Ilex x attenuata 'Sunny Foster'

Any you guys growing this unique pyramidal Holly. I got an image with a small golden portion showing and another that's not so good, however would like to hear your reports. I'm thinking of trying one with shelter someday.

Thanks,

Dax

The other image: I really thought this plant was superb!

Thanks again..

I think it looks gaunt and freakish!
Whada you think, Bill?
;-)

Guy S.

I've been slain!

Guy - I have no words -

I think I need a new language -

Super!

Yes. Marvelous.

Mind.

Wowser.

Yes.! lol

It's no wonder a see a psychologist once a month!

I keep saying I'm nuts -well literally I am!

oh man of war beach, blanket sunshine skinned.

Wow. I need a haircut. must call Rita Marley Immediately.

Oh my gosh...

Thanks.

Lovely. My garden. halloween. wart.

My new language with included blinking eye contact.

SUPER DUPER!

I need a hairdryer/airplane

Logics!

How rapped up intelligently ridiculous.

Palm Reader -

Clue: other threads.

Loggin off!

Your captain.

STaleMAte! lol

Golden leaves are the in-style this year on Mars, mate. Hey, I like it. I still have... lusty dreams about Cedrus. d. 'Aurea.'
I'm no good at games.
Kenton

Yap - too much fun this week!

Why not huh? How ya been my old pal James?

Signing off:

Your captain.

Looks like I missed all the quality humor. Must have been some good stuff to warrant a 7 AM edit session. Again, gaunt no, but freakishly yellow. Will it ever get that big in Z5 in Rock Island?

Bill

Absolutely, but it's hardy to minus 10 and I'm in minus 20 area (but usually hardly ever does it get that cold). Plus I'm a believer in increased hardiness as plants age, and of course microclimates. These perfect pyramids surrounded the herb garden at The US National Arb. - The herbs were secondary when I saw these. Then again I'm a woody plants person.

Lots of good Hollies out there and was wondering what others thought and what they might also include.

This other one (Ilex x 'Rutzan') I'm interested in too:
http://agproducts.rutgers.edu/red_beauty.html

And also, Ilex x meserveae ‘Honey Maid’ - a z5 variegated sport of ‘Blue Maid’.

(Thank god I get up early)...Whew!

Dax

I can't remember who said it, but they felt conifers that turn gold/yellow in the cold of winter are preferable to those that are golden in sping/summer. They blend in when there is a plethora of summer color from shrubs and flowers, but then kick in when when it is most needed during the depths of winter. It seems to make a lot of sense, but didn't stop me from picking up a 'Gold Rush' Dawn Redwood, which I suppose would have to be included in the freakish category. BTW, is anyone growing Pinus sylvestris 'Aureum'? This is one that turns gold during winter, but I've never been able to find it.

Dax, are you gonna try any Cryptomerias if you are gonna push zones or have a nice microclimate? I have giant sequoia seeds which you can try also.

I like the holly but I haven't seen one that big up here ever besides a picture of one in a private garden in Indiana near the lake which I am sure pushed the zone up. I do like yellow and have to stop myself from adding too much. I need more that turn gold in the winter though.

Bill

Yeah, I'll try Cryptomeria's again. Mine (I attempted 'Yoshino') made it two winters but looked like junk after the second. It also was planted without much protection (if any). Just like anything, also, if there are any low mounding or ground-hugging selections, those I'd try first (snow cover) and 'Yoshino' I'd try again also. A friend of mine has a 'Wintergreen' Sciadopity's with quite a lot of protection in mint condition but two years ago, it took a winter beating, however has since fully recovered. He lives merely miles from me. I think I'd also attempt a lot of other Sciadopity cultivars as well. Giant Sequoia I don't think so. Not unless I'm right on a huge lake with surrounding deciduous forest or the like. Thank you Bill for your offer.

I worked at a nursery in Indiana briefly and they were selling Cedrus deodara (zone 5) - kind of an interesting story so I'll share. They like my cryptomeria's took a beating each winter actually losing every needle on them but would refoliate in full each spring. I called these guys from Illinois about 4 years later and learned that all the ones growing on the nursery too eventually croaked and so did all sold. Cedrus libani var. stenocoma - I'll definitely try.

I just have to be patient until I get some land of course, but I have big plans of course. '

Maackia - golden conifers just like anything can be great, good, poor, etc. Some do look sickly, and I probably wouldn't buy them either when there's something better out there.

By far the best golden display for summer is Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst' - 3 months of golden new growth on top of green. It's an incredible plant.

And really there are many other variegated or solid yellow/golds that are excellent. Thuja occ. 'Malonyana Aurea', Thuja occidentalis 'Gold Drop', Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Aurea', Picea orientalis 'Skylands', Juniperus communis 'Gold Cone', Juniperus x media 'Daub's Frosted', Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Variegated', Picea mariana 'Aureovariegata', Picea omorika 'Aurea', Abies koreana 'Aurea', Juniperus communis 'Compacta Aurea' - just to name a few.. There's gobs of em, really..

The winter ones that I've observed and choose as must haves are:
Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph'
Pinus mugo ‘Fruhlings Gold’
Pinus sylvestris 'Gold Coin'
Pinus virginiana 'Wate's Golden'
Pinus nigra/sylvestris (I think the species was changed from sylvestris to nigra recently or at least there is some discretion) 'Moseri'
A pleasant winter yellowing on these: Pinus sylvestris 'Hillside Creeper', Pinus strobus 'Merrimack'
I don't care much for Pinus strobus 'Louie' - that looks too chloratic to me.
Picea orientalis 'Skylands' is of course a nice winter plant/year round plant.

Lots of good stuff out there but 'Chief Joseph' has to be number 1.

See you guys,

Dax