Conifers combine practicality with beauty. Unlike deciduous plants, conifers don't lose their foliage, even during Ohio's chilly winters. Their leaves provide a windbreak, keeping houses warm and reducing energy bills when the temperature drops. During the summer, their shade will keep homes cool and decrease its energy use. When deciding on a new landscaping project, conifers come in many forms that will complement your home and beautify your garden. 

How Should I Incorporate Conifer Plants in My Garden?

1. Blend Colors, Shapes & Sizes

Look at the skylines of any major city. The buildings are clusters of varying heights, colors, and shapes. Applying the same combination of small and large conifers will create beauty, whether seen up-close or at a distance. 

When touring a garden of conifers, you can enjoy the radiant colors or detailed textures that make them unique. Like seeing a building up-close, you can better appreciate the architectural artistry of a structure that's well-designed, well-placed, and properly maintained.

At a distance, people may not have a clear picture of their colors or textures. Instead, they will be impressed by the array of shapes the conifers take. They can create a mysterious or majestic feel depending on what varieties are used and how they're arranged. Discuss what personality your garden should have with experienced consultants. They'll ensure a proper blend of color, shape, and size.

2. Use for Privacy

Conifers come in a variety of shapes, like tall trees and dense bushes. When properly placed, they can add privacy to your home by reducing visibility from the outside. If placed in the front yard, the landscaping will provide a screen that keeps the glow of headlights from bothering you at night.

For those living on busy streets, a thicket of conifers will absorb the noise of cars passing. 

3. Create Contrasting Elements 

Conifer gardens provide contrasting opportunities in size, shape, and color. However, they can also juxtapose hardscapes. While they are beautiful, hardscapes may feel separated from the garden. By adding conifers, the grounds will be warmer while also connecting the hardscape and the landscape harmoniously.

When planting, leave space between each conifer. The extra room will keep the garden from feeling overcrowded. It will also provide increased air circulation, allowing conifers to grow healthier. If the space makes the garden look sparse, plant perennials to fill in the area and add an extra touch of color. 

With conifer plants, your garden will be a source of calming beauty all year long. To find out more about their varieties, reach out to Lakeview Garden Center & Landscaping in Fairfield, OH. They're a full-service landscaping and hardscaping center with five acres of diverse plants, flowers, and lawn care products. Their garden associates have over 30 years of experience helping customers create lush landscapes customized to your style and the architecture of your home. For more information on the rare plants they have available, visit their website or call (513) 829-6624.