I got my Gotelli at the original Oakland Park Nursery on Oakland Park (best place for conifers in Cbus, lots of Iseli). They always seem to have these (I got mine late Nov/early Dec at 50% 3.5 years ago, this place was on my drive home back then.) I got my Aureospicata about 4 years ago from Straders on Riverside (also 50%) but it was the last one and the only one Ive seen in central Ohio. Either would make for a nice specimen and both are doing well in Cbus.

Hi Embothrium - Thanks for the comment. That is a great point to look around at what I can easily get. I generally start with 1 gallon or so plants and grow them up but since this would be a focal point, I was hoping to get something larger. I can easily get my hands on Pic.eng.Bush'sLace, Pin.Kor.MorrisBlue, Pic.om.GottelliWeeping, Pic.or.Skylands in bigger sizes. There are also a bunch of GlaucaPendula, P.abies.Pendula that I could get. Bush's Lace is not considered for this spot as I already have 2 on my property and wanted to show something different. Same goes for the Skylands, and GlaucaPendula.

But after looking at some pictures of Gotelli's weeping, I have to think that it will get a little too big too quickly. If I got one that was 5 - 6ft, it would be 20 feet in 10 years with a 6-12ft spread. This is probably a little larger than I would desire for the area. Due to this, it is making me reconsider. I love Abies.K.Silberlocke and this would have a slower growth trajectory but would also have some of the specimen showiness. And then there is one I originally didn't consider in Pinus Koreansis Morris Blue. A little slower and different shape, but with a great texture and slightly less growth rate.

I still like de Ruyter, although I have only seen pictures of them. I also like the growth rate on them. I think that could be an ideal option. For that I would need to mail order or drive a couple hours. Both of which I would gladly do.

Pete - Thanks for the comments. I'm bummed that I never saw the Aureospicata as those are obviously the 2 stores that I freqent when I am on the hunt.

I was thinking of doing a road trip up to Michigan and Gee Farms for a little more variety.

Thanks,
Matt

in case you dont know .. the best thing about gee's is its ten acre demonstration garden .... you can actually see what the babes they sell will end up looking ...

i think you used to be able to make an apptmnt with gary gee.. to tour the arboretum .... call ahead and find out ... but i am no longer up on that ...

ken

Thanks for the suggestion Ken! Do you have an opinion on the species mentioned or even some others to add to the discussion?

Oakland Park Nursery may very well have the Aureospicatas (as well as 20% off for another couple weeks, just like every year in the heat of summer). The Abies.K.Silberlocke apparently doesn’t thrive in Cbus (hot humid summers, we are near southern end of growing range). When I bought mine end of year about 4 years ago, 5 out of 6 that Straders got that year were returned dead and he didnt recommend that I get the last one. Mine is looking quite nice (took 3 years to develop a leader but now is growing much more rapidly that it has been) and it probably survived bc my land is super wet. It would make for a real nice specimen, just make sure it gets enough water for the first 2 +/- years, especially during hot weather. Also dont rule out the Gotelli as being too big as my gut feeling says it isnt. You said up to 20” trunk diameter. Im thinking thats quite a long time for a 5-6’ Gotelli to get a 20” trunk. Maybe others can comment.

// The Silberlocke is listed as zones 5-7. Im in Columbus @6a. So my statement that Columbus is at its southern range is wrong. It does like cooler summers though.

naw .. im not good at making suggestions for others ...

as my collection started filling up space.. i got less and less impressed by short spring show plants .. which end up rather common looking the other 51.5 weeks of the year ...

otherwise... limiting yourself to what you can actually get your grubby mitts on.. is the best suggestion yet ... 10 years later.. i still have a wish list.. of plants that were never available.. lol ..

keep us posted .... on the result ...

ken

My ‘Gotelli’ has been vigorous (planted in 2013 or ‘14), but it’s hard to imagine it getting anywhere near your 20’ diameter limitation. You have listed many options and companion plants, but a picture of where it will be planted would be a big help.

Ken, are you no longer planting? You did an amazing amount of it for many years.