Jacobson also has an article on his web site where he mentions blue Arizona cypress and mountain hemlock as being two superior conifers for Seattle plantings. The main problem I see with the cypress is finding specimens that aren't root-bound to a potentially crippling extent. A nice cultivar ('Blue Ice' or similar) I've had going on Camano Island for some years is now leaning over, due to the fact that I planted it without opening the roots up. Now I am going to have to cut it down, wasting the time and money that went into it. 'Carolina Sapphire' shot up a nice shapely top and then went completely over in the snow, after only about two years in place. And I am seeing some mountain hemlocks with marring bug problems in recent years, same as with spruces and true firs. Apparently our winters are not hard enough to kill off the aphids and mites that get all over these cold-climate types when and where they can. There's some nice specimens of various conifers shown on the other thread here about a trip to Coenosium Gardens. Not in the Seattle environment but still in lowland western Washington. Bob and Diane donated the plants for the Coenosium Rock Garden at S.S.C.C.

Thanks! Does anyone know about the Washingtonpark Arboretum? I notice the website says there is "no general admission charge" but I wasn't able to find hours that it's open to the public. Then again I have been shut in with a screechy, clingy toddler all afternoon, so it's possible my brain is just sludgy. Kristin Here is a link that might be useful: Wa Pa A

Thank you Clement; but that is not how it is listed here in the US, according to the conifersociety.org site or amongst different growers here in the states. Also grower and distributor claim that it was wrongly listed as a pinus sylvestris cv -- but a pinus banksiana ("Skjak Flach"). I spent over two hours last night to look for it's availability to locate one after garen rees mention "Skjak Flach". Only one site list it as being a pinus sylvestris and numerous others claim that it has been incorrectly listed as pinus sylvestris --- but pinus banksania ("Skjak Flach"). What ever the case may be; I'm still going to get one to add to my collection in the garden, it is beautiful (il est tres jolie) LOL to not have one in my garden (if I can locate one available to get). I do appreciate your knowledge very much; that is why I always ask you for information and help, i.e.: "abies nordmannia golden spreader" -- you taught me that it is not a spreader as all growers and nurseries proclaim to be 4 feet x 4 feet, showing a mature specimen of yours of 12 feet plus and a spread of over 3 1/2 feet wide. Numerous other examples of your knowledge has showed many errors of information (conflicts of information) and causes confusion to me (I'm sure others too); no one ever taken too study or correction of this information (which I'm sure causes many debate -- or take a lot of joy and enthusiasm out of collecting conifers), I too have found errors in regards to numerous abies koreana CV that I was going to private message you or Dax regarding it -- before acquiring for my Seattle home garden. You and Edwin have grown them with observation and I'm sure documented each of the different species, CV for numerous years of experience and finding. RHS also have many conflict of information with the ACS, etc., etc., etc. There needs to be a forum of conifer experts (growers, conifer society members, experienced home gardener, different professional garden curators and arboretum, etc. of the world) to come into agreement the truth and facts of each species and cv to properly document all the different conflicts of information. Help clarify all these misnomer so it doesn't take the joy and excitement away from conifer gardening and collecting. Cheers, p.s.: Clement I am sending a private e-mail later today; just got the news regarding the package you sent to me, thank as always.

maackia - agreed, in spite of our climate limitations compared to say, northern California or the PNW LOL - I feel lucky to be in an area where there is a lot of advanced horticulture going on. You have to get better and better at looking for it though. The nursery scene here is a shadow of its former self. Styer's in the late 1990s, had an online list which blew my mind for its selection. (my brother moved to the Philly area in the mid 1990s for his first post college job, so that's when I started making trips up there) When Urban Outfitters took them over, the focus moved to frou frou housewares and annuals. They still have the odd interesting perennials or shrubs but it's no longer a destination for me. I'll sometimes go there if I happen to be in the area. The once celebrated and huge Waterloo nursery went under...a result of foolishly expanding just before the housing bubble burst. But for example I finally joined the Philly chapter of the ARS because they are the only chapter, to my knowledge, that is promoting and producing grafted plants. Which is a good idea. All rhododendron plants produced by the Hachmann nursery in Germany, for example, are grafted these days. Yes, Longwood is like 'horticultural Disney'. But as I've posted elsewhere, this is actually a good thing in terms of getting the general public impressed by or interested in plants. I'm amazed when I see large families visiting...the admission must get steep even with the kids discount. And the amusing to me phenomena of how many young couples are there. I joked on another forum that many a "Sow Philly" Italian fathers must have told their sons: "third or fourth date, if you really like a girl, take her to Longwood." Chanticleer in the place for people who already love gardens and plants. I actually know a couple in the Bay Area who say it is the most charming garden they've ever visited! And that is saying something.