Conifers

At home in a sunny spot with moderately moist well-drained soil, Picea glauca ‘Yukon Blue’ will delight year-round with its short blue-gray needles contrasted against tawny stems. The short needles expose the abundant dark brown buds. Perfect for cold areas where a slow growing tree with a broad upright habit is needed.

Garden Size: 12’H x 8’W

Intermediate: 6-10″/year

Broad Upright

Zone 3

Bluish Green

Conifer

Full Sun

Selected for its resilience to harsh winter conditions, the sturdy, compact Picea glauca ‘North Star’ produces a densely branched, classic pyramid that is covered with medium green needles. Its moderate growth rate and ultimate, intermediate size, together with superior hardiness make this introduction from Iseli Nursery ideal for use in larger, more exposed spaces, mixed borders and beds.

Picea glauca ‘North Star’

The Limey Norway Spruce

Formally thought to be a seedling selection of Picea glauca, the originator of this exciting plant has informed us that ‘The Limey’ is truly of Norway Spruce origin.Fresh, new foliage emerges each spring from the buds of Picea abies ‘The Limey’ with a bright lemon-lime color. Short needles adorn open branching that will fill in with maturity. As the season progresses, the exposed topsides of the needles remain a pleasant yellow while the undersides and shaded interior foliage turn lime green creating a striking contrast. ‘The Limey’ thrives in moist, well-drained soil.

Garden Size: 15’H x 12’W

Intermediate: 6-12″/year

Broad Upright

Zone 3

Yellow

Conifer

Full Sun

Lanham’s Beehive Spruce

The late Gary Lanham found this unusual, boldly textured, compact Norway Spruce in 1994 in Kentucky, a witch’s broom nearly 10′ up in a mature Picea abies. Intrigued by the interesting beehive form, Gary took it to Klein’s Nursery in Louisville, and from there, it made its way to Iseli Nursery. The needles of Picea abies ‘Lanham’s Beehive’ are longer and thicker than other dwarf cultivars and they have a slight glaucous tint. These features, combined with prominent, cinnamon colored stems and buds, create a dramatic effect.

Garden Size: 3’H x 4’W

Dwarf: 3-5″/year

Spreading

Zone 3

Green

Conifer

Deborah Waxman American Larch

An upright dwarf form, Larix laricina ‘Deborah Waxman’ is a seedling selection with ascending branches that exhibit light, blue-green needles through the growing season. Showy, rosy young cones appear in spring, and fall brings on a display of coppery gold. Found in a trial bed at the University of Connecticut and selected by Dr. Sydney Waxman.

Garden Size: 4’H x 3’W

Dwarf: 3-5″/year

Broad Upright

Zone 2

Green

Conifer

Full Sun

Wolterdingen Japanese Larch

The compact, spreading Larix kaempferi ‘Wolterdingen’ provides exceptional seasonal interest for small landscapes and rock gardens. In early spring, soft, new, blue-green needles emerge and continue to decorate the delicate mound through the growing season. In fall, needles change to rich yellow before they fall to show off ornamental, reddish brown branches with scales reminiscent of an armadillo’s armor. Discovered in a park in Wolterdingen, Germany in 1970, by G. Horstmann.

Garden Size: 4’H x 8’W

Intermediate: 3-6″/year

Spreading

Zone 3

Green

Conifer

Full Sun

Varied Directions Larch

This name could be an understatement! In fact, the vigorous, spreading habit of this Larix decidua ‘Varied Directions’ produces robust twigs that propel the branches up and out, in—that’s right—varied directions. Golden tan branches, covered with thick twigs, eventually arch down and cover the ground in a unique configuration for each plant. Bright green spring foliage changes to gold in autumn before needles fall. Selected by Dr. Sydney Waxman, University of Connecticut.

Garden Size: Varies with culture

Intermediate: 12-15″/year

Weeping

Zone 2

Green

Conifer

Full Sun

Prag European Larch

Delicate, green needles and short, slender branches give Larix decidua ‘Prag’ a soft, airy texture. Newer branches sweep gently upward and then spill down as they mature, giving ‘Prag’ a low, mounding form. Super cold hardy, this deciduous conifer is a great choice in some challenging garden conditions.

Garden Size: 6’H x 6’W

Dwarf: 3-6″/year

Globe Shaped

Zone 2

Green

Conifer

Full Sun

Picea pungens ‘Globosa’ is a very well-known dwarf Colorado Blue Spruce, it has an upright, broad form and silvery blue needles that make it virtually indistinguishable from P.p. ‘Montgomery’. The slow-growing, dwarf plant is globe-shaped when young, but will eventually form a leader as it matures and develop an upright, broad shape that is wider than tall. To maintain a globosa or spreading habit, prune out upright or vigorous shoots.

Height: 5' on graft height

Spread: 3' on graft height

Image courtesy of Jeffries Nursery

Three Assorted unique dwarf conifers & two  perennials selected for our Northern Climate create unique patio bowls that, with proper overwintering can remain outdoors year round.

Image displays Mature garden bowl, ceramic bowl not as shown.

Sold In Store Only 

photo courtesy of Iseli Nursery

An Iseli Introduction seedling selected from Picea abies ‘Rothenhausii’, this new dwarf cultivar has a prostrate habit that forms a low mounding shape with age. It can be grown as a slow growing ground cover or staked upright as a gentle weeper.  Delicate tiny green sprays of needles cover this very dainty specimen, which resembles cascading water that has been frozen in time. Great for containers or as a specimen plant for collectors. Truly a one of a kind.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 1.5'

• Width: 3'

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Iseli Nursery

The silvery green, dwarf Thuja occidentalis Mr. Bowling Ball^®(‘Bobazam’) looks like an oversized bowling ball, except for its fine, almost lacy, texture. Actually, it is a reliable, mid-size, spherical bush that has many uses in the landscape. A Lake County Nursery ‘Zam’ selection from Linesville, Pennsylvania, it is hardy, durable and adaptable to many conditions.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 6'

• Width: 6'

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Iseli Nursery

An exciting addition to the TRUdwarf collection of mugo pines, Pesto® has a unique spreading habit. Its vibrant green needles contrast strongly with its attractive brownish purple buds. Maintaining its ground-hugging form with minimal or no pruning, Pesto® provides the gardener with a low maintenance choice. Extremely adaptable and hardy, Pesto’s® consistency, reliability, and attractiveness make it an excellent choice for many areas.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 10"

• Width: 18"

Zone: 2

Photos courtesy of Iseli Nursery

Larix decidua ‘Puli’ is an elegant alternative to the common L.d. ‘Pendula’. When staked, its slender branches create a narrow silhouette that is more dense and lighter green than ‘Pendula’. If unstaked, ‘Puli’ branches spread out slowly along the ground and make an effective ground-cover. Very attractive in gardens with an Asian aesthetic. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 10'

• Width: 4'

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Iseli Nursery