Dwarf conifers are a beautiful and interesting way to introduce year-round texture and evergreen color to any landscape, regardless of its size. While they are great garden or container plants all year, conifers truly shine in wintertime when deciduous plants go dormant.
Though conifers as a group are among the tallest, oldest, and largest plants on earth, fortunately dwarf conifers are small and slow growing, maturing to heights of just 3–15 feet, which makes them a great choice for even the smallest gardens. Their compact size and wide scope of shapes, colors, and forms make specimen conifers a versatile and welcome Winter addition to any location, from balcony gardens to urban landscapes to extensive residential properties.
Types of Dwarf Conifers for the Garden
Each Autumn, our Garden Centers expand their selection of unique, locally grown dwarf conifers—perfect for keeping your landscape and containers attractive through the Winter months.
These compact evergreens come in a stunning range of needle colors, from rich greens and brilliant golds to glaucous blues and silvery greys, with some even displaying distinctive variegation. Here are some of the conifers that are best suited for Pacific Northwest gardens:
Cypress – Cupressus sp.
FRAGRANT | FAST-GROWING | CONTAINERS
Soft, fragrant foliage is borne on plants that are relatively fast growing and well-adapted to both landscapes and containers. The key to growing good cypress trees is to give them regular water and well-drained soil.
Lemon Cypress remains a perennial landscape favorite with bright yellow, feather-soft lemon-scented foliage and a narrow, upright statement in pots or in the landscape. Grows to 8 feet tall by 3 feet wide; full sun to part shade.
Juniper – Juniperus sp.
DROUGHT-TOLERANT | FAST-GROWING | LANDSCAPE
Junipers are a diverse group of drought-tolerant conifers that come in many colors and grow in many forms ranging from upright, columnar plants to low-growing mats of dense green foliage depending on the variety.
Blue Star Juniper is compact and known for its striking, silvery-blue needle-like foliage that forms a dense, rounded shape. Its slow-growing nature and vibrant color make it a standout addition to rock gardens, borders, or as an accent plant. Grows to 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide; full sun.
Spruce – Picea sp.
STURDY | SLOW-GROWING | SMALL SPACES
Spruces come in a variety of colors, from deep green, to fluorescent lime, to iconic, powdery blue. This group of sharp-needled conifers is incredibly hardy and plants are able to withstand long periods of extreme cold.
Weeping White Spruce features graceful, pendulous branches covered in blue-green needles, creating an elegant silhouette in the landscape. Its distinctive form adds vertical interest and movement, making it a stunning focal point for gardens or entryways. Grows to about 6–8 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide; full sun.
Japanese Cedar – Cryptomeria sp.
UNIQUE | MODERATE-GROWING | CONTAINERS
Cryptomeria have star-like needles that form interesting shapes from low-growing mounds to tall, oddly architectural masterpieces. Some varieties of Cryptomeria take on purple and bronze coloration in Winter months.
Gyokuryu Japanese Cedar features dense sprays of rich green foliage and an interesting, irregular pyramidal form. Grows to about 4–6 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide; full sun to part sun.
Hemlock – Tsuga sp.
SOFT | LOW-MAINTENANCE | LANDSCAPE
Hemlocks add rugged elegance to landscapes, and are well-suited to areas with a less, formal, native-inspired look. Soft, small needles are well-spaced along arching branches in many of the dwarf specimens.
Cole’s Prostrate Canadian Hemlock is a low, spreading dwarf hemlock with graceful, arching branches and soft green needles. Its cascading habit makes it ideal for draping over walls, slopes, or the edges of garden beds. Grows 1–2 feet tall and 4–5 feet wide; part shade to full shade.
Pine – Pinus sp.
DIVERSE | LONG-NEEDLED | VERSATILE
Pines are an incredibly diverse group of plants, including many striking and unusual dwarf specimens and varieties. Use low-maintenance Pines in the landscape in rock gardens, borders, or as a focal point in small landscapes.
This Mugo Pine and its cultivars are slow-growing with dense, needles that form a tidy, rounded shape. Grows to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide; full sun to part sun.
Yew – Taxus sp.
STURDY | EASY TO SHAPE | SCREENING
Yews have strong yet bendable branches that are ideal for pruning to shape them into dense, low-growing hedges or taller privacy screens.
While often dark green in color, varieties like Golden Dwarf Japanese Yew add a pop of color to any garden. Grows 5 feet tall by 8 feet wide; full sun to full shade.
False Cypress – Chamaecyparis sp.
SOFT | ADAPTED TO WET CLIMATES | SPECIMEN PLANT
False Cypress and Hinoki Cypress are elegant plants that are beloved by Pacific Northwest gardeners for their highly dimensional branches. Ranging from emerald green to bright chartreuse, many dwarf forms have tight, irregular branching.
Chamaecyparis ‘Spiralis’ has needles that curl around each branch to form unusual and intriguing plants that look like something out of a fairytale. Grows to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide; full sun to part sun.
Dwarf Fir – Abies sp.
STURDY | LOW-GROWING | LANDSCAPE
With an even, clean appearance, Dwarf Firs are a great addition to landscapes where solid texture and year-round color are desired.
Dwarf Korean Firs and Dwarf Balsam Firs are both excellent options for adding into rock gardens and landscapes where solid textures and year-round color are desired. Grows to 3–6 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide; full sun to part sun.
Korean Yew – Cephalotaxus sp.
MODERN | STRUCTURAL | CONTAINER
Rigid, spiky branches and needles lend a modern feeling to Korean Yews, making them a strong statement in a landscape or container.
Arborvitae – Thuja sp.
SOFT | DENSE | HEDGING
Ferny, soft green foliage and vibrant greens are the hallmark of Arborvitaes. While Arborvitae are most commonly used as a suburban screening plant due to their small footprint and upright habit, dwarf cultivars that have a rounded shape are great on their own or as low hedges.
Tips for Using Dwarf Conifers in the Landscape
When planted directly in the ground, dwarf conifers add lasting structure and textural, year-round interest to garden beds. They are a hallmark of Japanese-inspired and classic Pacific Northwest landscapes, yet their evergreen presence can enhance all types of gardens—from Traditional to Modern. Depending on the variety, dwarf conifers can provide bold, structural contrast or create a graceful, softening effect in the landscape.
Whatever your garden style, strategic placement can help you seamlessly highlight their beauty:
- Specimen conifers are best placed at the corner of a bed or where two beds meet to provide height and give the eye a place to rest.
- Pair a tall, upright conifer with a shorter conifer that has complementary textures or colors, and most importantly, similar watering needs.
- Conifers don’t need to stand alone—when incorporated into fuller, existing borders, they add welcome diversity to perennials and broadleaf shrubs.
Tips for Using Dwarf Conifers in Containers
Pottery and dwarf conifers are an irresistible pairing. The right pot gives you the opportunity to highlight the unique shapes and colors of a conifer front and center on your patio or balcony. The right conifer can provide consistency season after season, whether used in a stand-alone pot or as part of a larger arrangement.
Consider these styling ideas to make the most of your conifer-and-pot pairing:
- For a modern, architectural look, use a dwarf conifer with unique branching on its own in the center of a pot and surround it with short, textural groundcovers.
- Columnar conifers create a striking vertical presence in containers, providing the perfect backbone for seasonal plants that can be easily swapped throughout the year.
- Very small-stature dwarf conifers are perfect for miniature garden enthusiasts who want a statement display at eye-level without the time and care required for a traditional bonsai.
After a few seasons in a pot, a conifer can be refreshed with new soil or graduated to a permanent home in your landscape! The slowest growing dwarf conifers can thrive in pots for multiple years, while faster growing, larger varieties can be planted in the landscape or potted into larger containers when they outgrow their first home. Some varieties can even make unique living Christmas trees—simply bring them indoors and add decorations during the holiday season!
How to Grow & Care for Dwarf Conifers
As a general rule, conifers appreciate well-drained soil and consistent water during the dry season. Poor drainage will result in weepy branches and discoloration of the needles. Lack of water or intense sunlight will result in bleached needles and dry, crispy tips and tops. Once established, some varieties will tolerate somewhat more challenging conditions:
- More drought-tolerant conifers: Juniperus (Juniper) and Pinus (Pine)
- Conifers more tolerant of wetter areas: Tsuga (Hemlock) and Abies (Fir)
Plant conifers in pots or planting beds slightly above the soil—the top inch of the root ball should be visible, allowing space for periodic compost or mulch, and ensuring that the trunk of the plant doesn’t get soggy.
Dwarf conifers come in all shapes, colors, sizes, and textures. Whether you prefer soft, romantic textures or sturdy, dramatic statement pieces, introducing a dwarf conifer into your garden this Fall or Winter will enhance your space and serve as a welcoming focal point during the colder and grayer months. Visit our garden centers year-round or browse our inventory online to find your new favorite compact conifer today!