ABIES koreana New    Native to the mountains of southern Korea, this garden friendly conifer will grow slowly to 20-30' with a pyramidal habit with branches held in a distinctly horizontal plane. This species is particularly admired for its attractively colored needles which are dark green on top and conspicuously silvered on the undersides and, for its plump, dark purple to blue cones which begin appearing on very young plants, even on plants under 3' tall. Best placement is in full sun, in moist, well drained but never soggy soil. Plants are quite heat tolerant but do not like wet feet. Zone 5.

CHAMAECYPARIS (Falsecypress) 

obtusa ‘Gradilis’ - Select  New        This "select" form of the Hinoki Falsecyparis exhibits a fuller shape, greener color and a slower growth rate as compared to 'Gracilis'. Moderately fast growing with10 year old plants being 5' high and mature specimens, after many years, reaching 30'. Form is generally pyramidal with rich, green, fan-like foliage sprays growing in various vertical and horizontal planes displaying what many consider to be the real Japanese effect. Zone 5.

obtusa ‘Kosteri’  New        A robust, broad/upright form with bright green, interestingly contorted foliage that gives it a unique look and sets it apart from all other dwarf conifers. Very slow growing to a mature height of 4-5' in many years. Said to benefit from reasonably consistent moisture and position out of winter wind.

obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis Sport’  New        A faster growing form of the widely admired 'Nana Gracilis' but not as fast growing nor as large as 'Gracilis'. Size at maturity is about midway between the later two varieties, around 9' high. Effective as foundation plants and as specimens and, where space allows for group plantings, capable of creating high dramatic impact.

obtusa ‘Oregon Crested’ New     Highly recommended to us as a conifer we should be carrying but we haven’t been able to turn up much descriptive. This is what we have so far: seems to be a sport of ‘Kosteri’ but more upright and crested. I’ll post any additional info when and if it becomes available.

obtusa ‘Split Rock’ New       The bluest obtusa with both green adult foliage and blue juvenile foliage imparting lots of color and textural interest. Grows to 5-6' at a rate of 3-5" per year, developing a upright/broad form. Zone 5.

obtusa ‘Spiralis’      Displays a growth habit similar to 'Nana Gracilis but is much slower growing. In addition, 'Spiralis' differs from 'Nana Gracilis' in being noticeably upright and in having finer, more tightly held foliage. After many years, plants will mature at 3' tall and 2' wide.

obtusa ‘Tetragona Aurea’  New         Considered one of the most beautiful golden conifers with feathery foliage on spraylike branches that twist and contort in random patterns on plants with an erect, attractively irregular habit. After many years, plants can reach 6-8' in height with a 3-4' width. Can be distinguished from 'Fernspray Gold' by its upturned branch tips. Zone 5.

pisifera ‘Cream Ball’     Small, very dense plants with grayish-green foliage tipped with a veneer of yellow-green that fades to nearly white on the edges. Its dense form, small size and eye-catching coloring offer a variety of landscape possibilities such as planting in small groups, combining with annuals and perennials both in the border and in containers. Grows 2-3ft. tall with an equal spread. Zone 4.

pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea Nana ’  New       Habit is low and spreading with greenish, golden hued, thread-like foliage arrayed in a weeping, trailing manner.  Slow growing at first and, in 10 years, plants will measure 3-4' wide by only 1-2' high. Over time the growth rate accelerates so that in 30 yrs., a size of 10'. tall by 18' wide can be expected.

pisifera ‘Gold Spangle’ (True)  New       A low rounded plant with excellent bright golden yellow color. 10 yr. old plants should be 3ft. wide by 1½-2 ft. high. The plants we're offering are a true form. We've read widely divergent descriptions of this plant, some claiming fast growth to 15ft. We believe that our plants conform to the true type.

pisifera ‘Tsukumo’  New       Tight, compact and low-growing with a rounded, mounding shape. Stays very small and is well suited for use in the rock garden, troughs and bonsai.

thyoides ‘Little Jamie’   A slow growing, narrow form with dark green foliage that turns an attractive purple in winter. Because of its slow growth and small size, ‘Little Jamie’ is well suited for use rock gardens, in miniature gardens and in containers.  Zone 4.

Thyoides ‘Variegata’ New      This selection of the Atlantic white-cedar has a loose, open conical form, 10-12' tall by 8-10' wide with bright, gold-splashed foliage. Plants are tolerant of moist locations with the species being native to boggy areas all the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida. Zone 4.

Chamaedaphne (Leatherleaf)calyculata ‘Tiny Tim’   A small, under 2' tall, evergreen shrub with an open habit of thin, wiry branches. Leaves are dusty green, 1-2ins. long and half as wide. The small individual white flowers which appear in June are grouped together in 3 to 5" long terminal racemes. Requires moisture and is an ideal subject for a wet, boggy, even partially shaded area. Hardy to zone 3.

Juniperus chinensis ‘Gold Star’     A dense, spreading Juniper with light blue-green foliage tipped with bright gold at the ends of the branches. Grows 2-3' tall by 6' wide and lends a dash of color to any sunny landscape even those with poor soil. Easy to satisfy in full sun. Zone 4.

 chinensis ‘Obelisk’    A narrow pyramid, 8-10ft. tall by 30ins. wide after ten years. Plants have a juvenile-type leaf that is quite large and prickly and tends to point outward displaying the whitish inner surface, giving the plants an overall bluish/green look. Zone 4.

Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’     A living column, growing only 2ins. per year, maturing to a size of around 30ins. high by 6-8ins. wide. This is a choice little conifer whose tight, upright habit is perfect for accent or specimen use, for miniature gardens and especially for use in sunny rock gardens. Grow in full sun, in well drained soil. Zone 4.

Juniperus communis ‘Gold Cone’    Tight, dense and slow growing, this columnar Juniper is ideal for many landscape uses. Foliage is a superb gold color on plants that grow only 3-4ins. per year, maturing at 6-7ft. high by 2-3ft. wide. Thought to be the best of the yellow-needled columnar types. Retains its color through summer with a minimum of fading. Grow in full sun, in well drained soil. Zone 5.

 davurica ‘Expansa’, (‘Parsoni’)       Low growing and wide spreading, particularly interesting for the unique way in which the rigid horizontal branches never actually lie on the ground but, instead, hover just above as they expand outward. Virtical growth takes the form of successive tiers of foliage placed symetrically one on top of the other to a height of 2'. Horizontal spread can be as much as 9'. For specimen and ground cover use, highly drought and salt tolerant. Full sun, average soil, well drained soil. Zone 5. There is much dicussion regarding its reclassification as Juniperus chinensis.

horizontalis ‘Mother Lode’     A unique sport of ‘Wiltoni’ that is completely bright yellow in summer without a speck of green turning deep gold and salmon-orange with green overtones in winter. Slow growing but not fragile, thoroughly capable of holding its own in any full sun location with excellent drainage. Warrants a prominent spot in the garden where it can be seen and enjoyed year round. Only 4-6ins. tall with slow, modest spread. Zone 3.

procumbens ‘Nana’     This is the true selection of ‘Nana’ which in increments of 2-3” a year forms a low, ground-hugging mat looking somewhat like rough textured moss. A choice, dwarf conifer especially useful as a modest groundcover, in the rock garden, in collections of dwarf conifers, and for bonsai. Grow in full sun in well drained soil. Zone 4

rigida ‘Pendula’ (Needle Juniper)     A large shrub or small tree native to China, Korea and Japan and not common in the trade. Grows to 20ft with branches extending horizontally in random directions carrying softly pendulous branchlets which, in turn, are lined with 1in. needles that are not so soft, which, in fact are real flesh-piercers, - you need your gloves to work on this rascal!  Overall form is upright, irregular, difficult to describe,(for me, it conjures up images of a Weeping Willow). Very tolerant of hot dry locations. Zone 6.

squamata ‘Blue Star’      A slow growing conifer that in 10 years will be 2' across and 18" tall. Foliage stays very tight, and emanates a bright blue color that is one of the brightest blues of any conifer. Very eyecatching. Grow in sun in well drained soil. Zone 4.

LARIX dicidua ‘Pendula’-prostrate formSee under Shrubs.

LARIX kaempferi ‘Diana’See under Shrubs.

METASEQUOIA glyptostroboidesSee under Shrubs.

Microbiota decussata Russian Arborvitae    Needled evergreen shrubs that reach a mere 12ins. in hight but spread moderately quickly to a width of 12-15ft. Great ground-cover potential! Plants closely resemble junipers but, unlike juniper, will tolerate, indeed require, moist but well-drained soil. Needles turn burgundy in winter, much like the low, ground hugging junipers. Best in sun with good, moist but draining soil. Zone 2.   

Picea (Spruce) abies ‘Acrocona’ New      Irregular growing in its early stages but eventually developing a leader and slowly assuming a broad, upright form reaching 15' at maturity. A very decorative feature is the production of long, showy,red cones beginning on quite young plants. Zone 3.

abies ‘Pendula’       Although slow growing when young, 'Pendula' will eventually develop into a large specimen. All branches are pendulous and, unless staked, plants will simply maintain a prostrate, trailing form. Both the vertical and prostrate forms are attractive, choice of form being a matter of taste.

glauca ‘Echiniformis’       Short gray-green needles tightly packed on low, mounding frames. No actual dimensions available but plants are very slow growing. Because of its slow growth and low, dense habit, ‘Echiniformis’ is very desirable for rock garden and container use. Zone 2.

glauca ‘Ed Hirle’     A natural branch sport found on a Dwarf Alberta Spruce. Growth rate is less than half that of Picea glauca ‘Conica’, in fact, everything about the plant is scaled down, including the size of the needles which are approximately one half the size of those of a regular Alberta Spruce. 12 yr. old plants are barely 20ins. tall and only 12ins. across at the base. Estimates are that a 20 yr. old plant will be less than 3ft. high. Recommended for rock gardens, dwarf conifer collections and for planters. Zone 4.

mariana ‘Ericoides’ (Dwarf Black Spruce)     Low and wide growing,(18ins. high by 30ins. wide), with tiny, densely packed blue-green needles. Somewhat similar to the Bird’s Nest Spruce but more dense and compact and with a deeper blue color. Very rugged plants that thrive in sun, in moist, acid places. Zone 2

mariana ‘Cape Bretton’ New     An upright, but very wide, finely textured Spruce. Very compact, and when at about 2' high and 18" wide it tends to form into the shape of a tear drop. Slow growing and, even after many years, still not growing much beyond the above dimentions. New and unique looking in a way that sets it apart from all other dwarf Spruce! Hardy to zone 2 with a preference for evenly moist soil. Full sun. The original plant was found on Cape Breton Island.

omorika ‘Nana’     A dense, compact, dwarf spruce with a neat, broad pyramidal form, wide at the base and tapering gradually to a point. Needles are short, very dark green and thickly packed on the branches. Mature height is 3ft. tall with a very appealing tight, symmetrical silhouette. Could be use in foundation plantings, certainly as a rock garden specimen, or, among perennials in the mixed border. Zone 4. 

Picea omorika 'Pendula' (Weeping Serbian Spruce)    A small tree with strongly weeping, drooping, slightly twisted branches. Needles are blue/green. An especially beautiful small evergreen with a look that sets it apart from other weeping conifers. The specimen in the photo has been growing at our nursery for 14yrs. and is 12ft. high. In background is Hepticodium miconioides, Seven-son Flower.  

orientalis ‘Gaul Aurea’ New     A beautiful dwarf Spruce with a habit similar to 'Nana' though somewhat more open. Form is dense, upright, broad pyramidal with short, tightly packed needles that, on new growth, are golden yellow, gradually fading to green as summer progresses. Slow glowing, reaching 6-8' in 20 years. To get an idea of what this conifer looks like, check out the picture of 'Nana' below and imagine it with gold tipped branches.

orientalis ‘Nana’        A dense, compact, dwarf spruce with a neat, broad pyramidal form, wide at the base and tapering gradually to a point. Needles are short, very dark green and thickly packed on the branches. Mature height is 3ft. tall with a very appealing tight, symmetrical silhouette. Could be use in foundation plantings, certainly as a rock garden specimen, or, among perennials in the mixed border. Zone 4.

pungens ‘Glauca Pendula’    If unstaked, plants will at best form a weak, arching leader with most of the growth taking place at ground level, spreading horizontally over the ground in ground cover fashion. When staked, plants assume fanciful, unpredictable shapes with a whimsical, left-of-center, central leader with all other lateral branches draping and pendulous. When staked, plants may be maintained at any height though overall form is individual, varying from plant to plant, always fantastically sculptural. Needles have good blue color. Zone 2.

pungens ‘Glauca Prostrata’       Could be the laterally growing form of 'Glauca Pendula', except that it refuses to commit to a distinct central leader, with all growth taking place laterally, at ground level. Needles are blue and sharp pointed, with color most intense in early summer. Looks great flowing down banks or weaving its way through boulders. Zone 2

Pinus bungeana Lacebark Pine    As a young tree, it has dark green needles and a densely branched pyramidal form. The bark on young trees is smooth and dull gray, but with age the bark starts scaling off in small patches in a pattern similar to that seen on plane trees. On mature trees, when these patches scale off, a chalky white sub-bark is exposed. Patience is called for, as it takes a number of years for plants to reach their most ornate stage.

mugo (Mugo Pine) var. mugo 'Rock Garden'    All mugos are not alike and many unsuspecting gardeners, thinking they were buying a dwarf, have watched in horror as their plants morphed into 30' green monsters. Admittedly, a 30' Mugo Pine is a beautiful sight, unless it has been wedged into a space meant to hold a 2' plant. 'Rock Garden' is vegetatively propagated from known dwarf stock, and can be relied upon to remain dwarf. Zone 3.

mugo ‘Slowmound’    This selection forms a dwarf, uniform carpet of upward-facing branches, 3ft. high at maturity. Needles are 2ins. long and interestingly twisted. Looks great in the rock garden, in mixed conifer plantings and even in foundation plantings. Zone 3.

nigra ‘Hornibrookiana’ New      Pinus nigra, (Austrian Pine), is very adaptable and particularly tolerant of air polution and poor soil in exposed locations. Because of its endurance to wind and salt spray, it is an excellent choice for sea side planting. 'Hornibrookiana' exhibits all the great characteristics of the species in a dwarf form that is slow-growing, compact, with long, glossy, dark green needles accented by colorful, cream-colored candles in spring. Size in 30 yrs. will be 3' tall by 6' wide. 

parviflora 'Glauca Nana' (Japanese White Pine)    A tight, irregular growing, semi-dwarf conifer with a good blue cast. Because of its upright habit, it makes a good campanion for the many rounded or flat-topped forms of dwarf conifers. A 10 year old plant will be less than 4' tall and approximately 2' wide.

strobus ‘Pendula’     A grand sight in any landscape lucky enough to possess it. Mature plants are 10ft. tall and wide, often multistemmed. Branches are held horizontally, supporting pendulous branchlets clothed with long, twisted, blue-green needles. Zone 3.

strobus ‘Horsford’     One of the best cushion-forming, dwarf pines. Habit is always tight, compact and plants almost never exceed 5ft. in height by 5ft. wide. ‘Growth rate is very slow, usually no more than 2ins. per year. Originated as a witches’-broom found in Vermont. A choice dwarf conifer, considered rare. 

sylvestris ‘Aurensis’ New       A slow-growing, dense, medium sized Scots Pine with needles that are green/chartreuse in summer but transform to a showy, golden yellow in winter. Neither dwarf nor overly large, in time achieving a height of 25'. The dense, compact and brightly colored needles displayed on an irregular growing, architecturally pleasing habit makes this conifer highly suitable for accent and specimen use. Zone 2.

sylvestris ‘Glauca Globosa’ New      A dwarf Scots Pine, slow-growing with a distinct globe shape and attractive blue needles. In 10 yrs. plants will be 2-3' high and wide.

sylvestris ‘Pendula’     Have not see this plant and information about it was hard to come by but, a conversation with the grower revealed the following; slow growing, reaching 3-4ft. after 10yrs. and 15-20ft. after many years, needs to be staked for vertical growth, otherwise branches spread laterally over the ground. When staked, habit is upright, irregular with gracefully arching, pendulous branches. This plant is used to best advantage when staked, highlighting its terrific sculptural attributes impart dramatic accent and year round interest to any landscape. Its unstaked, leaderless and sprawling form is not as attractive as P. sylvestris ‘Hillside Creeper’ which is the better choice if one is looking for a prostrate form. Zone 3.

sylvestris ‘Saxatilis’ New        A low, flat-topped dwarf with a very slow growth rate.

wallichiana (griffithii) ‘Zebrina’ New       Variegated Himalayan Pine. I'm really excited to be making this special pine available this year. It's a large tree, 30-50' high, possibly higher, with a width equal to at least ½,or more, the height. The needles are long and strikingly variegated with gold bands.  A tree of exceptional beauty earning high praise from Michael Dirr whose description includes such tributes as "graceful, of elegant habit,..a lovely specimen tree". In zone 5, needles may, or may not, burn during exceptionally cold winters. Probably best in zone 6 and warmer parts of zone 5. Rare and collectable.

Sciadopytis verticiata ‘Wintergreen’ (Japanese Umbrella-pine)     An imposing, pyramidal conifer with long, polished, dark green needles, very distinctive, occurring in whorles at intervals along the stems. Branches are held horizontally and, just as the needles encircle the stems, so also the branches occur in whorls at regular intervals along the trunk.  Height is anywhere from 30'-60', in time possibly more. Requires rich, moist, acidic soil and sun and, wherever possible, protection form wind. A very desirable tree whose distinctive whorled patterns and lush foliage impart an exotic, almost tropical appearance. Zone 5.

Look for Taxodium distichum under shruhs

TAXUS x media ‘Viridis’    The specimen in picture at left is growing at Bay State and is the object of much attention throughout the season. Its forms a slow-growing column 10-12ft. high by only 1-2ft. in width at maturity. Foliage is lighter green than the species and new growth is quite yellow. Zone 4.

THUJA occidentalis ‘Degroot’s Spire’New    An outstanding, very narrow, columnar form with fine textured, fan-like, medium green foliage. Great as an accent plant or as a very narrow hedge. 6-10ft. high. Zone 3.