Seeking upright/weeping/columnar narrow conifer that stays gold
Indianapolis. Zone 5b/6a.
I'm looking for a gold "!" in one of my beds that *stays* gold. I already have Picea abies 'Gold Drift' (beautiful but doesn't stay gold) and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Filip's Golden Tears' which is growing really, really well but should be named 'Filip's Green Tears'....I have yet to see any gold (ugh).
Ideally, I would love something narrow that I don't have to stake (just stating the dream world lol). I don't care for Thuja and am trying to avoid Picea pungens b/c of Rhizosphaera needle cast.
Is this a fantasy? lol
I obviously will stake a specimen if it stays gold so thanks for any good suggestions. Yellow utility flag in the lower middle of the pic is the general area where I would like to put something.
Comments (28)
ademink
3 years ago
Sara Malone Zone 9b
3 years agoRelated Discussions
upright growing plum Yew 'Fastigatia'
Comments (7)I would not have thought of checking the conifer site. Thanks for the suggestion. The exact yew to which I am seeking help finding is the Japanese plum yew named C. harrintonia Var. 'Fastigiata' It is reported to grow up to around 8' tall and 3.5' wide. The description is as follows. "A columnar or vase-shaped shrub with long branches originating near the base and pointing straight up. "The branches are held tightly together and the leaves are bent downward and arranged in spiral radiating whorls like bottlebrushes." My very favorite local nurseryman recently phoned me to let me know that he found a New York grower who will sell him some 3-4 feet tall of these upright growing yews. The only problem is that shipment would not leave the New York grower's place until April of 2006. Since Japanese plum yews are best in USDA zones 6-9, I am totally surprised that he could not find a more southern grower offering these in the 4-5 feet high range. Neither of the two growers and nurseries, I checked at Fort Worth this last weekend had this plum yew. Neither of those supposedlly highly touted nurseries even sold good tree ties. One of them sold the 8 inch tall stakes with rope. Similar to what can be found at Lowe's or Home Depot. That really surprised me. I would have thought a nursery of such good report would have offered a tree tie product for safely securing the 8-10 feet tall trees, which I recently planted for my daughter, to the "T" stakes I installed around those trees....See MoreNarrow, Upright Cultivar Recommendations
Comments (14)I'd add a vote for 'Degroots' Spire'. There is a house on my street that has 4-5 of them in a row and they are mature - 15-20' gorgeous specimens with unusual 'shelfing' towards the tops, they seem to curl about and have great green color. I think alternating cones of gold and green would also be quite interesting. Perhaps alternating 'Gold Cone' mentioned above with another upright juniper, Juniperus communis 'Compressa'. Both are relatively moderate growers, and while 'Compressa' as it's name suggests, is likely 'tighter', both should be similar sized over the years....See MoreConifer next to pool - narrow.
Comments (13)Thanks! If I decide to re-work the entire back area from the "spruce" area (planted with winter-damaged fraser firs now), to the "Skyrocket Junipers" areas" (including the "area to question....viburnum will stay), what would be a good layout/species list? Just as a review, here is some background info: 1. The lots behind us are empty. The builder went out of business a number of years ago so we have no idea when they will be built on. Privacy will be a big issue once they are built on. 2. Our neighbors to the south are older (no kids), quiet and are seldom outside. 3. We like the "christmas tree" conifers. We're not big fans of the column shaped trees (although we know we'll probably need some) nor the "crazy shaped" trees (like the more traditional shaped. I do understand, though that column shaped conifers may be neccessay in a couple of areas. 4. I really like the Picea orientalis 'Skylands' and would love to be able to work it in somewhere. I especially like the light green color and shape. 5. We plan on moving in 15 to 20 years. 6. We live in zone 5b. 7. Most of our backyard has been planted in groups for visual effect (groups of river birch, groups of redbuds etc.). 8. There is approximately 18' from the pool to the corner, 14' from the fence on the south to the pool, and 10' from the back of the lot to the pool. Thanks for your help and have a great Monday!...See MoreSmall upright conifer for flower bed
Comments (12)I'll stop getting technical. Sometimes I assume I know more than I know. Junipers and water don't mix paricularly well if they are splashed on or the soil is always wet (my mom keeps her soil constantly wet in flower gardens)... our soil here is unique as I try to mention in my screen title. It's unlike anything you could imagine. I personally also know that humidity and splashing of water on a Juniper is not a good combination. This person is in Ohio. However Ohio seems to be one of the 'trickiest' states for me to get a grip on. They can grow Lawson Cypress (Gardengal, either species or cutlivar) with perfection and no-where else in the midwest can this be done. So... I made some leaps outside my "normal self." tjsangel, Ignore me! Truly. It's not like I should be this 'technical.' We're all gardeners and we should plant what we like. Ken's idea is a great plant for you. Kind Regards, Dax...See More
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
3 years agoEmbothrium
3 years ago
alley_cat_gw_7b
3 years agoademink
3 years agoSara - I was trying to avoid duplicates and already have 'Gold Drift'. I also have a gorgeous 'Standishii' around the corner, tsuga (should have included that one in my original post - apologies). Aaaaand...alley cat, I have a 'Gold Cone 15 feet away. LOL
I was hoping for something that STAYS gold. My GD and GC don't stay gold. Standishii has its moments but definitely is more green.
Embo, you're right re: weeping. It makes more sense visually.
I did a little window shopping today and although it isn't gold, this one really caught my eye, Cedrus libani 'Pendula'. Wow was it a looker!
whaas_5a
3 years agoademink
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agowhaas - it's gold in the spring and then goes green. I didn't know that it was supposed to stay gold...?
I did consider something deciduous but wasn't sure if it would shade the lower conifers too much. There is a 'Wisconsin Cream' and 'Goldilocks' among the hostas.
I'm also always leaning toward conifers since my underplantings are massively deciduous (hostas GALORE) and I like to try to think about winter interest.
ademink
3 years agoademink
3 years agoalley_cat_gw_7b
3 years agohi ademink, Here's Acer shirasawanum 'Jordan' I've been growing ...Northwest exposure.
Many yrs ago I grew Acer palmatum 'Summer Gold' which is just as nice if not better.......had to let it go for progress...,
ademink thanked alley_cat_gw_7bademink
3 years agoplantkiller_il_5
3 years agoAddison in VT z4a
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoGold Drift (pic taken today Aug 3rd in northern VT). It's always gold. Got it from Conifer Kingdom and this is its 3rd season in that pot.
ademink
3 years agoademink
3 years agoAddison in VT z4a
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoademink
3 years agoplantkiller_il_5
3 years agoademink
3 years agorthiele
3 years agoademink
3 years agoEmbothrium
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoademink
3 years ago
alley_cat_gw_7b