A dwarf evergreen conifer with a dense round form. Needles are blue-green above with white undersides. Growth 1-3 inches a year. 2" seems to be the normal rate for this one. Purchased in 2003 as a very small cultivar. Now 12" tall and 20" wide. Prefers full sun in well-drained soil. Hardy to -40 degrees. USDA zone 3.

Dave

Picea omorika 'Horstmann'

Let's hear from the pro's and settle on the proper nomenclature. Bob Fincham uses 'Guenter' and 'Elizabeth.'

~Dave

Edwin made the name correction on mine from 'Guenther' to 'Horstmann'. His quote: The 'Guenther' is written as 'Guenther' in the German language.
'Hexenbesen' (instead of 'Hexenbeson') is the same one but the name that should be used is 'Horstmann'

I have provided the link.

Believe it on not originally purchased as 'Hexebesen'.

It is now on its 3rd cultivar name.

I hope I got all this right.

Dave

We also came to the conclusion that the original name for this witches' broom was 'Hexenbesen', but Horstmann found several Picea omorika witches' brooms, but we don't know which number he gave to this one because there is no ducomentation availlable.

Later on one of the numbered witches' brooms was given the name 'Guenter'.
The strange thing is that this name isn't used in Europe, only the name 'Horstmann' is availlable here.
Probably the Horstmann Nursery renamed it into 'Horstmann' for a commercial reason.
They renamed more conifers into this same cultivar name.

The right name for the people in the U.S. is 'Guenter'.
An investigation here in Europe has to prove if the 'Horstmann' is the same one...probably yes...

'Hexebesen' is wrongly written, this must be 'Hexenbesen' which is German for witches' broom.

Aside from that it makes a beautiful rock garden specimen. For me I find this cultivar, I have two, somewhat hard to acclimate. Longer then the 3 year adjustment for most other conifers. One observation I have noticed it does not like the hot afternoon sun if grown in the Midwest. The one in the above photo is grown partically tucked under the canopy of a 20 ft. Juniperus scopulorum 'Tolleson's Weeping Blue'.

Dave

The reason I like this pairing so much is I can only imagine that Guenter Horstmann was perhaps short and round, while Elisabeth was (is) tall and thin. Having never met them, I can only speculate. LOL

~Dave

Just somewhat confusing but tolerable.

Dave

RE: Picea omorika Parade

Posted by gardener365 5a (My Page) on
Sat, Jul 11, 09 at 9:47

Thank you Edwin.
Which is correct, 'Guenter' or 'Horstmann'? You say it is the same cutlivar, right?

Dax

RE: Picea omorika Parade

Posted by coniferjoy (My Page) on
Sat, Jul 11, 09 at 10:37

Hi Dax,
Both are incorrect, the cultivarname that must be used is 'Horstmann'.
It's a very big mess with the plants introduced by the Horstmann Nursery, once and a while they change the cultivarnames of the conifers they found.

We found out that the Horstmann nursery now is making a mess and confusions, for the last couple of years they renamed several conifers into 'Horstmann', for a commercial reason.
I hate it so much that old cultivars which are in the trade for years are renamed to earn more money...

If my mother named me Will and I decided to change my name to Jim, some might not like it and it will surely cause confusion but the name is Jim.

I'm just trying to understand the thought process on who decides what is right.

I to have/had 'Guenter' but then renamed it to 'Horstmann'.

The plant 'Guenter' didn't decide to rename itself, the owner did...
For this reason you can not compare this about yourself with the Will/ Jim thing.

Like I told before, please keep the cultivar name 'Guenter'.

A great cultivar that have been victimized by the old name game thing.

Myself to blame on this one.

Dave

When someone is researching this culitvar in the future, boom, this get all this valuable info.

All three are approximately the same age and planted at the same time. 2002. I would guess they are all close to 15 years old.

Left to right: Pinus strobus 'Horstford', Pinus mugo 'Zundert' and Picea pungens 'St. Marys Broom'.

Dave

Pinus strobus 'Horstford'

This nicely shaped bun has wonderful light green needles. It is one of the best of the dwarf, bun-shaped, globose types of White Pine available. It is a selection of Greg Williams of Kate Brook Nursery in Vermont so you know this one is good and hardy to zone 3. The height and width is 2 feet in ten years making this a perfect fit for use in a dwarf garden. This one is 14" high by 40" wide.

Pinus mugo 'Zundert'.

This selection has an exceptionally bright gold winter color and distinctively long needles. Lower and denser growth habit than 'Pumilio'. Grows about 3" per year. Full sun, Zone 4. Growth rate 3-4" a year. This one just beginning its transformation to winter color. 33" high 42" wide.

Picea pungens 'St. Mary's Broom'

An old favorite that still commands attention. A dwarf form with silver-blue foliage that grows in a squat globose to broad conical form. Great blue needle colors and small size make it a nice choice for a rock garden or foundation planting. Zone 3. with a growth rate of 1-2" a year. This one 22" high by 42" wide. It attempted to grow a central leader 4 years ago but I removed it to prevent a conical form from developing.

All three are approximately the same age and planted at the same time. 2002. I would guess they are all close to 15 years old.

Left to right: Pinus strobus 'Horstford', Pinus mugo 'Zundert' and Picea pungens 'St. Marys Broom'.

Dave

Pinus strobus 'Horstford'

This nicely shaped bun has wonderful light green needles. It is one of the best of the dwarf, bun-shaped, globose types of White Pine available. It is a selection of Greg Williams of Kate Brook Nursery in Vermont so you know this one is good and hardy to zone 3. The height and width is 2 feet in ten years making this a perfect fit for use in a dwarf garden. This one is 14" high by 40" wide.

Pinus mugo 'Zundert'.

This selection has an exceptionally bright gold winter color and distinctively long needles. Lower and denser growth habit than 'Pumilio'. Grows about 3" per year. Full sun, Zone 4. Growth rate 3-4" a year. This one just beginning its transformation to winter color. 33" high 42" wide.

Picea pungens 'St. Mary's Broom'

An old favorite that still commands attention. A dwarf form with silver-blue foliage that grows in a squat globose to broad conical form. Great blue needle colors and small size make it a nice choice for a rock garden or foundation planting. Zone 3. with a growth rate of 1-2" a year. This one 22" high by 42" wide. It attempted to grow a central leader 4 years ago but I removed it to prevent a conical form from developing.

Posted as its own thread but wants to appear here ever time.

Dave