Evergreens: Your Questions
Why doesn’t grass grow under my spruce tree? What can I plant that will grow there?
Under a large spruce, the soil is often dry, shaded and low in nutrients. Cover the area with mulch to reduce moisture loss or plant with groundcovers or other plants that tolerate poor, drier soil and low light: Perennials like bergenia, sweet woodruff (Galium), lamium and others; spreading junipers like Scandia or Calgary Carpet. To broaden your plant selection, improve the growing conditions: mix in compost, mulch the area, and water regularly. To water your spruce, deeply soak the roots out to the dripline and beyond.
What evergreens can I plant in small or narrow spaces?
Choose dwarf or compact evergreen shrubs like selections of Tru-Dwarf mugo pine, globe spruce, dwarf Norway spruce or globe cedar. For narrow spaces consider narrow, upright forms like Medora juniper or columnar spruce. If required, prune evergreens each June by shortening new growth by one half. This creates fuller more compact plants. Always match the plant with the growing conditions it needs. (light, moisture, soil, etc.)
In late summer, my spruce and pine turn yellow and brown and lose needles, especially on the inside?
All evergreens shed older “worn out” leaves or needles. Under drought stress the process speeds up as the plant conserves moisture by shedding older leaves. Water your evergreens deeply and generously, watering around and beyond the dripline. Prevent drought stress by regular deep watering about once a month. Mulch out to and beyond the dripline to reduce soil moisture loss.
Will an evergreen like cedar survive overwinter in a pot or small planter?
Plants do not overwinter reliably above ground in pots. Roots in pots above ground during winter can dry out or be damaged by temperature extremes. If your cedar is in a pot or small planter for winter, enjoy the green foliage as long as it lasts.
What are the cone-like growths on the tips of our spruce branches?
Possible signs of spruce adelgid feeding. These insects do not harm the tree. Please see Pests and Problems.
Why do my cedars turn brown in spring?
In late winter warm Chinook winds can dry out evergreen foliage. Since roots are still frozen, the plants are unable to replace this moisture loss. To prevent this problem, choose more resistant cedars like Techny or Siberian (Wareana), plant in sheltered sites, water well in fall and, if necessary, screen foliage with burlap.
When and how should I prune evergreens?
In June, shorten new growth on pines and spruce by 1/2 to create a more compact shape. Junipers can be shaped anytime.
When can I remove the lower branches on my large spruce?
sible, leave the lower branches intact since they help shade the tree’s roots. If you must remove lower limbs, do it anytime but remember to cover the root area with a 3-4” layer of mulch to protect against excess moisture loss.
What fertilizer do I use for evergreens?
In spring or early summer apply a fertilizer with a relatively high nitrogen content ie. 30-10-10. Evergreens also prefer acidic soil conditions which can be affected by regular applications of aluminum sulpate or garden sulphur. See Nutrients section on p.
We would like to plant a fast growing evergreen hedge. What do you suggest?
Evergreens grow relatively slowly in our Calgary climate. If you need a tall, narrow hedge, choose upright junipers or columnar spruce. For faster growth, plant caragana, lilac or cotoneaster. These deciduous plants will create a dense hedge, acting as an effective screen even in winter.
