Balsam firs, and true firs in general, like cooler situations. If the prospective area is hot or dry, I don't think it will be happy. Also, if it is encroached upon by nearby plants,covered branchlets will succumb rather quickly, and never return.

I think the dwarf cultivars of Canada hemlock are better choices, and provide more interest too(although they do possess a completely different texture). If it gets winter sun, I would protect it the first season, and let it go after that.

Rick

Thanks for the help! I will move the Dwarf Canada Hemlocks to the top of my wishlist. I do have to consider winter sun, but still hope to find success with something more interesting than a mugo pine. Any local recommendations for dwarf conifer shopping?

Good places are Tangletown, Highland nursery, Linders, Lyndale garden center, Bachmans, Gertens. But don't let this stop you from checking out other places along the way. Dwarf conifers are becoming more and more popular.

Another good plant choice would be the threadleaf Chamaecyparis pisifera cultivars, like Filifera Nana, Filifera Aurea Nana, Golden Mops, Sungold, etc. You wouldn't need to worry about them burning in the winter, except this first one because you would be planting so late in the season.