Coniferous trees and shrubs, preserving decorative values in winter, can be used in the garden to a limited extent, as a background for flowering ornamental plants and an interesting variety of our plantings. One or two coniferous shrubs can be planted on the lawn in a leisure area. Of the conifers, silver spruces are the most popular. For such plantings, choose low-growing trees and dwarf varieties. Some of them harmonize nicely with the rock garden.
Common yew
Common yew (Taxus baccata) belongs to the most shade-loving conifers. It grows very slowly, so that it will not compete with neighboring plants for a long time. Perfectly tolerates haircuts and can be formed into various shapes and hedges. It is characterized by dark green needles and unlike other conifers – green buds and twigs. The seeds hidden in vivid red arils are an additional decoration of the yew trees, looking like big blueberries. Yews obtained from seeds grow into trees and form a straight conductor giving the crown a conical shape. Vegetatively propagated, they form shrubs. Undisputed in terms of soil, however, they like wetter positions. It has many varieties, of which they deserve attention:
Taxus baccata aurea decorates – a low shrub with copper needles in the spring, then golden yellow, with a tiny green nerve;
Taxus baccata aurea Hoseri – short, partially creeping shrub with juicy green needles, with narrow, with a golden or light green rim;
Taxus baccata compacta Kobendzii – with a concise habit and beautiful needles;
Taxus baccata fastigiata aurea – with a pyramidal habit and yellowish needles;
Taxus repandens – very low, widely expanding, dark bluish green needles, slightly, sickle-shaped bent upwards;
Taxus cuspidata ski – it is a low shrub with original branching and dull needles.
Generally, yews tolerate frost well, but they are harmed by temperature fluctuations in the early spring and therefore it is recommended to cover them with straw or reeds during this period.
