I also have both in 5 gallon pots and agree that Marie is tidier and denser in a pot, but if I had to chose one, it would without a doubt be Sov. de St. Anne's. All the Souvenir sports thrive in the heat and the fragrance on this one is totally clove and luscious. I love Luanne's account of meeting this one at Vintage across a growing area and it drawing her in.

Hi Everyone, Picea pungens 'Gloria' originated as a witches' broom on Picea pungens 'Koster' and I believe that Don Hatch found it. The Picea orientalis 'Tom Thumb Gold' was arbitrarily renamed to 'Tom Thumb' by some ACS people when they offered it as the Plant of the Year. When I complained the response was in effect- so shoot me. Instead, I just ignore what they did. John Verkade had Aurea in the original name so the gold has to stay in it. The Pinus parviflora from Dr. landis sure looks a lot like 'Goldylocks'. I suspect it is the same plant and it came into North America a couple of different ways under different names. Picea pungens 'St. Mary's Broom' has a tendency to produce a number of dead terminal buds each year which causes lateral buds to dominate on the affected shoots, tightening up the plant a bit. 'Gloria' doesn't seem to have that problem. I didn't see that problem on the 'St. Mary's Broom' at Bluespruce's. That could cause the different appearance in his garden. I have seen hundreds of plants of 'St. Mary's Broom' up to 25 years old and never a sign of an upright shoot. Perhaps one grafted onto pungens was being overtaken by the understock? When witches' broom or HB or hexenbesen is part of the name then it should be kept. However, I am very happy it is seldom done since so many dwarf and miniature selections have that origin. In fact, you are probably correct 90% of the time guessing wb origin on dawrf plants since that is how most originate. Most of the ones that arise as seedlings are probably wb seedlings as well. Bob

Good point Eliot. I knew 'Montgomery' and 'Globosa' would be thrown out there and I am prepared to debunk that assertion. It is hard to tell 'Globosa' apart from 'Montgomery' so I'll just post 'Montgomery' along with 'St. Mary's for comparison. I think we can agree it's not 'Montgomery'. "You know your stuff". Not really...I am just a small time collector...still learning mostly by the hands on approach...and interacting with people like you. Dave St. Mary's foliage 'Montgomery' foliage 'Montgomery' Again 'St. Mary's for comparison.

yep.. and its free range .. struggling in sand.. no water.. and full sun ... if i walk by with the pruners.. or shovel.. and focus on it.. i will fix it.. if not.. oh well ... its kinda meandering around that area.. i doubt that shoot will take it over... very observant ... ken