Comments on: Conifers Keep Winter Green

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:40:33 +0000

Mary Ann, I have been looking at adding some Cornus stolonifera (red osier dogwood) to the garden. The dwarf ‘arctic fire’ variety looks like it would fit well.

By: Mary Ann

Mary Ann — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:59:46 +0000

Sounds like a great plan! Those bushes with the red branches look fabulous in the winter! Looking forward to seeing your garden evolve, it is truly a joy, isn’t it.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:34:20 +0000

Mary Ann, we keep getting fresh new powder to keep them looking their best. As I look out the window at the backyard, I see that I have more winter interest than when I moved in, but I would still like to add more small to medium conifers and more shrubs with good coloured stems for winter.

By: Mary Ann

Mary Ann — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:09:09 +0000

Happy 2009! Evergreen trees are wonderful all year long but they’re especially delightful when they’re covered in snow.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:33:11 +0000

Irena, it’s unfortunate that your fir got damaged from the neighbouring renovation. Trees decline when their root system is covered or excavated. When I garden around mine, I try to plant in pockets between the large roots, but sometimes it means I can’t place the plants exactly where I want them.

Have a great 2009.

By: irena

irena — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:21:03 +0000

how nice that you get so much enjoyment from your evergreens. I have a mature balsam fir in my backyard which I love. Sadly, it has suffered quite a bit because of a neighbour’s renovation project (damaged roots, branches) but the tree keeps hanging on. I’m confident it will make a good if not full recovery…some of its lower branches had to go.

happy gardening in 2009
irena

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:31:34 +0000

Ken and Karina, I live at the southern edge of the taiga, the same ecozone that stretches across Scandinavia. To the north is the Boreal Forest, and to the south are the grasslands of the pariries.
Like you, I love the atmosphere given to the forest and the garden by the evergreens. I love the stillness of the forest on a snowy day.

Marie, thanks. I hope you are staying snug and warm over the winter. Have a great 2009.

Kathleen, the small yews have been very slow growing, especially in the more shaded spots. I have let them keep their natural shape.
The large forest personality of my mugho pine has won out over the cute little border shrub side.
I have been hoping that the pine beetles don’t spread to Edmonton too, I would hate to see the pines succumb. The upside of our cold weather is that it helps to kill them off.
I wish you a happy New Year, and have a wonderful 2009.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:27:59 +0000

I have many of the same evergreens as you do Northern Shade but no yews. Those are gorgeous. I am having to snip the candles off the mugo pines now, they are getting so big. I worry about my lone pine tree too as a neighbor nearby had hers succumb to the bark beetle. I hope I don’t lose it because I agree they are invaluable in winter for color, bird habitat, etc. Happy New Year!!

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:11:28 +0000

What a beautiful winter post!

I wish you a happy new year :)

By: Ken & Carina

Ken & Carina — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:34:12 +0000

As a Scandinavian you cant live without ewergreen trees, the feeling to go in to a wood with tal, strong trees is so relaxing.
For the garden they are outstanding. When all the outher trees drop there leavs the ewergreen is the only one who show any green color.
We will wish you a wery Happy new year
Ken&Carina