Can't understand why anyone hasn't come up with any recommendations on this post, Porterhowse Farms and Bethlehem Nursery are two other excellent sources for miniature conifers, and as I'm not really familiar with you zonal requirements not really any point in my making any plant recommendations, I think this forum is getting a bit slack of late :0)

ncconiferlvr,
As there seems to be no response from others, here are one or two recommendations from me, all should be available in the US, but can't really say how suitable they will be for your climate.

Picea orientalis Prof. Langner
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Abies lasiocarpa 'Logan Pass'
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Picea pungens 'Blue Pearl'
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Cryptomeria japonica 'Tenzan'
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Picea orientalis 'Tom Thumb Gold'
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Taxus baccata 'Green Diamond'
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Picea abies 'Horace Wilson'
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Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' - a must for any collection
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Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Tuffet' - another must have IMO.
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Hi nconiferlvr and Stephen,

I didn't pay attention to this topic before, but I have also some recommendations:

Abies balsamea 'Little Caleight'

Picea abies 'Wichtel'

Picea mariana 'Blue Planet'

Pinus banksiana 'Schneverdingen' (aka 'Horstmann H.B.')

Pseudotsuga menziesii '#33'

Nice plants Edwin, but really looking for stuff that's obtainable in the US!

ncconiferlvr - I notice that cryptomeria and Juniper are not your favorites, but the cryptomeria 'Tenzan' is a cracking plant, and the juniuper Blue Star' is just the best colour there is, assuming you don't already have them ?

Hi Guys,

These are all great suggestions and I hate to make this more difficult, but many of these plants may not work for him. I see that you are a Zone 7 and in North Carolina. The Zone 7 is not the issue. Your summer heat and high humidity will just cook the little gems.

Abies, unless grafted on A. firma will not survive long. P. pungens and Pseudotsuga are doubtful as well. All larch species will not survive.

I would suggest that you contact someone in your general area unless you can get someone to reply here.

Tom Cox at (http://coxgardens.com/) may be a great contact person. He is just outside of Atlanta and is very familiar with what will and will not survive in your area. There is a list of plants on his website that he is growing that might help as well. I gets alot of plants to see if they will survive in his area. I know some plants he has listed are suspect. I would need to ask if they are thriving or simply growing. There is a big difference.

Bill

Bill

Thanks guys - you're the greatest! I was so surprised to see your posts this morning. Thinking that I was being ignored, I did do a little research on my own last week and will be placing an order for several little "jewels" this week.

Picea orientalis 'Prof. Langner' is on my list, Picea pungens 'Blue Pearl' I had on order and it arrived last week (LOVELY plant - and also in that order was a Pinus uncinata 'Xenie' which I feel in love with at first sight), Abies lasiocarpa I'm not real sure about as I'm reading that Abies prefer cooler climates, Picea orientalis 'Tom Thumb Gold' I already have, Taxus baccata 'Green Diamond' will definitely go on my list, and yes, I have a Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' which was actually one of my first conifer purchases. I also have Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Tuffet' which is one of my very favorites. I have several Picea on my order list as well as Pinus banksiana and Pseudotsuga menziesii. I can't wait for them to arrive! For some reason I haven't had any luck with the Cryptomeria - they tend to burn in our full sun - maybe I should try one in part sun and see if I can turn that luck around.

I am very excited about this "mini" venture and looking forward to getting in the garden for fall planting. Will post pictures when I have a section ready for viewing. The area I'm working on is very long but a little narrow and it will certainly take more than one planting season to complete it (especially since I have things to remove before more can go in). Again, many, many thanks and keep those wonderful photos coming for the viewing pleasure of those of us in the US who would never see them any other way - HAPPY GARDENING!!
Glenda

Are you familiar with Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata' or the variety 'nana'? Cephalotaxus are subtropical conifers that look remarkably similar to yews. They are also know as Japanese plum yews. They are rated as zone hardy from about 6b to 9. They love long, hot, humid summer, will tolerate anything from direct sun to FULL SHADE, are highly deer resistant, attractive, and available in dwarf forms (prostrata and nana are low growers). The leaflets are longer that a Yew (remind me almost of the the emerging soft leaves of a cycad plant). Good luck! PS., I never saw these being sold locally until this year and I bought myself a nice, healthy-sized specimen.

njoasis - I am familiar w/Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata' - I have three of them growing on the back corner of my front garden. Lovely plant!

billb - Thanks for the suggestion on Cox. Had been on their website previously and would love to pay them a visit. Have checked their list and its pretty extensive. Might be worth reaching out to them.

Glenda

Some suggestions:
Pinus mugo
Picea abies
Pinus parviflora
Pinus peuce
Pinus koraiensis
Pinus strobus
Pinus heldreichii/leucodermis
Platycladus orientalis
Picea orientalis
Taxus
Sciadopity's (if watered)
Chamaecyparis obtusa, pisifera,

Dax