Great Conifers for Fall Containers

Are your coleus collapsing and your petunias in a funk? Then it’s time to rethink those container gardens and freshen them up for fall.

The question I am asked most frequently is “What can I add for fall and winter that will be evergreen?” Well I could write a book answering that question – so let’s just focus on one group of plants that will always perform – conifers.

Tall ones, fat ones, fluffy ones and spreading ones – there’s a conifer for every situation and every design need. Want something colorful? Not a problem! There are selections in shades of green, blue, gold, russet and even variegated forms. Here are a few of my favorites.

‘Louie’ eastern white pine (Pinus strobus ‘Louie’ )

If ever I had conifer lust I have it now.  This fluffy golden teddy bear of a conifer calls my name from across the nursery and like a child in the toy store I just have to go and give it a hug. This wonderful slow growing pine changes from a soft yellow-green in summer to vivid golden yellow in mid-winter. Obviously this would be stunning in the landscape but planting a young one in a container by your front door would really welcome friends with winter cheer. This needs full or part sun to thrive and will eventually grow to 10’ tall and 8’ wide.

I wouldn’t plant anything else in the pot with this beauty. If you would like additional fanfare add a couple of accent pots and fill those with interesting foliage and seasonal color spots such as the bolder leaved coral bells (Heuchera) but be sure to repeat the gold somewhere to tie the group together. Zones 4-9.

‘Jean’s Dilly’ spruce (Picea glauca ‘Jean’s Dilly’) – a slender version of the popular Alberta spruce, this has a tight conical form which lends itself well to more formal or traditional designs. It would work well as a centerpiece in an urn surrounded by mounding or trailing companions, or in a wide bowl shaped container accompanied by bright pansies and golden foliage such as the grass-like golden sweet flag  (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’). This needs full sun and is hardy in zones 3-7 where it will grow to 4’ tall and 2’ wide.

 

 

Upright Japanese plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Fastigiata'). Yew (Taxus) is often recommended for shade containers or those which receive only limited morning un. Plum yew is even more shade tolerant and its dark green needles make a wonderful starting point to a container design. Pair it with bright chartreuse coral bells, hellebores, bishop's hat (Epimedium)  and trailing vinca for a show-stopping combination.

 

 

Blue star juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’)– the bright steel-blue color of this prostrate conifer looks fabulous with burgundy making it a favorite of mine with red leaved Japanese maples. In fall this color scheme can be continued by using a young  ‘Red Beauty’ holly with its glossy evergreen foliage and abundant red berries. This conifer needs to be at the edge of a container, with other plants providing the height. Take a look at the cover of my new book for a stunning example. Full sun. Hardy in zones 4-8

‘Forever Goldie’ arborvitae, but may also listed as western red cedar (Thuja plicata ‘Forever Goldie’) – another huggable, golden conifer but unlike the pine this one won’t shed  needles in spring!

Although this will eventually become BIG its early years can be spent in a medium sized pot. The foliage on this conifer has a sculptural quality to it and in winter it takes on a beautiful orange cast. Partner this with rich purple and blue for a serious color punch on a chilly autumnal day. Scorch resistant even in full sun. Hardy to zones 3-7

‘Cole's Prostrate’ Canadian hemlock  (Tsuga canadensis 'Cole's Prostrate')  In summer we rely on edging plants such as million bells or trailing geraniums. What can we use in the colder months? Low growing or prostrate forms of conifers work well in this situation. Just because the label tells you that in 10 years’ time it will be 3’ wide doesn’t need to prevent you from enjoying it for a season or two while it is smaller. Just transplant it to a bigger container or the garden when it gets too big for the space. I love the hemlock foliage – it has a wonderful casual look. Look closely and you’ll notice that each needle is a different length and set at a different angle giving it a “rufty-tufty” look – or at least that’s how I describe it! Others might just call it scruffy; I say it has personality! Try this dwarf, prostrate form which is hardy in zones 3-7

What conifers do you like to use in your containers?