Pinus mugo 'Pumilio' (2)

Plant first week of May.

Small potted specimens.

Both grew well but one died after I noticed it wobbled in the ground quite severely.

About the time I root pruned, to remove the tightly circled roots that were strangling the trunk,

there was nothing left to hold the top to the root ball, and it fell off. 🙄

I don't deem it necessary to replace it and the other one is looking good.

The Pinus mugo in the ground over 2 full seasons now that replaced a plant (scholar tree) that died, put out a foot of growth this season.

The Abies nordmanniana, purchased third week of May died.

I purchased another and planted June 7th and just finished root surgery last week.

Picea Omorika:

Bought and planted the first week of June.

It's put on a couple inches of new growth since planted and appears to have a second flush going on with a little new growth at the branch tips.

Calliopsis nootkatensis 'Pendula':

Planted a year ago last March.

Growing well.

Thuja plicata 'Virescens':

Planted year ago, last March.

I cut a few of the 'sunburnt' stuff off, last year.

This year, I can see new green growth sprouting from the main trunk.

It should grow a lot 'fuller' with those additional new branches.

34" tall measured recently.

Not a conifer but the Cotoneaster 'Lucidus' planted 5-3-2025, has done well and put on an additional 18-20" new growth since spring. Has berries and doesn't seem to have problems with rabbits and deer as I haven't had protection around it all summer.

Not a new plant but the winter damage on the Taxus 'hicksii' has recovered some and will probably look like new with an additional season of growth next year.

If I think of anything else that I missed, I'll be back. ;-)

eta: Picea glauca 'Pendula'.

Planted year ago last March. Thriving!

8-27-25:

Juniperus Squamata 'Blue Star'.

Planted middle of June 2024.

There was some snow weight damage this spring from last winter, center top.

It partially filled in (>50%?), probably all I can expect from a 2nd season in the ground plant.

I can always move it to a more protected location, if it's a continuing problem, but it looks healthy. ;-)

Thanks, Terry!

I found the Serbian spruce a little late in the season and being it had begun growing, I didn't want to mess with the roots. It didn't look too bad when I unpotted it and I managed to straighten out a few of the fine roots that were just beginning to follow the sides of the pot. Hopefully there will be no problems with that one, but I'll have to check it again next spring.

I have several newer conifers now, that are rated the same z4 hardiness as the nootka cypress, so staying above 30 below is the critical element which I have no control over.

It sounds like nootka cypress is subject to winter sunburn too (like my Tsuga's), so not sure how many plants I'm willing to provide winter protection for.

I've been keeping my eye out for an upright mugo. The Sherwood Compact and Tannenbaum would be welcome here. ;-)

Nice. I understand your affinity for conifers -- green in the long winter, even if it's a bit subdued. And much better windbreaks too.

That and bottom line is, you grow what will grow at your place.

And it's difficult to know exactly what those items are.

So many variables and departures from 'normal' in each area and it's different every season imo.

I have the nootka in the most wind protected spot that I have, but that spot is also the most open to both direct and snow reflected sun and boy, do we get sunny weather at this location, months of it some years.

Talking about a zone 5 plant like the Thuja p., it's protected fully from wind and if we have big snows that last all winter, it could be fine for several years. The last two winters were -18 and -27 respectively for lowest temperatures for its first winter season was -27 but it was snow protected until spring. Came back fine.

Not sure about the hemlocks. This time of year, the sun angle is about the same as we get mid-April. So, judging from what I'm seeing, I needed about 4-5 ft. of growth this season on the red pine, before they would cast a full shadow on the State Champ Tsuga area, until middle of April, which is generally ground thaw by then.

In reality, the ponderosa pine grew about 2ft. and the other pines about a 1-1/2'. A little surprising since we had good early rains this spring and summer. ;-?

So, guess who'll be setting up the sunshade on that hemlock again this Fall?

The other Tsuga c. from out east, is much more protected so close to the big red pine, larix and shed and tbh, I think I'll get by with minimum protection, maybe none, for that one (But I'm prepared for anything). ;-)

The small trees are easy. A chicken wire surround and a piece of burlap, takes care of the hard winds and sun, it even might catch some snow for protection.

So, what will be will be. The lowest temperatures will be the real culprit.

I'll first see what I lose, if anything and decide then what I might or might not replace it with.

One thing is for sure; it will be a busy month in September with all the winter preparations there are to do in my yard, so as long as my health endures, guess who'll be out there working away at it?

I'll keep in touch.

;^)

Thanks for the update! The Nootka looks good and I will be very interested to see how it progresses. Best wishes to you and your trees 😊

Thanks Bob!

This winter, I'll just rig up a sunscreen for the nootka and load up the mulch ring.

Snow will be gravy on the potatoes and above -30 of course, much appreciated. ;-)

Just because I messed up starting a separate 'winter protection thread', I'm putting a link here to connect this thread to that one. No need to bump this. Thanks!

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/Tsuga-canadensis-and-others-winter-protection-thread.