a garden never replicated by any
other plants.
A hedge of large evergreens provides a valuable windbreak
for plants not suitable for your particular growing zone.
Very narrow columnar forms can be used as accent plants. The
best companion plants for conifers are Japanese maples (Acer
species) and Beeches (Fagus). Dwarf or miniature conifers can
be successful combined with perennials and low-growing
bulbs. The brilliant red exotic flowers of Crocosmia
'Lucifer' in front of a spreading low-growing blue Picea
provide an excellent focal point.
Color, form and texture in the landscape is provided by a
careful selection of plant material. The addition of ornamental grasses provides
movement.
Conifers provide a paradise for wildlife,
protective shelter and nesting places for birds, cones for
squirrels and other mammals. Combined with berry producing
shrubs, a water source, several brush piles and an
instant wildlife habitat is created.
This wildlife habitat provides the four basic habitat elements
wildlife need to thrive: water, food, cover and a place to raise their
young. To aid in the war against insects, a large
population of birds is encouraged by supplying them
with their basic needs.
The environmental
requirement for each plant depends upon the conifers native habitat. Before you buy
plants, try to research the cultural conditions and how to provide them. Select plants
that will grow in the environment you can supply.
For more cultural information, growing
tips and solving problems and to obtain unusual and rare species,
we recommend joining the Conifer Society.
The Society promotes plant and seed exchanges and provides information on the culture of
these plants.
Interested in learning more about conifers? Join the International Conifer Society Conifer
Obsession, providing several E-mail discussion groups for every knowledge level. A VIRTUAL
Conifer Society for Conifer Connoisseurs!
Opinions on Collection Conifers
and Exotics by members of Conifer Obsession Groups: Visit: Conifer
species vs. Hybrid/Cultivars
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