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.

• 24 Oct, 2009
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