Conifer at Wairere Nursery

Conifer

From massive forest giants to miniscule mounds of elegant foliage, the Conifer family contains a wide variety. The name "conifer" comes from Latin and means "to bear cones." Although cones are a common feature of most conifers, Junipers and Yews are two exceptions that produce berry-like fruit, which, in the case of Juniper berries, are used to make the G part of the G&T! Among the conifers are some of the smallest, largest and oldest living woody plants known. The more than 500 conifer species are distributed worldwide and are invaluable for their timber as well as their adaptability as garden plants for year-round interest. The diversity of available conifers for the landscape is tremendous.

Nurseries and plants people are devoted to the discovery and introduction of new selections that vary in size, form, color and texture. There has been special interest in the group of conifers classified as "dwarf conifers." One definition of a dwarf conifer is one that fails to attain the size and stature of the parent plant. These smaller growing varieties are invaluable in the smaller space garden designs. The form most commonly associated with conifers is the familiar conical shape of Christmas trees; yet, for the landscape, the range varies from the vertical form of tall columnar plants, globose or rounded forms, spreading forms and the horizontal forms of flat ground covers. Garden conifers come in a rainbow of year-round colours that can be used effectively in creating colour schemes with other plants. Many are shades of green, yellow, orange, blue, lavender, grey or purple, while others are bicolor and have variegated foliage. Many go through seasonal color changes and provide interest in the winter landscape. In the spring, lighter shades of new growth contrast against the darker older foliage. In some cases, new growth emerges not just as a lighter shade but as a bright yellow or red, rivaling any floral display. Some even display two colors of needles. On other conifers, the cones and seed-bearing fruits are brightly colored and decorative during certain seasons of the year. The landscape uses are limited only by the imagination. The strong silhouettes of many compact, slow-growing conifers can accent a corner of a garden bed, frame a doorway or add winter interest to perennial and annual flower beds. Use conifers in foundation plantings, borders or island beds with other shrubs. Plant a mixture of different conifers, blending the various textures, shapes and colors, for a unique low-maintenance landscape. Use large specimens amid expansive lawns and miniature specimens to view up close in containers, troughs or rock gardens. Don't forget that conifers are also stalwart hedging and windbreak plants. The natural growth pattern of a normal or dwarf evergreen is a large part of its charm. Some evergreens can be severely pruned while others will respond to light pruning.

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52 LISTINGS FOR CONIFER

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Abies concolor

aka White Fir

An attractive evergreen tree, pyramidal in shape, holding a dense, formal shape, even with age. Blue/grey foliage. Tolerates drought. Great as a Christmas tree. Hardy. The needles exude a lemon scent when crushed and are bluish green with blunt tips.

Habit: Upright
Leaves: Evergreen, Grey Green
Mature Size (HxW): 25m x 5m

Abies concolor

Current Stock Height: 50/60 cm ?

Container: 5l ?

$79.99

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Agathis Australis Kauri

aka Kauri

NZ's iconic native conifer. Slow growing but well worth the wait for the tree to mature into its stately form. When juvenile the foliage tends to have copper bronze tones but as the tree ages green is the more dominant colour. Protect from frost when young. One to plant for your grand children! Evergreen

Habit: Upright
Leaves: Evergreen, Brown
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 6m x 2.5m

Agathis Australis - Kauri

Current Stock Height: 55/70 cm ?

Container: 3.3l ?

$34.99

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Cedrus Atlantica Glauca

aka Blue Atlas Cedar

Handsome specimen tree with gently curving ascending branches clothed in rich grey blue needles that have a touch of frosting. Plant where the distinctive pyramidal shape can be shown to its best i.e. give this tree some space. Happiest in a well drained sunny position. Evergreen.

Habit: Upright
Leaves: Evergreen, Light
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 6m x 4m

Cedrus Atlantica Glauca

Current Stock Height: 60 cm

Container: 2.5l ?

$109.99

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Cedrus Deodara Aurea

aka Golden Himalayan Cedar

A stunning, pyramidal shape conifer with attractive golden yellow new growth that when mature becomes a golden green shade on long arching branches. An excellent specimen tree. Leave space for it to grow to its full potential. Drought tolerant once established. Evergreen.

Just as stunning as Cedrus Deodara.

Habit: Arching
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 6m x 4m

Cedrus Deodara Aurea

Current Stock Height: 80/90 cm ?

Container: 2.5l ?

$109.99

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Chamaecyparis Columnaris Glauca

Considered the finest blue form with an erect narrow and symmetrical growth habit. It will fit in any garden with distinction. These are surely one of the most popular, and widely planted evergreens in horticultural practice.Tolerant of any conditions.

Chamaecyparis Columnaris Glauca

New stock expected Middle of November, 2025. Waitlist now. Estimated price $36.99. Payment on order.

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Chamaecyparis Ellwoodii Gold

Conifer. A slow-growing, narrow columnar, evergreen conifer making a large shrub of compact habit. Foliage is a rich green/gold all year round. Wonderful contrast plant, great in rockeries or combined with maples. Prefers moist well drained soil that is slightly acid. Evergreen

Habit: Compact
Leaves: Evergreen, Yellow
Mature Size (HxW): 3m x 1m

Chamaecyparis Ellwoodii Gold

Current Stock Height: 45/55 cm ?

Container: 2.5l ?

$29.99

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Chamaecyparis Gold Splash

Conifer . Gold Splash is an attractive variegated conifer. It has blue green foliage that is richly splashed with golden yellow. The foliage colour intensifies over spring and summer. Excellent rockery garden choice. Evergreen

Habit: Compact
Leaves: Evergreen, Yellow
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 1.5m x 1m

Chamaecyparis Gold Splash

Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?

Container: 2.5l ?

$29.99

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Chamaecyparis Grayswood Pillar

Conifer. This is an advantageous conifer in that it has quick but dense growth in a beautiful columnar habit. Makes great hedge both cut or natural. Intense blue leaves look great contrasted against other conifers, maples or azaleas for a splash of colour. Evergreen

Habit: Compact
Leaves: Evergreen, Blue
Mature Size (HxW): 5m x 1.5m

Chamaecyparis Grayswood Pillar

Current Stock Height: 30/35 cm ?

Container: 2.5l ?

$29.99