And the winner is….

Are you a member of the American Conifer Society? I can think of two reasons that you need to join right now. Last autumn, the ACS announced its two Collector Conifers of the Year for 2009. These two specimens are definitely conifers that you want in your own garden. They are both available to members through the ACS (SOLD OUT). You may be able find these two amazing cultivars in your fine local garden centers or from online vendors – but they are still quite rare.

Pinus heldrichi 'Smidtii'

The dwarf selection is Pinus heldreichii ‘Smidtii’, a very slow grower that could attain a height of about 12 inches in ten years. This little fella is perfect in the rock garden or in containers. If acquired when quite small, it could live in a container garden for many years. In the rock garden, it is unlikely to ever outgrow its space. I love its rich dark green foliage and neat, compact habit. Mine is tiny compared to the one pictured here which is close to ten years old and nearly 10 inches high and 12 inches across.

Pinus strobus 'Niagara Falls'

The second CCOY for 2009 is a weeping form of the Eastern White Pine. Pinus strobus ‘Niagara Falls’ began as a mutation on Pinus strobus ‘Pendula’. ‘Niagara Falls’ is a slower growing form with dense foliage that cascades as the tree will mound and sprawl looking quite like the famous falls on the border of New York and Ontario. As much as I have always loved ‘Pendula,’ this new form is a premium selection that should tend to be scaled more for today’s smaller gardens. Great weeping form and compact size.

These two selections are very likely going to be difficult to find for the next few years, so if these things have gotten you excited, why not become an ACS member and get your order in on these beauties before they are all gone? (Ok, it’s too late to get them from the ACS – but membership still has benefits like a great quarterly bulletin and an opportunity to get your hands on the 2010 Collector’s Conifers of the Year next spring.)

Ed-
Conifer Lover