I know I ran for cover. I’m sure you did as well. We can only cope with so much damp on our shoulders and legs.

However I did get a picture landscape or memory postcard image impressed upon my mind; almost as if I had taken a flash photo. 

It was up at the Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden at Elizabeth Park.

A group shot of Pine (Pinus densiflora ‘Pendula’) and groundcover Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Rug’) was most impressive as a miniature model. 

The Pine, with the common name of Japanese Red Pine, has fine delicate needle-like leaves. In spring it produces male flowers in ellipsoidal yellowish catkins. A lovely dwarf subject in miniature.

The groundcover Creeping Juniper referred to is said by some to be the most attractive of the species. The stems run along the ground (horizontal or prostrate). 

The foliage is slightly prickly, awl-shaped and found in clusters along the stem, colouring blue in summer and changing to a purplish-grey in winter.

The Juniper comes from North America near the border between Canada and the USA.  It withstands extremely low temperatures, and surprisingly hot, dry and windy conditions. Best position for this plant is an open, sunny (shade has caused some die-back at our garden). 

Simply trim back invasive growth to develop a tight compact plant.

Well over 100 different types have been selected for use as ornamental plants in gardens, their strictly prostrate growth habit being valued for ground cover. Popular examples include 'Bar Harbor', 'Blue Acres', 'Emerald Spreader', 'Green Acres', and 'Wiltonii' ("Blue Rug Juniper"). Many of the most popular cultivars have strikingly glaucous foliage, while others are bright green, yellowish or variegated.

I still have a postcard image in mind. 

A group shot of dwarf pine, ground hugging juniper, edged on the pond side with river pebbles, and the other with a picture frame of neat kikuyu lawn. 

It stands out! Some pictures are simply evergreen.