Category: Specialty Conifers

For a handsome bit of color in the rock garden or other small space, the dense Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Pin Cushion’ delivers. Prized as a close-up accent in miniature and container gardens, each plant will spread slowly into a low, irregular mound that suggests moss. Where exposed to more sun, the foliage turns brighter yellow. Easy, resilient and hardy. Mature size: 1.5’H x 1.5’W Zone 4

Pinus koraiensis ‘Blue Ball’ is a dwarf selection of Korean Pine with blue green needles that emphasize the blue. Short stiff branches and long needles form a globe shaped plant that has a bit of irregularity to it. Hardy and adaptable, with minimal disease or insect problems, ‘Blue Ball’ has great potential for a variety of settings. Mature size: 3’H x 3’W Zone 3

Picea abies ‘Hildburghausen’ is globe shaped for many years, but eventually becomes wider than tall. Short, very dark green needles are closely spaced on short stiff shoots creating a tight compact appearance. This symmetrical gem works well in the rock garden or the small landscape where it will stay in scale with miniature and other slow growing plants. Mature size: 3’H x 2’W Zone 3

Pinus mugo ‘Mops’ is an excellent dwarf selection that grows into a low, dense dome remaining compact without shearing. The mounding plant has a smooth appearance that comes from many evenly spaced needles growing at a uniform rate on abundant branchlets. During most of the year, ‘Mops’ displays a hint of gray/blue in its green, but during the crisp, cold months of winter, needles take on a warm, golden hue. It’s no wonder this choice is one of our most popular for confined spaces. Mature size: 4’H x 4’W Zone 2

Steel blue needles and horizontally layered branches make Picea pungens ‘Lundeby’s Dwarf’ a neat and reliable landscape conifer that becomes wider than tall with age. A rare form of Colorado Blue Spruce, it stays compact and provides an attractive mounding form that stays in scale, even in small urban and suburban gardens. Discovered by Lundeby Nursery in North Dakota, it is useful as part of a foundation planting, as a focal point or in a rock garden or container. Mature size: 2’H x 3’W Zone 2

‘Glomerata’ maintains beautiful blue-green foliage throughout the growing season, acquiring vibrant purple tones in winter. This juniper forms a dense, low-spreading ground cover. An excellent choice for drought tolerant and low maintenance landscapes. Mature size: 1’H x 3’W Zone 3

Abies alba ‘Green Spiral’ has dark green, glossy needles, on twisting stems that spiral outward and down. Its rich color, stylish habit and moderate size make this unique tree an excellent focal point. Mature size: 25’H x 15’W Zone 4

Pinus sylvestris ‘Albyn Prostrata’ is a vigorous spreader and an excellent groundcover that spills over banks and rambles through garden beds. With maturity, layered branches mound in the center and taper down to the edges. A blue cast adds interest to the thick, green needles of this seedling selection from Albyn Nursery, Newark, Ohio. Mature size: 2’H x 10’W Zone 3

This versatile, vase-shaped Juniperus chinensis ‘Shimpaku’ develops upright, fountain-like branches that are covered in robust, green, awl-shaped foliage. Appreciated by bonsai enthusiasts for an irregular form and exposed, peeling bark, it also makes an interesting addition to container arrangements and garden beds. Mature size: 3’H x 6’W Zone 4

A dense, rounded plant, this slow-growing selection boasts vertical sprays of tight, green, lacy foliage with bronze tones in winter. Thuja occidentalis ‘Hetz Midget’ stays small enough and grows slowly enough to be useful even in little gardens. From a seedling raised by Frank R. Hetz around 1930; introduced in 1942. Hardy, durable and adaptable to many conditions. Mature size: 3’H x 3’W Zone 3