Mmm, I was afraid of that. The other under consideration is Abies koreana 'Aurea', but the pine was my first choice.

In addition, Pinus parviflora 'Tenysu-kazu' (yes, that's its proper name) is temporary at best. It's quite rare for one to ever live more than a few years.

i think i killed 3 of them inside 5 years ...

dont waste your money ... ken

Bob, how about a Tsuga canadensis Everitt Golden?

Punch it into google with add to cart. A couple places have it. And there are other golden hemlocks: Vermeulen Wintergold & Woods Goldleaf and I'm sure there are plenty others, as-well.

Dax

No one has had success with 'Goldilocks'? The garden gauntlet has been thrown down. ;)

Dax, Tsuga would be the logical choice. Thanks for the recommendations and I'll check them out more closely.

My goldilocks appears to be doing really well. Though it is still young. Planted early December 2014 (if I have wait until December to get Iseli at 50% off, then that is what I do:-). I planted it extremely close to a giant wood pile on the northeast corner(and under a heritage river birch-a young one). It got direct sun in the morning but at some point maybe about 1pm? It was in the shade until the sun went down. Other than when I bought it and it was yellow, it has been green. I dont remember the change though, hapoened pretty quick. I have since (as of 2 weeks ago, but not done yet) gotten rid of most the wood pile and hope to see it yellow up. i hope it lives, I had a Louie pine that appeared to be thriving then just croaked. Im pretty sure it was planted too low (my land is suuuuper wet). The goldilocks is on a good sized mound so it should stay dry. Ill snap a pic this weekend, its got some cones forming and looks real nice (but green).

I have 2 pics. It was planted early December 2014. It will be interesting to see what one years growth looks like when I take a pic this weekend.

March 15,2015

April, 24,2015

Heres a tree frog about 2" that was chilling in my largest pine about a week ago.

I have a 8-year old "Goldilocks" graft that's now a few feet tall. I of course started with a 4-6" scion.

Dax

OK, I bought one of these. I may have a problem with plants. Oh well, there are much worse problems. I'm now wondering if this pine could take morning shade and full afternoon sun.

This would be in my spouse's prized perennial garden, but she's got a hole to fill and...well, I've got the plant to do it. I should add that this area is irrigated and receives an overhead mist every other day for about 40 minutes. Some may be hissing right about now, but she does have a nice garden.

Here's a picture from last year.

Bob, Pinus strobus as the rootstock won't tolerate continuous wet feet.

Dax

Yes, watch the water (perhaps find a drier spot (thats what I would do), but Ive done worse lol). You can help matters by planting it on a mound (the taller the better).

These pics were taken today 4/23/16. Compare to previous posted pic to show one year growth (after less than 1.5 years being planted). Ill try to remember to update this yearly, glad I read this thread.

More pics.

Pete, yours looks terrific. I think you've solved the Goldilocks riddle. :)

I should clarify that this site is perfectly drained -- too perfect. I just can't imagine drainage would be an issue. The sprinkler head emits a fine mist that was designed for herbaceous plants. Is it possible the pine might appreciate that? W

Thanks. As far as the mist I dont know. Probably depends(if its effect on soil moisture is negligible then its probably a good thing). Sounds like you are well-drained, but consider planting a little higher up. I must plant everything on mounds or it dies(real wet land, I dig up leeches sometimes when I am planting). Picea pungens "The Blues", center of pic, in background, to left of the Witchita juniper is on one of my larger mounds. Occasionally it is surrounded by a moat.

I'll post a picture of the site tomorrow. Our soil is sandy and drys out very quickly. It's not all bad, but a moist woodland would be nice. Q

This is what happens when conifers get their feet too wet. Sherwood Bristlecone Pine.

Others can answer your question much better than me. Im just gardening on very wet land. Ive noticed that 90% of the time a plant or tree dies it is one that was lower to the ground and/or in a wetter area. In the case of the Sherwood, the mound was high enough (I think) but I overwatered it. I planted it in early december and should have planted it(not even watering it), and waited until spring. The mositure in the soil and subsequent rains would have been more than sufficient. I watered it way too much.

Pete, to say our soil is well drained is an understatement. Pinus banksiana and Comptonia peregrina thrive here, which gives you some idea of our conditions. BTW, I had to laugh at the thought of me growing magnolias (OK, trying to) and you pines. We're a glutton for punishment. ;)

I'm in my 4th year of Pinus parviflora 'Goldilocks' and it looks great, just no yellow yet. I'm hoping this year. We'll wait and see.

I decided to plant it in the perennial garden and hope for the best. If it's not happy, I'll move it to another spot. The two main concerns are its ability to handle full sun and z4 winter. If it can handle that, I'm optimistic it will do reasonably well. Longer term, I promised my spouse it wont exceed 8', but based on what others have reported, it seems unlikely I'll see it reach that height.

Looking spiffy!

I think you made a wise decision. My comment about strobus not tolerating wet feet is true when in a greenhouse environment (grafting) and has a lot of truth to newly-planted strobus, roots. I do believe though after a 2nd consideration that 1) people have conifer gardens where sprinklers pop up every morning on all their plants and that 2) once-established any conifer in yours and mines climate will appreciate extra water as long as the water drains properly.

You made a good call.

Dax