Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Coniferous

Why should flowering plants get all the attention?  With the fresh new growth lighting up the conifers, now is the time of year to visit our Pinetum.  This collection of dwarf evergreen conifers was a gift to the Rodebaughs in 1972 from horticulturist Phillip A. Livingston. He wanted his collection to be preserved, and it is certainly thriving at Welkinweir.  
The Pinetum includes more than just dwarf conifers.  There are several unique species and cultivars with variegated, golden, or blue foliage.  The new growth and colorful cones are absolutely stunning this time of year. 
  
Taxus sp.

Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula'

Picea abies

Juniperus sp, variegated form

Abies concolor
I absolutely love this plant.  In my college plant identification course, the professor invited us to bite down on one of the needles.  It is surprisingly citrus in flavor.

Pinus cembra 

Pinus mugo

Pinus strobus 
  
Picea pungens
  
Picea orientalis

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