Category: Specialty Conifers

Small grayish green needles cover branches in an open growing form. An exciting springtime bonus of Picea glauca ‘Mac’s Gold’ is the bright yellow flush of new foliage and the addition of small red cones add to the display. The foliage gradually fades to green to finish out the year. A perfect background tree that adds a surprise to the early season. Mature Size: 20’H x 15’W Zone 3

Aptly named, the standard size Pinus flexilis ‘Extra Blue’ boasts outstanding color on its clusters of five, long, slightly twisting or curving needles. The fast-growing tree, which prefers moist, well-drained soil, develops an attractive pyramidal habit and 3-6″ long, light brown, resinous cones. Mature size: 25’H x 15’W Zone 4

Picea omorika ‘Silberblue’ has classic two-tone needles, green with silvery-blue undersides. The branches sweep upward exposing the undersides of the needles and reflecting against the top side to display a bright silver-blue against a green background. Plant with enough space around it so that it can develop into an attractive and colorful anchor in the garden. Full sun and well-drained soil is best. Mature size 25’H x 15’W Zone 4

This hybrid cross of pungens and omorika has prickly pungens style needles with characteristic omorika blue-green needles. Sweeping branches and fairly fast growth form a specimen sized tree that gets better and better with age. Selected by Allen Troemner, University of Wisconsin Forestry Department. Mature size: 25’H x 15’W Zone 4

Planet Earth Arborvitae has a perfectly rounded, dense habit without any shearing. It thrives in warm climates, does equally well in cold climates, and is resistant to Passalora/Cercospora needle blight. The green foliage takes on bronze tones in colder climates. The perfect round shape and compact habit of Planet Earth creates an excellent informal hedge, foundation planting, or mixed border. Mature size: 5 x 5, Zone 4

Tall Guy is a moderate to fast growing, upright, columnar arborvitae. Tall Guy matures quickly and has no gaps in the habit from multiple leaders like other multi-stem varieties. This evergreen thrives in warm climates, does equally well in cold climates, and is resistant to Passalora/Cercospora needle blight. Use Tall Guy to create hedges or screens, or to anchor the landscape with some vertical appeal year-round. Mature Size: 12x 3, Zone 4

Lemon Burst Arborvitae is moderately sized with broadly conical form and tight habit. This evergreen thrives in warm climates, does equally well in cold climates, and is resistant to Passalora/Cercospora needle blight. Yellow new growth keeps its color even when grown in full sun. In cool climates during winter, the foliage takes on lovely orange tones. Lemon Burst is a great choice for year-round color and stunning winter interest. Mature size: 8 x 5, Zone 4

With the cool temperatures of autumn, this extremely hardy, compact mugo pine becomes an electric yellow color that persists through the cold season. Great for containers, the rock garden – or any landscape space that needs a little spark of color during the dreary winter months. Pinus mugo ‘Wintersonne’ loves full sun, well-drained soil, and responds well to spring candle pruning if a more compact form is desired. Mature size: 6’H x 4’W Zone 2

This dwarf Balsam fir grows very slowly into a dense globe that is an ideal addition to a rock garden, container or other small garden spot. Tiny, uniform, dark green needles cover the conifer’s many short branches and, in fall, prominent brown buds on the tips of branches lend added character. Best planted in partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Mature size: 2’H x 2’W Zone 3

An improved form, Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ provides dense, showy, golden yellow foliage throughout the year. Line up a row of these distinctive plants to create a tall, durable hedge that brightens any site, or use one or more as exclamation points in the garden. Hardy and adaptable to many conditions. Mature size: 25’H x 5’W Zone 4