NIce! Thanks. I am in a completely different climate but have (and have had succcess with) most of these. The notable exception is the 'Berrima Gold', which is, ironically, a CA native. But this is a big state...however, I do fine with straight species Calocedrus and other cultivars, such as 'Maupin Glow'. That BG though...it has seduced me three times, I've killed all three. Have tried everything. Most of my friends have had the same experience. So I would be interested to know how this one performs for you! It is so lovely. You gotta love those 'Fukuzumi' - almost self-styling.

Sara oddly enough, I managed to kill a species Calocedrus this year after it performed incredibly for 3 years... so I don’t have a lot of confidence in the BG. Just taking it one season at a time.

Very nice. Thanks for the pix. I’d only suggest changing the stake on that ‘Van den Akker’ to allow for more wiggle room.

tj

I love picture sharing! Thanks. A couple of comments: I would classify 'Gyokuryu' as a vigorous dwarf, which can serve multiple purposes in the landscape. I keep mine manageable in two ways: they are planted in deep shade, and I trim off their leaders every few years. In fact, if you are looking for a very full dwarf evergreen conifer in a shady spot, few others will look better here in zone 7b. Obviously, your is neither in shade nor had its leader trimmed. Looks fantastic!

My 'Berrima Gold' has survived for three years, although this year it began to look kind of ratty, losing many of its lower branches. However, the top still appears quite nice. I remain hopeful if not entirely optimistic.

I have nothing spectacular to show but do have a Picea glauca (species) that I planted (2013) as a 12" sapling that was growing in the woods next to my old place. It had a nice form, very thickly placed branches. I don't have a picture of it back then. Here it is in October 2016, it was just starting it's established growth that summer.

Here it is today, nearly 9ft. tall. :-)

TJ,

I definitely will cut those bands... but probably next spring; when I cut it off of the wholesale nurseries bamboo, and teased the roots apart it became scarily ”floppy”. I had low expectations it would make it through the summer. A year of training cant be too bad, right?

Dean,

I have to agree with you about the beautiful fullness of “Gyokuryu”. I’ve always been scared to use them in shade for fear of them becoming sparse. I’d love to see one in shade.

While talking with Mike at Mountain Meadows Nursery in Asheville, NC (cool guy and awesome plants) he was saying how “Gyokuryu“ and “Giokumo“ were being considered as Christmas tree options for the southeast because of how well they take to shearing and shaping. Considering all the physical tasks I’m constantly behind on with the garden I’ll just have to take folks’ word on it.

Bill that’s awesome! I always have Picea and Abies envy when I see great looking specimens like that. I know I’m on borrowed time with my pungens. I’ve lost too many omorikas to feel comfortable with them (maybe the species will make it). Just hoping for a smithiana or morrisonicola connect.

Ron, thanks for the fukuzumi appreciation. The first “fancy” trees I planted was this trio of P. Parviflora ‘Glauca’.

(just ignore the grass and weeds...)

They’ve kicked butt; but the variegated cultivars I’ve tried after them have crapped the bed in two years (Fukai and multiple Ogon Janomes). I’m holding my breath on this ’Fukuzumi’

... and the Berrima Gold

Grass??? Weeds??? Too busy looking at the TREES, Stephen. :-)

Thanks -- nice compilation of conifer pics. Especially like the cryptomeria.