Looking into getting a conifer

Shoxt3r

Hi there, I'm looking to build up a small rockery and as a centrepiece I'd like to plant a conifer. However my concern is that as the garden is only about 5-6 metres across at the most (with fences either side) that this won't be enough room for the roots to spread safely - i.e. without causing problems to the fencing and other structures nearby. I'm prepared that the conifer would need regular maintenance and would likely only want to keep it to a maximum height of around a metre which I imagine would help with keeping the roots contained. Cheers, Andrew

Shoxt3r

Thanks for the help! Hmm it seems that growing something that goes outwards rather than upwards is the way to go for rockeries then? I like the sound of the Coppershine. Unfortunately it doesn't seem as though many places have them within the local area but I'll keep an eye out for them.

What would be your opinion on me getting a Monterey Cypress Goldcrest? Would this be a suitable shrub for rockeries or would one of the other varieties you mentioned be a better option?

http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/small-monterey-cypress-goldcrest-273395

Dovefromabove

Monterey Cyprus goldcrest can grow up to 40ft tall (12m).  Not what you need

I'm sure Verdun can suggest a reliable online supplier or two who will have the plants you need

BobFlannigon

If you want to stunt its growth plant whatever it is you like- rather than what doesn't grow aggressively etc.- in a tub, i.e. build it into the rockery.  It shouldn't need to be too big to restrict it to around a metre and it'll be almost maintenance free!.

Ceres

As Tetley says, look for "Nana" in the name. This has nothing to do with Zola's novel and everything to do with size, in this case small. My favourite, just for the name alone, is Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis', or look on this RHS page for dwarf conifers. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/search-results?form-mode=false&plant_height=f/plant_height/0.5-1%20metres&plant_plant_type=f/plant_plant_type/conifers

There are plenty out there that will not grow into forest trees.

Hostafan1

Picea glauca Albertiana Conica springs to mind

Shoxt3r

Great, thanks for the suggestions - will be on the lookout for "nanas", "yews", crypotomerias and junipers!

Good suggestion about building it into a tub, Bob. Assume it's unlikely that the roots will grow up and out of a tub...at least not for a good while?

Hostafan1

Verdun, I don't doubt you for a moment,but I've never seen red spider mite outside.

BobFlannigon

Good suggestion about building it into a tub, Bob. Assume it's unlikely that the roots will grow up and out of a tub...at least not for a good while?

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I think you'd be good for several decades with any half-decent tub.  You can always make a concrete one yourself when building the rockery (don't forget a drainage hole) if you're worried a plastic tub might fail!