The leaves are falling in New England, sadly, this year with little show. I am not sure what environmental factors make for a dull leaf season, but they must be something like those this year. I have yet to be stopped in my tracks at the fire orange-red show of a maple of other deciduous tree as is typical this time of year and I have subsequently been thinking of how to add a bit more interest with evergreens.
For this, I get endless inpsiration from Iseli Nursery.
New growth on the Picea abies ‘Rubra Spicata’ is bright red!
I have never ordered from them directly however even though they are on the other side of the country, their products can be found in a few of my local nurseries. Perusing their catalog is wildly inspiring and finding just the right rare thing always sets me on plant hunting adventures that leads to something more that just a new plant in the garden.
I thought I would share with you my favorites – these will all work in my own zone 5, there are however other fantastic options for warmer climates.
Tsuga diversifolia ‘Gracilis’, Tsuga Canadensis ‘Albospicata’, Larix decidua ‘Varied Directions’, Pinus contorta ‘Taylor’s Sunburst’
Picea orientalis ‘Aureospicata’, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Goldilocks’, Abies koreana ‘Starker’s dwarf’, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana gracilis’
Picea sitchensis ‘Papoose’, Picea abies ‘Acrocona’, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Spiralis’, Berberis thunbergii “Golden torch’.
Top choices for me are have winning qualities for color (namely bright yellows and chartreuse, blue — or in the case of a few – bright red new growth), touch-ability (I love soft conifers) and shape (I can find good use for blobs as well as cones, columns and balls…and that natural swirl of the Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Spiralis’ is very pretty!).
What do you like in evergreens and conifers? Do you have a favorite unique variety?
all images from islei nursery.
wet spring dry fall makes for the best fall color – so i’ve been told
i think it’s also been too warm
great pics! I enjoyed these.