Maritime Colours

October of this year I had an opportunity to take something off my life to do list. Retail, seasonal businesses, sometimes do not allow you certain chances that others may take for granted. A life experience that I have wanted to do for a number of years was see the seasonal fall color of the northeast. One would think that being around trees and shrubs for most of my life would have satisfied that itch years ago. The truth is fall is a great time of year to plant and Halloween sales are a huge part of our business. Suffice to say, my wife convinced me to stop and smell the roses or in this case stop and watch the foliage.

Our cruise line, Royal Caribbean, departed from Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey and headed north up the Atlantic channel towards Sydney, Nova Scotia. And while we were way off the coast and could not see any color in New England, our first port of call more than made up for it. Sydney’s historic background starts in 1785 and was once filled with Steel and Coal Mills as principal parts of industry. First Nations Mi’kmaq people, aboriginal inhabitants of Cape Breton had a picturesque coastline dotted with native maple trees to admire. Strong hues of orange, red and yellow welcomed our cruise ship as it entered port. Easy to identify were the Red and Sugar maples, whose bold markings acted like a beacon early in the morning mist. Other notable trees whose presences could not be overlooked included Hornbeam, Sumac, Dogwood, Hawthorne, Sassafras, Gums, Birch, Witchhazel, Mountain Ash and the occasional Pawpaw. All of these trees benefitted from the strong, rich green background of Cedar, Cypress, Juniper, Yew and White Spruce, almost lifting them from the canvas.

Next stop on our itinerary was Charlottetown Seaport, Prince Edward Island (PEI). Canada’s smallest province is home to, arguably, one of their largest tourist attractions. Green Gables in Cavendish, PEI is home to what inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s work Anne of Green Gables novel in 1904. Not knowing the work myself, I now have an appreciation for what she did and whom she has touched. Honestly, however, I was more moved by the gardens which surrounded this magical farmhouse. Prior to entering the actual farmhouse area, off on the hillside is an enormous, two needle, windswept pine who’s character looks like a giant bonsai. Around the farmhouse itself are stunning raised garden beds spilling over with annual color of dahlias and cosmos. Supporting these annuals, adding structural integrity, are Hydrangea, Red Twig Dogwood, Sumac and Virginia Creeper. Most notably was the Virginia creeper whose small forked tendrils gripped the existing gateway showing off its intense deep red to burgundy fall color. Combinations of deciduous ornamentals and annual color were not to be outdone, as the perennial sweeps of Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and large, quilted blue-green hosta helped to punctuate the landscape.

Along route to our next destination we hugged the coastline, passed the Dunelands whose coastline of brownish-red soil met seamlessly with the arctic blue waters. PEI’s soil is a sandy, loam mixture, virtually stone free and well drained. And while there is more than their fair share of potato farms on the island, I could not help but reflect on the soils actual color and compare it to that of a rich Burgundy wine, clearly the oenophile in me talking. Our last stop for this day was to the famous Prince Edward Island Preserve Company. Bruce and Shirley McNaughton purchased the building in 1987 and began an incredible adventure. Truly a success, these two people have not only built a world class reputation in the culinary world but have also learned that giving back is the greatest reward. On the premises is their Country Gardens, a 12 acre nature reserve. Their garden acts as a haven giving itself to those less fortunate. Country Gardens Foundation of Hope and Hospice Palliative Care Association of PEI works to support the terminally ill. This scenic property along the River Clyde in New Glasgow is peaceful and chock full of flora, fauna and water gardens. The McNaughton’s are true humanitarians and should inspire us all to be so thoughtful.

The highlight of the trip, at least for me, was traveling down the Saguenay River on our way to Quebec. At the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, where the Tadoussac Bay and Saint Lawrence River meet, stands the famous Hotel Tadoussac, a landmark resort east of Quebec City. It was close to here that whales greeted our ship. Not to be outdone were the two majestic slopes speckled with maples, white spruce and Balsam Fir on either side of our vessel. These brilliant colours seemed to disappear into the rugged, rocky coastline.

While Quebec City was rich in history, home to another famous hotel, Le Chateau Frontenac, and had some of the most inspiring landscapes I have seen, it was the Halifax Public Gardens that caught my attention on our next day’s journey. Begun by the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society in 1836, these are an impressive, formal, Victorian garden. And despite the efforts of Hurricane Juan in 2003, the gardens are still an impressive sight. At the center stands a gazebo built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. There stands an impressive oak tree planted by His Majesty King George VI in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in June of 1939. Complete with serpentine stone paths, geometric beds, many of which are raised with perfect soils, and specimen trees this is one of the few surviving Victorian gardens in Canada. I searched long and hard to find a Ginkgo in Canada and was not disappointed. Towards the back of the garden is a huge, forked Ginkgo standing some 40-50 feet. However it was the Katsura tree that had its great golden colour going on.

There is simply too much to list in one short article. However, this much is true…the people were friendly, the scenery was brilliant and it was nice to see nature blush before she undressed.

A Heavenly Plant

Imagine a plant’s versatility that it could offer itself as a specimen, useful for mass plantings, behave itself in a container garden, have year round interest and in all instances soften garden designs with its unique bamboo-like texture. With all this can you further imagine its adaptability to extremes in temperature, lighting and soil. Behold Nandina domestica and all its glorious forms.

Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo) is not at all related to Bamboo. A common name afforded for its resemblance to bamboo complete with cane-like appearances and feathery, compound leaves with lance shaped leaflets. Tolerant to temperatures below -5 degrees, this evergreen, woody ornamental shrub can defoliate and in some cases die to the ground yet come back with a vengeance in the spring. Enjoying more moderate Jersey winters this plant can offer year round interest. In the spring new growth emerges with bright shades of red and is soon followed by large panicles of creamy white flowers. During warmer weather, Nandinas colors fade to a more soothing blue-green and its flowers are replaced with bright green fruit. As summer intensifies so do the markings of the fruit transforming them to a bright red. Autumn brings with it another change for this chameleon-like plant. The foliage returns to spring shades of pink and red while the fruit holds on and darkens to a fiery red. Local wildlife (mockingbirds and robins) can and will enjoy these natural gifts. Left to its own “Heavenly Bamboo” will grow to eight feet; however it can be kept nicely at smaller heights.

Several cultivars are available to gardeners as growers have realized the potential of this powerhouse shrub. For smaller garden footprints consider Nandina d. “Compacta”, “Harbour Dwarf” or Wood’s Dwarf”. All are excellent cultivars possessing diminutive yet ostensible traits. “Harbour Dwarf” however, is the most rhizomatous of the three. For some real intense color markings try “Plum Passion” and “Sienna Sunrise”. Personal favorites, these two varieties offer some of the best shades of purple and red on the market. Both moderate growers, about three to five feet, these two offer the best of what Heavenly Bamboo is all about. Still there are others like “Firepower” that only reaches about thirty inches and represents itself well with brilliant crimson markings. Requiring little or no pruning, this gem was brought to us by way of New Zealand.

Indigenous to Japan, China and south-east Asia, Heavenly Bamboo is very hard to kill once established. Nandina may be grown in partial shade; however, their markings are best in full sun with some protection from hot afternoons. Consider planting a container grown cultivar and thoughtfully place it in a wind protected area of your garden. Nandina enjoys moist, well drained soil and to be fertilized in the spring. Almost entirely free of disease and pests, Nandina is a trouble free plant that has proven to be deer resistant as well. Heavenly Bamboos best fruiting display seems to be when they are planted in masses rather than as a single specimen. Another cool characteristic is that they belong to the Berberidaceae family. When you cut a branch there is bright yellow inside the same as with barberry.

As previously mentioned, these are tough little buggers that have proven themselves tolerant to water deprived areas. Remove the oldest canes in the spring and take your cuttings in warmer weather if you’re so inclined. Nandinas are a choice plant for entryways, patios and foundation plantings. Consider wrapping them around a larger deciduous tree to add depth and texture to your next garden project. With over sixty known cultivars you’re sure to find a candidate that will suit your botanical needs.