2026 Jean Iseli Legacy Collection - Collectors’ Conifer of the Year

Acer Alpenglow® ‘INAG-E61’: This remarkable hybrid maple offers outstanding potential for complementing a conifer garden. As a companion plant, it would provide additional interest and beauty with its changing, captivating colors; deciduous nature; pleasing texture; and sturdy, year-round, ornamental structure. In 1997, Iseli Nursery initiated a breeding program to enhance the hardiness of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), while also focusing on imparting distinctive red foliage. In 2016, after many hybridization efforts incorporating the very cold-hardy Korean maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum), a seedling stood out with the desired attributes and was tested to survive temperatures of minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. In the spring, Alpenglow (PP35,081) leafs out with translucent veins that capture light to produce a rich, glowing merlot-colored display on deeply divided, seven- to nine-lobed leaves. As the growing season progresses, the display mellows to burnished bronze. Then in the fall, the scene changes to a blaze of oranges and reds. As a small to moderately sized tree with an upright, narrow oval habit and graceful arching branches, it can be expected to at least obtain a height of nine to 10 feet and a width of six to seven feet in 15 years. Growth typically occurs at a rate of nine inches per year. It is rated for USDA zones 4 through 8.

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Acer First Flame® ‘IslFirFl’: This is another remarkable hybrid maple from the Iseli breeding program that pairs well with conifer collections. Hardy through USDA zone 5 and rated into USDA zone 8, it is noted for its spectacular pageantry in the spring. It begins with the emergence of hot, bright tangerine-orange, small star-shaped leaves that become highlighted with linear leaf veins of a striking, lighter orange. Over time, the show gradually fades to more subdued shades of orange and red. By midsummer, the foliage fades to a light green. However, being a vigorous grower, it will flush over the summer with new red and orange leaves that will continue to create interest. For the fall, the tree completely returns to a blaze of red and orange. First Flame typically grows 12 to 15 inches per year and generally matures to a height of 20 feet, with a rounded canopy that spans 15 feet in width. This finely textured, elegant tree puts on the best color show in a sunny site.

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Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Just Dandy’ Iseli®: This hinoki cypress is a remarkable seedling selected in 1981 from thousands grown from Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’. The dense, finely textured, glossy, bright green foliage is held in compact sprays on a low, rounded, spreading plant. Typically, such dense foliage is associated with slow-growing, miniature selections. However, the lush growth on this superior cultivar will produce a substantial dwarf in a few years rather than decades. ‘Just Dandy’ should perform well in a sunny to partly shaded site in USDA zones 5 through 8.

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Juniperus horizontalis ‘Mother Lode’ Iseli®: This selection of creeping juniper was found in 1982 as a sport on ‘Wiltoni’ and is noted for its bright, stunning, yellow foliage in summer. As winter approaches, though, it transitions to tones of burgundy and plum. Growth typically does not exceed six inches in height as it slowly travels along the ground, rooting along the way, which creates a dense carpeting effect. Alternatively, it can be admired flowing over a wall or ledge, thus creating a cascading effect. A sunny site brings out the best colors. ‘Mother Lode’ prefers good drainage and tolerates drought once established. It is suitable for USDA zones 3 through 7.

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Picea pungens Monty®: This very choice Colorado spruce has an outstanding, compact, conical form and amazing, vivid color. In 2001, Iseli Nursery did a controlled cross between the compact, blue, spreading oval-shaped ‘Montgomery’ cultivar and the strikingly silvery blue, dense, tall pyramidal cultivar, ‘Hoopsi’. The best traits of both appeared in a distinct, incredibly appealing, very dense, conical, bright silvery blue selection with a relatively slow growth rate. It is ideally suited for a smaller space where some bold color would liven up the scene. In 10 years, Monty (PP34,883) can be expected to be about five feet tall and four feet wide. It is suitable for USDA zones 2 through 8. 

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Pinus mugo Pesto®: Pesto is a relatively new selection from Iseli’s TRUdwarf mugo pine series. These mugos were selected seedlings that stood out for unique, eye-catching characteristics. They are all propagated by rooted cuttings to ensure true-to-type clonal reliability, such as compactness, form, needle color, and habit. Pesto® joined the ranks due to its tight texture, very compact form, and spreading, ground-hugging habit. Other attributes include its vibrant green needles, which contrast with the brownish-purple buds. It performs best in a well-drained sunny site and is suitable for USDA zones 2 through 8. 

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Listing of CCOY offerings 2006 to Present