Conifers

“I love coniferous trees. Even if your garden hasn't room for one, keep your eyes open for those in other people's gardens...Once you see the charms of conifers - the trees, that is - you'll be hooked.

Never mind those stupid Leylands. There are so many better things and you should grab at them. My love of them dates back to the 1950s, as a student. Their fascination can never lose its hold of you.”

Christopher Lloyd

Conifers are the caretakers of our wildlife during the coldest spells and they are the backbone of our gardens all year round. We have for too long spurned this noble group of plants that are easy to grow, largely trouble free and structurally stunning. A true victim of fashion, so fine people,..... consider the conifer, a noble and misunderstood part of our garden and landscape.

Junipers are both sentinel and billowing, they produce berries that scent and flavour dishes. Pines are sturdy and dependable, proffering a dramatic edge to the skyline. The Atlantic Cedar, Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’, the Deodar (Cedrus deodora) and the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libanii) are stunning and masterful in full growth. The pines are gorgeous and tough, Pinus pinea, The Stone pine and Pinus Wallichiana, are definitely worth their space, not to forget our smaller friends that grace tubs, pots and smaller gardens.

Not only are they easy to look after, the conifers look after the wildlife at the coldest times of year, simply put, your garden needs them!