Wow!!!!

That Goldilocks is amazing.

Some really nice showpieces Dave!

Dan

Damn dude.

Later,

Dax

Super!!! Looks like some serious shovel work ahead!

Those are some seriously large conifers Dave. I have had a miserable time with B&B plants so far, I guess you are very comfortable with large specimens B&B'ed? Do they grow well immediately like pots or do they need a few years to establish?

Beautiful plants, Dave.

I need to move a little farther south so I can grow some of those cool conifers, too. It seems all conifers grow in zones 5 to 9. It's just not fair!
Mike

Will..

I have lost a few but I have also lost the potted ones also. When you deal with as many conifers as I have over the years loses add up. Most of the time it's the conifer that has been compromised...nothing we did when planting

A lot of B&B plants have been compromised either by the handlers or nursery. The first thing to check for is a broken ball. If broken they will almost never survive. For me they also have to be freshly dug and into my hands as soon as the truck arrives then into the ground yesterday. I never by B&B that have hung around the nursery Spring and Summer.

We won't go into the pros and cons here concerning wire baskets and burlap. A well discussed subject on this forum.

As in all conifers B&B or potted it takes 2 years to acclimate. By the third year you are home free and good growth should be noticed.

Anyway that has been my experience with these things.

Big snow storm due in tonight and tomorrow...Dax ...headed you way.

Dave

Beautiful...I'm jealous!!! Keep the snow...they were calling for it here at the end of the weekend, but just rain now with temps still in the 40's...Much relieved!
Eliot

A bunch of beautiful conifers!
Hope every single one will make it.
Good luck!

Benjamin

It's snowing. Thankfully just today and tomorrow and rain on Monday and then back to above 50.

Dax

Hi Dave,

Is that a serbian spruce behind the picea pungens 'Slenderina'? If so what cultivar is it?

Is Slenderina the same as the Blues and who did you get such nice plants from?

David

Hi Picea,

Yes that is Picea omorika 'Pendula Bruns'.

I have both..'The Blues' and 'Slenderina'. In my opinion not the same cultivar. I know there has been some discussion but no hard facts to convince me both are the same cultivar.

I have provided a link for 'Slenderina'.

I know Monrovia are growing 'The Blues' in a vertical form and I have seen them. Their form is not as pendulous as 'Slenderina'

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Picea p. 'Glauca Slenderina

With so many cultivars and many more being introduced, many conifer cultivars will begin to look a little like ones already released under another name. Often they might even be a broom or a seedling from the previous 'generation'.

While someone might find 'The Blues' and 'Glauca Slenderina' nearly identical now, over time their uniqueness may show off more signifigantly.

For me in the end, I want to paint a landscape setting that makes people(but me first!) say wow or something that gives them that sensation they get when they experience something brand new for the first time.

The differences, albeit subtle can really help with the palate of textures and colors.

Many of the 'little' plants I've put in over the last year really are unknown to me and relatively unknown to the sources I got them from. Part of the mystique is watching it grow and take on a character of it's own over the years. Then, if I run out of room, I'll just move the least exceptional plants out to friends, family and neighbors and enjoy the beauties I've kept.

Dave's landscape in particular inspires many people here to begin collecting because it looks so amazing. Very well maintained, very healthy, semi-mature plants, perfect blend of rocks, grass, brick, pebbles and plants. I say wow!

Dave,

In a word - STUNNING! Your place is a paradise! I love to get the big B&B stock if possible, but like you said, it needs to be fresh and from a reliable source who handles carefully. Also, I could not have created my beds without the use of my neighbors Bobcat. Those root balls can be several hundred pounds! But all the sweat and toil is worth it to have big, beautiful plants like yours. Keep inspiring us!

My favorite is the Pinus mugo Tyrolean' . Curious to see it when the candles have expanded-should be quite dense.
Gary

Dave, I like your selections!
You have both 'The Blues' and 'Slenderina'. Is there a differance in the brightness or tones of the blue colors?
thanks

Since this is the 2nd thread to appear on this page regarding these two cultivars I will pass along what I know about the difference in color and growing characteristics.

Draw your own conclusions.

Dave Picea punges 'Slenderina' foliage. Foliage tends to be more greenish blue then Picea pungens 'The Blues'.
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Picea pungens 'The Blues' foliage. A more intense blue as you can see.
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Picea pungens 'Slenderiana'. This cultivar in my opinion has a very narrow growing habit...very pendulous. I have seen 'The Blues' staked for height and it is no where as pendulous. The one I have I am growing on a horizontal plane for another effect so I won't post it for comparison.
I see this cultivar listed under 3 various names. Picea p. 'Glauca Slenderiana' Picea p. 'Slenderiana' and Picea p. 'Glauca Slenderiana Pendula'. Since Eshraghi Nursery has the patent for this cultivar it is called Picea p. 'Glauca Slenderiana Pendula' by them and I would assume the correct name. I am sure there will be disagreement on this. One issue I will stay clear of. Since they own the rights to this conifer needless to say it is not cheap...one of the more expensive conifers in my garden.

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Regardless of name Dave, it looks like a terrific plant. Both plants are wonderful and have various landscape uses but I think to collectors like you and I, this plant becomes one that we cherish very much. I really like the blue-green look to the needles, similar but surely equally beautiful to 'The Blues'.

A lovely plant and also a lovely photo from your garden!
Richard

I agree! Great plants and photos!
Thanks Dave for your insightful understanding of the differances! The closeups really show the colors! It's nice to see unbias views! (as opposed to advertisings) You cleared alot up for me.
Thanks again Dave
Kenny

Hi Dave,did you staked Picea p. 'Glauca Slenderiana Pendula or it grows on its own. It is a nice plant.

longaeva54

It is growing on its own but its growth habit seems to be slightly unstable with the main leader wanting to wander around and not take a straight vertical set.

Was it initially staked for height? I don't know. Although, I feel it probably was.

Dave

A caution note....you might have seen pics of my Slenderina from last year. I loved the tree. But both mine and the other one at the nursery died in last summer's heat.

So be sure to place it in a spot where it can get some afternoon relief.

mark

Hey Mark,

Is your project nearly finished?

Dax

Mark,

Mine survived the worst summer for heat, high humidity and long dry spells that I can remember. Planted in full sun.

Dave

Dave
What is that very blue conifer (bottom left) in the picture of slenderina planted?
thx
kenny

Hi Kenny,

Sorry for the late reply to your request as I have been out of town. I had to dig the name tag out from under 18 inches of snow. I couldn't remember off the top of my head as this whole area had been replanted late fall.

Picea pungens 'Thuem'

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Picea p. 'Thuem'