SPECIMENS
CEDRUS atlantica GLAUCA PENDULA
A very impressive largish weeper , that if grown and controlled well , can become a piece of garden architecture but if left to its own devices can cover a large area horizontally . Grey-blue needle foliage clothes this vigorous , hardy and easy to grow specimen . One way to display this form , is to espalier it on a post and rail type of structure but overall it can be left to individual gardeners artistic flair to tame it .
CEDRUS deodara SILVER SPRING
A conical and eventually reasonably large tree with a semi weeping outline that deserves to be more widely planted . The needle colour is grey-green like the species but its uniqueness is in spring when all the new growth opens out white for several weeks . Dense , hardy and a fast growing useful specimen feature .
CUPRESSUS cashmeriana BLUE CASCADE
Often regarded as the most beautiful Conifer in the world . This cultivar is an improved selection of the Kashmir Cypress , with soft , flat bright blue curtains of weeping foliage . At its best if sited out of persistent strong winds . Very fast growing pyramidal specimen that must be grafted to ensure stability .
CUPRESSUS cashmeriana SILVER SHADOWS
A white variegated selection of the spectacular Kashmir Cypress . Large specimens of this variety have the same heavily weeping and cascading flattened foliage as the species but tend to be broader pyramids in outline and the bright blue foliage is liberally splashed with white markings . The new growth in spring on young plants almost turns the whole plant white . Better sited out of continual strong winds .
CUPRESSUS macrocarpa GREENSTEAD MAGNIFICENT
Brilliant sky blue foliage covers this dense low growing very hardy and exceptional selection . Once established it will grow large very quickly but is not adverse to pruning to a required size . Beautiful plant .
CUPRESSUS nootkatensis GREEN ARROW
A narrow large weeping form of a family known as the Alaskan Cedar . Flattened dark green sprays of foliage cascade down and densely clothe the branching structure that sweeps to the ground before turning back upwards . Becomes a very tall and elegant form sometimes called the ghost tree due to its appearance .This plant deserves to be planted in an open position so its form can be appreciated .
CUPRESSUS nootkatensis SOUTHERN AURORA
A newer selection produced from a sport on the green parent cultivar C.n.Pendula . This form has the same flattened and cascading sprays of dark green foliage as its parent but differs in being heavily variegated with bright golden-yellow splashes throughout . Very eye catching and appealing fast growing feature plant .
METASEQUOIA glyptostroboides GOLD RUSH
Very bright golden-yellow soft feathery foliage adorns this Dawn Redwood selection . Autumn foliage changes to rusty-red colouration before leaf drop . The original green species is an exceptionally fast growing thirty plus metres tree but this garden cultivar although reasonably fast growing will not reach those lofty heights . Superb as an avenue multiple planting or as a stand alone choice . Handles wetness .
PICEA abies ARGENTEOSPICA
A plant with the classical Norway Spruce shape and habit , upright and pyramidal . Where this selection varies is the colour of the new seasons growth which is creamy white when it emerges . The new growth slowly fades back to the normal dark green of the species . Spectacular .
PICEA abies PENDULA
Another classic Norway Spruce , this one with dark green needle foliage covering the vertically falling branching that weep down stiffly to the ground and then forms a skirt of prostrate growth . Initial staking until a strong leader growth develops is suggested otherwise the resultant plant shape can be untidy . Once established it will put on large annual growth spurts of lighter green new growth giving a two toned look .
PICEA abies RYDAL
A tall conical symmetrical form of Norway Spruce clothed in dark green and dense needle foliage . Where this spectacular selection varies from the norm is in spring when the new growth emerges a striking dark blood red colour . This fresh flush of growth slowly over several weeks fades back to the usual dark green . Can be slow growing and a bit unruly in growth shape when young but eventually shapes up well .
PICEA engelmannii BUSH’S LACE
A very beautiful and graceful , fast growing and mid sized Spruce whose family is native to America and Mexico .Densely dressed with light grey-blue needle foliage . The habit is very pendulous and narrow as it grows , if left , if wanted , unchecked , will form a wide skirt of prostrate groundcover foliage . The distinctive soft colour makes a good contrast with other coloured Conifers . Best staked when young .
PICEA omorika AUREA
A narrow upright growing pyramidal selection of the Serbian Spruce . Needle foliage is a pleasant yellow-gold overlaid on blue-green inner growth . Foliage colour intensifies in new growth and younger plants can sometimes suffer sun damage , this problem becomes rarer as the plant establishes .
PICEA orientalis SKYLANDS
Tall elegantly pyramidal and neatly branched selection of the Oriental Spruce . Foliage is bright golden-yellow on the short needles . When in flower , red strobili , and showing the purple cones it produces the attraction increases . Like many golden forms of Conifers can suffer from sun damage on the foliage . This problem is overcome easily by siting young plantings in some northern shade .
PICEA pungens BLUE TOTEM
Bright blue showy needle foliage is densely arranged on the many vertical branches of this narrow and columnar form of the Colorado Blue Spruce . This hardy , choice selection is very suitable as a singular accent plant or for placing in a mixed Conifer planting . Once settled it becomes a fast growing quality specimen .
PICEA pungens SUMMER GOLD
Mid-sized conical growing yellow-golden form of the Colorado Spruce. Spring new growth is a bright yellow that holds for several weeks before fading slowly back to dark green . A rare very eye catching selection .
PICEA pungens STANLEY GOLD
Neatly growing small-medium selection with bright yellow-gold foliage
most of the year apart from spring when its new growth emerges green .
At its best in a full sun position due to the green spring flush that negates
the chance of sunburn on the soft growth .
PICEA pungens THE BLUES
Staking to develop and strengthen a dominant leader growth on young plants is necessary on this stunning Colorado Spruce variety . The needle foliage is a very bright blue and covers the weeping branches that hang close to the trunk . Once the desired height is attained by staking , the leader will then grow off at an angle.
PICEA pungens THOMSEN
Robust and fast growing selection with very bright silvery-blue needle foliage . This plant is a standout and possibly the best Blue Spruce For use as a larger garden specimen . Like most of the Spruce family ( Picea ) not great performers in warm and humid areas . A very eye catching plant when grown well .
PINUS nigra GOLDFINGER
Slow growing and bushy in appearance when young but soon maturing into a medium tree form with an upright open habit of growth . Long needle foliage is golden-yellow and produced heavily throughout the branching . Needs to be planted in an open full sun position for best colour .
SEQUOIADENDRON giganteum PENDULUM
A very narrow weeping column of outstanding merit . Once settled into its planting position , preferably full sun and average but well drained soil , it rapidly develops into a comment inducing focal point . Grey-green cord like foliage hangs vertically close to the trunk . Can often look good in multiple plantings .