Mexican Weeping Pine, Pinus patula

Pinus patula, Mexican Weeping Pine

Growing to about 15 or 20 metres in height, this pine tree is only really suitable for large gardens and parks . It is a not an uncommon tree in the coastal cities and towns of Australia from Brisbane to Melbourne and is always quite eye-catching because of the shiny curtain or shawl of needle foliage which sways in the slightest breeze. It is naturally occurring in central and eastern Mexico and found growing on mountain slopes at elevations from 1500 to 3000 metres. This region receives abundant summer rainfall and experiences high humidity over summer which will account for it thriving in Brisbane and Sydney.

Apart from the decorative leaves, the tree produces attractive conical cones which are about 10cm long by 5cm across. These persist on the tree for many years but can be cut off easily if required for indoor decoration.

Pinus strobus 'Merrimack'

Dwarf Eastern White Pine, Pinus strobus 'Merrimack'

I am having a pine romance with dwarf conifers having spent a lifetime doing battle with trees and shrubs which turn into giants and become unmanageable in a tiny garden. The parent of this little pine tree does grow into a giant and originates from the eastern parts of USA. This little beauty only grows to about 1 metre high after ten years. What I love about it is the blue foliage which is soft to touch. Planting it in a raised container where you can brush past it or run your hands through the pine needles would be ideal, something to keep in mind if you are designing a garden for the visually impaired.

Pine Tree Pest, Pine Adelgid insect

White woolly secretion around the base of the needles of Pinus thunbergii indicates the presence of the pine adelgid insect (Pineus pini). This pest is related to aphids which suck the sap from plants. In my nursery both Pinus mugo and Pinus thunbergii have been affected possibly due to the plants being placed too close together and from an uneven watering regimen. I use an oil based spray to remedy it.

Pinus thunbergii, Japanese black pine

Pinus thunbergii 
Japanese Black Pine as bonsai

2017 update: I have a couple of larger specimens available in 300mm pots

Cupressus macrocarpa 'Greenstead Magnificent'

Cupressus macrocarpa 'Greenstead Magnificent'

This is a far cry from its wild parent, the Monterey Cypress of Southern California. It is a fascinating miniature clone of the variety 'lambertiana' , grafted onto a short trunk to better display the soft weeping foliage. It really works well as a container plant or as a specimen in a raised bed so as to better appreciate its form. Unlike many conifers, this one is fast growing, retaining dense foliage habit without trimming and withstanding coastal exposure or cold inland climates as well. Here it has been underplanted with the lovely blue flowering ground cover Convolvulus mauritanicus which produces masses of saucer shaped flowers over a long period.

Cupressus glabra, Arizona Cypress

Cupressus glabra 
 Arizona Cypress

This lovely silver -blue foliaged conifer is one of the hardiest and most easily grown, tolerating coastal exposure, hot dry conditions as well as cold winters down to minus 20C. It is perhaps not as popular as other Cypress as it tends to be fairly open in growth habit making it less suitable for use as a hedge. It will grow to about 8 to 10 metres and forms a great background tree to a Mediterranean style garden with Olive trees, dry loving perennials and succulents. It is native to Arizona and N. Mexico.

Cedrus libani 'Hedgehog'

Cedrus libani 'Hedgehog' 
Miniature Cedar of Lebanon

The majestic Lebanese Cedar appears on their national flag so it is hard to believe that this miniature form is variety of that tree. It is very slow growing and makes an ideal bonsai especially if kept on a raised table so that the soft weeping blue foliage can be admired. Over ten years it will grow to 20cm high by 75cm wide. Expect to pay up to $50.00 for this little beauty.

Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica', White Spruce

Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica' 
 Dwarf Alberta White Spruce

This is by far the most popular tree at this time of year and its neat conical shape makes it a favourite to grow in a large pot, in the garden or to bring inside. It is a fantastic plant in the garden for use as a specimen where a formal element is required such as close to the house entrance or as a focal point amongst more lax growing perennials. Because it is slow growing, advanced specimens can be expensive to buy but there are always plenty of small ones available. It can be difficult to grow here on the coast as it does not like humidity which can encourage infestations of Red spider mite. You know when these mites have attacked it as small brown patches or "dieback" starts to occur in isolated spots which spoil the overall appearance. This small growing form was originally found in the wild. Its larger growing parent is pictured below.

Decorative Cones on the White Spruce, Picea glauca

Picea pungens 'Fat Albert', Blue Spruce

Picea pungens 'Fat Albert'
 Dwarf Colorado Blue Spruce

Uncle Bert is just mad about Conifers and rockery plants, perhaps partly due to his Austrian heritage and the fact that he lives in a region which can have snow and ice as a part of the winter scene. Conifers are very much part of the festive season and many a tree is being decorated with tinsel and lights at this very moment somewhere in the world.
The blue spruce is a native of the mountains of the western United States and can reach a height of 30 metres (100ft) The fine and brilliantly coloured foliage is thick and prickly and carried on stout orange branches.'Fat Albert' is one of the small growing cultivars which develops a perfect pyramidal form to 2 metres high by 1.2 metres wide after about ten years. You have to be patient when growing some of these and or be prepared to pay top dollar for advanced specimens. Although these conifers are tolerant of dry soils they are more prone to attack by Red spider mite under these conditions so giving it a bit of extra water during dry spells is recommended.