welcome.. yes.. you need to see some 'cultivar' alternatives .. in person ... i doubt you will find any species in your size range ... the key for you.. is the annual growth rate.. see link ... its all about.. how big it is when you get it.. and how fast it will exceed your space ... if you were to limit yourself to mini's .... it will take many.. many years.. to outgrow your area ... and finally ... i would prefer you get some things that make your toes tingle [wonder how that translates..lol] ... and get rid of them in 5 or 10 years.. rather than select a bunch of stuff that 'fits' .... a few prime specimen for sure ... pix below.. to how many you could get into a very small space ... good luck ken the area on the left is about 6 feet wide ... the far side.. about 3 ... Here is a link that might be useful: link

tj, Good to here from you. It's interesting you can't grow heldreichii in your Z.5. I even have 2 'Smidtii' also that are probably 8 & 4 years old that do well. I know of no particular needs this cultivar has. The 2 'Smidtii' 8 hours of sun a day and the 'Green Bun about 5. Of course you know I can't grow Abies when others can in Z.5. That's another story. Ireena, The more I see of your garden the more I am impressed. You do a very nice job of presentation with a good balance of color with the cultivars you use. I am in Z.5/5b. They have recently moved me to Z.6 but I am skeptable. I have seen -20F. (-29C.) here but it has been years ago. I think it was the middle 1980's. So it's possible. Everything in my garden has seen -15F. (-26C.)with no appreciable damage. Some Cedrus deodara small cultivars I will cover if snow is not present when temps are on the - side of Fahrenheit. Pinus heldreichii is worth a try. Very low maintenance cultivar for me. I see it compatible clear to Z.3 but 5-8 seems to be the most acceptable. No concerns on my part about your garden soil. 8 hours of sun is preferable. Put it on your to grow list. Good luck, Dave

I will do this grouping of three in one photo. All three are approximately the same age and planted at the same time. 2002. I would guess they are all close to 15 years old. Left to right: Pinus strobus 'Horstford', Pinus mugo 'Zundert' and Picea pungens 'St. Marys Broom'. Dave Pinus strobus 'Horstford' This nicely shaped bun has wonderful light green needles. It is one of the best of the dwarf, bun-shaped, globose types of White Pine available. It is a selection of Greg Williams of Kate Brook Nursery in Vermont so you know this one is good and hardy to zone 3. The height and width is 2 feet in ten years making this a perfect fit for use in a dwarf garden. This one is 14" high by 40" wide. Pinus mugo 'Zundert'. This selection has an exceptionally bright gold winter color and distinctively long needles. Lower and denser growth habit than 'Pumilio'. Grows about 3" per year. Full sun, Zone 4. Growth rate 3-4" a year. This one just beginning its transformation to winter color. 33" high 42" wide. Picea pungens 'St. Mary's Broom' An old favorite that still commands attention. A dwarf form with silver-blue foliage that grows in a squat globose to broad conical form. Great blue needle colors and small size make it a nice choice for a rock garden or foundation planting. Zone 3. with a growth rate of 1-2" a year. This one 22" high by 42" wide. It attempted to grow a central leader 4 years ago but I removed it to prevent a conical form from developing.

I've started a thread in the far north...thought it can be appropriate here also. I like to hear of personal experience with these, compared to Canadian selected cultivars. http://www.prairie-elements.ca/saskatoon/3.2-cultivars.pdf Wondering if it's worth growing. Thread from the far north... http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3572542/amelanchier-saskatoon-berry-a-uthaensis-and-cusickii?n=4