Hi Ken,

The issues with these two conifers and many others are pretty much common place.

Someone is always going to tell you the cultivar name is incorrect. There is to much inconsistency in the trade

The main leader issues are always a concern along with growth habit for many of us.

Just being an average photographer with a $200.00 camera with basic skills will get you just so so photos. A $2000,000 camera and knowing what it is capacable of will get you a 5 star rating on your photos, I personally would have a average camera with acceptable photos and pocket the difference for more conifers.

Last but not to be over looked is, if it is left alone these conifers will fend for themselves. They have a much better idea as when to push a new leader, drop needles and survive difficult inconsistencies in wheather plus man's interferance with their natural growing ability. Most conifers will out live us by years if left alone.

It use to be if one of my conifers saw me comming I can almost here it say...what does he have in mine now...why can't he just leave me alone. I don't need soil amendments, spraying or triming. Just plant me in the right spot, give me a little water if needed, and I'll take care of myself.

I have learned my lesson. All my conifers are happy...well let's just say most...some you can never please.

Dave

Lovely pictures. The picea abies Aurea looks a very nice specimen. How old is the plant? What is the tallish plant in the middle behind the picea m. Aureovariegata on photo 4?

that would be Abies concolor 'Conica'

planted aug 2000

received as a gift .... unlabeled .... but i am not aware of any specially named conica concolor .... unless you can tell me there is a fastigate version ... i will be posting pix of the whole bed.. and you will get a plant specific pic ...

i moved to this garden in 1/2000 .. ergo, all plants are younger than that ... 95% were brought in in one gallon pots .... though i did NOT keep records of size at planting.. something in the back of my mind says this was a 2 gal .... and maybe 2 or 3 years after graft ... but speculation, for sure ...

ken

Yeah, you took some good photos ken. You're coming around! lol yeah right.... more dark and dreary photos to come! :o)

As Dave says is right. The only listing in non-professional literature I have is from Stanley and Sons: 'Aurea Spica'.
And that does not mean jack smack. There's new stuff from all over the world being introduced all the time and who knows what??? I sure as hell don't.

Keep up the good work. I've been enjoying everyones photos a lot. Good to see your garden too growing up so nicely.

Thanks ken,

Dax

There is a Picea abies 'Argenteospica', a very old variety, it's the only name I can find that comes close to Ken's 'Aurea Spica' which I can't find listed anywhere.