Not everyone wants a Leylandii hedge, in fact few gardeners want Leylandii at all. Fortunately there are other conifers and shrubs to suit most people. I have just introduced some new dwarf conifers into my rockery with a range of alpines.

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Aurea’ AGM

• This is sold as being ideal for small gardens and rockeries
• It will grow a pyramid shape with sprays of yellow tipped blunt shaped leaves.
• Chamai, means ‘dwarf’ Aurea means gold and Obtusa means blunt shaped.
• After 10 years it should be no more than 2 feet high by 18 inches wide
• It is now planted in well drained soil in full sun but with some shelter from the wind.

Picea pungens ‘Montgomery’

• This I bought as a grafted shrub with blue needle like leaves
• A slow growing blue coloured specimen due to grow to 20-30 inches in 10 years.
• These pictures look a good bit taller than the shrub I hope to grow. Well here’s hoping the graft is on small stock.
• Female cones are cylindrical, green when young, maturing to pale brown.

Cryptomeria Japonica ‘Golden Promise’

• Taking 20-50 years to reach 24 by 18″ this is a true slow grower
• It should make a rounded shrub with green foliage turning creamy gold in the heat of summer.
• By autumn there will be a purple tinge to the leaves but it is a hardy evergreen.
• Also known as Japanese cedar.

Tips and Comments

• I was inspired to try more plants after visiting Perennial’s York Gate Garden. They have many prostrate and vertical conifers on display but disappointingly will not let me show you the photographs. Not very charitable from the Gardeners Royal Benevolent charity!
• I bought the plants at Slack Top nursery.
• The visible labels are made from copper. You scratch the name into the soft material and they should age gently but remain legible. I bought them from Wilkinsons and hope they help me with the names as my memory fades.