| ACS Collectors’ Conifer of the Year 2006 to Present 2026 |
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2026 Acer Alpenglow® ‘INAG-E61’: This remarkable hybrid maple offers outstanding potential for complementing a conifer garden. As a companion plant, it would provide additional interest and beauty with its changing, captivating colors; deciduous nature; pleasing texture; and sturdy, year-round, ornamental structure. In 1997, Iseli Nursery initiated a breeding program to enhance the hardiness of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), while also focusing on imparting distinctive red foliage. In 2016, after many hybridization efforts incorporating the very cold-hardy Korean maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum), a seedling stood out with the desired attributes and was tested to survive temperatures of minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. In the spring, Alpenglow (PP35,081) leafs out with translucent veins that capture light to produce a rich, glowing merlot-colored display on deeply divided, seven- to nine-lobed leaves. As the growing season progresses, the display mellows to burnished bronze. Then in the fall, the scene changes to a blaze of oranges and reds. As a small to moderately sized tree with an upright, narrow oval habit and graceful arching branches, it can be expected to at least obtain a height of nine to 10 feet and a width of six to seven feet in 15 years. Growth typically occurs at a rate of nine inches per year. It is rated for USDA zones 4 through 8. Acer First Flame® ‘IslFirFl’: This is another remarkable hybrid maple from the Iseli breeding program that pairs well with conifer collections. Hardy through USDA zone 5 and rated into USDA zone 8, it is noted for its spectacular pageantry in the spring. It begins with the emergence of hot, bright tangerine-orange, small star-shaped leaves that become highlighted with linear leaf veins of a striking, lighter orange. Over time, the show gradually fades to more subdued shades of orange and red. By midsummer, the foliage fades to a light green. However, being a vigorous grower, it will flush over the summer with new red and orange leaves that will continue to create interest. For the fall, the tree completely returns to a blaze of red and orange. First Flame typically grows 12 to 15 inches per year and generally matures to a height of 20 feet, with a rounded canopy that spans 15 feet in width. This finely textured, elegant tree puts on the best color show in a sunny site. Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Just Dandy’ Iseli®: This hinoki cypress is a remarkable seedling selected in 1981 from thousands grown from Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’. The dense, finely textured, glossy, bright green foliage is held in compact sprays on a low, rounded, spreading plant. Typically, such dense foliage is associated with slow-growing, miniature selections. However, the lush growth on this superior cultivar will produce a substantial dwarf in a few years rather than decades. ‘Just Dandy’ should perform well in a sunny to partly shaded site in USDA zones 5 through 8. Juniperus horizontalis ‘Mother Lode’ Iseli®: This selection of creeping juniper was found in 1982 as a sport on ‘Wiltoni’ and is noted for its bright, stunning, yellow foliage in summer. As winter approaches, though, it transitions to tones of burgundy and plum. Growth typically does not exceed six inches in height as it slowly travels along the ground, rooting along the way, which creates a dense carpeting effect. Alternatively, it can be admired flowing over a wall or ledge, thus creating a cascading effect. A sunny site brings out the best colors. ‘Mother Lode’ prefers good drainage and tolerates drought once established. It is suitable for USDA zones 3 through 7. Picea pungens Monty®: This very choice Colorado spruce has an outstanding, compact, conical form and amazing, vivid color. In 2001, Iseli Nursery did a controlled cross between the compact, blue, spreading oval-shaped ‘Montgomery’ cultivar and the strikingly silvery blue, dense, tall pyramidal cultivar, ‘Hoopsi’. The best traits of both appeared in a distinct, incredibly appealing, very dense, conical, bright silvery blue selection with a relatively slow growth rate. It is ideally suited for a smaller space where some bold color would liven up the scene. In 10 years, Monty (PP34,883) can be expected to be about five feet tall and four feet wide. It is suitable for USDA zones 2 through 8. Pinus mugo Pesto®: Pesto is a relatively new selection from Iseli’s TRUdwarf mugo pine series. These mugos were selected seedlings that stood out for unique, eye-catching characteristics. They are all propagated by rooted cuttings to ensure true-to-type clonal reliability, such as compactness, form, needle color, and habit. Pesto® joined the ranks due to its tight texture, very compact form, and spreading, ground-hugging habit. Other attributes include its vibrant green needles, which contrast with the brownish-purple buds. It performs best in a well-drained sunny site and is suitable for USDA zones 2 through 8. 2025 Thuja occidentalis ‘Enlightened’: This amazing, chameleon acting cultivar of eastern arborvitae is a great, garden candidate for adding appealing, seasonal color changes on a graceful conical form. It is noticeably different from other yellow-colored arborvitae by having mint green foliage highlighted with a bright, frosting of platinum-cream that is most pronounced in a sunny location. As it goes into winter dormancy, it then transforms to a cream and caramel state with olive-green undertones. A typical growth rate is 8 to 12 inches per year. In 10 years, this attention demanding specimen may reach 12 feet high by 8 feet wide. It is very tolerant of heat and humidity and also very durable under the harshness of winter. It was just a 2 yr. old plant when planted in 2007 and was not damaged in the Polar Vortex winters of 2013 and 2014 in full sun. It also sustained no burn in the droughty, hottest summer of 2012. It performs well in USDA zones 3 through 7. Dr. Clark West from Cincinnati, Ohio who immersed himself in hybridizing and growing arborvitaes. On an ACS tripto England in 1995 he collected seed from Thuja occidentalis ‘Marrisen’s Sulfur’. After growing out the seed and making a few selections Dr. Clark gave Tess and Jay a few of his seedlings at a Conifer Connection weekend to evaluate. After just a few years, she was so impressed with its performance and ornamental attributes that she named it and registered it with the Royal Horticultural Society in 2012 for Dr. West. She quickly began sharing scion. Pinus koraiensis ‘K G’: This very compact and dense witch’s broom of Korean pine has soft but firm, bluish-green needles that strike out from around the stem. Interestingly, there are often shorter tufts of needles tucked in around the end of the stem where the buds are held. Gary Gee of Gee Farms in Stockbridge, Michigan found it as a mutation on a Korean pine selection named ‘Winton’. At a slow growth rate of 1 to 3 inches a year, this charming tough garden gem may only be 1.5 ft. high and 2 feet wide. A sunny, well drained site will provide for peak performance. Because of its very tight structure, dead needles will eventually accumulate in the interior of this diminutive specimen. Consequently, for better ornamental appearance and for healthier air circulation, a gentle grooming of such debris is an important responsibility for appreciating this garden treasure. It is rated for USDA zones 3 through 8. Cupressus nootkatensis ‘Sparkling Arrow’: This very narrow, upright, variegated selection of Nootka cypress has extremely pendulous, secondary branchlets that makes it a most interesting, gracefully weeping, dramatic plant. As for sparkle in a setting, the medium green foliage is generously covered with random splashes of creamy white to yellowish arrays of bright color that range from localized blotches to that of long sprays. The strong upward growth can be 12 inches a year. After 10 years, a happy ‘Sparkling Arrow’ can easily measure 15 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It is rated for USDA zones 4 through 8. A sunny well drained site that is not subject to prolonged dry periods is optimum for a vigorous looking specimen in a more northerly climate. In hotter more southern climates, some shade will aid in preventing the variegation from burning at times, especially until the tree becomes well established. This cultivar was found in 2001 by Talon Buchholz of Buchholz Nursery in Gaston, Oregon as a sport on ‘Green Arrow’ Nootka cypress. Abies koreana ‘Kouhout’s Ice Breaker’: This dwarf, stand out of a silvery-white witch’s broom of Korean fir was originally offered for CCOY 2014. Jorg Kohout of Elstra, Germany is noted for discovering it on a ‘Horstman’s Silberlocke’ Korean fir. It has intensely recurved needles that consequently expose their bright, shimmering undersides. As young plants, they are generally globose with their stubby, radial branches. Over time and without some judicial pruning, they tend to develop a leader and evolve into flashy, handsome, dense, squat pyramidal shapes. In most areas, typical growth rates are 1 to 3 inches a year. In 10 years, a specimen is often around 2 feet high and wide if a central leader is not involved. It is rated for USDA zones 4 through 7. In cooler zones, a sunny well-drained site brings out the best show for this extraordinary garden accent. In warmer zones, partial shade can enhance better performance, especially with a site susceptible to an unrelenting sun and hot, humid nights. For such southerly climates, it is recognized that Korean fir performs much better if it is grafted onto Japanese fir (Abies firma) which we have as an option, Otherwise, our plants are grafted onto either Turkish fir (Abies bornmuelleriana) or Nordman fir (Abies nordmanniana). 2024 Larix decidua ‘Krejci': This bizarre looking dwarf European larch was found in 1984 as a deformed root sprout by Ladislav Krejci in Zolakovsy, Czech Republic. It stands out because it forms knobby tufts of congested foliage at irregular intervals on open spreading, random angling branches. Growth can be from 3 to 4 inches per year. In 10 years, one could have a 3- to 4-foot-high weird character that probably would be just as wide. As typical with European larch, the spring growth is a refreshing, bright green while fall coloration is a glowing, amber yellow. A sunny, well drained site will ensure best performance. Our grafted plants are suitable for USDA Zones 2 through 8. It is considered difficult to propagate and often challenging to keep happy in its younger years, so it is not commonly found in landscapes. Consequently, it often gets categorized as a conifer collector’s trophy plant. Abies alba ‘Green Spiral': This amazing cultivar of European silver fir is a standout for many reasons. Around a strong skyward leader, very pendulous branches flow and curve with a spiraling effect, clothing a specimen fully to the ground. Glossy, dark green needles with silvery undersides densely hug a very narrow tower that often acquires some twists and turns as it ages. A vigorous growth rate of 12 or more inches is common. In 10 years, a Green Spiral should be at least 12 to 15 feet high and maybe only 3 to 4 feet wide. Sir Humphrey Welch of the United Kingdom, who was given an ACS Honorary Life Membership ‘for his outstanding contributions to the World of Conifers’, had named this remarkable cultivar in 1979. Interestingly, in 1916, the Secrest Arboretum of Wooster, Ohio had received the beginnings of this sport in a shipment from the Biltmore Nursery in Ashville, North Carolina that was labeled Abies alba ‘Tortulosa’, a bushy dwarf form with a monstrous growth habit. Our offering is grafted onto Abies Bornmuelleriana (Turkish fir) which is more adaptive to varying soil conditions and more heat tolerant than other choices. It does best in a sunny site, but also creates an extraordinary specimen with partial shade. It is suitable for USDA zones 4 through 8. Picea omorika ‘Bruns': This very attractive, versatile, dependable, low maintenance, selection of Serbian spruce lends itself as an elegant, robust anchor point of grace in the landscape. Its narrow pyramidal habit carries dense, drooping branches with upward curving ends. The shiny, fine-textured bluish green foliage gleams with frosted silver that provides a bright depth of alluring color. In the spring, a profusion of pendant, violet-purple cones contribute further ornamental interest. This slender-form cultivar originated in 1955 as a selected seedling by the Bruns Nursery in Germany. Annual growth is from 6 to 12 inches per year. In 10 years, a specimen could be 10 to 12 feet high and 4 to 5 feet wide. A well-drained sunny site will produce the most perfect specimen; however, a little shade will not have significant, negative impact. Our grafted offering is suited for USDA zones 4 through 7. Taxodium distichum ‘Peve Minaret’: This very different looking, compact, more diminutive form of bald cypress is back on the order form. Pete Vergeldt of Lottum, The Netherlands selected it in 1990 from a batch of sprouted seed that had been chemically treated to induce mutations at his nursery. Peve is an acronym of the nursery man’s name while minaret is reflective of the terminal branch foliage that becomes smaller and tighter to create the effect of tiny turrets. Overall, the foliage appearance is soft, dense, rich green and feathery. It is commandingly displayed on tiered ascending branches that create an engaging, narrow pyramidal form. Growth is often 6 to 12 inches per year and in 10 years a specimen can be expected to be 6 to 10 foot high and 3 to 4 feet wide. As its trunk ages, the tree displays additional interest with the development of light gray-brown, orangish streaked, slightly peeling fibrous bark. A sunny, moisture retentive site produces the most vigorous specimen. It is very tolerant of extremely wet soils and will also perform well on fairly dry sites once established. It also thrives in areas with stifling heat and humidity. Peve Minaret is suitable for USDA zones 4 through 9. 2023 Pinus banksiana ‘Jack’s Bean Stalk’: This is a choice, unusual Jack pine that has a clever name. It was found by Mike and Cheryl Davison who enjoy hiking and botanizing in the upper Great Lakes and in the Cascade mountains. It stands out from other Jack pine selections because it has such an incredible narrow, upright form with an irregular branching habit. Because of such branching, no two plants will conform to each other. Rather, they will assume their own unique, constantly evolving sculpture like form. Adding to their natural, artsy beauty are interesting, stiff, short, slightly curved, medium green needles that are held in bundles of two. Needles are shed after two to three years so its relatively less dense canopy allows the bones of the sculpture to readily be revealed. The combined effects of these characteristics make for quite a standout in the garden without it needing much horizontal space. In ten years, a specimen could be 4 to 10 ft. tall and 2 to 3 ft. wide. Jack pine is suitable for USDA zones 2 through 6. Our offering is grafted onto Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) rootstock which is adaptable to a variety of well drained soils. This bean stalk needs a sunny site. Pinus contorta var. latifolia ‘Chief Joseph’: This selection of lodgepole pine is often the envy of a conifer connoisseur and many people have found it a challenge to achieve a long term, handsome specimen. A well-drained, sunny site protected from buffeting winds in the winter, along with geographic areas that are not burdened with long durations of high heat and humidity are primary criteria for having success with this winter wonder. In summer it appears as an unassuming green, but decent looking pine. As seasonal, colder temperatures arrive, it starts to transition to a bright yellow. As cold weather becomes consistent, this conifer assumes an astonishingly rich and saturated golden glow that totally takes over the landscape as a focal point. It was found in the Wallowa mountains in Oregon by Doug Will during a hunting trip. It was named after a leader of the Wallowa tribe of the Nez Perce. It grows 4 to 8 inches a year. In ten years, this pyramidal, winter dazzler could be 5 to 6 tall and half as wide. Our offering is grafted onto Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) rootstock which is adaptive to a multitude of well drained soils. ‘Chief Joseph’ is suitable for USDA zones 5 through 8. Abies concolor 'Archer's Dwarf': This versatile, dependable, low-maintenance selection of white fir is back on the order form. Its compact, pyramidal form is striking, with branchlets that hang slightly downward and inward on tiered, horizontal branches. The powdery blue, blunt, flat, sickle-shaped needles are prominently held in curved upright positions for a most captivating texture. Yearly growth is typically three to four inches. A specimen is generally three feet high and two and a half feet wide in ten years. J. W. Archer of Farnham, United Kingdom, originated this cultivar, which was introduced to the nursery trade in 1982. Our offering is grafted onto Abies bornmuelleriana (Turkish fir) rootstock, which is more adaptive to varying soil conditions and more heat tolerant than other choices. It does best in a sunny site but also performs well in light shade. It is suitable for USDA zones 3 through 7, although some gardeners reportedly have succeeded in zone 9. Cedrus Atlantica 'Sapphire Nymph': This gorgeous, prostrate, dwarf selection of blue Atlas cedar is also back on the order form. Its origin is accredited to Pat McCracken of McCracken Nursery in Wake County close to Zebulon North Carolina. It first appeared as a witch’s broom and was introduced in the late 1990s. Growth is typically one to three inches per year. The plant will likely be 10 inches high and 30 inches wide in ten years. Its irregular flattened form responds well to pruning, if desired, to refine its shape or contain it for a particular space. Be aware that it is considered somewhat of a more delicate plant as its internodes lack the normal elastic strength of the species. Consequently, it is wise not to site it close to high-impact activities where it can risk injury. In general, this should not be a concern for tranquil garden settings, especially considering what the plant can offer in landscape value. Full sun promotes optimum vigor, and well-drained, acidic to slightly alkaline soil is essential. Once established, it is tolerant of drought. ‘Sapphire Nymph’ is considered reliably suitable for USDA zones 6 through 8. Some success has been reported in zone 9. At its most northerly limit, it is advisable to offer some winter protection to prevent potential discoloration of the needles should severe weather arise. The densely packed, small, stiff needles are arranged spirally outward around the stems, with the ones at the tip pointing forward and noticeably smaller. Overall, the plant has an appealing, prickly texture but is not that sharp to the touch. This non-aggressive, low-growing conifer stands out with its silvery, bright, soft blue color and a slightly coarse but pleasing look. Our offering is grafted onto Cedrus deodara (deodar cedar) rootstock. 2022 Temporarily Suspended for 2022. Due to the impact of extreme weather conditions experienced by our West Coast grower last year, there is insufficient inventory to supply the CCOY program for 2022. We are optimistic that suitable inventory will be available for this popular member program in 2023. 2021 Cedrus libani 'Hedgehog': The very name hedgehog implies a dwarf, compact, and horizontal selection. This cultivar of Lebanon cedar has a spiny texture, too. The densely packed, rich, bluish-green, long needles are on layered, gently-mounding, horizontally spreading branches. ‘Hedgehog’ originated at the Cedar Lodge Nursery in New Plymouth, NZ, as a seedling selection in 2009. In 10 years, this striking beauty can be two feet tall and three feet wide. It typically grows only three to four inches a year and performs best in a sunny, well-drained site. Once established, it is very drought tolerant. Our offering is grafted onto Cedrus deodara rootstock, which is adaptable to many soils. ‘Hedgehog’ is rated for USDA Zones 6 through 8. Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Bess': This diminutive, upright Hinoki cypress is outstanding for its form, texture, and slow growth. The green, whorled, and congested foliage is appealing and is attractively arranged in varying planes. It typically grows one to two inches per year, but can grow more under amended conditions. In 1983, Joe Reis of Malvern, Long Island, NY, selected it as a seedling and named it for his wife. In 10 years, ‘Bess’ most likely will be around 12 to 18 inches tall and half as wide. Our offering is on its own rootstock from a propagated cutting. It is well suited for a sunny site, but performs satisfactorily in light shade. It is rated for USDA Zones 5 through 8. Pinus banksiana 'Schoodic': This gnarled, sprawling, ground-covering Jack pine has ties to the scenic Schoodic Peninsula of Maine. Al Fordham, head propagator at the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, MA, at the time, collected seed from a disjunctive population near the community of Gouldsboro, ME. The result of his efforts was a worthy cultivar that he named in 1979. The medium-green, slightly curved needles are held on twisted branches that have a textural appeal. As an added interest, it is a prolific cone producer. Furthermore, this pine is fascinating, as it scrambles over walls and terrains. It responds to staking or training and takes on wondrous forms. ‘Schoodic’ is exceedingly hardy and tough; and is best suited for USDA Zones 2 through 6. Our offering is grafted onto Pinus sylvestris rootstock, which makes it adaptable to a variety of soils. ‘Schoodic’ performs best in a sunny site with good drainage. Pinus mugo 'Jakobsen': This mugo pine’s appearance is distinct from others. First, its dark-green, short, stiff needles are tightly arranged in clustered tufts. Additionally, some openness in its structure reveals glimpses of the silver-gray, inner branches. Together, these interesting attributes give ‘Jakobsen’ the look of a much older plant that has endured the many trials of nature. While this selection imparts vigor and durability to a preferred, sunny site, it only grows two to four inches per year. Over 10 years, it will take on an irregular, mounding form that may be three to four feet tall and up to five or six feet wide. The late 1980’s origin of this cultivar is credited to Arne Vagn Jakobsen of Denmark. Our offering is grafted onto Pinus sylvestris rootstock, which is adaptive to a multitude of well-drained soils. This unique mugo is rated for USDA Zones 3 through 7. Pinus sylvestris 'Green Penquin': Here’s a remarkable selection of Scots pine. This slow-growing, compact conifer has dense, rich-green, shaggy foliage that is adorned with short, tufted growth at the ends of branchlets. The overall appearance might be a little ruffled and awkward, but it is quite an attention-grabber. Add a beak and some side flippers, and you would create a whimsical creature that would invite a lot of discussion from visitors. This unusual find was discovered in the late 1990s by Jim Lewis, who is now with J Farms in Amityville, OR. In 10 years, ‘Green Penguin’ could be four feet tall and about 18 to 24 inches wide. Yearly growth is three to five inches. It is best suited for a sunny, well-drained site. Our offering is grafted onto Pinus sylvestris rootstock, which is adaptive to a diversity of soils. ‘Green Penguin’ is noted for its hardiness and for holding its color through adverse winter conditions. Its USDA rating is Zones 3 through 7, with reports that it has also been successful in cooler parts of Zone 8. Taxus baccata 'Silver Spire': We have never offered the genus, Taxus, before now. ‘Silver Spire’ sets a new milestone. This incredible selection of a narrow, fastigiate, English yew has a striking form, along with an unusual color performance. Its three- to six-inches of tight growth per year is very upright, producing little, lateral expansion. New growth pushes out a cheerful yellow. As it matures, the color retreats to the margins of tiny, spirally arranged leaves that fade to a paler yellow and then on to a creamy-white. Later, when seasonal, cooler weather arrives, the variegation becomes a surprising silver that shines through the winter. In 10 years, it could be five feet tall by two feet wide. The late 1980’s introduction of such a prominent specimen comes from Treseders Nursery in the hamlet of Lockengate, Cornwall, UK. Our offering is propagated from a rooted cutting, so its on its own rootstock. It is rated for USDA Zones 5 through 7 and performs well in a sunny to a partially shaded, well-drained site. 2020 Abies concolor 'Archer's Dwarf': A compact, upright selection of white fir with very interesting texture. The powdery blue, sickle-shaped needles are flat, blunt and slightly curving. The branchlets hang slightly downward and inward on tiered, horizontal branches, making for a striking look, given the plant’s densely pyramidal form. Abies lasiocarpa 'Green Globe': A semi-dwarf, multi-stemmed, dense selection of subalpine fir with a refined look because of its short, soft, lustrous, forward-pointing needles. In the spring, new growth pushes out a bright green, and, as it matures, ‘Green Globe’ often takes on bluish tones. Ginkgo biloba 'Clica': A dwarf selection of maidenhair tree that is distinct because of its small, ruffled, light-green leaves, adorning a heavily branched, multi-stemmed, slow-growing mound. The resulting effect is a very tidy, refined specimen with eye-commanding texture. Picea abies 'Acro-yellow': This selection of Norway spruce produces a multitude of emerging raspberry-red cones, mostly at the terminal ends of branches. The cones pop out against a background of bright yellow. As the dangling cones mature, they fade to a light brown, while the maturing foliage takes on a more frosted, subdued yellow. Pinus koraiensis 'Morris Blue': An intermediate, narrow, pyramidal selection of Korean pine comes from the Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. It stands out for its mix of silvery-blue and bluish-green, thick, curved, stiff needles that capture the light. Large, plump, young, bluish-green cones also add to its appeal. Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Taylor's Sunburst': An incredible, dazzling, upright, narrow, selection of lodgepole pine that is a true showstopper that makes heads turn with its brilliant, lemon-yellow push of spring growth that sharply contrasts with past growth that has already matured to green. During the same time of spring growth, little, bright-red pollen cones appear for additional contrast. Pinus mugo 'Paul's Dwarf': A very unusual, fine-textured, dwarf selection of mugo pine that stands out with its exceptionally short, medium-green needles that grow perpendicularly around the stem, resulting in a skeleton-like look. Pinus thunbergii 'Shirome janome': An outstanding beacon of color that serves as a bold focal point in the landscape. This vigorous Japanese black pine is spectacular with its 4.5-inch long, dark-green needles with golden-yellow bands. 2019 Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf': Dwarf selection of Greek fir has glossy, dark green foliage with great vigor, and drought tolerance. Mature at 3 feet (1 m) tall and 4.5 feet (1.5 m) wide. Grows best in USDA Zone 5 to 8. Cedrus libani 'Katere': A spreading dwarf selection of Cedar of Lebanon with nice long, gray-green needles. Great selection for rockeries and small gardens. Mature at 8 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, Grows best in USDA Zones 6 to 9. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Filip's Golden Tears': A very narrow, upright, strictly weeping selection of Lawson cypress is gold-variegated foliage. Makes a natural golden exclamation point in the garden. Mature at 12 to 15 feet (4 - 5 m) tall and only a couple of feet (60 cm) wide. Grows best in USDA Zones 5 to 8. Picea abies 'Lemonade': An robust, fast-growing tree form of Norway spruce with golden foliage on pendant branches. One of Bob Finchams well-known Golden Seedling selections. Mature at 12 to 15 feet (4 - 5 m) tall and 2-thirds as wide. Grows best in USDA Zones 3 to 8. Picea orientalis 'Ferny Creek Prostrate': A perfectly flat, spreading selection of Caucasian spruce with short, glossy, dark-green needles. Mature at 12 inches (30 cm) tall and 36 inches (90 cm) wide. Grows best in USDA Zones 4 to 8. Picea pungens 'Blue Pearl': A cute, miniature, cushion shaped Colorado spruce with sky-blue prickly needles. Mature at 6 inches (15 cm) tall and 12 inches (30 cm) wide. Witch's broom selection made by Iseli Nursery. Grows best in USDA Zones 3 to 8. Pinus parviflora 'Catherine Elizabeth': A irregular, dwarf selection of Japanese white pine with irregular, clumpy branching holding short, blue-green, slightly twisted needles. Mature at 2 feet (60 cm) tall and wide. Grows best in USDA Zones 5 to 8. 2018 Cedrus atlantica ‘Sapphire Nymph': This dwarf, prostrate cultivar has densely packed, small, stiff needles, arranged spirally outward around the stems with the ones at the tip pointing forward and being noticeably smaller. At ten years an unstaked plant is about 10 inches (25 cm) tall and 30 inches (75 cm) wide, but it can be staked and allowed to cascade from a chosen height. Overall, the plant has an appealing prickly texture that is not that sharp to the touch. This non-aggressive, low growing conifer stands out with sparkling, bright silvery-blue color and a distinctive look. Suitable for USDA Zones 6 to 9. Platycladus orientalis ‘Franky Boy’: An unusual, fine textured Chinese arborvitae that captivates the eye with its bright yellow, airy, filamentous, upright texture. The yellow is more pronounced in full sun and is also enhanced by the lime green foliage deeper in the plant. When colder weather approaches, the yellow begins transforming to hues of orange-butterscotch and bronze tones. Small, bluish-green cones provide additional interest. This multi-stemmed plant responds well to shearing and a good clipping is recommended to maintain a proliferation of fresh, golden threads. Growth rate is relatively slow, generally 4 to 6 inches (10 - 15 cm) per year. In 10 years, it can be expected to be 3 to 4 feet (1 - 1.3 m) tall and 2 to 3 feet (60 - 90 cm) wide, depending on site conditions and attention from clippers. ‘Franky Boy’ is suitable for USDA Zones 5 to 9 and tolerates heat very well. 2017 Thuja occidentalis ‘IslPrim’ Primo™: The refined, scale-like foliage twists and turns to provide much textural interest and beauty, resembling that of a Hinoki cypress, rather than an arborvitae. In summer, it is a refreshing, vivid green, which becomes muted in winter. Growth is 2 to 4 inches (5 – 10 cm) a year, USDA Zones 3 to 8. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Blue Surprise’: The return of an old favorite, this time on disease-resistant rootstock. ‘Blue Surprise’ maintains its juvenile, upward pointing, prickly-looking foliage, which is soft to the touch. The fine-textured, steel-blue needles are highlighted with silver and take on a purplish cast for the winter. This selection grows between 2 to 6 inches (5 – 15 cm) per year and is approximately 6 feet (2 m) tall and 2 feet (60 cm) wide after 10 years. USDA Zones 5 to 7. 2016 Picea pungens ‘Ruby Teardrops': A handsome globose cultivar of Colorado spruce with a stunning, colorful display of fresh teal-blue foliage and magenta seed cones each spring. USDA Zones 3 to 8. Thuja occidentalis ‘Jantar': A narrow upright ‘Smaragd’ arborvitae seedling from Poland with pleasant golden foliage and rich warm amber tones in the winter. USDA Zones 4 to 8. Gingko biloba ‘Snow Cloud’: A newly-introduced variegated dwarf Maidenhair tree with creamy yellow-white leaf tips. This one does not appear to revert to full green like many other variegated selections. USDA Zones 4 to 9. 2015 Pinus cembra ‘Herman’: A selection of Swiss stone pine, often promoted under the trade name of Prairie Statesman™, attesting to its origin and to its prominent, refined appearance. ‘Herman’ is an extremely hardy, drought resistant specimen, suitable for harsh, natural or urban settings and yet has an elegant, stately manner. It has a narrow form with a strong central leader and lateral branches which curve upward and inward, allowing it to resist snow loads well. USDA Zones 3 to 7. Pinus parviflora ‘Tanima no yuki’: “Snow of the Valley” in the Japanese language; this lovely pine of unknown origin produces new growth that elongates in colors of pink, cream and green. The pink fades as the curved needles unfurl and the plant appears to have been flocked or dusted with snow. Intense summer sun can burn the variegated needles so site this plant where it will be protected from afternoon sun. High, overhead shade is the best in hotter climates. USDA Zones 5 to 7. Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Schirrmann’s Nordlicht': Found as a witch’s broom on M. glyptostroboides ‘White Spot’ by Winfried Schirrmann in Germany. Improperly called ‘North Light’ in the U.S. nursery trade, this selection has bright, cheery foliage and is very much slower growing and more globular than the species, with a 10-year size of about 5 to 6 feet (1.6 – 2m) tall and 3 to 5 feet (1 – 1.6m) wide. Needs regular garden water until established, when it tolerates drier conditions much better. USDA Zones 5 to 8. 2014 Pinus × schwerinii ‘Wiethorst’: An interspecific hybrid of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus ) and Himalayan white pine (Pinus wallichiana ), first discovered near Berlin, Germany in 1905; it combines the characteristic long, graceful leaf of wallichiana with the superior cold hardiness of strobus. ‘Wiethorst’ is a narrow pyramidal dwarf. USDA Zones 4 to 7. Abies koreana ‘Kohouts Icebreaker': A slow-growing, miniature cultivar originally found in 1998 as a witch’s broom on Horstmann’s Silberlocke’ by Jörg Kouhout of Prietitz, Germany. Like its parent, its curling needles show their silvery undersides, but because it’s a tight, round ball, ‘Kohouts Icebreaker’ provides a more intense silver-white effect in the garden. USDA Zones 5 to 7. 2013 Picea abies ‘Gold Drift': This selection of Norway spruce was discovered by Bob Fincham of Coenosium Gardens, Eatonville, Washington as a yellow sport on Picea abies ‘Reflexa’. ‘Gold Drift’s’ new growth is lime green in early spring which becomes a vibrant gold in the late spring and summer sun. The gold persists until winter; the color will become more subdued as the winter season progresses. USDA Zones 3 to 7. Pinus mugo ‘Carstens’: A slow-growing, compact, broadly globose form of mountain pine. It develops intense bright yellow color as the cold weather intensifies. USDA Zones 2 to 7. Cunninghamia konishii ‘Little Leo’: A miniature selection of Taiwan coffin fir with a flattened, round, pin cushion form and a ground-hugging habit. ‘Little Leo’ performs well in USDA Zones 7 to 9 and under hot, humid conditions. 2012 Sciadopitys verticillata ‘Picola': This variety of Japanese umbrella pine features short, deep-green needles and dwarf, pyramidal stature. In 10 years it will only be 2 feet (60 cm) tall and 1.5 feet (45 cm) wide. It is adaptable in USDA Zones 5 to 7. Cedrus brevifolia ‘Kenwith': A small Cypriot cedar with the unique combination of tiny needles and an upright miniature tree-like habit. USDA Zones 7 to 9. Picea abies ‘Wichtel’: A witch’s broom found on P. abies ‘Humilis’ in the United Kingdom. Growth is a fraction of an inch per year; a true miniature in the realm of conifers. USDA Zones 3 to 7. 2011 Pinus parviflora ‘Bergman’: A compact Japanese white pine that features soft silvery blue twisted needles. It is hardy to USDA Zone 4. Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Chirimen’: An interesting form of Hinoki cypress with a unique, sculpted growth habit; no two plants will be alike. Hardy to USDA Zone 5. 2010 Ginkgo biloba ‘Mariken': A dwarf, witch’s broom form of maidenhair tree which assumes the shape of a flattened sphere. The growth is compact but the leaves are of typical size. Look for rich golden yellow color in the fall. Hardy to USDA Zone 6. Larix decidua ‘Puli': A selection of European larch which produces light green, lacy foliage, cascading in beautiful curtains across rocks or down a slope. In the fall this curtain will become vivid golden yellow before shedding its needles in late fall. Hardy to USDA Zone 2. Taxodium distichum ‘Pevé Minaret’: This bald cypress is slow-growing with a dwarf, upright form. It’s foliage is soft, dense and dark green in color. It can tolerate the extreme summer heat of a southern garden and winter cold in the north. Hardy to USDA Zone 5. 2009 Pinus heldreichii ‘Smidtii': A very dwarf form of Bosnian pine, featuring bright green needles which are dense and are about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. A ten year old plant may be 12 inches (30 cm) tall and wide. Hardy to USDA Zone 6. Pinus strobus ‘Niagara Falls': A weeping form of eastern white pine, featuring a dense, full appearance with numerous branches. Hardy to USDA Zone 3. 2008 Picea pungens ‘The Blues': A weeping form of Colorado spruce, featuring powdery blue needles. The tree wants to grow horizontally and mounding; it must be staked to gain vertical height. Hardy to USDA Zone 2. Picea abies ‘Pusch': A witch’s broom found on P. abies ‘Acrocona’. This miniature only grows an inch or two (2.5 – 4 cm) a year. It features bright magenta-red cones that emerge in early spring. It is hardy to USDA Zone 3 and grows well in full sun to partial shade. 2007 Picea omorika ‘Pendula Bruns': A narrow upright, strictly weeping form of Serbian Spruce. It features bi-colored needles and was first introduced by Bruns Nursery of Germany in 1955. Hardy to USDA Zone 5. Picea orientalis ‘Tom Thumb Gold': A selection of Caucasian spruce which grows to a dense, low mound with radiating tiny twigs bearing numerous short bright golden-yellow needles at the outer tips. This miniature spruce was found as a baseball-sized witch’s broom on P. orientalis ‘Skylands’. Hardy to USDA Zone 5. 2006 Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Ogon': (aka ‘Gold Rush’). A fast-growing pyramidal tree. This dawn redwood features fern-like golden-yellow foliage for most of the year until it turns orange and falls from the tree like other deciduous conifers. Hardy to USDA Zone 5. Picea glauca var. albertiana ‘Pixie Dust’: A dwarf form of dwarf Alberta spruce. Its striking yellow new growth contrasts dramatically with the deep green mature foliage. Hardy to USDA Zone 3. |
5/2/2026 » 5/3/2026
Central Region: 2026 ACS Circle City Garden Tour Indianapolis
6/25/2026 » 6/27/2026
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