{"id":14859,"date":"2022-09-27T10:16:36","date_gmt":"2022-09-27T08:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=65321"},"modified":"2022-09-27T17:55:11","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T15:55:11","slug":"alternative-christmas-trees-experts-choice","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/alternative-christmas-trees-experts-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"Alternative Christmas trees: expert\u2019s choice"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Veronica Peerless\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 27 September 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Christmas<\/a> isn\u2019t complete without a real Christmas tree<\/a> \u2013 but which type to go for? Many of us are looking for more greener, more eco-friendly Christmas tree ideas, and a pot-grown Christmas tree is the most sustainable option \u2013 once the festive season is over, you can enjoy your tree outside in its pot all year before bringing it indoors every Christmas for years to come.<\/p>\n

But you don\u2019t need to settle for the usual Norway spruce or Nordmann Fir. We asked Helen Tate, who runs specialist conifer nursery Lime Cross Nursery with her sister Vicky, to recommend unusual and attractive evergreen conifers that aren\u2019t just for Christmas, but will look good in your garden all year round. Her six top suggestions are below.<\/span><\/p>\n

6 top alternatives to a Christmas tree<\/h2>\n

Spanish firAbies pinsapo<\/em> \u2018Horstmann\u2019<\/h3>\n

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Helen says:<\/strong> \u201cThis adorable and compact Spanish Fir has the quirkiest shaped branches. It will happily live in a pot, as it is slow growing. It will need repotting in three to five years into a bigger pot. Give it a regular foliar feed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimate height:<\/strong> 60cm.Conditions:<\/strong> Any fertile, well-drained soil; full sun.Habit:<\/strong> Spreading and rounded, becoming pyramidal with age.Foliage:<\/strong> Vivid blue needles are arranged radially around the branchlets.Perfect for:<\/strong> Growing in a pot or a rock garden.<\/p>\n

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Japanese cedar\nCryptomeria japonica<\/em> \u2018Elegans Compacta\u2019<\/h3>\n
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Helen says: \u201c<\/strong><\/span>This is a really affordable option. The gorgeous colours will look stunning with fairy lights.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimate height:<\/strong> 2.5m.Conditions:<\/strong> Any fertile, well-drained soil; full sun. Avoid exposed sites.Habit:<\/strong> Bushy.Foliage:<\/strong> The springy, long and soft foliage turns purple in summer.Perfect for:<\/strong> Growing anywhere in the garden or in a pot.<\/p>\n

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Alberta spruce\nPicea glauca<\/em> var. albertiana<\/em> \u2018Conica\u2019<\/h3>\n
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Helen says:<\/strong> \u201cPicea glauca<\/em> var. albertiana<\/em> \u2018Conica\u2019 grows into a perfect cone, making it an excellent tabletop Christmas tree alternative.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimate height:<\/strong> 2.5m.Conditions:<\/strong> Any fertile, moist well-drained soil; full sun.Habit:<\/strong> A perfect cone.Foliage:<\/strong> Light green young needles, later turning blue-green.Perfect for:<\/strong> Growing in a pot or mixing with heathers in the garden.<\/p>\n

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Himalayan white pine\nPinus wallichiana<\/em> \u2018Vicky\u2019<\/h3>\n
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Helen says:<\/strong> \u201cPinus wallichiana<\/em> \u2018Vicky\u2019 was discovered here at Lime Cross Nursery by founder Jonathan Tate and named after his daughter (and my sister) Vicky. The whorls of needles are soft and shaggy and are said to have reminded Jonathan of his baby daughter\u2019s striking ginger mohawk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimate height:<\/strong> 8m.Conditions:<\/strong> Any fertile, well-drained soil; full sun.Habit:<\/strong> Witch\u2019s broom.Foliage:<\/strong> Lime-green with sunset-yellow hues. Deciduous.Perfect for:<\/strong> A garden border or growing in a pot.<\/p>\n

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Bosnian pine\nPinus heldreichii<\/em> \u2018Schneverdingen\u2019<\/h3>\n
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Helen says:<\/strong> \u201cPinus heldreichii<\/em> \u2018Schneverdingen\u2019 is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen tree with a distinctive and refined form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimate height:<\/strong> 6m.Conditions:<\/strong> Any fertile, well-drained soil; full sun.Habit:<\/strong> Pyramid.Foliage:<\/strong> Dark green with a fine texture.Perfect for:<\/strong> Around the garden or growing in a pot.<\/p>\n

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Willow podocarp\nPodocarpus salignus<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Helen says:<\/strong> \u201cWe think that Podocarpus<\/em> make a really cool alternative Christmas tree. Its lush, striking foliage works well with fairy lights.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimate height:<\/strong> 8m.Conditions:<\/strong> Any fertile, well-drained soil; full sun.Habit:<\/strong> Spreading and rounded, becoming pyramidal with age.Foliage:<\/strong> The new, willow-like foliage is lime green, becoming darker green with age.Perfect for:<\/strong> In a mixed border or pot.<\/p>\n

Bringing a tree indoors for Christmas: top tips<\/h2>\n