Dayton "Dirt" - January 21, 2011

I've been busy preparing for my seminar on dwarf conifers on January 29th.

This fascinating group with its diverse Genera and species gives a landscape a look of uniqueness in an otherwise cookie cutter world of the type colored suburban houses with the spirea and gold thread false cypress as highlights of the landscape.

The vast selection of dwarf conifers is not well known but to only a few who are probably members of the American Conifer Society.

The deserving adoration of these unusual plants is displayed first and foremost with vibrant colors of either the mature foliage or vibrant colors of the new growth.

Another aspect of interest is the myriad shape and texture of the plants from the extra long needles of the Himalayan Pine to the minute needles of some of the dwarf Hemlocks.

The ease of growing dwarf conifers is another good reason to implement them in a landscape.

Most are winter hardy to at least zone 5 and are well suited to the rigors of the harshest of Ohio winters.

The winter seminar series begins with dwarf conifers on Saturday, January 29th.

The cost is $5.00 each for garden club member or $10.00 each for non-members.

Hope to see you soon!

Tom