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SOME EUROPEAN CONIFER COLLECTIONS - part 1

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Two years ago almost to the day, I was fortunate to join three other conifer collector friends from Holland for what was to be a week long tour of a handful of some of the other major dwarf and ornamental conifer collections throughout central Europe. Our start point was just outside Eindhoven in Holland across to south eastern Germany, down into the Czech Republic and Austria, then return across southern Germany back into Holland. many miles were covered, and over two hundred plants acquired between the four of us without parting with a single penny! added to all the luggage it made for extremely cramped conditions on our return journey, even in an Peugeot 304 hatchback. here are a few photos documenting the trip – hopefully they come across in a more viewing friendly way rather than just all photos of individual plants.

Jorg Kohout collection, Wohla, Germany.


Pseudotsuga menzeisii ‘Dandy Doug’ – nice blue form of Douglas fir, discovered as a witches’ broom by Jerry Morris, Colorado, USA.


Me, plus Ronald Vermeulen, Jorg Kohout, and Henk van Kempen.


Cedrus deodara ‘Fallout’


Time out – another beer, and plenty to discuss, Edwin Smits with Jorg and Ronald on this occasion.


Picea orientalis ‘Tom Thumb’ – grafted onto a short standard.

Holata collection, Kouty, Czech Republic.


Larix kaempferi ‘Bambino’ – Just starting to turn colour for autumn, one of the best dwarf larches, again grafted onto a short standard, which is a very common practice in the rest of Europe.


Another group photo – usual crowd, plus Roman Holata, far right.


Picea abies ‘Wichtel’ – one of the most diminutive forms of Norway spruce, name means small person in German, although this plant was propagated from a witches’ broom discovered on another dwarf spruce on the Hillier rock garden, Ampfield, Hampshire.


Small area around the house with dwarf conifers and alpines.

Jiri Balatka collection, Vsejany, Czech Republic


Henk and Ronald, with Jiri Balatka, inspecting one of the huge stone troughs to be found in his garden, it seems that an awful lot of stone and rock are often incorporated into many Czech collectors gardens.


This was a separate garden and collection belonging to Jiri across the road to the rear of his house.


Pinus mugo ‘Mops Snezna’


Hospitality from the Balatka family, with plenty of food and a couple of shots of home made snaps(the drink) It was said by our hosts that just one shot was
enough to keep food poisoning at bay – oh my! I think the trick is it is supposed to sterilize your stomach.

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Comments

 

Good blog with great pictures.

24 Oct, 2009

 

Great blog....
Interesting how alpines and conifers take on a different look when such as bark, or stones, are placed around them...

24 Oct, 2009

 

You visted some very nice collections, Bluespruce. You have shown some lovely conifers, I particularly like the Larix kaemferi.

24 Oct, 2009

 

looks like you had a fab time bluespruce, so many differant kinds and i like the ones that have been grafted as standards, funny how we build an image of someone, your alot younger than i imagined lol love your garden to, nice blog

24 Oct, 2009

 

I've aged considerably in the last two years Sanbaz, either that or the photo is a bit flattering ;0)

24 Oct, 2009

 

lol bluespruce, think we gardeners must wear well :o))) all that fresh air and exercise

24 Oct, 2009

 

Another interesting blog with a good selection of dwarf conifers

24 Oct, 2009

 

Great to see all the different conifers Bluespruce - lucky you :-)

24 Oct, 2009

 

Fabulous, collection, really well presented. Be so interesting to travel & see them all.

24 Oct, 2009

 

A great blog again. Very interesting.

24 Oct, 2009

 

just noticed a spelling mistake, I seem to have spelt crowd as crowed - silly me! just corrected it.

24 Oct, 2009

 

Moon grower - you get these privileges when your at the top of your game :0)))

24 Oct, 2009

 

You certainly go to some lengths to gather information and contacts Bluespruce. An enjoyable whizz around eastern europe. :~)))

24 Oct, 2009

 

Ian - fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, it's an addiction.

another spelling mistake I see - you're, not your...too many beers again! :0)

24 Oct, 2009

 

Lol BS, can't fault you for that one (if it's the beer to blame) :~))
Can't get used to calling you BS!

24 Oct, 2009

 

Very good Ian :0 - try Blue or Spruce ?

24 Oct, 2009

 

Ok Blue, Lol

24 Oct, 2009

 

'Blue', the common nickname for a red headed Australian as in 'Hey, Blue!'

24 Oct, 2009

 

OK. Thanks, Blue...I enjoyed the tour and the photos of the conifers....not too sure about the suspicious-looking layabouts! LOL.

24 Oct, 2009

 

200 free plants??? Not cones or seeds, but actual leetle beety pine trees? Looks like a great time was had for all when enthusiasts get together. The Balatka collection looks excellent: are those hewn stone troughs or the more modern poured aggregate type?

25 Oct, 2009

 

Orgratis, Yes, over 200 free plants! - between four of us though.
Not too sure about the Balatka troughs, but I would think they are real, as they do seem to have so much natural rock over there.

25 Oct, 2009

 

my friend Balatka´ troughs are genuin stone I bet you
jaroslav

10 Sep, 2010

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