Iseli Nursery

10/09/2026

Carnival Hedge Maple

Acer campestre ‘Carnival’ is eye-catching each spring as new small leaves emerge with a blush of pink. The leaves mature with green and white variegation. Slow growing, twiggy plants are attractive placed as individual specimens in the garden or in mixed plant containers on the deck or patio. This winter hardy plant should be planted where some protection from constant full-sun will help prevent the summer sun from scalding the white portions of the leaves.

Garden Size: 15’H x 12’W
6-12″/year
Zone 5
Variegated
Garden Maple
Sun to Partial Shade

10/09/2026

Spiralis Hinoki Cypress

Few trees can claim the dramatic architectural quality of the incredible Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Spiralis’. A striking narrow habit and attractive bark contribute to the beauty of each specimen. But it is the very dense, finely textured foliage naturally sculpted on spiraling branches that account for the awe factor. Slow growing and ideal for large courtyard containers, this choice selection has a delicate constitution that requires perfect conditions. Grow in moist, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade.

Garden Size: 4’H x 3’W

Intermediate: 2-4″/year

Narrow Upright

Zone 5

10/08/2026

This week the garden has only just started to shift into color for autumn. Here is a 13 minute walk through to show how things are progressing. Peak color is still weeks away depending on how the weather goes. Link in comments.

10/08/2026

Weeping White Spruce

Picea glauca ‘Pendula’ was “rediscovered” by Jean Iseli in 1982 at the Morton Arboretum in Illinois, where a specimen had grown since 1958. Iseli fell in love with the distinctive tree’s formal, narrow, conical shape and its pendulous, stiffly held, drooping branches and loads of light, gray-green foliage and was determined to get it into the gardens and landscapes of today’s gardeners. The original tree was propagated by D. Hill Nursery from a tree in a native stand near Guelph, Ontario. Thanks to Jean Iseli, this elegant Weeping White Spruce was not lost to cultivation.

Garden Size: 15’H x 4’W
Dwarf: 6-12″/year
Narrow Upright
Zone 2
Bluish Green
Full Sun

10/07/2026

The Blues Colorado Spruce (25yrs of growth)

Picea pungens ‘The Blues’ was discovered as a unique growth sport on a Weeping Colorado Spruce and has become a favorite in gardens everywhere. Lush blue spring foliage drapes off of downward flowing branches creating a pleasing waterfall of year-round color. Plants may be trained to flow along a fence, deck railing, or stone wall and then allowed to spill across the ground, splashing against well-placed rocks in the garden. Enjoys a moist, well-drained location.

Garden Size: Varies with culture
Intermediate: 6-12″/year
Weeping
Zone 2
Blue
Conifer
Full Sun

10/07/2026

The fog has rolled in again today and the conifer shapes are looking quite intriguing. This is our 25 year old specimen of The Blues Colorado Spruce.

Picea pungens ‘The Blues’ was discovered as a unique growth sport on a Weeping Colorado Spruce and has become a favorite in gardens everywhere. Lush blue spring foliage drapes off of downward flowing branches creating a pleasing waterfall of year-round color. Plants may be trained to flow along a fence, deck railing, or stone wall and then allowed to spill across the ground, splashing against well-placed rocks in the garden. Enjoys a moist, well-drained location.

Garden Size: Varies with culture

Intermediate: 6-12″/year

Weeping

Zone 2

Blue

Conifer

Full Sun

10/06/2026

The golden larch is shining brightly this morning. Native to China, Pseudolarix amabalis is a deciduous conifer grows slowly into a large, broad pyramid with open, horizontal branching. As the seasons progress, the delicate, light green foliage of early spring deepens, and in fall the tree bursts into a dazzling gold. Plants appreciate slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil, and full sun. Pseudolarix are more tolerant of the southeastern U.S. summer heat than the true Larix.

Garden Size: 20’H x 15’W

Large: 12-15″/year

Broad Upright

Zone 5

Green

Conifer

Full Sun

10/05/2026

10/05/2026

How long does it take to grow a garden specimen? These timelines follow a few of our plants from a small first-year graft or cutting to a mature tree, with the common container sizes marked along the way. Every variety grows at its own pace, but the idea is the same: great plants take time. Iseli plants are Priceless... with Time.

10/02/2026

Here are 11 evergreens for a shady, understory planting area. For more information on each of these, such as sizing or zone, click on the links below:

1. Abies koreana 'Ice Breaker'
https://iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/abies-fir/abies-koreana-ice-breaker/

2. Abies balsamea 'Piccolo'
https://iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/abies-fir/abies-balsamea-piccolo/

3. Abies nordmanniana 'Golden Spreader'
https://iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/abies-fir/abies-nordmanniana-golden-spreader/

4. Podocarpus nivalis 'Jalako Red'
https://iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/podocarpus-plum-pine/podocarpus-nivalis-jalako-red/

5. Taxus cuspidata ‘Nana Aurescens’
https://iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/taxus-yew/taxus-cuspidata-nana-aurescens/

6. Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’

https://iselinursery.com/companion-plants/ophiopogon-planiscapus-nigrescens/

7. Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Hedgehog’
https://iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/cephalotaxus-plum-yew/cephalotaxus-harringtonia-hedgehog/

8. Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Prostrata’
https://iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/cephalotaxus-plum-yew/cephalotaxus-harringtonia-prostrata/

9. Podocarpus x ‘Red Tip’
https://iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/podocarpus-plum-pine/podocarpus-x-red-tip/

10. Tsuga canadensis ‘Jeddeloh’
https://iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/tsuga-hemlock/tsuga-canadensis-jeddeloh/

11. Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’
https://iselinursery.com/colorful-conifers/tsuga-hemlock/tsuga-canadensis-pendula/