I can't really comment on the heat since we average ten 90 degree or higher days in a given season.

Pinus parviflora is fairly heat tolerant, but not very; it is also not particularly drought tolerant. There are other pines that are a lot better for hot dry sites. You might want to consider one of the pinyon pines, or a Lacebark Pine Pinus bungeana.

Resin

otherwise.. i have a half dozen or so parvs ... and have little or no problems with them in MI ... cold z5 .. former horse pasture.. rather windy ... and only water until established.. otherwise free range.. and it has been plus 90 for two summers running ...

and i have no problem with them ...

daves southern z5.. is much different as to heat ... and i think its a night heat/humidity thing.. and i would set off what he says as compared to my experience ... in other words.. dont focus only on day heat ...

ken

I completely agree with the above comments on Goldylocks'. Definitely cannot take full hot sun. Some parv's have made it here but usually when they are micro-climated in dappled shade and well watered. Stay away from all the golden varietals. I've had some luck with 'Ogon' but that's the only one.

mark

All my Pinus parviflora do quite well here. Especially 'Tenysu-kasu' aka 'Goldylocks'. No special screening is given to them and all have full sun.

I can't emphasize the importance of making sure these conifers have enough water during the summer season. You need to be on top of that or they will turn on you over night and brown out. Once they turn they don't recover.

Remember water is the key.

Dave

The larger, more vigorous and colorful is on the south side of the house in full sun nearly all day. Never screened, on year three it pushed 6" of new growth this year.

The smaller clearance special is in it's second season on the east side of the house. It is more green, but also put on about 2" this year.

Both areas are protected from wind and both plants have been low maintenance and trouble free for me.

I've heard plenty of bad things, but have had no issues myself.

John and Dave, could you share photos of your plants showing off their midwest glow?

I was just looking at it yesterday and thinking - what a great plant! It's got a wonderful bright color. This one is pretty much in full sun, and is next to the sprinkler so it gets plenty of water.

Dave

tj

John, perfect design you have there. A dwarf bosnian pine two down from the blue spruce on the left would look real nice.

You scored big.

A great setting.

Love your house and the complimentary design that ties it all together.

Dave

I want to know stuff when *I* grow up.

I like the idea of a dwarf bosnian. I don't know have one and don't know much about them. I considered adding another Picea Pungens Sester's Dwarf, but I already have one in the yard,

I struggle with design and moved things around a few times to get to this point. I plan on removing the sidewalk and putting in a larger sweeping curve of pavers. At that point, the boxwoods will go (my wife likes them) and I'll move some more things around.

My cooler stuff is on the property line on a berm I built last spring. Maybe I'll share that next year if I can get it closer to how I'd like it.

It's

'Tenysu-kazu'

Dax

Oh, and it is not called "stealing" it is called "inspiration." ;o)

http://www.garden-of-eder.com/

I really enjoyed their display gardens and they had some pretty cool stuff. I came home with a Picea Glauca Pendula, about a 9' for $350. I've been looking for a nice specimen for few years, this was the nicest and lowest priced for the size.

They had (3) picea orientallis skylands for $95 a piece. There looked really nice. Container grown, just in and about 3' tall. I didn't check the post size, probably a 6 gallon, since I wasn't in the market for another one.

I wasn't very impressed with their Japanese Maples, but I'll definitely go back for conifers. Very friendly staff and interesting history to the nursery as well.