In Britain this species is rather slow-growing, compared with other species of spruce, and, if raised from seed, which is preferable, a juvenile state prevails (for up to 10 years) when the tree has the appearance of a dull, rather ordinary conifer. Patience will be rewarded, however, for when bearing its adult foliage it is a most remarkable, graceful, weeping tree. The alternative method of propagation, grafting, often results in a one-sided specimen, due to weak side branches being used for scions. One of the "bread and butter" slow-growing conifers, P. glauca albertiam 'Conica' eventually attains a height of 6 to 8ft(2 to 2.5m). It has a densely branched, narrowly pyramidal habit and pleasing, bright green foliage. The Serbian spruce, Picea omorika, is probably too tall for the smaller garden. It is, however, an extremely slim pyramid with an eventual height of 75ft(22.5m). A well-grown specimen is always attractive, with grey-blue downswept branches which may tempt even the "half acre" gardener to find a home for just one, perhaps as a special lawn specimen. There is a good dwarf form 'Nana', but keep the secateurs handy, for it will want to grow out of its normal 4 to 5(1.25 to 1.5m) size. Picea orientalis is an almost perfect, finely branched, dark green spruce, but again of large size. There are two 25(7.5m) forms of the species which are suitable-'Aurea', the young growths of which are an extremely pretty gold in spring, and 'Gracilis', a slower-growing green form. Referring again to specimens for a lawn, the good blue selections of P. pungens have strong claim for such a position. There are many cultivars which have been selected in European nurseries, for blue conifers are very popular in northern Europe, and 'Hoopsii', 'Kosteri', 'Moerheimii', and 'Spekii' are all similar and all good. They will all develop reasonably slowly into trees of 45ft(i4m). All have to be grafted; seed-raised stock is rarely as intense in colour. Choose an evenly branched specimen and not a one-sided tree-at least four strong buds should surround the leader bud. PINUS (pine) Everyone will be familiar with the pines, particularly the Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris, which is one of our three native conifers, and without a doubt the finest of the three. Many of the species ultimately become large trees and provide us with some most attractive ornamentals for our bigger gardens, parks and so on. Others are high mountain dwellers and consequently are more suitable for the smaller garden. There can be no doubt that the genus is well to the fore among ornamental conifers. Pines are less demanding than the broader-leaved conifers; their needle-like leaves, which are held in bundles of twos, threes or fives, are especially designed to reduce transpiration. In the wild they are always to be found on the drier sides of mountain ranges and frequently growing in poorer soil and even, in some cases, in near-desert conditions. P.