‘Gingerbread’ Is Not Just For The Holidays!

Social medias are growing on me. Once apprehensive and skeptical about these viral outlets, I have grown to like them and find them purposeful and educational at times. I still feel that they are used as a popularity contest, by some, trying to acquire as many friends as they can on the likes of Facebook, however, I have come to find my groove with them, using social medias as an invaluable tool to educate and inform others about plants.
Last month I took a field trip with a fellow colleague, John Stella, and a customer of ours to our deciduous tree grower in the middle of Pennsylvania. The goal, that day, was to find and hand tag, as we do with all our plant material, two fastigiate trees that would frame the entranceway to our customer’s home. During our expedition we happened across a small grove of a more unusual, yet up and coming, deciduous tree named ‘Gingerbread’ Paperbark maple (Acer griseum x nikoense ‘Ginzam’). Here we were in the middle of a field, surrounded by some 800 acres of trees and I had the opportunity to film this exquisite tree. After filming the attributes and describing the tree in full detail I was able to upload the experience to our website and YouTube channel and offer the experience to the world. More specifically though to our customers and other plant enthusiasts.
Acer griseum x nikoense ‘Gingerbread’ is a four-season tree, having visible attributes in every season! What most have come to expect from Paperbark maple (Acer griseum) is the reliable exfoliating bark that seems to tear and fold over in sheets while maintaining a polished, smooth, copper-cinnamon color throughout the tree. A trait that is most notable in the winter when the tree is undressed, however clearly visible year round. Acer ‘Gingerbread’s’ bark, however, is visibly different. Here the bark is fissured, that is to say torn lengthwise with vertical furrows as it matures and this persists all the way through the head of the tree. However, during its adolescence unbelievable markings help identify and punctuate its impressive bark. Standing in the middle of Pennsylvania, that day, looking carefully at rows of ‘Gingerbread’, muscular, ripples were clearly evident along the trunk, even from a distance, whereas the bark seemed as though muscles were being flexed from within the tree creating an almost crosshatch pattern. ‘Gingerbread’ is a small to medium tree in stature, with mature specimens expected to grow 20-25 feet high and 10-15 feet wide. The overall habit is rounded to slightly oval, with trifoliate leaves that go from green to remarkable hues of red and orange in the autumn. Appreciating full sun to part shade, ‘Gingerbread’ is drought tolerant once established, however appreciates occasional attention. Expect less than 12 inches a year in annual growth from this deciduous wonder.
Mentioned earlier, ‘Gingerbread’ is a hybrid between Acer griseum and Acer maximowiczianum (formerly Acer nikoense). Both trees are indigenous to Central China with Nikko Maple being slightly more cold hardy than griseum. However, both trees, academically, will survive in zone 5 easily. Suitable for small yards, both trees have been used as specimens; however a grove of Acer griseum’s I once saw in Hoboken, New Jersey still remains with me. Relatively pest free, the stigma that both are fiscally unobtainable to most has been overshadowed, as availabilities have increased. So who is credited for finding this faster grower than the species? Well, kudos go out to Girard Nurseries in Geneva, Ohio. After a lengthy search to find out whose tree this actually was, I came across a garden forum that identified Girard Nurseries as the finder of the tree. A quick phone call to the nursery confirmed what I had found and I was introduced to Jeff Forinash, one of the owners of the nursery, who told me how the tree came about. Apparently seed was picked in Rochester, New York in the early 1960’s by Girard’s grandfather and the original tree, standing some 25 feet tall, is outside their facility still today.
Our field trip was successful by many accounts. We did manage to find and tag two Zelkova serrata ‘Musashino’s’ standing some 22 feet tall, with 5.5” caliper trunks, weighing in at 3,500 pounds fulfilling our customer’s request. And while that may seem impressive the “sleeper” of the trip was clearly the ‘Gingerbread’ block we happened across. A small block, albeit, those 5-6” caliper ‘Gingerbread’s’ will forever hold in my mind. A multi-season tree with outstanding bark, fall color, trifoliate leaves and a small stature, even a suitable bonsai candidate… you see, you can enjoy ‘Gingerbread’ all year long.

Uncommonly Good

Last December I wrote an article entitled “Bold Vision” which discussed an outstanding garden in Nutley, New Jersey done by an exceptional designer, Richard Hartlage. The article discusses, in some detail, the layers and principles of that garden and fine garden design. One plant, in particular, which I was enamored with, in that garden, was Rohdea japonica.
Why discuss an evergreen-perennial seldom seen in gardens this time of year? Because the potential of this uncommon plant lies beyond the footprint it can have in your garden. Rohdea japonica is the sole species in the genus Rohdea. Native to eastern Asia from southwestern China to Japan, the common names for this unique plant are Nippon Lily, Sacred Lily and Japanese Sacred Lily. A rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial with fibrous roots, Sacred Lily has broad, lanceolate, evergreen leaves. The flowers are produced in short, stout, dense spikes with pale yellow markings. However, the fruit is a deep red-orange berry held in tight clusters, nestled deep within the 15” foliage. Rohdea benefits from partial to full shade and appears to be deer resistant in our yard. An excellent choice for a limited spread groundcover, Rohdea is also drought tolerant once established. “Hardy” to zone 6a (-10 Fahrenheit) reports on the internet have the plant doing well in Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Tennessee, Texas, Pennsylvania and of course New Jersey. The leaves and root of this plant are depurative, diuretic and febrifuge, used in the treatment of abscesses, boils and sore throat. Rohdea shows cardiac activity similar to another plant you may have heard of… Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea. While these noted medicinal qualities appear often throughout Internet research, it is important to note that Rohdea is generally regarded as inedible and possibly toxic!
Having known of this plant for a number of years I was inspired to install a small grove of it in our own garden after a recent vacation on the Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship. On this ship Central Park was recreated and a mass planting of Janet Craig Compacta, Dracaena deremensis, reminded me of Rohdea. Sited on the west side of our property, behind a Ginkgo, recessed in an alcove, stands our grove of some 50 Rohdea and today, as I write this article, has some spectacular fruit set coming our way. The lush, thick, almost tropical looking, wide straps of this plant inspired me to also use this versatile perennial in raised applications. On its own, Rohdea looks fantastic in planters and window boxes for the holidays. Over the years we have used this evergreen perennial at restaurants and churches, in their outdoor planters, for holiday decorating.
As with most plants there are several cultivars to be on the look out for. ‘Chirimen Boshi’ has rounded, overlapping leaves with varying degrees of creamy edging. ‘Mure Suzume’ translates to “flock of sparrows” and again offers overlapping leaves, however, this time on a very dwarf plant. White streaks along the rim of its tapered foliage are notable. ‘White Canoe’ has white bands and fills out to a frothy mound of green and white. ‘Yattazu Yan Jaku’ has very distinct upright foliage splashed with creamy markings. Finally, ‘Galle’ seems most closely related to Rohdea japonica with the exception of more polished green leaves that are narrower. Whatever variety you decide on, know that this plant is usually a bit more costly than your other, more easily recognizable, perennials. Not one to equate plants merely to dollars and cents, this perennial is exceptional and the added cost to produce such a plant will more than return its initial cost in your garden.
Richard Hartlage said it best, “It’s not about what is rare, but rather what will work”! In a time when dwarf Alberta spruce seem so prevalent and pedestrian in outdoor planters, flanking the entrance ways to many homes, consider filling your pots with this rugged, perennial-evergreen. Thick, straps of green foliage with red fruit embedded in its interior, what could be more timely than that for the holiday season?

Vegas Baby

Vegas Baby… a phrase that my wife taught our three-year-old daughter on a recent vacation to Las Vegas. Right smack in the middle of August we decided it would be a great idea to visit a desert, 110-degree dry heat by the way, to celebrate my mother in law’s milestone birthday. Vegas has come along way since the vision Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel had, an American gangster who was a driving force behind the large-scale development, of the now metropolitan Las Vegas. A city where anything seems possible and most is unbelievable, Vegas has long caught our attention and afforded our family many fond memories.
My nephew, a landscape architecture student at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, has told me time and time again that the built form of architecture must go hand in hand with the plant form and land form in order to achieve the best design solution. Subscribing to this philosophical view, and I do, then Las Vegas is achieving great design. My passions have always been held within the forms of great geometric design, thus one of our reasons for staying at the Venetian Hotel. Italian architecture littered with statuary, columns, belvederes and pergolas all contributed to, and softened, the hard geometric shapes of the pools and landscape beds. Wisteria engulfed archways, ficus trees, Sago palms and olive trees erupting through landscaped beds while nandina, boxwood, pittosporum and liriope helped frame their edges. And who could forget those beautiful Italian cypresses that anchored and solidified the Italian theme? Adding to the thoughtful design were huge stone planters filled with asparagus fern and spiral junipers. Walls of Noble privet, podocarpus and southern magnolia helped soften walls and hide utility boxes. Finally, vinca flower and pentas seemed unaffected by the incredible heat and begged to be noticed as they were in full flower.
Heading south down Las Vegas Boulevard, to the Bellagio Hotel, proved to be just as rewarding. Here is where you can begin to understand the importance of sculpture in the garden. Entering through the front doors and into the lobby, the Fiori di Como, is suspended, inside a coffer, some 18 feet above your head. What is the Fiori Di Como? A chandelier, by the renowned glass artisan Dale Chihuly, which is comprised of 2,000 hand blown, glass blossoms. This is the precursor to Bellagio’s conservatory and botanical gardens. Here, in August, waves of a bromeliad, Aechmea Del Mar and Tillandsia cyanea, an epiphyte from Ecuador, helped provide a bedding floor to support gigantic ant sculptures. A huge, toppled clay pot had flowers spilling out from it. Equal in size was a gardeners spade dimpled into the soil. It all seemed to be left behind by the giant in the English fairy tale, Jack and the Beanstalk. Couple this architecture with the largest, sculpted, European Sevillana olive tree collection in the world, open to the public, and you can begin to admire the detail and efforts made by the 140 expert horticulturists the Bellagio employs. Gazebos, bridges and water features helped support this theatrical garden and experiences like this change seasonally.
Finally, CITYCENTER!! The Architectural Record referred to this 8.5 billion dollar project, on its front cover, as a sand castle. 18 million-square feet, 6,000 hotel rooms, 2,400 condominiums, 38 restaurants and bars, a convention center, shopping mall, 150,000 square-foot casino and an Elvis themed Cirque du Soleil show all on 76 acres with LEED certification…WOW! The largest privately funded construction project in the history of the United States surely did not disappoint. The approach is magnanimous and as our taxi let us out under Aria’s porte- cochere, fountains and the “Focus” were within sight. “Focus” is an expansive, curved water wall made of textured stone measuring 250 feet long and 24 feet high. Programmable, both the speed and direction of the water wall can be controlled as it pulses and soothes your soul. Prominent artists have galleries just outside the outer entrance circle. Most impressive was the Richard MacDonald studio. Today’s, Anguste Rodin, here is genius that creates “dynamic, sensitive works”. Introduced to his work, I was most impressed with his sculpture of Rudolf Nureyev, a Russian Tatar dancer from the Soviet Union, who was known for his work in ballet. I imagined the piece sitting in our backyard held within our garden walls and it is here that I fully grasped the importance of art in the garden.
Vegas offers some of the greatest architectural feats done today. Land forms, plant forms and architecture all meld so creatively with independent themes running up and down the strip. Vegas… a city that is a true oasis, inspires imagination, holds dreams and continually proves that the impossible is certainly possible.

Sweeter Than His Chocolate

Milton Hershey, I imagine, was one of those people who, if you were lucky enough to meet, would have had a profound impact on your life. Not because of his fame or money, but rather because of his honest, wholesome outlook on life. Everyone knows about his famous chocolate bars, but how many know of his life’s work that also included a school he founded for orphans or the city he created to improve his workers’ lives. A man, whose ambitions took him from poverty to philanthropy also, along the way, developed a love for gardening.

Hershey, it is said, closely supervised the landscaping of his grounds. His wife, Catherine Hershey, “shared her husband’s passion for gardens, making a lasting contribution to the town of Hershey through her interest in landscaping and the preservation of trees.” I had not been to Hershey Park in the last 25 years and remembered very little. However, a family vacation to the park gave my wife and I a chance to relive our childhood again through our daughter’s eyes. While her interpretation of the park was similar to mine at her age, enamored with the rides and chocolate factory, my views were now focused at the plants, which help frame the park and chocolate factory. Immediately outside the famous chocolate factory is a standing grove of Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides). A genus, which seems to have been around since time began, has attributes which are attractive year round and is an obvious choice to help provide shade in a short period of time. Another standout for me, close to the “Kissing Tower” was my sought after Ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba). I knew Mr. Hershey would show good taste and incorporate a Ginkgo somewhere on his grounds. He did not disappoint! And while his amusement park is littered with some outstanding deciduous trees and conifers, his real genius was to be found across the street in the Hershey Gardens.

The Hershey Gardens were opened in 1937 and in time grew to 23 spectacular acres. In lieu of sponsoring a national rosarium in Washington D.C., Hershey opted to create a garden in Hershey, Pennsylvania where the community could enjoy themselves. Once you pay your admission, the Children’s Garden is just one of the many “Theme Gardens” you will encounter. Truly an educational garden, the 30 smaller gardens that comprise the Children’s Garden simply make learning fun. The human sundial, the Butterfly House, the ABC Border and Chocolate Lane all help with colors, counting and the ABC’s. Combine this with whimsical names like Chocolate Vine (Fiveleaf Akebia), White Chocolate Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia ‘White Chocolate’) and a Poppy named ‘Royal Chocolate’ and you can begin to feel the emersion going on here. Other theme gardens include a perennial, herb, rock, ornamental grass, Bill Bowman (dedicated to the former Hershey Gardens director), Japanese and Rose garden to name most. I must admit, not being a rosarian myself, there was still an admiration for witnessing 5,600 roses representing some 275 varieties that were in bloom the day of my visit. Not to mention the fragrance of such a spectacle! However, I found most of my time well spent divvied up between the Japanese, Arboretum and rock gardens. Each of these gardens, and for that matter every theme garden at Hershey, could be the subject for an article having their own highlights for me. The arboretum was host to some magnificent specimens, but the beehive embedded in the monstrous Common Horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) will forever be remembered. The rock garden was home to a Japanese cedar that adorns our house and whose origin I was unaware. Cryptomeria japonica ‘Rein’s Dense Jade’ entombs our backyard, some 54 to be exact, and I have J. Vermeulen and Sons Inc. of Neshanic Station, New Jersey to thank. It seems the “Mother Tree” first discovered in the late 1960’s was dedicated to Hershey Gardens in May 2007 and for this I am extremely grateful. Finally, the Japanese garden! Let me just leave you with this. There are a few of these types of gardens in the United States that you could visit, put this one at the top of your list. A grove of China Fir (Cunninghamia), a California-Nutmeg (Torreya californica) and a sweep of Himalayan Sweetbox (Sarcococca) framing some Dawn Redwoods is enough to fill your day.

Hershey proved to be a wholesome experience entertaining all of us. It brought us back to a more simple time where we could lose ourselves from the pressures of everyday. Experiences built by an honest, hardworking man free of scandals and committed to bettering his world. We should all aspire to be so great!

The High Line

Last year my nephew Donovan, a student studying landscape architecture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, told me of his experience at the High Line. A university that emphasizes a “Learn by Doing” educational experience, my nephew’s description of the High Line was insightful and clearly passionate melded with academic integrity. He suggested that I adopt his schools motto and join him on a summer day trip. Together, with my wife and daughter, the four of us visited this horticultural wonder in lower Manhattan.

The High Line is located on Manhattan’s West Side and runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34^th Street between 10^th and 11^th Avenues. Section 1 of the High Line, which opened to the public on June 9^th, 2009, runs from Gansevoort Street to 20^th Street. The High Line was originally constructed as part of the West Side Improvement project, in the 1930’s, to remove heavy freight trains from the streets of Manhattan and move this dangerous traffic to an elevated position, some 30 feet in the air. Today’s green project, using the same space, upon completion, will run a mile-and-a-half long through the West Side neighborhoods of the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen. Interesting to me is the Meatpacking District. Much of the 1^st section of the High Line is located here and around 1900 this district was home to more than 250 slaughterhouses and meatpacking plants. Prior to the High Lines development, trains, barges and ships brought goods directly to this district for processing from the Hudson River. After the High Line’s development, freight trains full of meat and other provisions were able to carry such goods directly to the upper floors of these buildings.

April 2006 marked the groundbreaking of the High Line. James Corner Field Operations, a landscape architecture and urban design firm, Diller Scofidio & Renfro, an architecture firm, along with the consultation of planting designer Piet Oudolf, designed this monumental landscape. The plantings of the High Line are inspired by the self-seeded landscape that grew on the out-of-use elevated rail tracks during the 25 years after the trains stopped running. Incidentally, the last train to run on the High line was in 1980. Some 210 species of perennials, grasses, trees and shrubs were chosen for section 1 because of their unique textures, colors and “hardiness.” Cognizant of bloom times in the plant selections, you can be sure to see something in bloom almost any day of the year. Native plants are at the forefront of the design and many of the plants chosen originally grew on the High Line’s rail bed.

Growing within the meandering, concrete pathways is, by far, my favorite plant selection of the project. Huge waves of Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) were in their glory, the day of our visit. A graceful and delicate, very fine textured ornamental grass which grows in a dense fountain-like clump complete with wiry culms made the biggest impact for me. Notable trees include white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus), smokebush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Grace’) and sassafras (Sassafras albidum), a nostalgic favorite as I had these in my backyard growing up as a child. Perennials that I enjoyed were goatsbeard (Aruncus ‘Horatio’), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Vintage Wine’), sneezeweed (Helenium x ‘Rubinzwerg’) and catmint (Nepeta sibirica) to name a few. The use of plant material along with fixed and movable seating helps contribute to the overall experience. Lounge chairs that slide back and forth on rails and a special vantage point complete with ascending seating and a glass wall felt like a mini amphitheatre. Peering down the avenue, holding our serene experiences inside the glass wall, away from the outer concrete jungle, is a quantum design component.

Plants are not the only reason for visiting the High Line. There is free Fitness and Movement Classes, Pilates Fusion Classes and Stargazing with the Amateur Astronomers Association weekly. Membership to the High Line also has its privileges. As a supporter or friend to the High Line you can shop along the historic cobblestone streets of the meatpacking district, enjoying restaurants, design and photography studios and fashion boutiques and be guaranteed a 10% discount to most.

The High Line is open from 7:00AM to 10:00PM daily with its last entrance to the park is 9:45PM. There are several access points, however, if you decide to visit and are carrying a stroller, like we did, consider 14^th Street and 16^th Street as these have elevator access. I can’t wait for section 2 (20^th Street to 30^th Street) to open, projected for sometime in 2011.

Lord of the Tree

Part of what makes horticulture so exciting for me is the history of a plant. Years ago I was given a book, Legends In The Garden, Who In The World Is Nellie Stevens written by Linda L. Copeland and Allan M. Armitage. A generous gift given to me by my friend Jay Jansen who works for Monrovia Growers. The book answers questions about how plants were found and for whom they were named. Among those talked about in the book are Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’, Clematis viticella ‘Betty Corning’, Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ and Hosta sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’ to name a few. However, one historical, dwarf conifer, not found in this book, that has caught my attention for the better part of the last decade is named after a Lord.

Picea abies ‘Clanbrassiliana’ is one of the oldest and more distinctive dwarf conifer selections known. Introduced in 1836, this tree is named after Lord Clanbrassil of Ireland, whose horticultural prowess is responsible for the naming of several Norway spruce (Picea abies) cultivars during the late 18^th century. Discovered as a witch’s broom on a Norway spruce in Northern Ireland, somewhere around 1780, Lord Clanbrassil was said to have planted the original tree, which is still growing, in Tollymore Park, County Down, now standing over 10 feet tall. Often I am asked in retail sales just how big a plant will grow. My first response is usually over what period of time. Plants don’t have a textbook in front of them telling them how big they are supposed to grow. Given enough time and proper attention, plants can and will exceed the suggestive wording found on most nursery tags. This tree is no exception! A handsome, dwarf conifer, ‘Clanbrassiliana’ slowly makes a broad mound of dark green, short needles with cinnamon-brown winter buds. The congested branches grow in layers creating a more globose form in its younger adolescence. A full sun plant whose ability to push new growth is usually held to only ½-1” per year. Given that Lord Clanbrassil’s tree is over ten feet tall should give us all an appreciation for the tenacity of plants. A side note about the culture of Norway spruce, there seems to be a popular misconception that Norway spruce are suitable conifers for the shade. For those who practice this or are advised to do so I respectfully offer, as a quick read, page 813 of Michael Dirr’s Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Sixth Edition, whose concise wording advocates the siting of Norway spruce and its cultivars in “full sun or perhaps very light shade in South but plants become thin and ragged in heavy shade.” Somewhat confusing to some is the introduction of another, very closely related, dwarf conifer, Picea abies ‘Clanbrassiliana Stricta’. This cultivar matures slowly into a beautiful, broad, pyramidal plant. Again, dark green needles adorn this stately, conical form with ascending branching suggesting an ideal shape for a dwarf Christmas tree.

Always appreciative of customers who share their landscapes with me, I have to mention a foundation planting years in the making. Going back more years than I can remember I have had the privilege of selling ‘Clanbrassiliana’s’. Without fail, I have a customer who has purchased nearly every one of these magnificent plants for all of that time. Last summer I was invited to their home in Far Hills, New Jersey and what I saw was a patient landscape that definitely has horticultural thinking “out of the box”. While most would be happy with one ‘Clanbrassiliana’ in their landscape, here is a landscape that has 14 in total. Planted the way most would plant Green Velvet Boxwoods (Buxus x ‘Green Velvet’) in a row, here is a staggered row of Picea abies ‘Clanbrassiliana’s’ running the length of their Amdega greenhouse. Now almost 30 inches tall, these dwarf conifers flank either side of the entrance and help support large, elegant urns dripping with seasonal color. A simple, yet classical formal design that had my full appreciation and gratitude for the experience. Imagine all this and a deer resistant planting to boot.

There are so many places around the world where large plant specimens exist. I imagine myself, one day, walking through the Barbican Gate (the entrance for public visiting Tollymore Forest Park), a castle-like structure whose archways and decorative features come complete with trefoils, standing among some of Lord Clanbrassil’s treasures, appreciating his efforts and the tenaciousness of those remarkable dwarf conifers.

Natirar

Ananyms are words that spell a different word when reversed, hence the name Natirar. Spelling the word Raritan and then applying the definition you can see how one of the premier properties in New Jersey, and soon the world, got its name. Natirar has, for as long as I can remember, intrigued me for its history and vacancy. A property located in Peapack-Gladstone, Far Hills and Bedminster, New Jersey has its heritage dating back some 100 years and originally covered over 1000 acres. Kate Macy and Walter Ladd began acquiring small, local farmsteads in the late 1800’s. Macy, a Quaker heiress to a whaling, oil and shipping fortune and Ladd whose professional occupation was later listed as an insurance broker named their property Natirar and had Guy Lowell, a Harvard architect, design a Tudor-style mansion deep within the property’s belly. The estate includes some 22 buildings, six wells, 3 bridges, NJ transit right-of-way, 3 streams, a pond, woodlands and, of course, the 33,000 square foot mansion. I can remember as a young adult pulling over on the side of the road wondering who lived there and admiring the vast property with all those glorious trees.

Fast forward to present day, I suppose I have Sir Richard Branson to thank for my admittance. After Kate Macy’s death, her legacy of helping ladies in distress, was carried on by her husband and in 1983 the property was sold and the convalescent home for “deserving gentlewomen who are compelled to depend upon their own exertions for support shall be entertained without charge…” was no more. It was sold to His Majesty; King Hassan II of Morocco for a mere 7.5 million dollars and for the next 20 years was owned by the King who never spent a night there. Upon his death, his son, King Mohammed VI of Morocco, inherited the property and eventually sold the 491-acre estate to the Somerset County Park Commission for 22 million dollars. Recently, approximately 90 acres of the property has been leased to the Virgin Spa at Natirar, an entity controlled by Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group. Plans to develop this portion of the property include the mansion, stable/carriage barn as well as the outer buildings. An exclusive hotel, spa and restaurant complex are all in the works. It is here that Sir Richard Branson has given me my passport to the property.

A few months back Natirar opened its doors, so to speak, and the first phase of the project was underway. Ninety Acres is an extraordinary restaurant where organic, sustainable gardening is at the forefront. A collaborative effort between Sterling College, a liberal arts college specializing in Sustainable Agriculture and Conservation Ecology in Craftsbury Common, Vermont and the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, NJAES, both units of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey have teamed up to help this farming model. Kudos should also be given to Robert Wojtowicz, Natirar’s founder who was introduced to William Wootton, the president of Sterling College and Robert Goodman, executive dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Rutgers and executive director at NJAES.

The drive up to the restaurant has you wind slowly through a cow pasture past some magnificent old trees hugging a shallow, but rocky riverbed. This all gives way to some stone cottages and a glimpse of the mansion before you get to Ninety Acres. The outside of the restaurant has very deliberate raised beds filled with fresh herbs that you will most certainly experience on the menu. Geometric forms lay inside pea gravel complete with obelisks supporting the more aggressive culinary treats. All this is held within the confines of an elegant and stately boxwood perimeter. Smack dab in the middle of all this, just before you enter the front door, is a Ginkgo tree. Good call!! Chef David Felton is determined to bring you the freshest, natural ingredients. Surrounded by its own organic farm and gardens, our dinner party sat inside a private room, walled with glass overlooking the farm. Katy’s arugula, Oak Grove brussel sprouts, Paradise Hill heirloom cranberries, Natirar’s Berkshire pigs, Griggstown pheasants and Davidson bluefoot mushrooms are just a few of the morsels you may encounter.

With thought given to preserve the area as part of the greenway and understanding Sir Richard Branson’s thoughts when he decided to start his airline, “My interest in life comes from setting myself huge, apparently unachievable challenges and trying to rise above them… from the perspective of wanting to live life to the full, I felt that I had to attempt it” we can all appreciate a bit of history while sampling some extraordinary cuisine.

A Nautical Landscape

When Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux submitted their plan, The Greensward Project; now Central Park, I’ll bet they never dreamed of the high seas compliment they would receive. Recently my family took a vacation to the Caribbean and did so on board the Oasis of the Seas. Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, this vessel has redefined grace and elegance and offers just about anything you could ever want or imagine on land or sea. Complete with an ice-skating theatre, a Zip line, Boardwalk, a FlowRider (ask your kids), Aqua Theatre, the only carousel on the ocean (11,000 pounds), rock climbing walls and unprecedented onboard amenities, I must admit, it was the verdant Central Park that impressed me most.

The largest cruise ship in the world, 220,000 tons, also has the world’s first, true, at-sea park. “Open to the sky and flanked by five decks of balcony staterooms,” Central Park offers fine dining, retail shops, an art gallery, living walls (five stories high) and crystal canopies set within meandering pathways, allowing natural light into the Royal Promenade below. It was these crystal canopies that intrigued me most. At first glance the canopies looked, to me, like an inverted bottom of a boat. Depending on where you stand inside the park or looking down from a deck above, I later felt that they could be interpreted as a butterfly’s wing or perhaps leaves. However, the crystal canopy that surrounds and houses The Rising Tide, a bar that moves vertically between the Royal Promenade and Central Park, looked like the exoskeleton of a trilobite.

“The concept of the park was co-created by designers from three firms: Wilson Butler, a long time Royal Caribbean partner, which had overall responsibility for the park’s technical design and execution; Waterfield Design Group, which created the park’s landscape architecture, grading and storm drainage design; and architectural design consultants Atkins Global.” Neighborhood dining opportunities, a central market café (where my daughter and I had breakfast every morning), a sculpture garden and trellis bar are more of what awaits you at every turn. There are side paths that take you through a Pergola Garden clothed in Black Pepper, Piper nigrum and a twinkling colonnade of towers where Star Jasmine, Tracheiospermum jasminoides is showing its aggressive upward mobility. All of this takes on a completely different feel as night approaches.

One of the last pieces of the puzzle for the Oasis of the Seas was the planting of Central Park. The cruise line signed a contract with Finland’s Aker Yards (now STX Europe) and because of the extremely cold temperature of Turku, Finland and the harsh conditions that an Atlantic crossing can sometimes serve; the tropical plants were not installed until the ship reached Port Everglades, Florida. Upon its arrival, a team of 60 workers (gardeners and landscapers) was given the daunting task of installing some 12,000+ plants, into 49 planting areas, in 2,200 aluminum containers (a modular design) in only 4 days. One of three cranes in the United States was needed to lift 30-foot trees into the park. The hardscaping was finished; I am told, in Finland. Retaining walls, bridges, sculptures and landscape lighting were all completed in Finland. However, in addition to the plant installations, a highly efficient drip irrigation system was also installed in that 4-day period, another example of Royal Caribbean’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Privileged to a private tour of Central Park by their chief Landscape Specialist, Laszlo Turos, I learned the stats and thinking that helped create this wonder at sea. 82 metric tons of soil was used to plant over 12,000 plants representing some 96 species. The Oasis of the Seas employees 2,161 crewmembers from 71 different countries. These people are responsible for over 5,000 guests and yet, Laszlo and just three other people (two from the Philippines and one from Russia) have the responsibility of maintaining the park. Originally the thought of having a great lawn, similar in style to that of Central Park in New York City, was slated. However, given the tropical atmosphere and high traffic, that thought was shelved. Within the park on board there are hundreds of insect stations which they monitor daily. The ship works hand in hand with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) identifying any pests they may encounter. Initially, the Oasis had bamboo installed, however, these were removed as bamboo acts as a host for certain, undesirable insects. Laszlo was quick to point out that he was happy to see the bamboo go, as they were a maintenance nightmare, constantly shedding their bark and making a mess of deck 8. Another interesting tidbit, all the plant material must be a minimum of 3 meters from any structure. Fire codes dictate this and thus there is some pruning involved with the Shady Lady, Bucida buceras trees.

The modular design, which defines this nautical landscape, must be able to withstand some tough climatic conditions. Consider heat tolerance, sunlight (ever changing on this vessel), 15-20 mile an hour head winds, a vortex which is created as the park is open to the outside and sits some 8 decks deep; tucked within the ships center, tolerance to 5,000+ guests walking in and around the park, not to mention chlorine from the pools above and the salt water around the ship. It makes you wonder what plants could survive all this?

The Rising Tide Bar had huge sweeps of Mondo Grass, Ophiopogon japonicus, and Liriope, Liriope muscari, wrapped around the outside. Staple plants, even in New Jersey, these were doing quite well. Thinking outside the box, Janet Craig Compacta, Dracaena deremensis, used as a border reminded me of a hardier alternative Rohdea japonica. A dramatic mass planting of variegated Snake Plant, Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ was set behind a bright red bench. Other colorful punctuations included: Ti Tree, Cordyline terminalis, Shell Ginger, Alpinia zerumbet and Oyster plant, Rhoeo spathacea, whose undersides were purple. There were also waves of Anthurium, Spathiphyllum, Kalanchoe and Philodendron all of which are commonly found houseplants in New Jersey. Vertical, living accents throughout the 49 planting areas included: Bay Rum, Pimenta racemosa, whose great peeling bark caught my attention more than once, Mangosteen, Garcinia spicata, had an appearance similar to that of Rubber tree or possibly a Southern Magnolia and Banana, Musa acuminata, whose big leaves let you know you’re in the tropics. All these wonderful and exciting plants popped in the landscape because of the subtle, but deliberate, evergreen, foundation borders of Mock Orange, Pittosporum tobira and Lady Palm, Rhapis excelsa. Last, but not least, it was the Shrimp Plant, Pachystachys lutea, with its paper-like flowers held above its foliage; that caught the attention of our daughter and made us all giggle every day.

The Oasis of the Seas delivered an unforgettable vacation. Literally a moving city with over 7000 people on board, never once did the ship feel crowded. Fun for both kids and adults there was as much outdoor space as there was indoors. I am looking forward to the Allure of the Seas; Royal Caribbean’s next big adventure whose 225, 282 gross registered tons is slated to debut in late 2010. And yes, there is talk of a park on board also…stay tuned!

Faster than Brigadoon

Famed director and Oscar winner, Vincente Minnelli, used the cinema to tell heartfelt, realistic and compelling stories. A filmography that would impress the likes of Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, includes Ziegfeld Follies, Father of the Bride, An American in Paris, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and Oscar winner Gigi. However, arguably one of his greatest tales took place in the 18th century, on the Scottish Highlands, and was brought to life by Gene Kelly, Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse. Brigadoon is a “time warp fantasy that depicts the ethereal village materializing from the mists only one day each hundred years.” So where am I going with such a sub reference? It has been said that patience is a virtue. Fellow gardeners and plants people know this adage all too well. Some annuals take an entire season to come to fruition. Perennials can come into their own after two or three years. Deciduous shrubs and conifers can develop into handsome specimens after several years. But a tree that has been known to take ten to fifteen years to flower, that’s just crazy! Or is it?

Davidia involucrata, Dove-tree or Handkerchief tree, might not take as long to flower as it does for Brigadoon to reappear, but it sure feels like it. Introduced in 1904 and native to China, this tree will always be remembered once you see it flower. The foliage is a bright green with pronounced veins and a silky underside. Zone hardy from 6 to 8, Davidia, will provide the outline of a broad pyramid reaching heights of twenty to forty feet. Davidia’s bark has cinnamon markings and during its adolescent years is very smooth. Many fellow plants people, when asked to identify my specimen in my yard, came up short and identified it as a Tilia (Linden). Another great tree to be discussed at a later date, Tilia does look similar when young. Chunky, swollen, larger buds have formed on my tree and I can hardy wait for them to explode this spring. Golf ball size fruit mature in the fall and dangle on its winter silhouette. The outside of this golf ball is greenish-tan with red speckles and a very hard, single nut sits inside. But let’s face it… it’s the flower, or bracts, you will remember most. Two huge, creamy-white to pure white bracts of unequal size announce themselves in May, providing an indelible introduction. Set between the bracts is a pincushion of white filaments and red anthers. I find it interesting to note that the lower bract is always larger than the upper one. And these aren’t small bracts as they can range in size from four to eight inches each. Few pests, if any, plague the illustrious Handkerchief tree. Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil are conducive to a Dove trees success.

Three cultivars are noteworthy. Davidia involucrata ‘Sonoma’ is in my front yard for no other reason than it can bloom within the first two or three years. Yes, I’m a bit impatient. ‘Columnaris’ is what you might expect… a columnar Dove tree. Finally, Davidia ‘Crimson Spring’ has crimson-red spring foliage. Introduced by Rippingale Nursery, this cultivar is so new it has even escaped my grasp.

While the wait for Davidia flowers can be long, the anticipation for other plants to flower can prove to be somewhat lamentable or even sickening. The Silversword, Argyroxiphium sandwicense ssp. macrocephalum, a rare member of the sunflower family, found on the slopes of Haleakala National park in Maui, can take decades before developing a flowering stalk. And after it flowers…it dies! And what about the recent reintroduction of Amorphophallus titanum, Corpse or Stink plant, that the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens showcased last August. This stinky, botanical wonder, native to Sumatra, can also exceed a decade before flowering. Following which is rank-smelling foliage that entices bugs to lay their eggs which would typically do so in dead animals. So in retrospect, the prospect of having a beautiful tree with an abundant of attributes contributing to year-round interest that can take just a few years to achieve isn’t so bad after all. Hopefully this article will inspire you to run out and get your hands on a Davidia tree. If you are so inspired, perhaps you can pay homage to Brigadoon by mass planting some Erica (Heather) around your Dove tree, referencing “The Heather On the Hill”, a pastoral ballet in the movie. While the Handkerchief tree can take some time to impress, remember another old adage: Good things come to those who wait.

City Lights-Just Add Water

Sitting here writing this article we have all just endured yet another snow event. This time central New Jersey just had 16 inches of snow dumped on it. Let me tell you, I’m sick of snow and am anxious for spring’s arrival! Longing for the tulips to poke their bodies through the crusted mulch and anxious to see their heads swell with color. This past winter I have attended various trade shows, seminars, symposiums and general garden talks all of which boasted the hottest new plants. We were even given an opportunity, as attendants, to rate these new comers. Attending the ANLA Management Clinic in Louisville, Kentucky (American Nursery Landscape Association), an event dedicated to the green industry and managing its business practices, there was even a new plant pavilion dedicated to the subject. Here, it was Novalis’ Candy Store Phlox series having bragging rights. Trade publications were quick to have articles on the subject and colleagues were even quicker to ask the opinion of anyone who had one. All eager to find out what is hot, talk shop and just try to hurry spring along. Well, spring is finally here and for my money a plant that will be part of our container garden scene, on our back patio, originally came from Germany.

Hydrangea has been around forever, but not these! Cityline Hydrangea is a fairly new series that is sure to captivate the market. Maybe not the way that Endless Summer did years ago; let’s face it that is a great name and the repeat “blooming thing” made it fool-proof for knowing, or not knowing, when to cut a hydrangea back. Cityline types are also forgiving about knowing when to do this. They don’t seem to care and nor should you since their diminutive stature really never needs to be pruned. However, if you were so inclined, it would be best to prune these after they bloom, no later than mid August, allowing time for the flower buds to form before winter. This new series has what growers and homeowners want. They only reach 1-3 feet in height and they get huge flower heads held on sturdy stems. After all, isn’t the flower everything when you want a hydrangea?

I mentioned the origin was Germany. Plant breeders Franz-Xaver and Konrad Rampp are credited with that, but Proven Winners Color Choice has the licensing. The series has 6 types that I know of. Cityline Berlin –Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Berlin Rabe’ pp# 10, 912 is the largest and fastest grower of the series. Rich, rosy-pink flower heads are accented with fresh green color and glossy, dark green leaves. Cityline Mars-Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Ramars’ has unique bi-colored flowers (pinkish-red and white). Again, large, showy blooms and excellent mildew resistance, the flowers take on an attractive green as they age in the summer. Cityline Paris-Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Paris Rapa’ pp# 10,906 also has monster flowers that emerge green and red, but mature to a dark pink-red. Cityline Rio-Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Raga’ has the best blue colored flowers with an attractive green eye as it’s opening and glossy foliage. Cityline Venice-Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Venice Raven’ pp# 10,928 has flowers that emerge green and fuchsia, but with acid soil or grown in a container, with a touch of aluminum sulfate, you can appreciate large blue flowers. Finally, Cityline Vienna-Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Vienna Rawi’ pp# 10,930 has thick stems with flowers emerging green, finishing a clear pink. Again, aluminum sulfate changes its outward appearances to blue.

Hardy to zone 5, the bloom time of these ornamentals is targeted from early summer to fall. These deciduous, Bigleaf beauties benefit from keeping them moist and do bloom on old wood. Full to partial sun is best for Cityline types and some protection from winter winds wouldn’t hurt. Amend your soil with peat moss, leaf mold or compost to ensure a great start. Previously noted, while each is a different shade of pink or blue, that is dependant upon the pH of your soil. I would not say that there is any significant fall color; rather the foliage simply holds its glossiness. But, who really cares about fall color when you have tidy, bundles of hydrangea spitting flowers all summer, held on thick stems. Today you have tons of hydrangeas to choose from, both historical and remontant. Your choice to accept these little wonders as any part of your garden will surely not disappoint. Your friends will think you are a great gardener with a green, pink or blue thumb. They don’t need to know you had a little help from Franz and Konrad. Oh, one last note, in Europe growth regulators are prohibited by growers. That being said, this in fact is a true dwarf series saying goodbye to the tired, floppy, weak-stemmed hydrangea and hello to the sturdy, tight hydrangea, free of chemicals.

From Doldrums To Delights

Tulips, daffodils and forsythia have long been associated as being harbingers of spring. They are a welcome site after the doldrums of winter. However, these popular plant icons are not the only ones we have to look forward to. There are others out there that not only compliment the fore mentioned, but if used effectively, can extend your garden experience from early spring to late fall/early winter.

Cornus officinalis ‘Morris Arboretum’, the Japanese Cornel Dogwood, is a small tree or large shrub noted for its early yellow flowers in March. In fact, it is believed to flower one to two weeks earlier than the more popular Cornus mas, Corneliancherry Dogwood. Morris Arboretum’s claim to fame is that its flowers are abundant and extended over other varieties. The bark offers shades of grey, brown and orange and its handsome rounded outline lends itself well to a smaller garden footprint. A very durable, dense canopy of thick glossy leaves can withstand temperatures of about -20 Fahrenheit. Native to Japan and Korea, Morris Arboretum is very adaptable, but prefers well drained soils. Don’t forget to look for edible red drupes and purple-red foliage in the fall. Consider using this little gem in the foreground of your garden with a backdrop of some dark green Oriental Spruce, Picea orientalis. You will build texture and create layers in a small amount of space.

Mahonia aquifolium, the Oregon Grapeholly, also offers attributes throughout the year. This evergreen shrub grows comfortably to three to six feet tall and wide. Noticeable are its bright yellow flowers in late March/early April. Borne in clusters on erect stems, these slightly fragrant flowers appear on two to three inch racemes. The common name, Grape Holly, refers to dark blue fruits that appear from late summer through early winter, which resemble small grapes. A fan of moist, well drained soils, the biggest trick to this plants success is the protection from desiccating winds in the winter. This is crucial!! And if possible look for the cultivar “Orange Flame”. Boasting orange-bronze new foliage against darker green mature foliage is a plus for any gardener. Try to provide a bit more sun for this one though.

Conifers always seem to be forgotten when talking about garden excitement. They’re usually referred to only when talking about a proverbial hedge of “EVERGREENS’ or seen far too often dumped at the corner of a home as an inadequate anchor. How about one that offers four colors early in the spring? Picea bicolor “Howells Dwarf Tigertail” (bicolor spruce) is as exciting to a conifer lover as game seven of a subway World Series is to a sports fan. Where do I start? Perhaps the upward growing new shoots pushing through rose-purple buds. Or the bright silver-blue underside of the needle capped by green with hints of yellow on the most exposed branches. Almost every color is represented at one time or another on this conifer. By pruning out the main leader when young, you can maintain a flat topped, spreading conifer that will be well suited for any garden long term. As is true with most conifers, this one likes moist, well drained soil and sunshine. When possible try to tuck this one out of hot, late afternoon sun to enjoy its best color markings. Should you want a broad pyramidal tree, resist pruning the main leader and you will have a garden focal point that will offer you year round interest.

With property lots becoming increasingly smaller in New Jersey and gardening becoming one of the fastest growing hobbies, it is important not to be capricious in your plant selections as your choices will define your garden footprints. Using deciduous ornamentals, broadleaf evergreens and conifers are a great way to build color, texture and size in your landscape. And if the plants mentioned above just happen to be deer resistant, well that’s an extra bonus.

Just a Thought

“Anheuser-Busch spent $534 million dollars for advertising in 1997 and in September of 1996, Anheuser-Busch debuted its Freshness Dating, or “Born On,” system. In an effort to provide fresh beer to the marketplace, Anheuser-Busch improved its distribution practices and reduced wholesale inventories. The lower inventory levels resulted in approximately $12 million in annual savings for Anheuser-Busch’s network of beer wholesalers through improved scheduling, lower transportation costs and reduced working capital requirements. The company also communicated its freshness advantage to consumers through a comprehensive marketing campaign, which included the “Born On” freshness dates.” What does all this have to do with gardening… not a lot, but it inspired me to come up with a concept that I offered, as a suggestion, to Monrovia Growers some years back during my stint on their retail council.

What if the horticulture industry, specifically the growers of nursery product, adopted the slogan “Born On” not to refer to freshness, but to identify when a plant was originally conceived. That is when a specific plant was grafted, started from seed, made from tissue culture or grown from a cutting. At times I feel there is a lack of appreciation for what it takes to grow and market a plant. Considerable efforts are undergone to grow premium plants successfully. The challenge of mass-producing a plant at an affordable price is a priority on every growers mind. Air layering, a method developed by the Chinese to produce roots on a stem, for more difficult plants to root, is an arduous task to say the least. Grafting is the process of connecting two different plants (scion wood to rootstock) so they grow as one. Anyone who has ever taken a grafting class knows the trials and tribulations of wrapping a rubber band around the graft only to find out months later the poor success rate you have as a novice. Most of the beautiful Japanese maples you see in a garden center for sale have been grafted. Did you know that it takes roughly 6-10 years to develop a Japanese maple substantial enough to have an immediate presence in the average residential landscape? Shade trees and flowering deciduous trees have a similar time frame. A 2-2.5” caliper tree has taken some 10-15 years to make itself available for purchase. Making the transition from cutting to harvested liner, waiting for the tree to build its roots, training the form of the tree, not to mention harvesting the finished product out of the field and getting it to its final destination is an impressive feat. Even the woody ornamentals i.e. Clethra (Summersweet), Itea (Virginia Sweetspire) and Buddleia (Butterfly bush) take 3-5 years to bring to market. Your perennials can take 1-2 years to develop, depending on the finished size and perhaps the most pedestrian plant of them all; Picea glauca ‘Conica’ (dwarf Alberta spruce) takes some 7 years to develop a 3-4 foot plant.

With all the effort it takes to develop our green friends, why are some so quick to neglect the attentions that these plants have had previously? You do not have to be an expert on fertilizing, pruning and plant health care to have continued success. Rather a simple education on watering, routine pruning and occasional fertilizing is usually more than enough. When you think about it, we take care of our children making sure we tend to all aspects of their development. We feed them, house them clothe them and every moment contribute to their cognitive development. Why do some buy a living plant and expect that they are immediately self-supportive? The expectation that any plant can survive on its own, immediately after purchase, without our help is just ignorant. Too much water is just as bad as too little water! When you purchase a plant today at your local garden center many have planting instructions and cultural information on them. Not to mention a picture of what the plant should become.

The time has come for there to be an appreciation for life. Plants help clean the air we breathe, reduce the compaction of soils, beautify our surroundings and help with our emotional stability. Perhaps if we too adopted a “Born on Dating” system, people would take notice of a plants age, respect the efforts it took to develop the plant acknowledging the need for food and water and be less likely to blame the plant for any shortcomings. After all, if the average foundation plant takes 5-10 years to develop that would put them in about the fifth or sixth grade.

Recommended Reading

The winter months, I find, are a good time of year to relax and plan your next garden. Enjoying a cup of coffee and tasty, sweet treat at Barnes & Noble, losing yourself in a good gardening book can be inspirational and therapeutic. Brushing up on good design, learning a new plant or just looking at Garden Design magazine can more than eat up an afternoon and prove rewarding. Like any hobby or discipline you dive into, the more you learn… the more you find. It can be a bit daunting staring at the selection of books offered at Barnes & Noble, however, a good bet is seeking out the author Michael Dirr who seems to know almost all that the plant world has to offer.

Dr. Michael Dirr earned a Bachelors in Science degree in Plant Physiology, a Masters in Science Degree in Plant Physiology from Ohio State University and a Ph. D in Plant Physiology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1972. Dirr was an Assistant Professor of Ornamental Horticulture at the University of Illinois, Urbana and became a Mercer Fellow at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in the late 1970’s. Later, he was the Director of the University of Georgia Botanical Garden and since 1984 a Professor at the University of Georgia. Michael Dirr’s Georgia Plant Introduction Program introduced over 40 new cultivars into the nursery trades. He has published over 300 publications and authored eleven books. This guy is no dummy and has long been a favorite of mine. His contributions are enormous and his awards and honors are numerous. The medal of honor in 1993 from the Garden Clubs of America, the American Horticultural Society’s Teaching Award and Southern Nurseryman’s Association (SNA) Slater Wight Memorial Award to name a few.

A good starting place is Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs. I say this because it is easy to read, concise and offers brilliant pictures capturing many of the plants attributes. With some 500 species and 700 cultivar descriptions, you are sure to become inspired and implement a new plant into your own garden. It differs greatly from his Manual of Woody Landscape Plants which, in its own right, is so detailed and academic that most would find “the bible” a bit too much for an afternoon read. However, thankfully it was required reading for me studying at Rutgers University. After you have finished Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs, which is more of broad paint brush stroke you can then hone your efforts to a few of his more specific reads. Viburnums: Flowering Shrubs for Every Season and Hydrangeas for American Gardens are both photographic companions to the previous book mentioned. Vibrant pictures, many of which Dirr have taken himself and approachable text offers a relaxed but informed read. There is also the Great Flowering Landscape Shrubs, which describes more than 50 types of the best flowering shrubs and details their usefulness in the landscape while being punctuated with beautiful color photographs. Finally, another favorite you are sure to enjoy is Dirr’s Trees and shrubs for Warmer Climates. What I like about this book is that it entices us to push the envelope offering plant selections, which may survive, in our cooler zone 6 climate. Specifically, the enormously colorful and energetic habit of Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia) will offer bright flowers most of the summer.

Dr. Michael A. Dirr’s lifelong passion for horticulture has had a profound impact on my life as well as that of a generation. I find his knowledge of the plant kingdom to be quantum and his writings articulate, opinionated and many times humorous. Specifically, his description of a Monkey Puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), “a rather scary growth habit; belongs in a horror movie (Adams Family Garden Show)”. Whatever Dirr book or publication you pick up you can be sure you will learn something new. Perhaps my favorite Dirr quote of all is his intimate encounter with Dr. Kassab, whose holly Ilex x ‘Dr. Kassab’ adorns many gardens. On page 479 of his Manual of Woody Landscape Plants Dirr writes, “There is no greater fraternity than that bound by the love of plants”. I find this to be true and while I have never personally met Dr. Dirr I am appreciative of a few email correspondences, a personally signed copy of his Interactive Manual and Photo-Library of Woody Landscape Plants and a personal Christmas card I received some years ago. Thank you Dr. Dirr for your contributions and for your part in “making me spiritually and academically whole and persistent”.

“Resinous Exudations”

Longing to write about this tree for some time, I find it timely to discuss the possibilities of a unique dwarf conifer. Now that the holidays are behind us what could be planted into our outdoor containers other than using the proverbial dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’)? As a garden center owner I am always astounded as to the number of DAS (dwarf Alberta spruce) we sell as an industry. Known to be problematic, a condominium for spider mites, water hogs and eager for full sun, most seem to be planted in containers far too small for their root systems and forced into cramped, unlit surroundings. Allow me to introduce a substitute… Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata).

Years ago, studying at Rutgers University, I had a plant identification class where I learned this tree for the first time. Pinus aristata is a five-needle type conifer (leaves borne 5 together) with an extremely slow growing habit. Bluish-green needles adorn a most picturesque character both in its adolescence and more mature years. The bark of a Bristlecone morphs from a smooth grey-green when it’s young to a more fissured, rust color as it matures. The needles are aromatic, but it’s the white dots commonly found along the needles that have always intrigued me. Resinous exudations (secreting a viscous marking through its pores) are markings that look like tiny sugar crystals sitting along the needles that many confuse as insect or fungal issues. These, in fact, are natural occurrences that quickly help to identify what type of tree you are looking at. Tolerant to dry soils, they make a great container plant for those who are remiss in their watering habits. While Bristlecone can obtain heights of 20-40 feet and are documented as one of the oldest living plants on earth, this dwarf conifer could survive in a planter almost indefinitely. Three to five foot plants can take the better part of 20 years to achieve. Native to the Southwestern United States, Pinus aristata has often been referred to as a Foxtail pine because of the bushy effect of its foliage.

As with any great plant this also has a few cultivars to be on the lookout for. ‘Sherwood Compacta’ is a plant I have, as a pair, welcoming guests as they approach our walkway. Even slower growing than the species, ‘Sherwood Compacta’ is a handsome, perfect little pyramid. Complete with small purple cones in the spring, it has “tightly packed tufts of medium-long, green needles with white undersides” (Iseli Nursery). Found and named by the late Oregon nurseryman Andy Sherwood, ‘Sherwood Compacta’ is a cultivar that can survive years in a contained area. ‘Formal Form’ is another Great Basin Bristlecone Pine that has a more narrow, uniform shape, which is larger than ‘Sherwood Compacta’ and smaller than ‘Blue Heron’. The needles are 1.5 inches long and radiate, as do the others, around the ascending branches. All are long-lived plants.

Speaking of longevity, as previously mentioned, Bristlecone’s are among the oldest living plants in the world. One such plant, “Methuselah”, is aptly named after Methuselah, the longest-lived person in the Bible. The tree is located in the “Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains of eastern California, however, it’s precise location is undisclosed by the U.S. Forest Service to protect the tree from vandalism” ( Methuselah Walk. U.S. Forest Service/ Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association). Core samples were taken in 1957 and estimated the tree to be 4,789 years old then. It is the oldest known individual tree in the world and non-clonal organism still alive. Its estimated germination is 2832 BC! Considering that Bristlecone’s may only obtain an inch or so in diameter in the course of a century, you can appreciate the perseverance of such a tree. To clarify any confusion, the fore mentioned tree is categorized as Pinus longaeva. Pinus aristata, longaeva and balfouriana are all closely related species of Bristlecone pine. Cold temperatures, dry soils, high winds and shorter growing seasons all contribute to the stagnation of a Bristlecone’s development. As a result, the wood is quite dense and resinous creating a natural barrier for insects and fungi to penetrate.

Suitable for rock gardens, bonsai work, an entrance piece to a garden or an outstanding container plant, Pinus aristata can have many uses. Tolerant to dry soils, less likely to be invaded by spider mites and a slow grower are all reasons to consider this over the more pedestrian dwarf Alberta spruce. Not to mention the neat white spots you can stump your friends with when they think an insect is invading your tree. You know better!