The Unfolding of Spring

After months of looking at snow and ice and weathering below average temperatures, spring has finally arrived. Spectacular color is once again here to enhance our landscapes, brighten our smiles and warm our emotional sides. While of course we have the crocus, daffodils, tulips and the pedestrian forsythia to admire, a series of plants which I eagerly await is Japanese maples.

Aside from the sensational colors Japanese maples can afford you in the landscape, they are extremely versatile as well. Far too often larger trees, the likes of maple, oak, ash, beech, birch, katsura and zelkova, are planted within a few feet of residential and commercial housing. Whether it is underestimating the potential of these majestic beauties or being swayed by price at time of purchase, one thing is clear, not enough homework was done before making the purchase. Deciduous ornamental trees (those who lose their leaves in the winter) are divided into small, medium and large groups. The largest of this group of trees has average heights of 50 feet and larger. Medium, deciduous trees generally grow between 30-50 feet while smaller trees finish nicely between 15 and 30 feet. Considering the parcels of residential space that most have in New Jersey, 15-30 foot trees are more than sufficient.

Outstanding spring and fall color markings, interesting bark and of course those winter silhouettes punctuated by their unique skeletal patterns are all features to look forward to. More to the point, it is now that buds are swelling and those tiny leaves are unfolding, ready to put on their spring show. While Japanese maples is a huge, diverse group of plants, here is just a smattering of some exciting spring colored ones which should be easy to procure. All are smaller deciduous types.

Still showing off from last fall is Coral Bark Maple, Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’. Coral Bark’s bark becomes punctuated as the temperatures begin to drop. Fiery, coral- red bark is evident from Halloween through Mother’s Day. In addition, their soft, green leaves are a bold contrast to its bark for more than half the year. Finally, the fall color matches the Halloween theme as its foliage turns an orange-gold color. Acer palmatum ‘Emeror 1’, ‘Fireglow’ and ‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’ are all palmate types ( the leaflets or lobes radiate from the base of a leaf appearing more fan-like) and have better red markings. Not to be confused with dissected types where the lobes are divided into narrow, more slender segments like fringe. ‘Emperor 1’ leafs out a deep purple and retains its color even when our heat index rises; which stresses other types. ‘Fireglow’ has five to seven lobes which are a dark wine-red. Raised in Italy and named in the Netherlands, it too keeps its color in the warmer summer months. ‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’ is the fastigiate type of the three having a husky, columnar appearance. Deep red color, all season long, is held on “numerous apically dominant branches” (Iseli Nursery). A highlight of this plant, found by Ken Twombly of Connecticut, is its deep blood-red branches in the winter. Acer palmatum ‘Orange Dream’, a personal favorite in our garden, is unique in both form and color. Orange-yellow foliage emerges in the spring which is held over bright green bark. Again, raised in Italy by Fratelli Gilardelli, a company and tradition that has been around since 1800. Two variegated types to be on the lookout for this spring are ‘Acer palmatum Butterfly’ and ‘Ukigumo’. ‘Butterfly’ is a vase-shaped tree whose small, dainty leaves emerge blue-green with white margins tinged with pink. ‘Ukigumo’, known as the “Floating Cloud Maple”, has bright white variegation backed by light green. Also known for having pink tinges, this one is a real show stopper. Finally, Acer palmatum ‘Tsuma gaki’ has chartreuse foliage dipped in red. As the months progress so do the red margins becoming more prominent with a light cream center. Incidentally, Tsuma gaki means red nail.

Japanese maples make outstanding container garden plants. Surprisingly hardy and capable of producing year round interest, consider using them in your existing landscapes. Imagine ‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’ or ‘Sango Kaku’ in a cobalt blue planter dumped into your existing perennial beds to be enjoyed all summer long. Move the same planter to your backyard on a deck or patio for a whole new feel in the winter. These portable gardens of living sculpture are fun, add great highlights to your garden and are low maintenance.

Portable Gardens

Late August of this year I attended the IGC (the Independent Garden Center Show) in Chicago. Located on Navy Pier, this is truly becoming the quintessential trade show for the independent garden center. Touted as the world’s largest show of its kind, it offers educational seminars, network opportunities, and thousands of products from close to 900 vendor booths. The world class exhibit hall spans some 200,000 square feet (four football fields) and was jam packed with inspiration. Leading garden experts, brilliant business minds and savvy retailers were all there to do one thing, promote the independents!

As I walked down the nearly 30 aisles of product, what quickly came to mind was the abundance of pottery that was being represented. Sure there was Italian clay that almost any garden center has from 3” to 24”, but it was the enormity of unique pottery that inspired and reinforced a common theme in today’s gardening. There seems to be a good 10 year lag time between European garden center merchandising and that of what is being done here in the United States. Furthermore, what has been done well for the past 5 or 6 years in the Pacific Northwest has trickled across country and is finally introducing itself to the east coast. Container gardening is here to stay! I say again, container gardening is here to stay!

No longer are the days of orange, Italian clay with a Greek key scroll inscribed across the top your only option. Today there is frost resistant pottery that doesn’t have to be emptied in the winter, taken indoors or buried beneath our outdoor soils to insure its survivability. Planters today are lightweight, rustproof, fireproof, free of petro chemicals and environmentally friendly. There are those which will oxidize over time giving way to stunning patinas. Italian design with such simple, clean lines, even Giorgio Armani would be inspired to use some in his clothing advertisements or his own backyard. Authentic stone, metallic finishing, lightweight and durable fiberglass also throw their hands into the arena of what is now available. Germany’s romantic Rhine Valley is now turning out terracotta classic designs, glazed stoneware, fired in traditional kilns that have served civilizations in Asia and Europe. It doesn’t end there! Copper window boxes, stainless steel with rustic copper finishes and hammered brace elements. Even garden hose pots done so well that the fact that they mask an unsightly water snake is insignificant as to the overall beauty of these pieces of sculpture.

Not limited by material alone, color plays a huge part in our decision making process. Again, terracotta orange is being replaced by the cobalt blues, chili reds, honey and mints of the world. All of this contributing to an outdoor living space. Firepits, outdoor kitchens, stone patios, walkways and retaining walls which allow 10 to 20 guests to sit comfortably outside are all elements of modern design which can be enhanced with a dab of color.

The possibilities are endless as to what you can plant in all this pottery. Jock Demme, horticultural demigod and friend from Iseli Nursery says it best, “like it for as long as you can.” There are no rules to container gardening. It’s meant to be fun and exciting. We have become accustomed to planting annuals such as impatiens and begonias; we toss tender perennials like mums away and seldom go through the efforts of overwintering poinsettias. So why are we reluctant to explore and fund the guilty pleasures of Pennisetum ‘Burgundy Giant’ (Burgundy Giant Fountain Grass) for annual summer color or apprehensive to indulge ourselves with conifers or deciduous ornamentals as companions in our container gardens? Even if it’s only for a short while, it is after all, quality of life that we all should be searching for.

As you develop your next garden area, be mindful of the possibilities. Color, texture and size are key elements to build upon. Consider a burgundy pot dumped in among your dark green, Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’ (English Yews) dripping with Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Golden Japanese Forest Grass). Our orange, Fox Red Curley Sedge Grass (Carex buchananii) looks stunning in our cobalt blue pot sitting behind our yellow, variegated Japanese sedge grasses (Carex morrowii ‘Aurea-variegata’) and in front of our large Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple). This incidentally turns red in the fall! Today’s pottery should be viewed more as a piece of sculpture rather than simply a receptacle to house a plant. Groupings of pottery can make a garden and the design can be pulled apart again and again to recreate a different theme. Your garden, after all, is your oyster!

Umbrella Pine

Sciadopitys verticillata or Japanese Umbrella pine has long been a curious creature that has excited first time gardeners as well as seasoned plants person. Ranking right up there with such inveterate conifers as Ginkgo and Metasequoia, Sciadopitys has its roots dating back to the upper Triassic period. In other words, dinosaurs were running while these were growing some 230 million years ago. Native to Japan, it is believed that the extent of this extant conifer ran from Eurasia to North America. The common name, Umbrella Pine, refers to the whorls of foliage which resemble the spokes of an umbrella.

Known for its unusual texture, Sciadopitys verticillata, is an extremely slow growing conifer. However, heights of 50-100 feet are obtainable. Perhaps the nicest single specimen I have seen in central New Jersey stands on the front lawn of the Summit Red Cross in Summit on Springfield Avenue. Tucked in among other conifers, this specimen stands well in the shade and has to be every bit of 40+ feet. With a 15 to 20 foot spread, this tree epitomizes this ancient conifer. Sciadopitys is a monotypic genus (a taxon having only one species) that grows tight and pyramidal in its youth while taking on more of an open, pyramidal outline in its winter years. Handsome as a specimen, but not limited to, I have seen container gardening done well with some smaller cultivars. Perhaps my favorite application of this unique conifer has to be a hedge line in Far Hills, New Jersey. Some years ago I was asked to do some consulting work on a private residence and witnessed a 40 foot hedge, some 10 feet tall of Umbrella pine. A vulgar display of wealth that had me dreaming of one day having my own while at the same time inspiring me at the versatility of plant material. Limited only by our own visions, this was truly an enduring impression that has stuck with me all these years.

A coniferous evergreen, Sciadopitys has dark green leaves or needles of two types. Under close examination, the needles appear to be almost fused together. Rich, thick, glossy foliage radiate around the stem in definite whorls, reminding one of an umbrella hence, the name. On larger specimens the bark is an interesting and beautiful attribute. Rich hues of orange and brown punctuate long strips of exfoliating, spongy, cork-like bark. A true tree hugger, I have hugged a huge specimen in Pennsylvania. St. Mary of Providence, located in West Nantmeal Township (the Honey Brook area) is home to a specimen Umbrella pine. The facility is a retirement home and retreat center for Catholic Church activities and is owned and operated by the archdiocese of Philadelphia. Some years ago John Stella, a brilliant plantsman and friend, took me there after tagging our spring deciduous trees at a nearby nursery. A true gentlemen whose tutelage has broadened my appreciation for plants while simultaneously forging a long term friendship.

Other notable attributes of this long lived conifer include, a non aggressive root system, little, if any potential pest problems and virtually no maintenance. This tree requires very little pruning to develop itself. While it seems to prefer adequate sunlight, as mentioned previously, the specimen in Summit, New Jersey is performing admirably in large amounts of shade. Highly adaptive to soil types, Sciadopitys seems to perform well in clay, loam, sand and well drained soil.

Perhaps the only shortcoming to owning one of these unique conifers is the cost. Slower growth and difficulties to propagate are the answers for its price tag. Once rooted however, the likelihood of its survival is in your favor. With container gardening continuing to be on the rise, several smaller cultivars are becoming more widely available. ‘Joe Kozey’ is a more fastigiate type, withstanding snow loads better because of its more sturdy branches. ‘Mitsch Select’ has shorter dark green needles and a more compact stature. ‘Sternschnuppe’ has all its characteristics more thick in appearance. Finally, you knew there had to be gold and variegated types out there as well. ‘Aurea’ and ‘Ann Haddow’ are their names.

While there is still some discrepancy as to which family Sciadopitys belongs to, listed both as Pinaceae and Taxodiaceae, there is no ambiguity as to how well Umbrella pine will perform for you. Adaptive to soil types, sunlight amounts and its reluctance to grow quickly make this a suitable candidate for almost anywhere. Couple these attributes with the increasing flavors available for smaller container gardening and Umbrella pine’s rubbery texture will have everyone marveling at its unique beauty.

Sugi: A Revered Conifer in Japan

With the holidays quickly approaching, there is a sense of urgency to decorate and adorn our homes. While Christmas trees are a small part of the holiday season, the selection of tree types is enormous. The popular candidates are Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri), Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), Grand Fir (Abies grandis), Noble Fir (Abies procera), White Fir (Abies concolor), Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana), Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens) and Norway spruce (Picea abies). While these are all attractive Christmas trees most are also used for privacy screens and shade trees in our landscapes. Another Mega Conifer to consider for our landscapes is the very versatile Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese Cedar).

Today’s academics still list Cryptomeria as part of the Taxodiaceae family. Grouped with the likes of Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood), Sequoia and Sequoiadendron (Coast Redwoods and Giant Redwoods) as well as Sciadopitys (Umbrella Pine) to name a few. However, just as Sciadopitys is listed a few ways, also in the Pinaceae family, so to is Cryptomeria being pushed towards the Cupressaceae family (Cypress family). A discussion for the academics, there is no denying the vast potential of this conifer. Those who are introduced to Cryptomeria for the first time are usually enamored with its rope-like foliage, which is blue-green and rubbery to the touch. A broad pyramidal tree as an older specimen, Cryptomeria japonica can reach heights of 50-70 feet high by 20-30 feet wide. However, “Jomon Sugi” one of the largest specimens of Cryptomeria or Sugi known, found on the island of Yakushima, Japan, stands a mere 26.1 meters tall and is said to date back almost 3000 years. Sugi incidentally is the vernacular name for Cryptomeria in Japan and is quickly becoming adapted elsewhere. Other distinguishing attributes of this majestic conifer include bark which is reddish-brown, peeling in long strips, cones which are terminal and somewhat round and an ability to grow in a range of soil types. Sugi prefers sun to part shade and appreciates shelter from high winds. This easy to grow superstar fills out quickly and can be useful as a hedge/screen or specimen. One of the few conifers that will coppice (sprout back from cut stumps) you can cut back aggressively and rejuvenate older, overlooked trees. Look for purple-bronze overtones in the winter as well.

Native to Japan and arguably southern China, Cryptomeria has a plethora of cultivars to choose from. Cryptomeria j. ‘Black Dragon’ has a vigorous growth spurt early on and then slowly fills out to an appreciable 10-15 feet in as many years. Light green new growth ages to one of the darkest greens for all Sugi’s and is maintained in the winter. ‘Mignone’ has caught the attention of many people including my dear friends Mitch Krause and Jessica Cordts who recently bought out a collection and mass planted them around a Trochodendron tree. Monochromatic gardening at its best! ‘Mignone’ sports rope-like branchlets and has an overall dense appearance. This suitable dwarf cultivar eventually matures to an upright broad conifer. ‘Sekkan’ is an upright conifer with sulfur yellow markings. A quick growing cultivar adds a punctuation of color to any garden. A personal favorite is ‘Rein’s Dense Jade’. Unusual texture and jade green markings, this cultivar in more fastigiate than it is pyramidal. The needles are held tightly to the stem and the winter helps offer purple-bronze markings. There are 54 planted at our house in a hedge form creating a skeletal backdrop for a large garden room. Unprotected from the winter, they stand on the north, south, east and west ends and are glorious. Finally, ‘Vilmoriniana’ can fit into anyone’s garden. Pointed short needles lead you from green to a purple-bronze in the winter. A dwarf form that is dense and globose at maturity.

Sugi (Cryptomeria) the national tree of Japan is so revered in its native land that not only does it have its own stamp but it is often planted around temples and is part of sacred grounds. One notable house of worship is the Shrine at Ise, Japan. A Shinto shrine to the goddess Amaterasu omikami it is set within ancient forests of giant Cryptomeria. A name derived from the Greek kryptos (hidden) and meros (part) certainly contradicts and reveals much of itself. A conifer with bright green new growth, purple-bronze markings in the winter and bark that is reddish-pink in color and slightly scented, truly is a conifer for all seasons. Now, if we could only get them as a cut Christmas tree…that would be something.

False Holly Is a True Winner

One of the challenges of retail sales in a garden center is educating your customer’s understanding of sunlight, soil and moisture. Often the responses to these questions are ambiguous at best. “I get part sun, part of the day” is a response that is unclear to both parties. In most cases there has not been enough attention given to the location or placement of plants. Plant selections, at times, seem to be done by trial and error or in a capricious manner, rather than having a clear understanding of just how well a plant can do given the right environment. So when a plant comes along tolerant to many conditions, it’s no wonder that the industry and public embrace it so quickly.

Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ (Japanese False Holly or Holly Tea Olive) is a plant brought to us by way of a plant expedition. Barry Yinger and Phil Normandy, two notable plantsmen, in the early 1980’s were associated with Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. These two men are responsible for collecting ‘Goshiki’ in Asia and selflessly asked the help of Iseli Nursery in Boring, Oregon to help propagate it. After evaluating ‘Goshiki’ for almost a decade, Iseli Nursery introduced this cultivar of false holly to the commercial trade and the explosion and popularity of this garden gem began.

“Goshiki in Japanese means ‘five colored’ and refers to the various colors found on each leaf.” This broadleaf evergreen has a collage of smeared markings of green, pink, copper, yellow and white throughout most of the year. Extremely durable, ‘Goshiki’ was held back before being released for fear of temperature hardiness. Osmanthus is typically a zone 7 plant; however, ‘Goshiki’ is a proven 6, possibly 5. The colors of this holly tea olive appear in swirls creating an eye-catching display. Useful as a specimen, in mass plantings or for container gardening, it can reach heights of 3 to 5 feet comfortably. Over time, however, heights of 8 to 10 feet are obtainable. Iseli Nursery, the Conifer Mecca of the world, has a single specimen over 12 feet. Impervious to garden pests and diseases, ‘Goshiki’ has even stood well against deer in New Jersey. Drought tolerant once established, ‘Goshiki’ will want some protection from desiccating winds in the winter. Consider spraying Wilt Pruf, an anti desiccant, in the fall as you would any other broadleaf evergreen. And by the way, it will do well in either sun or shade.

Small white four-petaled blooms are hidden by the colorful foliage. From September thru November Osmanthus produces an intoxicating fragrance that has been aptly replicated by Henri Bendel. A modern, sophisticated shopping label in Manhattan, Henri Bendel has recently captured its fragrance and marketed it in the form of a candle. Notable for using botanical extracts Bendel has now given gardeners a chance to enjoy this unique plants fragrance year round.

Easily manipulated, ‘Goshiki’ creates an almost impenetrable colorful mound in any size garden. Its dense, compact growth habit reminds one of an armadillo’s body armor of bony plates. Often misidentified as Ilex (Holly), Osmanthus has leaves arranged in opposite pairs rather than alternate. It prefers well drained soil and is easily transplanted from containers. While ‘Goshiki’ seems to be the most readily available cultivar, be on the look out for Kembu, Sasaba, Akebono and Ogon. Most have leathery leaves with holly-like spines. And while some offer variegated margins their overall garden presence are different from their relative ‘Goshiki’. With all that has been said you could even use Osmanthus cuttings in your next holiday arrangement. Imagine the rainbow of colors you’ll have in December on your holiday table.

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.