Almost all dwarf conifers are cultivars derived from mutations of the original large trees and shrubs. Because they are propagated vegetatively as clones of the parent mutant, they ought to be clearly distinguishable one from another. Unfortunately, for various reasons this is not always the case and the result is a bewildering variety of names that even the best experts cannot sort out. In the following, I have relied on a sole authority of Humphrey J. Welch (Manual of Dwarf Conifers, Theophrastus, New York, 1979, 493 pp.) and even then some of my names may be incorrect for the plants I have in my garden. What is included here are dwarf conifers that I have grown during the last 35 years and that I have managed to keep, with the help of my pruning shears and fingers, at a size appropriate for a medium-size rock garden. It is not, however, a selection of the best', easiest', or 'smallest'. With the availability of some 2000 varieties, such selection would require expertise that I only wish I had. Apart from mentioning some general characteristics, I have omitted most botanical descriptions that can be found in reference books such as the already mentioned Welch's Manual. The listing is alphabetical with the genus first, followed by the cultivars I know and have grown for 8-35 years in my rock garden or, in exceptional cases, in pots. Many other cultivars that I grew but was unsuccessful in keeping small are not mentioned. Notes on propagation refer to the cultivars mentioned here. The sizes show height first and then the largest width dimension.

*CEDRUS*

A rather small group of evergreen conifers that resemble deciduous larches (*Larix*). Propagation is easy from semi-soft cuttings taken in early fall and kept over winter.

*C. libani* Comte de Dijon'.- The original plant was a graft that was shaped and maintained like a tree with a flat crown. It has bright green, sharp needles that do not change color in winter. Light shaving is required yearly or more often to shorten protruding shoots. Size after 23 years: 47 x 48 cm.

*CHAMAECYPARIS*

The largest group of dwarf conifers and the easiest to grow and keep in bounds. Branchlets are flattened, fan- shaped or thread-like with scaly juvenile foliage. Shaving of the fan-shaped sprays should be done often and very lightly because the sprays are slow to recover. Cutting into the wood invariably leads to a die-back. So does pruning performed by deer. However, shaping by removing entire branches at the trunk site is usually well tolerated. Propagation is easy from cuttings taken in the fall.

*C. obtusa*'Coralliformis Nana'.- A mound-forming, decumbent bush with curious, thread-like foliage, dark green throughout the year. Yearly light shaving is well tolerated. Prefers a somewhat sheltered location. Size after 13 years: 22 x 34 cm.

*C. obtusa*'Golden Sprite'.- One of the very slow-growing tennis ball' chamaecyparises that form a flattened bun with bright yellow-green foliage. None or only very light shaving is required. Size after 8 years: 6 x 10 cm.

*C. obtusa* Gracilis'.- Although this is supposed to be a very fast-growing, upright bush or tree, my clone, possibly misnamed, is not that vigorous and can be shaped by cutting of unwanted branches at the trunk site. The leaf- sprays are rather small, shiny green with a bronze cast in winter. It is now a crooked tree with a 6-cm wide main trunk. Size after over 20 years: 40 x 41 cm.

*C. obtusa*'Nana Aurea'.- A rounded bush, medium green with bright, yellow-green new growth that only slowly changes to green through the year. Bronze cast in winter. Requires careful, slight shaving every year and more drastic shaping every second year. Size after 22 years: 23 x 27 cm.

*C. obtusa*'Nana Gracilis'.- Can be grown as a tree with a more or less flat crown. Every five years unwanted branches may be cut off at the trunk and the plant can be shaped as required but shaving and shortening of branches is not tolerated. The foliage is dark green with a slight bronze cast in winter. This is one of my oldest dwarf conifers. Size after 32 years: 106 x 76 cm with a 7 cm wide trunk.

*C. obtusa*'Nana Lutea'.- A very slow growing columnar tree with sparkling yellow-green new growth that shaving would remove. The yellow color fades very slowly during the year. Only shaping by removing entire unwanted branches needs to be done every second year. This drastic surgery is well tolerated. Because of its striking appearance, I allowed this plant more space than was absolutely necessary. Size after 22 years: 83 x 66 cm.

*C. obtusa*'Pygmaea Aurescens'.- Similar to the previous one but with a tendency to grow sideways rather than upright. Welch describes it as being a rather vigorous grower but my plant grows very slowly and is easy to keep small by occasional shaping, probably because it is planted directly in a stone wall where it receives limited amounts of water and nourishment. This starvation diet, however, does not affect its beauty. Size after about 24 years: 21 x 28 cm.

*C. obtusa*'Repens'.- A prostrate, permanently green bush with fan-shaped sprays. A yearly, careful shaving will keep it low. Contrary to Welch, my plant, situated in full sun, is not a vigorous grower. Size after 14 years: 19 x 20 cm.

*C. obtusa*'Tetragona Aurea'.- One of the most brilliant and beautiful of the species. It forms a round bush with vivid gold, long, decumbent, frond-like branches. Being a strong grower, it requires frequent and very careful pruning by shortening the longest shoots and occasional removing the upright growth. Fortunately, the pruning is well tolerated and the plant remains dense and colorful, assuming a metallic bronze cast in winter. However, even partial shading strongly diminishes its gold color . Size after 17 years: 35 x 31 cm.

*C. obtusa*'Tetragona Green'.- Welch considers this a green form' of Tetragona Aurea' and doubts its existence. Nevertheless, my plant is generally indistinguishable from the golden form except for its color that is a solid, somewhat glaucous green throughout the year. Because the yellow cultivar remains green when grown in shade, Welch believes that the green form' was simply the former grown in partial or full shade. However, my plant remains green even in full sun. Pruning and care is the same as for the gold cultivar. For some reason, this plant was once badly damaged by deer. Size after 17 years: 22 x 20 cm.

*C. pisifera*'Boulevard'.- A striking, intensely blue- silver bush that can be shaped to form a small tree with a round crown. It is a strong grower and, after the initial shaping, requires a twice-yearly shaving. Because the new growth is its most beautiful aspect, the shaving, even if done very carefully, does somewhat diminish its full glory, but still the plant is a reliable attention-getter. I grow it in full sun in poor, clay soil, with a 5-cm dressing of limestone chips. This treatment is quite contrary to Welch's suggestion of partial shade, no lime, and perhaps even alpine house cultivation. Size after 15 years: 44 x 47 cm with a 2.5 cm wide trunk.

*C. pisifera*'Plumosa Aurea Nana'.- A brightly colored bush with delicate branches and feathery foliage that retains its gold color throughout the year. Because the growth is not dense, pruning of any kind presents difficult problems. Very mild shaving in late fall is probably best because the new growth in the spring at least partially fills the empty spaces. Damage caused by spring and summer pruning recovers very slowly. It is a lovely plant but very difficult to keep small and still good looking. Size after 12 years: 42 x 41 cm.

*C. pisifera* Plumosa Compressa'.- A gem for the rock garden that can be kept at almost any size and shape for decades in full sun or slight shade. The foliage is very small and grows in tight rows giving the plant a mossy appearance. The color is lush green during the growing season with variable bronzing in winter. However, several differently colored varieties are also known. Both shaping and pruning are well tolerated . Only deep shade or bad drainage can kill this invaluable dwarf conifer. My oldest plant of over 30 years was shaped as gnarled tree, now 49 cm tall and 40 cm wide with a trunk over 5 cm in diameter. Other specimen were shaped as bushes of different shapes and proportions.