Category: Specialty Conifers

Don’t step on this mini-conifer, which is among the smallest of any in the genus. Site Tsuga canadensis ‘Abbott’s Pygmy’ where the tiny globe with its miniature, dark green leaves will be easy to see, in a trough, rock garden or raised bed. Despite its diminutive size, the plant is tough and hardy, but it does appreciate protection from hot afternoon sun. Mature size: 2’H x 2’W Zone 4

Thuja occidentalis ‘Zmatlik’ is medium green throughout spring and summer, but in winter, as temperatures fall, it puts on its winter coat of intense plum-bronze. The winter color is very dramatic and adds to the already interesting texture of this hardy narrow column. Small, scale-like sprays of foliage twist and curl creating a densely foliaged plant than can be enjoyed as a single specimen or planted as a screen. Found as a seedling by Mr. Zmatlik in the Czech Republic in 1984. Mature size: 15’H x 4’W Zone 3

Wildly undulating, pendulous branches give unique character to every Pinus banksiana ‘Uncle Fogy’ we grow. Plants bend and swoop to create a curvy, living sculpture decorated with resinous winter buds. This collector’s plant, first discovered in a garden in Richfield, Minnesota, seems to be a reference to everyone’s eccentric relative. Extremely hardy and adaptable, it tolerates heat, cold and dry, sandy or poor soils. Mature Size: 12’H x 8’W Zone 2

Each soft yellow needle has a bright green striation along its length, which produces a great color combo. The mid-size conifer has an upright branching habit that is wider than tall. Although very hardy, the foliage appreciates protection from scorching summer sun. Mature size: 6’H x 12’W Zone 4

The exciting and unique Picea pungens ‘Procumbens’ develops into a spreading, undulating ground cover. Performs best in a sunny location. Thrives in the coldest, harshest climates. Outstanding when allowed to wander among and over rocks and stone walls. Mature size: 2’H x 10’W Zone 2

A dense, rounded plant with upright fans of canary yellow foliage, ‘Autumn Moon’ stays uniform and tidy without developing an oval, upright habit like other yellow forms found in the marketplace. Can be planted in a row to make a stunningly colorful border or for individual color spots throughout the landscape. Mature size: 3’H x 3’W Zone 4

Bright, white, new growth with older, inner foliage that retains a light tone combine to give Tsuga canadensis ‘Moon Frost’ a distinctly white appearance. In winter, foliage of the seedling, developed by Ed Wood, takes on a blush of pink. A compact globe when young, ‘Moon Frost’ broadens and increases its growth rate with age, but remains a reliably small, dwarf plant. Mature size: 6’H x 6’W Zone 4

A unique needle arrangement and color give Picea abies ‘Motala’ a distinctive look. Blunt-tipped needles radiate out and downward on short, stout, vertical branches, which produces an Abies-like appearance. Minute, glaucous striations on needle tops complement the color with a silver-blue cast. This attractive selection, rarely found in the trade, enhances any landscape. Mature size: 4’H x 4’W Zone 3

Even when young, the delightful Picea abies ‘Acrocona’ develops remarkable, raspberry red cones on the tips of its branches in spring. The unusual coning habit tends to modify growth rate and shape and to produce a broad, spreading pyramid, which becomes wider than tall with age. Known since 1890, when found in a forest near Uppsala, Sweden, the plant has an apt name, ‘Acrocona’, which means “with terminal cones on the ends of the branches.” Mature Size: 12’H x 8’W Zone 3

Golden Blush is a vigorous but compact yellow selection of arborvitae. Bright yellow exterior foliage contrasts nicely against the dark green, older, interior foliage, providing a nice two-toned look. With a feathery appearance, the light-colored foliage is extremely resistant to burn. The narrow upright form provides colorful hedge or screen material for exposed spaces. Mature size: 15’H x 8’W Zone 4