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Gymnosperm Shrubs

Gymnosperm shrubs belong to a class of plants that produce seeds that aren't inside an ovule -- imagine the seeds of a berry shrub, a pomegranate or a tomato -- in fact, gymnosperm means "naked seed." Gymnosperms produce seeds on an adapted leaf surface known as a strobilus. Strobili often take the form of a cone. Several types of gymnosperm shrubs are commonly grown as ornamental plants in the landscape. Sometimes called "softwoods," gymnosperm shrubs can be evergreen or deciduous.

  1. Evergreen Conifers

    • Most coniferous gymnosperm shrubs are evergreen, keeping their leaves year-round. Common landscape gymnosperms include members of the pine genus (Pinus spp.), such as the Mops mugo pine (Pinus mugo "Mops"). This 5-foot-tall shrub grows in a rounded shape with dense, dark-green foliage. It's hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 to 7 and grows best in sunny sites. Spruce (Picea spp.) also grow as shrubs, such as the dwarf spruce (Picea pungens "Compacta"). Just under 10 feet tall, this blue-needled gynosperm is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7 and thrives in full sun.

    Deciduous Conifers

    • A few gymnosperm shrubs produce cones and are deciduous, losing their leaves in winter. These include the American or Eastern larch (Larix laricina), a North American native hardy in USDA zones 1 to 5. Shrub cultivars include the "Deborah Waxman," which grows to 4 feet tall, and the "Newport Beauty," which grows to 2 feet wide and tall. The Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) also grows in shrubby cultivars, such as the "Blue Rabbit," a blue-needled shrub. It's hardy in USDA zones 4 to 7 and grows to 8 feet tall.

    Ginkgos

    • One genus of gymnosperms has a single member, the maidenhair tree or gingko biloba (Gingko biloba). Though the species is a deciduous tree, several shrub cultivars have been developed, including the "Chi-Chi," a 5-foot-tall shrub with an equal spread. This slow-growing shrub takes up to 10 years to reach its mature size. "Chi-Chi" brightens the autumn landscape with its yellow fall foliage. Plant this shrub in sunny, well-draining sites in USDA zones 3 to 8. Other shrub gingkos include "Beijing Gold," a yellow-foliaged cultivar that grows to 13 feet tall, "Jade Butterfly," a dark-green shrub that reaches to almost 10 feet tall, and the 10-foot-tall "Variegata" with gold-green foliage. These cultivars are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9.

    Cycads

    • Cycads, an ancient form of gymnosperm, grow in tropical regions. Ornamental shrubs include the queen sago (Cycas circinalis), a slow-growing shrub that reaches 15 feet in height with a 12-foot spread. With its 8-foot-long, palm-like, evergreen foliage, the queen sago makes a dramatic specimen plant. It's hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11. The cardboard cycad (Zamia furfuracea ) also creates eye-catching effects in the landscape. Hardy in USDA zones 9b to 11, this cycad grows to 5 feet tall with an 8-foot spread. Its evergreen leaves form spiral rosettes, offset by bright red cones. The cardboard cycad grows well in sun or shade.

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Shrubs
  1. Lawnmower Shrub Trimming
  2. Types of Evergreen Shrubs
  3. Winter Blooming Shrubs
  4. Lynwood Gold Shrubs
  5. Evergreen Shrubs for Banks
  6. Wind-Tolerant Shrubs
  7. 5 Foot Shrubs
  8. Summersweet Shrubs
  9. Compact Evergreen Shrubs
  10. Types of Shrubs
  11. Orange Foliage Shrubs
  12. Depth of Shrub Roots

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