That looks like a fatty . I was curious myself . What a fabulous species . I am lucky enough to have 'McFetters' , 'Mount Santos' , 'Ohmy Blue' , plus a seedling from B&T .The skillah for sure . Looks grrreat with Cupressus glabra 'Chaparral' . Ummmm ... 'McFetters' . Thanks for the seed tip Resin . Desperately seeking seed when it happens Osprey . Will flow when it happens on this end .

A few plants from the garden that could use some identification: 1. This dwarf spruce appears to be a Picea abies. However, it can be very difficult to distinguish between the many different cultivars derived from witches brooms. Any guesses? 2. These pine trees were here when the garden was first started. They appear to be either Pinus contorta or Pinus banksiana in my opinion: 3. This juniper has new growth that emerges a goldish color in the early spring. Juniperus chinensis 'Plumosa Aurea'? 4. This yew came up volunteer. Seems to be growing VERY slowly. Any guesses on the species? 5. This Cryptomeria does not have a cultivar label. 6. This Japanese Umbrella Pine is growing in a very narrow shape, quite uncommon for the species. There is a suspicion that it was left in its container too long. Is this what is happening or is it some unknown cultivar? 7. This Mountain Hemlock was purchased under the name Tsuga mertensiana 'Sherwood Dust'. Is this supposed to be 'Sherwood Compact'? It seems to be developing a definite leader... 8. These two dwarf Abies cultivars were purchased under different names, but they both look like Abies nordmanniana to me. One was purchased as Abies nordmanniana 'Broom' (probably should be 'Hunnewell Broom) and the other was purchased as Abies balsamea 'Verkade's Prostrate'. Are they even different plants? "Abies balsamea 'Verkade's Prostrate'"? "Abies nordmanniana 'Broom'"? Thanks so much for all the help! -Sam

Hi Sharon Anything on my trade list you might be intersted in to trade for your viburnum's? I do have osteospermum (white with deep purple eye) that is not on my trade list. Didn't see anything on your want list that I have though. Please let me know. Connie

I too have had an interest in this species for a long time, but have been unable to find anyone selling it in the mail order nuresery trade. I found a couple of places listing it, but it's been unavailable every time I've checked with them. I've seen it growing wild in relatively high altitudes in New Mexico where locals told me temperatures had been down to -20F before, so I think it's probably more cold hardy than many sources say(which I think they are basing these hardiness clames soley on where the tree grows in the wild and not through any cultivation data). Just a note, Alligator Juniper is native across a wide are of New Mexico and Arizona(var. pachyphlaea), as well as Northern Mexico. There's only one very small area in West Texas where they grow native. I think it's the variety var. sperryi, which only something like half a dozen individuals are known in the wild in the Davis Mountains. I also think some believe it to be a hybrid with flaccida and it doesn't have the Alligator like bark of the other varieties.(flaccida doesn't have the Alligator like bark either) tcharles26, I'd also think that Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum(from West Texas or adjacent Mexico or New Mexico), Pinus ponderosa var. arizonica, Pinus strobiformis and Pinus ayacahuite might all do well for you there. Lastly, I agree there are many beautiful, relatively safe areas of Mexico. But on the other hand most of the big cities in the Northern 1/2 of Mexico have large areas full of banditos who'd look at a foreigner with dollar signs in their eyes. Most all of the smaller towns and cities though tend to be quite safe and full of very nice people. Many rural areas also tend to be quite safe, and the big cities down South tend to be safer as well. At least this has been my experiences in Mexico. But if you have a good idea of what you are doing and stay away from obviously dangerous areas I've found it to be fairly safe. Then again if you're crossing the border at Ciudad Juarez, you're taking your life into your own hands! he he Lastly, I've heard quite a few strange stories of Homeland Security, APHIS, and the Border Patrol confiscating seeds etc. Then again, if you want to make sure your seeds make it across the border, I think you have a much higher chance of giving them to a local Mexican to get them across the border, since they have a higher success rate than US citizens doing this. he he (yes, being very sarcastic here!)