Take away the Christmas lights and crimson bows, and there's not much to attract the weary gardener's eye. There are, however, the evergreens, which offer so much diversity to the winter garden that they deserve a more eloquent billing. Their textures, ranging from thread-like to bold and in carefully crafted combinations, can be downright stunning. These plants are tolerant of a little shade and wet soil conditions. Avoid pruning for maximum naturalistic effect.
Spruces tend to be tough trees, long-lived and very formal in appearance.
They form very narrow or broadly conical specimens that work well as focal points in the landscape. They also form excellent screens, as they tend to hold their older, lower branches. The most popular foliage forms are the bright blues and deep greens. Avoid shade and pruning, and provide adequate moisture for maximum growth. The pines are quite variable and tend to be more informal than the spruces.