Here a Nana There Nana

Pinus cembra 'Nana' (above and below)
Picea omorika 'Nana' (below)

I love 'Nana', this is a phrase that could go in many directions, some good and some not so much.

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The 'Nana' I'm referring to is the many conifers that are named 'Nana'. The translation of 'Nana' from Latin is small or dwarf. The conifers carry that same growth habit of being smaller then the standard growth rate of the species of plant.

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As an example, the above photo of Pinus Cembra 'Nana' is a tree that at ten years will only be 3-6'. A standard pinus cembra, Swiss stone pine, will reach 6-15' in ten years. This slower and smaller growth habit of 'Nana' named conifers is great when you have limited space available.

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From pines to spruces there are a lot of cultivars named 'Nana'. Each one of those is waiting for a special spot that needs a tree that doesn't get that big or that small and is just right, Goldilocks style.