You've certainly got the right resource! They included a section in the back of that book that showcases John Ruter's experience with various conifers in Tifton, GA, which probably has pretty much the same climate as you.

You've got plenty of land, so I'd add Cunninghamia lanceolata to your list. There is a nice blue form of that one. Also, Cupressus arizonica var. glabra has very nice blue, yellow, and cream-colored cultivars. Both the Cunninghamia and Cupressus will get big.

Tom and John don't get into tropical conifers much in their book, but there may be some options for you that would be tolerant to your winters. However, I've got zero experience with those (other than an indoor Norfolk Island Pine).

What about Sciadopitys (Japanese Umbrella pine), Cephalotaxus (Japanese Plum 'Yew', not really a yew), Podocarpus, and Longleaf pine. Deciduous dawn redwood and bald cypress would work. You already mentioned Cedrus (good for blue), and Cryptomeria. There are some interesting cultivars of Metasequoia (Dawn Red.) for yellow or even creamy, white leaves. That's about as exotic as I get, but sure you'll get lots more exotic choices here.

Earlier someone posted a series of shots here of a significant assortment of rare species conifers at Leu Gardens in Orlando.

Great recommendations from all. Thanks. My book reference unfortunately says Sciadopitys won't grow here in zone 8. Longleaf pine are pretty when small but get too big and quick in this area. Good call on Bald Cypress, I have four with 40 footers as backdrop to the conifer area I am planning. Also have 50 foot Cunninghamia lanceolata as a background plant. Have two Dawn Redwoods elsewhere on property, also greater than 40 foot. Cupressus glabra I have two Blue Ice, two Limelight, two Carolina Sappphire cultivars in 7 gallon pots awaiting to find a place in the conifer garden. Keep those great recommendations coming. Thanks!

Speaking of 'Carolina Sapphire', if you think there is overlap between what they can grow and you can manage down where you are Raulston Arboretum has a search-able file of their accessions - often with photos - on their web site.

For instance:

https://jcra.ncsu.edu/horticulture/our-plants/results.php?search=sciadopitys

Thanks for the reference, great to be able to see pictures of fairly mature specimens in their sites to help pick interesting cultivars. They have a nice website.

I'm not at all sure why Sciadopitys wouldn't work for you. It doesn't like extreme heat so a siting in some shade would be in order but will tolerate high humidity and plentiful rainfall just fine. UFL's Environmental Horticulture has a fact sheet on it so it must be grown in FL somewhere :-))

What you say makes sense. I do not know personally only going by the above referenced book which says "while there will always be exceptions, we recommend that Sciadopitys be planted only in Zones 6-7". Would love to hear from anyone in this area with a success story!

Although not all the same climate as FL, I am in a zone similar to yours (even slightly milder) and the umbrella pines grow perfectly well here!!

Zonal designations ONLY apply to winter cold temperatures so I am assuming that they are attempting to make some correlation with zone and summer heat. Which is invalid for the most part. According to Sunset and its more specific zone system that takes into account high summer temperatures as well as humidity, rainfall, altitude, length of growing season, etc., this tree is well suited for even very hot summer climates, although suggests providing afternoon shade for the hotter areas.

If you like it, it is certainly worth a try!

Has to do with hot nights I think. The plants don't get a break.

And why would this genus be any different from the other Japanese origin conifers that are recommended for that area?? If Chamaecyparis and Cryptomeria tolerate that heat, why not Sciadopitys?

Hi gardengal. You're probably going to roll your eyes, but I would say Sciadopitys doesn't tolerate heat well because it doesn't. I haven't been able to grow it long-term here in 7b (although, admittedly, I haven't tried too many of them). Cryptomeria is virtually indestructible here, while Chamaecyparis obtusa usually does very well. Who knows why some plants are adaptable and others aren't?

Well, first hand local experience is always beneficial :-)) And no doubt your summer heat in GA is a lot more than mine up here in the northern climes (but yet still very mild winters).

However, this plant IS recommended for planting in the interior valleys of central and southern California and it gets plenty darn hot there! And with a very dry heat as well!

I think what Sara said is probably right: it's our hot, muggy nights.

hi scottih, If you're really feeling adventurous check out this previous thread about Wollemi Pine it cannot tolerate the winters in the mid-Atlantic where I live.

Consider Pinus palustris, Longleaf Pine

I wouldn't normally plug a nursery, but this perfectly reputable one has the difficult to obtain Parana Pine, which grows very well in north FL and along the Gulf Coast.

http://www.desertnorthwest.com/catalog/index.html

The USDA Hardiness Zones are the only US zones that are based on winter cold only. The Sunset Climate Zones are just that and the AHS Heat Zones address high temperatures.

What about the hardier Podocarpus, Afrocarpus, and Agathis species?

Keteleeria evelyniana

I know this is old, but I think Abies firma might work well, it is one of the most heat and humidity tolerant fir trees, I recommend them from zone 6a-9b

I do think there is an A. firma in one of the botanical gardens of northern Florida, but my understanding is that it's not thriving, if it's even still alive.

Abies firma usually does amazing in the Deep South, since it is native to lower elevation areas in Japan which gets pretty hot and humid in the summer and has very similar winter temperatures