How to Select Dwarf Conifers for a Small Garden

I love slow-growing, dwarf conifers and find them especially valuable when choosing plants for small gardens where every plant needs to earn its keep—their compact size and year-round good looks consistently earn them a place in my designs.

But dwarf conifers can vary greatly in their growth rate and eventual size, and consequently they can be tricky to site properly in gardens. If you know what to look for, it can help you figure out whether the plant is a good match for you and your garden. As I'm getting acquainted with a conifer that's new to me, one of the ways I try to assess how large it might get in the garden is to examine how much new growth it pushes each season.

As I demonstrate in the video below, this is easiest to see early in the season, just after it has put on its spring growth but before it has fully hardened off and the color has faded.

If you're a conifer lover too, I invite you to browse eGardenGo for plant combination ideas that include some of my favorites: Cryptomeria japonica 'Little Diamond', Tsuga canadensis 'Monkinn', and Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Snow', to name a few! You'll find many more options if you search for "plant type = conifer" and "plant feature = dwarf/compact plant" on the site.

CONIFERS THAT CAUGHT MY EYE AT THE GARDEN CENTER

Visiting nurseries throughout the year is a great way to keep up-to-date on plant offerings, conifers and otherwise—and believe it or not, you'll find some of the best varieties and widest selection of conifers at your local garden centers this time of year. Sorry, only some of these are on eGardenGo at this time, though I'll be working on getting them added and included in some plant combinations. Stay tuned and check back.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood's Pygmy'. I spotted these at Portland Nursery on Stark this week. They were especially nice and quite sizeable, perfect for those of us who can be a bit impatient (that's me!).

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood's Pygmy'. I spotted these at Portland Nursery on Stark this week. They were especially nice and quite sizeable, perfect for those of us who can be a bit impatient (that's me!).
Chameacyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood's Pillar'. Close up of the foliage—holy cow, that's BLUE!

Chameacyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood's Pillar'. Close up of the foliage—holy cow, that's BLUE!
Chameacyparis lawsoniana 'Golden Surprise'. Love the golden tones of this one. It's somewhat similar to C. 'Treasure Island' and could be used in similar combinations.

Chameacyparis lawsoniana 'Golden Surprise'. Love the golden tones of this one. It's somewhat similar to C. 'Treasure Island' and could be used in similar combinations.
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Golden Surprise'. Close up of foliage.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Golden Surprise'. Close up of foliage.
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Treasure Island' is already on the site, so click through to find ideas for what to plant with it.

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Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Treasure Island' is already on the site, so click through to find ideas for what to plant with it.

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Chamaecyparis pisifera 'White Pygmy' is similar to Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Snow', an eGardenGo favorite!

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'White Pygmy' is similar to Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Snow', an eGardenGo favorite!
Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Red Star' takes on this unique coloring in winter. Which side of the fence are you on? Do you love it or hate it?

Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Red Star' takes on this unique coloring in winter. Which side of the fence are you on? Do you love it or hate it?
Cryptomeria japonica 'Vilmoriana' is an extremely slow-growing Japanese cedar.

Cryptomeria japonica 'Vilmoriana' is an extremely slow-growing Japanese cedar.
Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific' is a ground-hugging conifer with very low water needs.

Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific' is a ground-hugging conifer with very low water needs.
Juniperus horizontalis 'Monbar' ICEE BLUE is another low-water groundcover.

Juniperus horizontalis 'Monbar' ICEE BLUE is another low-water groundcover.
Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' is a garden workhorse and widely available. An easy-care way to add ever-blue foliage to your drought-tolerant garden.

Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' is a garden workhorse and widely available. An easy-care way to add ever-blue foliage to your drought-tolerant garden.
Juniperus virginiana 'Blue Arrow' ia a favorite conifer for adding a slim, strictly upright shape to the garden. Portland Nursery has some good-sized plants available.

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Juniperus virginiana 'Blue Arrow' ia a favorite conifer for adding a slim, strictly upright shape to the garden. Portland Nursery has some good-sized plants available.

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SOME OF MY FAVORITE DWARF CONIFERS THAT ARE ON THE SITE

Explore some of my favorite dwarf and slow-growing conifers. Don't forget to click through for plant combinations ideas that include them.

Abies nordmanniana 'Golden Spreader'

Golden Spreading Nordman Fir

Type: Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Open Shade
Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

view plant

Cedrus deodara 'Feelin' Blue'

Feelin' Blue Deodar Cedar

Type: Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun, Full Sun, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun
Zone: 7, 8, 9

view plant

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Treasure Island'

Dwarf Port Orford Cedar

Type: Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8

view plant

Chamaecyparis pisifera' Snow'

Snow false cypress

Type: Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Part Sun, Part Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Open Shade
Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

view plant

Cryptomeria japonica 'Little Diamond'

Little Diamond Dwarf Japanese Cedar

Type: Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Filtered Sun, Full Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade, Part Shade, Part Sun
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

view plant

Picea pungens 'Ruby Teardrops'

Ruby Teardrops Colorado Spruce

Type: Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun, Full Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

view plant

Picea sitchensis 'Papoose'

Dwarf Sitka Spruce

Type: Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun, Full Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone: 7, 8

view plant

Tsuga canadensis 'MonKinn'

Golden Duchess® Eastern Hemlock

Type: Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Part Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Open Shade
Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7

view plant

PLANT COMBOS FEATURING DWARF CONIFERS

Drought Tolerant Garden Anchored by Manzanita

Zone: 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun, Reflected Heat, Full Sun

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Garden Plan with Copper and Blue Foliage

Zone: 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun, Part Sun, Full Sun

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Plant Combo for Shady Woodland

Zone: 6, 7, 8
Exposure: Open Shade, Filtered Sun, Full Shade, Morning Sun, Open Shade, Part Shade, Full Shade

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Sun-Loving Combination with Zippy Foliage & Flower

Zone: 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun

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