two differences between picea pungens and P. p. Hoopsi first .. spring coloration ... on hoopsi absolutely stunning .. on others.. real nice.. on some.. just a plain old green tree ... second .. winter coloration.. or in the alternative.. how long the blue hangs on to the leave ... some start greening immediately .. and others can make it through the heat of summer.. while others dull up in winter ... hoopsi is the bluest winter color .... or any of those listed in the next sentence .... Hoopsi .. Thomsen and Endtz .... to my eye are basically look alike plants .... i have been told by some ... that there are differences.. and actually stood still for 10 minutes while Arrowhead bob detailed it for me ... i did not 'see'; what he showed me .. did not understand what he showed me.. and have no recollection of what he told me ... and i was sober ... but i am throughly thankful he took the time ... lol pic of hoopsi in full spring flush below ... BUT IT NOW!!! ken note the dullness of winter to the new flush second tree .... yes i actually own two ... quite rare in my 'collection' .. to have more than one .... and another pic ....

More or less 100 meters far from the seaside. That area is well protected from winds coming from the sea by a large belt of wood. There are several other trees of the same size/age growing close to it in a range of one meter. Furthermore P.pinea should be very well adapted to that conditions since it's an endemic species (actually they were extensively planted there by Romans in I-II century A.D. in order to get woods for their ships....) Thanks for your interest. Alberto

'Silver Ghost' is a Pinus bungeana cultivar indeed. Will show us this one and not the Pinus densiflora 'Golden Ghost'. Also the silvery bark comment is for the 'Silver Ghost', not for the 'Golden Ghost'. Pinus bungeana doesn't have the typical red buds which Pinus densiflora does have, also the needles are differend. Frank, that 'Ceserini's Variegated' looks fantastic! It looks more white/yellow then variegated! I see a litte difference in colour in the left under part. What is this? You're telling us that these seedling are from last March, but in my opinion these are 2 years old, are these from March last year? Which Picea seedlings you're showing us in the first pic? Please keep us informed in the future about these seedlings. (If I remember well I asked you this before, I'm very curious which new varieties you will find ;0)) 'Golden Ghost' in my collection.

Blue, I'm not sure. There are so many pines that are generically called Dragon Eye or Dragon's Eye Pinus that I've gotten them confused myself. The book I've been using for reference does not list any 'Oculus Draconis' for this species but does list 'Dragon Eye' as an introduction from Coenosium Gardens in 1987 (Erhart, Walter 'List of Conifer Names'). I'll have to change that name tag, I now see... Hey kb - Tags are easy as 1,2,3 with any laser printer. All the info is right here: Gardenware I use the 1" x 9.5", 1000 for 40 bucks. You'll need a Word Document and I have that. It allows you to print 8 labels per sheet. A friend sent it to me. It's probably downloadable on their website. Thanks everyone. I've read your comments. Dax