These tall, narrow cultivars are striking specimens that add bold structure to any garden
The unlike forms of otherwise well - experience conifer offer gardeners the chance to experiment . These coniferous tree can be part of a writing , serve as anchoring components , play as cover , or be distinctive focal points on their own when localise in specific locations . The contribution of grandiloquent , narrow columnlike coniferous tree are many . In most cases , these selections put up hardiness , lastingness , and all the note value of the original mintage but in an attractive , slender manakin . Do turn over their growth rates , as some are super dull to take off , while others will take in peak quickly and perhaps need some pruning and staking to preserve their development . Here are seven standout columniform conifers for Midwest gardens .
Conical white fir
Abies concolor‘Conica ’ , Zones 4–8Size:15 feet tall and 5 foot wideConditions : Full Dominicus ; well - drained stain
The standard white fir ( genus Abies concolor , zone 3–7 ) is a beautiful blue , and this narrow cultivar is no exclusion . Slow growing at 4 to 6 column inch per yr , this narrowly conic Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can match in smaller gardens and landscapes with no trouble , and the blue - hoary leaf is spectacular . debar heavy corpse soils or poorly drained areas . Ideally , provide slightly acidic territory and some winding protection . This natural selection is both passion and drouth tolerant and looks great 365 day per twelvemonth . I ’m finally seeing this cultivar become more available in nurseries , which is exciting .
‘Taylor’ Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana‘Taylor ’ , zone 3–9Size:20 foot marvellous and 4 feet wideConditions : Full sun ; well - drained stain
Extremely hardy , this narrow , columnar form of the native Eastern red cedar ( Juniperus virginiana , Zones 2–9 ) is very unvarying . Found as a sport in Taylor , Nebraska , in 1978 , this survival of the fittest was released by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum in 1992 . The silverish foliage is showy , disease immune , and will take on some bronze tones in the winter calendar month . The density of branching and foliage combines with a consistent form to make this a peachy choice for formal gardens . Keep in nous the ultimate height of this selection at its maturity , although light shearing can keep it at any size . Whatever sizing you choose , ‘ Taylor ’ Eastern red cedar is an ecphonesis detail in any landscape .
‘Cupressina’ Norway spruce
Picea abies‘Cupressina ’ , Zones 2 - 7Size:30 feet tall and 6 feet wideConditions : Full sun ; moist and well - drained dirt
This columnar survival of Norway spruce ( Picea abies , Zones 2–7 ) is one of my favorites for a systematically tight form . Fastigiate branches have a stiff connection to their central drawing card , which make this a durable selection to defy impenetrable coke and ice dozens . The blue - green color is striking on this elegant variety . Select a locating with ample sunlight , and provide soil that is slightly acidulent , evenly moist , and well - drained . This cultivar ultimately gains some decent size in time , which should be consider when you ’re choosing where to plant it .
‘Bush’s Lace’ Engelmann spruce
Picea engelmannii‘Bush ’s Lace ’ , zona 3–8Size:15 feet tall and 5 understructure wideConditions : Full sun ; well - drained soil
The powder - blue coloration of ‘ Bush ’s Lace ’ is striking in the landscape painting . Of all the excerpt featured here , this one likely will become the widest in time , just scraping by into the columnar category . However , I thought it was important to partake in this underutilized excerpt for its hardiness , color , and upright , semi - pendulous form . No two specimen take care the same , although most choice are quite narrow in their youth and through in-between age . The strong fundamental drawing card stool this a tough conifer in C and ice as well .
‘Pendula Bruns’ weeping Serbian spruce
Picea omorika‘Pendula Bruns ’ , Zones 4–8Size:15 foundation tall and 3 understructure wideConditions : Full sun ; moist , well - enfeeble soil
This is one of my preferent columnlike conifer for personality . No two selections of ‘ Pendula Bruns ’ are identical , although they will all sport a very narrow-minded , columnar form with strictly weeping branch . The blue - greenish phonograph needle have a nice tone with a ash gray bottom . With time , the central automobile trunk will twist and meander , which creates an on an irregular basis columniform specimen that is an immediate focal degree and conversation piece . Judicious staking can help guide this industrial plant over time . Do n’t interest about hardiness , although moist and well - drain territory is ideal for this species .
‘Beanpole’ yew
Taxus×media‘Beanpole ’ , Zones 5–7Size:10 foot marvelous and 5 metrical foot wideConditions : Full sun to fond nicety ; well - drained grime
Yews ( Taxusspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–8 ) have a long history in gardens and landscape as foundation flora due to availableness , durability , tolerance to both sun and shade , and ease of shearing and shaping . However , ‘ Beanpole ’ yew extend a smaller - scale , more durable yew . It has a minute , good , fastigiate chassis , and while it is slow get , it will propose a strong erect part to your garden throughout the twelvemonth . Be wary of deer and rabbits , particularly during the winter months , and select a location with first-class drainage . There are many other natural selection of upright yew on the mart that are also worthy of consideration .
‘Degroot’s Spire’ arborvitae
genus Thuja occidentalis‘Degroot ’s Spire ’ , zone 3–8Size:20 feet grandiloquent and 4 feet wideConditions : Full to fond sun ; mean to well - run out soil
Eastern arborvitaes ( Thuja occidentalis , Zones 2–7 ) are offered in a wide ambit of manikin and color , which wee-wee them durable and mutual in the landscape . Their frigid tolerance , density of branching , and hardiness are also impressive . The narrow , columnar forms , like ‘ DeGroot ’s Spire ’ , work wonderfully in tandem as hedge and cover , but their economic value as a exclusive focal peak in the landscape ca n’t be understated . ‘ DeGroot ’s Spire ’ , while an older variety , is still quite pop as one of the more narrow , columnar extract of arborvitae . There are quite a few narrow selections on the market now , such as ‘ American Pillar ’ and North Pole ® (‘Art Boe ’ ) , two excellent choice that both break a chief central drawing card . This is helpful in shedding inevitable C. P. Snow onus . cervid and rabbits can be an issue for this species in general , so consider some shelter chemical mechanism , peculiarly in winter .
The wintertime month in the Midwest should still offer color , texture , form , and interest in the garden . While winter colors are usually drug-addicted on colorful bark , stems , and berries , texture from ornamental grasses and the structures of woody plantings can also put up importantly . The strong phase of columnlike conifers in the garden , however , will provide a vertical presence to balance out these other factor . They are centre - catching , contribute a feeling of formality to a garden , and are effective in smaller blank space . These selections offer both scale and height while not significantly compromising traditional planting schemes . Interested in investigating other conifers for your realm ? see out :
Mark Dwyer , former manager of horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville , Wisconsin , operate Landscape Prescriptions by MD .
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‘Pendula Bruns’ weeping Serbian spruce has a trunk that will twist and turn over time. The effect is that no two plants look exactly the same.Photo: Mark Dwyer
Conical white fir has a beautiful teardrop shape and light blue foliage.Photo: Mark Dwyer
The dense branching structure of ‘Taylor’ Eastern red cedar makes it a great choice for screening.Photo: Mark Dwyer
‘Cupressina’ is a great choice for a taller columnar conifer, and it has the durability to reach that size.Photo: Mark Dwyer
‘Bush’s Lace’ is an eye-catching specimen with skirts of icy blue foliage.Photo: Mark Dwyer
‘Pendula Bruns’ weeping Serbian spruce can surprise you with the direction of its twisted truck, or you can guide it into a preferred shape.Photos: Mark Dwyer
The foliage of ‘Beanpole’ yew grows in attractive clusters that recalls the look of a holiday garland.Photo: Mark Dwyer
‘Degroot’s Spire’ arborvitae has a nice, dense branch structure compared to the straight species.Photo: Mark Dwyer
Compare these North Pole®arborvitaes to ‘Degroot’s Spire’ above. They are wider, especially at the base, for a classic conical look.Photo: Mark Dwyer
