Horticulturist Kat McGraw of Ooltewah Nursery calls conifers "the backbone of the winter garden" for the variety of textures and colors they add to the landscape. Even in the bleakest winter months, they add a little green to the yard.
The best-known conifers often grow up to be Christmas trees, but many varieties stay small.
"We have them from 2 feet to 45 feet tall," said McGraw.
Smaller conifers can be used as ground covers. Medium-size ones can be planted as hedges or as a lovely screen to hide areas in your yard you'd rather go unseen. Large conifers, she said, "make excellent focal points in your garden or yard."
Here are five tips that may convince you they are ideal plants to add to your yard.
1. They are great for privacy, and many are fast growers. Ask your garden center for the best varieties if you need a fast-growing evergreen.
2. They do not shed leaves, so little if any clean-up is needed.
3. They come in a great diversity of size (starting around 2 feet when fully grown) and color (grays, light lime greens, blues and dark greens).
4. They are durable and low-maintenance, ideal for any yard.
5. Most are drought-tolerant, but be sure to water the first year until they get established.
Varieties range from ground covers to hedges to Christmas trees.