first off.. welcome.. nice to see a new name ...

so many new words to learn ... do you want 'species' or do you want 'cultivars' ... species are plants that grow in the wild .... i am not aware of any of them being 'dwarf' ... but i may be wrong on that ...

cultivars are named varieties ... propagated [in a variety of manners] due to some special qualities.. like size or color or a bunch of other things ...

i am guessing you are looking for cultivars ....

the link below .... is to the ACS ... there are some good articles about conifer basics.. as well as many pix.. especially in the database ...

now .... all that said... are you looking for dwarf's ... or minis ... the best example i have is that if momma is 380 feet tall ... a dwarf of her can be a 200 foot tree ... so the term is rather misleading....

you might really be looking for a mini .. which grows only about an inch a year ... check out the info at the ACS ...

also be aware ... the most height estimates are at 10 years .... and the following year it will be that estimate plus one annual growth rate ... conifers never really magically stop growing....

so check out the ACS ... read the articles... and we can start working on some ideas for you ...

we will also need your zone ... and a better definition of 'some shade' .. or in the alternative... how many hours of direct sun ... and if you have a digital camera .... posting some pix of your spots.. can get the best info ...

good luck

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: American conifer society

Species in Indiana:
Pinus strobus, parviflora, peuce, bungeana, resinosa,
Picea abies, pungens, engelmannii, omorika,
Abies nordmanniana, concolor, veitchii, alba, koreana,
Larix decidua, kaempferi,
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Taxodium distichum
Tsuga canadensis
Thuja occidentalis
Platycladus orientalis
to name a few...

I'm sure you're looking for cultivars. You may check out my photos from arboreta. A lot of which you'll find in the trade. Link Below. Also check out the conifers photo gallery for UBC Botanical Forums as well as The American Conifer Society's Database.

Have a good one.

Later,

Dax

Here is a link that might be useful: Dax's Photos

microbiota decussata i suppose could be considered "dwarf" in the sense that it is very short, and is very hardy for your area.

Dax gave you a a pretty extensive list... pick from that and you can't go wrong, all hardy to zone 5a or colder, it pays to ask an expert!

I have some ideas about how to get started...

I think your specimen setting would be most effective with a combination of forms, easily done with three or four separate cultivars. Try using one conical or pyramidal form, one weeping form and one with a rounded(globose)form. A nice groundcover to tie the new planting to the surrounding area, make it look established.

Playing close attention to foliage texture, contrasting soft and hard, feathery and stiff.

Also consider that in full sun, a variegated form may scorch, some form of shade protection may be needed until established, you may need to select an alternative. Or place it in the partial shade you mention.

At any rate, don't forget to consider foliage color as well. Silver, blue and gold, as well as all shades and tints of green.

Bury a few well-chosen rocks, soften their edges with sedums and grasses, or other choice perennials.

Just some musings, I would love to do the same...

Perfect Prairiegirl!

Dax

Maybe a Picea omorika 'Pendula Bruns' (silvery-grey/green/blue needles)
A Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph' (winter color bright gold; other three seasons a real good green)
A groundcover Juniper like Juniperus horizontalis 'Monber' (purple winter color - other seasons a grey color)
A Larix kaempferi 'Wolterdingen' (blue deciduous) put off to one side (provides fall color too).
And a Green Plant such as Thuja occidentalis 'Teddy' (turns plum in winter also).
A few Lavendar angustifolia 'Hidcote' (3) and some yellow Sedum surrounding the Lavendars and some "Snow In Summer" perennial's.
An ornamental grass such as Muhlenbergia capillaris, ya cannot go wrong!

Dax~I knew you would know the specific conifers better, thanks for the ideas. :)

I have seen Teddy, & can vouch for it's cuteness!

Another one I like is Pinus strobus 'Blue Shag', have not seen it for sale.

Muhlenbergia capillaris, while a beautiful grass, is not hardy to zone 5a...in the suggested grouping I would use Korean feather reed grass, Calamagrostis brachytricha, next to the upright conifers. It also has big, soft feathery plumes.

I was just testing you about the ornamental grass (and to get some suggestions) ;-)

Thanks Prairie Girl! :)

Dax

zoohort- I think this may be a good starting point for ideas for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Coenosium

bump :0)