Conifers are a diverse group of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs loved by New Zealand gardeners for their striking form, year-round greenery, and adaptability. Whether you want a statement specimen or a practical hedge, conifers offer resilience and low-fuss charm. Curious about their uses and varieties? Discover why conifers remain a favourite across landscapes nationwide.
Cedrus atlantica, commonly known as the Atlantic Cedar, is a large and stately tree. It bears blue-green, needle-like foliage held on horizontal...
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca', also known as Blue Atlas Cedar, is a striking evergreen conifer ideal for New Zealand gardens. Its silvery-blue needles...
Cedrus deodara (Deodar Cedar) is a magnificent evergreen conifer admired for its graceful pyramidal form, soft blue green needles, and gently weeping...
Chamaecyparis 'Boulevard' is an elegant evergreen conifer known for its soft silvery blue foliage and feathery texture. It brings year round...
Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese Cedar) is a majestic evergreen conifer valued for its tall upright form and soft rich green foliage. It brings...
Cryptomeria japonica 'Egmont' is a handsome evergreen conifer valued for its dense habit, soft feathery foliage, and reliable year round colour. This...
Cupressus 'Blue Ice' is a striking evergreen conifer admired for its vibrant icy blue foliage and strong upright growth habit. This hardy tree...
Cupressus 'Gracilis' (Italian Spruce) is a tall narrow evergreen conifer admired for its elegant upright growth habit and dense dark green foliage...
Cupressus Green Spire is a conifer valued for its slender, upright habit that brings an architectural effect. It carries fine, dark -green foliage...
Cupressus ovensii (Ovens Cypress) is a hardy evergreen conifer admired for its fine textured foliage and dense upright growth habit. This resilient...
Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' is a tall narrow evergreen conifer admired for its dense upright form and rich dark green foliage. This classic...
Cupressus 'Totem', otherwise known as the Totem Cypress, is a conifer valued for its slender, upright habit that brings an architectural effect. It...
Juniperus 'Kaizuka', commonly known as the Hollywood Juniper tree or Torulosa Juniper, is an upright conifer with an oriental style. It bears...
Juniperus 'Skyrocket', commonly known as the Skyrocket Juniper or Rocky Mountain Juniper, is a popular conifer that grows as a broad column. It...
Picea glauca 'Conica', commonly known as the Alberta Spruce, is a conifer grown for its delicate foliage and conical shape. This evergreen produces...
Picea pungens 'Glauca', commonly known as the Colorado Blue Spruce, is a blue coloured conifer that grows with a broad and open, pyramidal shape. The...
Taxodium distichum, commonly known as the Bald Cypress or Swamp Cypress, is a conifer that grows as an upright tree to about 30 m tall and 8 m wide...
Taxus baccata Fastigiata, commonly known as the Irish Yes, is a conifer grown for its attractive foliage and slender form. This evergreen has a...
Thuja 'Green Giant' is a smaller variety of Cedar and bears sprays of glossy, dark green foliage held on slender stems. The result is a tree with a...
Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis' is an elegant conifer that grows with a narrow and dense, pyramidal shape. The foliage is dark green, sometimes...
Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold' is a compact evergreen conifer admired for its soft golden foliage that develops warm bronze tones during cooler...
Thuja 'Smaragd', commonly known as the Green or Emerald Cedar, grows with a narrow, dense, and columnar habit. The foliage is rich green, sometimes...
Thuja plicata, commonly known as the Western Red Cedar, is a conifer that grows into an attractive and large tree. It grows with a dense, conical...
Thuja plicata 'Old Gold' is a striking evergreen conifer valued for its rich golden foliage and dense growth habit. The vibrant colour provides year...
Conifers are a plant type defined by their needle-like or scale-like foliage and unique mode of reproduction using cones. Belonging mainly to the Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, and Taxaceae families, conifers include pines, cedars, firs, spruces, and cypresses. These versatile plants range from towering forest giants to compact, ground-hugging varieties.
Conifers thrive throughout New Zealand's regions, valued for their adaptability to diverse soils and climates. With their architectural shapes and varying shades of green, blue, and gold, they provide structure and interest to gardens year-round.
Gardeners prize conifers for their durability and longevity. Many conifers make excellent feature trees, drawing the eye with their tall, symmetrical silhouettes. Others, like dwarf or spreading forms, work beautifully in rockeries, pots, or mixed shrub borders.
Conifers are also a top choice for hedges and shelterbelts. They form dense, wind-resistant screens that are essential in exposed NZ gardens, offering privacy while muffling neighbourhood noise. If you are planning a new planting project, our interactive plant finder can help you shortlist the best conifer varieties for your site conditions.
Conifers require little maintenance once established. Most prefer sunny sites with good drainage but many tolerate partial shade. Mulching around the base helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Occasional light trimming will keep hedging conifers neat. Pruning is best done in later winter or early spring.
Our expert gardening advice section provides seasonal tips and tricks for keeping your conifers looking their best. If you are keen to broaden your collection, you can also shop for plants to find the latest and most robust conifer selections available for your garden.
Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.
