Welcome Conifers From the West to Your Southern Garden

With the right conditions, trees from other regions can thrive here in the South

I love visiting the Pacific Northwest and being root on by its flora . The climate is idealistic for growing many wonderful plants . Many of these works have made their way back to the South with me in suitcases and corner . Some are alive and fly high in my Tennessee home . However , many I had high hope for seemed to have pass out when they were faced with our warmer night and high humidity . I always say it was worth a try , and I move on to some new garden gem .

Conifers in the Northwest versus the South

One thing the Pacific Northwest does like no other billet in North America is grow conifers . From loom cathedrals of cone - bear giants to the unique and strange , it seems as if this surface area can get anything with needle . But the South also does quite well growing conifer . Many marvellous public gardens and homeowner throughout the South are pushing the limits on what we have traditionally thought was potential . Interestingly , theSoutheast region of the American Conifer Societyhas become one of the most lively and alive regional plant radical . Fine Gardeninghas make a sight of great content about growing conifers over the years . For some Southern regional picks , check outPhilip Schretter ’s selectionsfromFGissue 178 . All are great selections you could add to your garden .

California incense cedar

aboriginal to mountainous forests of Oregon down to northerly Baja California and east to parts of Nevada , California incense cedar ( Calocedrus decurrens , geographical zone 5–8 ) should be considered for the Southern landscape . I have observed myself or heard of marvellous mature specimens in Tennessee , Oklahoma , Georgia , and Alabama . This alone is not an straight-out full endorsement . I also know several gardener who have not been successful get this tree diagram . In addition , it seems to be a slower raiser then some garden alternatives . I believe sight condition have a tremendous amount to do with success . Good drainage and some extra irrigation during establishment can make all the difference . When established , the California incense cedarwood has a wonderful grain and abstruse greenish foliation . narrow-minded cultivars such as ‘ Columnaris ’ or ‘ Pioneer Sentry ’ have great potential drop in the landscape for gardeners looking for tall , narrow , accent evergreens .

Nootka false cypress

Nootka sham cypress ( Cupressus nootkatensis , Zones 4–8 ) is one of the conifers that can be a gateway to fall in sexual love with conifers as a whole . It ’s aboriginal to the Pacific Northwest from Alaska ’s Kenai Peninsula all the way to the northernmost reach of California . Who would think this plant would be at home plate in the southerly United States ? It is true that these plants do n’t seem to grow as tight or as tall in the South ; however , they still make great specimen for Southern gardens . ‘ Glauca Pendula ’ is a popular cultivar with blue acerate leaf and cernuous branches . Several minute cultivar are usable , include ‘ Green Arrow ’ , which can exceed 20 feet and tends to be only 4 to 5 feet panoptic . Again , provide the best drain possible to lead to success .

Before you plant, know this

I have two pieces of advice if you are going to add these conifers to your landscape . First , wet feet drink down ; if you may prevent plants from sit in saturated grease , it will help oneself a portion . I action this by implant slightly above score , being careful to always have exposed tooth root collars . Second , if you acquire these conifer as very small seedlings , it often helps to grow them in an fittingly sized pot for a few years before you plant them in the ground .

Keep trying new plants

— Andy Pulte is a faculty fellow member in the industrial plant sciences department at the University of Tennessee .

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Nootka false cypress

Nootka false cypress is a Northwestern native that can thrive in the South if given the right conditions.Photo: Andy Pulte

‘Pioneer Sentry’ incense cedar

‘Pioneer Sentry’ incense cedar is a narrow-growing cultivar perfect for tight spaces.Photo: Andy Pulte

Although it may not grow as quickly as it would in the Northwest, this Nootka false cypress is still thriving right here in the South.Photo: Andy Pulte

Nootka false cypress closeup