Dwarf conifers can vary greatly in their eventual size and consequently can be tricky to site properly in gardens.
As I'm getting acquainted with a conifer that is new to me, one of the ways I try to assess how large it might get in the garden is to examine how much new growth it pushes each season.
This is easiest to see early in the season, like now, just after it has put on it's spring growth but before it has hardened off and the color has faded.
Pictured here is Picea sitchensis 'Papoose'. As the name implies and the photo supports, this is going to be pretty small. This plant can be used in the smallest of gardens without fear of it outgrowing is welcome.
