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stuartlawrence

Photos of my Conifer and Maple Collection part 1

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

Hey guys, Here's are big collection of photos of my backyard. I'm almost out of space in my backyard for new plants. The photos were taken in the summer and fall. The photo you see of the Flowering Plum in the summer has since been removed. I have a nice collection of container plants on my patio. Let me know if you would like to know the name of a plant. enjoy :)

Comments (40)

  • 9 years ago

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    Some photos in the spring. enjoy!

  • 9 years ago

    It's a lot to take in....how long have you been growing and collecting? Property size? Does your collection have focus or are you an arbo-holic?

    Not very important questions, but we have start somewhere!

    I'm on my phone andit is difficult to do justice to your photos. I need to get to my pc.

  • 9 years ago

    Most of the trees were planted within the last 5 years but I have some that were planted in 2003 and are pretty large now. I definitely have Coniferitis lol. I have over a half acre or so. My yard actually extends past where I have the fence in the back but I never extended the fence. I always loved plants, when I was young I grew vegetables, then it was flowers.

    Around 2003 I got into conifers, Japanese Maples and other types of trees. I planted a nice amount of tree's then, some are not around anymore or have been removed. I did this for a few years but I kinda got into other things. I really got into collecting seriously in 2012 and onward. I cleaned up the backyard which took years (it was a mess before then).

    I'm mostly out of space for planting in the backyard unless I extend the fence (I can go back up to 15 ft in some places). I took advantage of the patio and have used it for container plants. I've learned a lot about taking care of plants over the years and I'm still learning. The back of the yard gets part shade because of the tall Maples so I've planted mostly Japanese Maples there.


  • 9 years ago

    Just wow!

    What kind of tree is the large trunk on the far left in pic #1 ?

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Fantastic collection! Thank you so much for all the photos. I like it when theres multiple photos from different perspectives like this. So much great stuff.

    What is the nice mariana or is it an omorika in photo 18?

  • 9 years ago

    WOW is right, Your growing some wonderful conifer and maple cultivars! Id love to stroll around and slowly take take it all in. I was thinking the exact same as Garen in photo 18...real nice looking specimen. Also like your aureum...and is the maple with the reticulated veining 'Shigitatsu sawa'? Thanks for all the cool photos !!!

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks guys! The comments are much appreciated :)

    bill minn: If you're referring to the conifer then that's a thunderhead Pine. The old tree against the fence is a Maple.

    Garen Rees: The photo in 18 is picea mariana. I have to look up the exact name. It's similar to Doumetti.

    alley cat, this is my Shigitatsu sawa:

    Here's more plants and perspectives which I haven't posted yet:

    Acer Palmatum Trompenburg

    Acer Palmatum Fireglow, Acer Palmatum Butterfly

    Larix Decidua Puli. This plant has been struggling in the summer from our heat and humidity even with 3 times a week watering.

    Picea Orientalis Skylands

    Larix Decidua Pendula

    Picea Omorika Westerstede

    picea mariana aureovariegata

    Oriental Spruce Mount Vernon, Picea Glauca Daisy C White, Picea Abies Big Wave, Cedrus deodara Silver Mist

    Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Green Arrow

    The Japanese Maple on the bottom right has since been removed because 2 large branches were broke in the winter and I didn't like the way it looked.

  • 9 years ago

    Weeping Atlas Cedar, Juniperus scopulorum Tolleson's Weeping in a large container.

    Picea Abies Pendula

    In Containers, Sciadopitys verticillata Green Star, Acer campestre Carnival, picea engelmannii Glauca Pendula.

    Pinus parviflora Fukai, Picea abies Formanek on the left

    Acer palmatum Twombly's Red Sentinel.

    The label says "Viridis". this is fall colors.

    Cedrus atlantica 'Aurea'

  • 9 years ago

    Man, oh man Stuart! You have got it bad. :-) I keep telling myself 'no more weeping trees' as I seem to be drawn to those. But I look at your pix and I think I could have more, as long as I mixed in plenty of other forms, as you have done. Thanks for that. :-)

  • 9 years ago

    You have more variety on less than an acre than I do on 10!

    My conifer addiction isn't near as serious as yours.

    Other than just collecting, have you thought about a theme by which to arrange them?

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Lovely to see so many beauties!

    Can't help but respond to your comments that your planting area is full (mine is too) and that's the part about being a plant collector that's so difficult for me.. All those already in place growing bigger every year and starting to crowd each other and all those in containers waiting for a home. And all those you don't yet have but would sure like to..... It's hard to part with "old friends" and I don't like "murdering" my old friends.

    Here's an old friend I bought in 4" pot maybe 25 years ago, Picea orientalis 'Bergman's Gem'. It's been one of my favorite plants, but one of these years I'll have to part with it because it's taking up too much space in my small garden. I could easily grow three or four young plants in the space it is using.

    l wish there were more miniatures......but even so, they eventually get big too.

    .

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    echolane: As a collector, trying to Balance between spacing a plant and getting what I want is no easy task. Eventually some plants may get too big in which I would prune or move them. At least I can enjoy them now. I hear ya in terms of being out of space and wanting more plants. I have a list of at least 10 plants that I want but don't have the space for anymore.

    I love your Picea orientalis Bergman's Gem! This plant is on my want list for next year and it's one plant I still have space for.

    Garen Rees: Reguarding the Mariana Spruce it may actually be Doumettii. If it's not that then it's picea mariana beissneri.

    In this photo is also a Sparkling Arrow Cedar planted this fall. Also in the photo on the bottom right is a Picea Abies Acro Yellow.

    I'll be removing that Weeping red bud in the photo against the fence. I want to use the space for a narrow conifer.

    Here's a clearer photo when the sun was out.

  • 9 years ago

    Cloudy, overcast days are usually better for taking pictures of gardens. The contrast is not so pronounced.


  • 9 years ago

    You you should probably send some to me! Beautiful and I appreciate that you've named them. Thanks for sharing.

  • 9 years ago

    Nice to have a new garden to look at!

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Some more photos, enjoy!

    Acer palmatum Shishigashira fall color

    Acer platanoides Golden Globe fall color

    Acer palmatum Mikawa Yatsubusa fall color

    cedrus libani pendula? in the background

    Picea abies Big Wave

    Picea Abies Cobra

    Cryptomeria japonica 'Araucarioides, Pinus densiflora Golden Ghost, chamaecyparis nootkatensis variegata, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana on the bottom right of the photo, I was told it's filip's golden tears but it doesn't look like it. Any ideas what it might be?

    Getting ready for the winter. Cupressus glabra Raywoods Weeping, Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph', Sciadopitys verticillata 'Green Star, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Filip's Golden Tears' Acer conspicuum Esk Flamingo

    Photo from the summer, Picea Orientalis Spring Frost, Picea Abies Aurea?, Acer japonicum O-isami

    cedrus atlantica aurea (Fast Growth rate)

  • 9 years ago

    Love the continued photos. So much great stuff. Thanks!

    Really like the 'Cobra'.

    If the 'Filip's Golden Tears' isn't golden then it could be Edwin's, similar, non-gold selection 'Filip's Tearful'.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I have a question and any help would be much appreciated. My property extends past where I have the fence in the back but I never extended the fence. I would have more space for trees :). The only downside is that the fence won't be straight anymore, it would look like the letter v. What are your thoughts on extending the fence?

  • 9 years ago

    I would do it as soon as possible, shape be damned. The longer you wait, the more potential problems will crop up. I speak from experience. You can use the shape to your advantage if you give it some thought.

  • 9 years ago

    Always have a fence marking your property line to protect against proscriptive easement.

    http://www.lectlaw.com/files/lat06.htm

  • 9 years ago

    Amazing collection!

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks for the info Mike. Can you be more specific when you say "The longer you wait, the more potential problems will crop up".

  • 9 years ago

    You might get some new neighbors that won't like the boundary change very much. Your explanation might be difficult for them. Good neighbors have good fences. In the right place is paramount to being a good neighbor. We've all heard horror stories on property line disputes.

    Also design decisions are easier when as many as possible pieces of the puzzle are in place. The right placement of your fence is a large puzzle piece. When doing a landscape project, knowing where the property line is very important and one of the first things you should take care of. Then plant placement is a lot easier.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks Mike. Should I be concerned about any plants being damaged in the process of installing the fence?

  • 9 years ago

    I guess it depends where the fence is going and where the plants are. Fence builders are a lot like roofers when it comes to plants. Some are respectful and some not so. I'd tell them that you're a collector and the conifer trees are not bushes and brush and they should use the utmost caution. As a retired landscape contractor I've seen my share of fence contractors and their work. Most are pretty good.

  • 9 years ago

    @DeanW45, I read in another thread that you had a local nursery order specific plants for you from iseli. Do you mind if I ask you who? We live in the same area. I'm in Marietta. Thanks!

  • 9 years ago

    I use Gramma Bs in Sandy Springs on Hammond. They typically will add your request to the next shipment they are scheduled to receive from Iseli. That probably won't be until the spring sometime, but it's good to contact them now to make sure they budget enough space on the truck for your plants. When you call, ask for Lisa, and tell her Dean says hi!

    Also, you can try your local Pike Nursery, too. They receive more frequent shipments, but I haven't had as much luck ordering individual plants. Gramma Bs is your best bet (of the places I know about). Good luck!

    Dean

  • 8 years ago

    Yeah if you can get a theme going and add ground covers you'll have a show stopper.

    Thanks for sharing the pics!

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Dude what is your budget for your planting, I'm more than jealous. Great collection.

  • 8 years ago

    You have some very nice plants. Actually, many nice ones. It's a microarboretum. You are going to have to learn bonsai or buy a bigger place.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Is picture #8 a.p. 'jiro shidare'? I have one, but never staked it wish I had. And did I see cedrus deodara cream puff number 42 I think ? I had that one too. About 6 feet tall and gorgeous. I killed it trying to bring it into bonsai culture. Anyway. Great collection. I am a little like you I collect more than I garden. Good for you. Makes me wish i had a more temperate climate...

  • 8 years ago

    I appreciate the comments. Picture #8 is Acer Palmatum 'Ryusen' and picture #42 is Cedrus Deodara 'Silver Mist'.

  • 8 years ago

    Well I was close. Ryusen was a sport of jiro shidare. And silver mist is similar to cream puff.

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