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!

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.

Leather Leaves

Several years ago, while attending a trade show, I was asked what some of my favorite plants were. My immediate response was evergreen or deciduous? The question asked by my friends and colleagues led me to two envisaging truths about myself. One, as a self proclaimed “tree-hugger”, there are far too many plants that I admire. Two, my somewhat obsessive compulsive tendencies had to be put to use immediately, and an excel spreadsheet had to be formed. To date there are some 400+ favorite plants on this spreadsheet. And while the list has grown over the years, some plants coming off the list too, there is one that has always been on the list. Leatherleaf viburnum, Viburnum rhytidophyllum, has such extreme versatility and beauty that it has potential in almost any landscape.

Michael Dirr’s biblical publication, Manuel of Woody Landscape Plants, describes the texture of Viburnum rhytidophyllum as “coarse throughout the year.” There seems to be some incredulity as to the evergreen merits of this plant however. I have found, over the years in retail, that consumers who have Viburnum x rhytidophylloides (Lantanaphyllum Viburnum) believe this to be Leatherleaf viburnum. In fact, this is a cross between V. lantana and V. rhytidophyllum. While it too has coriaceous foliage, it is not a “True Leatherleaf.” Not dismissing the potential of this group by any means, there is simply a difference.

Perhaps not as easy to procure as other viburnum, Leatherleaf viburnum is well worth the effort. Hardy to -15F it is truly a plant for all seasons. As I sit here writing this article in late December I am looking outside at a mass of Viburnum ‘Cree’ which are entirely evergreen. A cultivar selected from the U.S. National Arboretum, ‘Cree’ has all of the famed attributes of V. rhytidophyllum but this cultivar is a tad more compact and arguably more cold hardy. So what are these attributes which should make this plant so coveted? In the spring, mid May, slightly fragrant, yellowish-white flowers are borne. Expect large masses routinely as this and many other viburnum can be grown with ease. Large, dark, lustrous, leathery green leaves are a spectacular backdrop to showcase these flowers. Incidentally, the backside of these leaves is a grayish-brown tomentose (closely covered with down or matted hair with a felt-like texture). September through December you can expect heavy amounts of red fruit. Oval drupes morph from red to black as the season progresses. There is much truth that having different clones close to one another produces more prolific fruit. Other favorable attributes include their ability to adapt not only to soil, but to lighting conditions as well. I have seen Leatherleaf do phenomenally well in both full sun and extreme shade. Last but not least, for the time being they seem to be deer resistant too! This equation is constantly changing since the more educated consumers become about deer resistant plants the less of a selection deer have. That being said, the Viburnum ‘Cree’ in our backyard have not been touched to date.

Viburnum in general can and should be used for mass planting or as a single specimen. Far too often plants are used inappropriately. Spruce, pine and Leyland Cypress are being jammed against one another to create quick screens. Consider this, Leatherleaf Viburnum reaches heights of 10-15 feet tall with a similar spread. That’s roughly the size of a basketball hoop. Unless Michael Jordan is stopping by, most will not see over the tops of this plant.

Cool cultivars to seek out this spring include the following. ‘Green Trump’, introduced from Holland, is a wonderful compact form suitable for smaller footprints. ‘Cree’, mentioned earlier, is more compact than the species and the foliage on ours does not curl even in the coldest temperatures in central Jersey. ‘Roseum’ has pink flower buds which open yellowish-white. While these are all “True Leatherleaf” varieties I would be remiss if I didn’t mention another popular viburnum which is readily available. Viburnum x pragense (Prague Viburnum) has, in part, the parentage of Leatherleaf but was crossed with V. utile (Service Viburnum). Quick growing with pink flower buds, Prague Viburnum was found in Prague during the 1950’s, the capital of what was once Czechoslovakia.

Native to China, Leatherleaf Viburnum is among some two hundred+ species. Viburnums provide year round interest with their flowers, fruit and fall color with the deciduous types. They are a food source for song birds in the winter and in general very easy to grow.

A Symbol of the Season

Finland (Lapland) has Santa Claus, Germany has its Christmas markets and Russia is noted for their traditional, handmade Christmas ornaments. But who has bragging rights for the first decorated Christmas tree? Located in Northeastern Europe, nestled between Estonia, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania lays the country Latvia. Riga, Latvia has by many been credited with first decorating an evergreen tree in the year 1510. This popular holiday tradition, decorating Christmas trees, may have started here, but today in the United States we celebrate by purchasing nearly 35 million Real Christmas Trees every year as reported by the National Christmas Tree Association.

Sold commercially in the United States since about 1850, Christmas trees have been subject to many speculations and myths. First, of the nearly 35 million trees sold each year, 95 percent are shipped and sold directly from Christmas tree farms. California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina are among the leading producers with Oregon consistently ranking toward the top. Typically, the best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Balsam fir and White pine for reasons which will be discussed further in the article. More than 2,000 trees, on average, are planted per acre of which half to two thirds will survive. It takes an average of six to ten years to obtain a mature six to seven foot tree, fighting the elements of rain, wind, ice and drought to name a few. There are more than 21,000 Christmas tree growers in North America and nearly 12,000 “cut-your-own” farms. Finally, 2-3 seedlings are planted for every harvested Christmas tree. So much for the statistics.

Much more is needed to produce the quintessential Christmas tree than simply taking a seedling, planting it, and hoping for the best. Science and technology have largely improved upon the early days of 1851 when Mark Carr opened the first Christmas tree retail lot in New York. Today’s trees are sought out and “created” to ensure that the most perfect, predictable and “hardy” tree will endure to its final destination, your home. This past summer while I was visiting nurseries and tagging nursery stock for next spring, I had the opportunity to visit a Christmas tree grower in Oregon. Silver Mountain Christmas Trees in Oregon is one of the largest producers of Christmas trees in the United States. Owner and operator Jim Heater was kind enough to show his operation and educate me on the science of growing the perfect tree. First, seed orchards are created to find elite seeds. To obtain these seeds cones must be present and autumn is the right time of year to harvest. Careful hands pollinate and cross pollinate several families to produce stronger trees. When the cones are mature they are picked and then thrashed to remove the seed which are then cleaned. Seeds are then planted precisely by a Vacuum Precision Seeder which spaces out seedlings, giving them equal shares of sunlight, moisture and space, thus eliminating problems from being too close. Grown in seed beds for two years, these future trees are then uprooted and replanted again into a transplant bed. A Reciprocating Undercutter Wrencher, another patented piece of machinery that is sold throughout the world by Silver Mountain, root prunes underneath the ground, thus creating more fibrous feeder roots able to take in more nutrients. Eventually these small trees are brought to production beds where they will continue to be nurtured and evaluated. After all “a good start ensures, healthy, stronger plants.” Over the next 6 to 10 years, Jim’s trees will continue to be monitored until they are ready to be harvested. Hand culturing begins once the trees hit his production fields. This is done to create a nice full pyramid, for which many demand at market. Shearing the trees properly helps create an almost perfect product for an imperfect profession. Double topping helps eliminate competing leaders, creating a nice, straight top. This is done on an individual basis and thus is very labor intensive. Grading crews evaluate quality and height and harvesting starts in November. Silver Mountain can harvest 5,000 trees a day as crews work almost around the clock. The most remarkable part of the harvest though is his ability to work over any terrain or through almost any weather. Helicopters are used to pull trees out of his fields, thus eliminating damage to his trees.

Whether you purchase a tree from a “cut-your-own” farm or garden center there are many choices to consider. Fragrance, needle retention, texture and color dictate many a decision. Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) has short, flat, long lasting needles that are dark green with a silver cast. Typically, this tree is associated with having that “traditional Christmas tree smell.” Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) smells like oranges. Needles are blue to dark green, about 1 ½” and also hold their needles well. Named for David Douglas who studied the tree in the 1800’s, this tree can live for a thousand years. White Pine (Pinus strobus) has soft, long, blue-green needles with a very full appearance. This tree has very little fragrance and doesn’t hold heavy ornaments as well. Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) has stiff branching, dark green needles that are about an inch long and hold ornaments very well. Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) has quickly become the standard for Christmas trees. Dark green-blue needles, about an inch long, adorn this pyramidal-shaped tree. Good fragrance and excellent needle retention have catapulted this tree to stardom over the last decade. Last but not least is Noble fir (Abies procera). If I could liken a tree for a moment to a car, than this is your Ferrari. Bluish-green needles that are almost rubbery to the touch never seem to shed on your floor. Stiff branches hold heavier ornaments and it has a great fragrance.

Another way to enjoy your holiday is by planting a b&b tree. B&B (ball and burlap) trees are live trees that you can later plant in your yard. Though it can be more of an arduous task the rewards are numerous. Thoughtfully pick a location in your yard suitable for a conifer. Remember that most conifers, a cone-bearing tree or shrub, do not like shade. While there are a few exceptions, those listed previously enjoy more sun than shade. Remember that these species trees are all majestic giants. They will some day reach for the sky. So give them plenty of room and try not to plant them in a hedge line five feet apart from one another as this will have a pejorative affect on your landscape. Be mindful that live trees are becoming more popular. Go to your local plant purveyor and ask to purchase your tree and have it delivered or picked up closer to Christmas. Once your tree is home place it in your garage for a day or two, so as to slowly acclimate the tree from the temperature outside from that of inside. Try not to have your live tree in your house for more than five to seven days and reverse the procedure when you plant your tree after the holidays. Dig the hole prior to the ground freezing as this will facilitate your planting.

Evergreens around the holiday conjure up feelings of nostalgia, longing for our childhood past. Cut trees are multi faceted as they can be recycled and used as mulch after the holiday season. Live trees not only provide a habitat for wildlife but also grow as our families do. Wherever you purchase your tree this year be cognizant of its height as trees look smaller outside than they do inside your home. Check for needle retention by pulling on the limbs to see if any needles fall off. Remember to put a fresh cut on your cut tree and keep it well irrigated during the first ten days. A cut tree can consume more than a quart of water per day. Choose a cool location away from drafts and any nearby heat source such as a fireplace, radiator or stove. Feel great about your purchase knowing that this year alone nearly 73 million new Christmas trees will be planted. Finally, remember that cut trees came from mother earth…so be kind and recycle when possible. Consumers can locate the nearest recycling program by logging onto www.realchristmastrees.org or by calling 1-800-CLEANUP.

Tree of Life

Ficus carica (Common Fig) is one of those fun plants that gardeners go to great lengths to grow and protect. Perhaps it’s because of the oversized, textural foliage, the abundance of tasty fruit or the challenge of over-wintering a subtropical plant. Whatever the reason, gardeners alike have owned up to the challenge of raising their fig tree, honing their agricultural skills and treating it as a member of “La Familia.” “Borderline Hardy” is a term used in the industry warning of a plants’ survivability in a given part of the country. The limits of the average annual minimum temperature define specific zones. Most of New Jersey has a hardiness zone of 6 (-5 to +5F) with exceptions in Northwest New Jersey being 5 (-15 to -10F) and coastal and southern Jersey being 7 (5 to 10F). This being said, fig trees are borderline hardy.

Remnants of common fig have been found in excavation sites dating back to at least 5000 B.C. Indigenous to western Asia and the eastern Mediterranean, fig trees have, for a long time, been sold, planted and survived in pockets of New Jersey. They just require a little TLC. Recently my wife and I traveled to Europe, specifically Italy, and became even more enamored with Italian culture. This being our third time to Italy, we just love the people, the culture and of course the food. In the summer no meal would be complete without some fresh fruit on the table. I had an opportunity to climb, giving you some idea of the maturity of the tree, a friend’s fig tree and harvest dessert for the family. References to fig trees have been made throughout history. One more notable and apropos, since I just returned from Italy, is in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. One of the central stories on the ceiling is Original Sin and the Banishment from the Garden of Eden. I’m a plant guy so I’ll leave the theological discussions for those academics. However, I will say this; there are those suggesting that the forbidden fruit may be an apple, grape, pomegranate or fig, I can say without hesitation that Michelangelo painted leaves resembling a fig tree.

Culturally fig trees require a full day of sun, prefer moist, well drained soil, but apparently are not fussy on soil makeups as they seem to sustain themselves well from light sand to heavy clay. Avoid highly acidic soils shooting for a pH between 6 and 7. Trees can sustain at 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit, although you will almost certainly have to cut the tree back to the ground from year to year leaving yourself more of a bush form than a tree form. A picturesque, deciduous tree, fig trees can reach heights of forty to fifty feet. Bright green foliage, deeply lobed with one to five sinuses is attractive and visible to almost any eye. Pollination is always a question that comes up. The common fig has flowers which are all female and thus requires no pollination. Cross pollination and the need to have a tiny wasp, Blastophaga grossorum, to pollinate do not apply here. They are necessary for the caprifig which has male and female flowers. Keep the fertilization regulated as excessive nitrogen will only encourage rank growth, sacrificing fruit. Look for varieties such as ‘Brown Turkey’, ‘Black Mission’, and ‘Kadota’ as suitable candidates for New Jersey. These are great tasting and readily available.

Finally, protecting your tree for the winter. A very good friend of mine and avid gardener, Leo Pietrantuono, has over fifty years experience handed down to him from his father and his father’s father. Some basic points to keep in mind. First you can always bring small trees, in containers, in and out every year to escape Mother Nature. For those of you who want the challenge of planting one outside, here are some basics. Look for a sunny spot against a wall and you can pick up a few degrees with reflective heat. Leo’s tip is that it’s crucial to understand that frost doesn’t kill the tree, moisture and timing do. With larger trees, tie smaller branches in clusters and bind them to larger ones getting the tree very tight. Do this only after all the leaves have dropped. Be creative with your wrapping. Some use carpet, insulation, tarps, blankets and some even build boxes around their tree. The key is to keep everything dry. Trial and error will dictate your successes and techniques. Generally, most cover their tree in late October/early November and uncover it in mid April. However, the weather will punish you if you don’t pay attention to it.

Life is made up of experiences and meant to be enjoyed. The thirty foot fig tree I climbed in Monte Di Procida outside of Naples had no less than a thousand figs on it. Sal Coppola, owner of Coppola’s restaurant in New Providence, New Jersey graciously offered his home, his family, his garden and of course his fig tree to my wife and me and with that gave us one of our life’s greatest experiences.

Autumnal Treats

With the heat of summer behind us and shorter days and cooler nights ahead, it’s almost time for plant material to shut down and begin to go dormant. Cooler days and nights start to slow the growing and stretching of plant material and make it more advantageous for transplanting and planting. However, before this happens, there are some surprises we can still look forward to before we think about putting away our backyard furniture for the season.

Heptacodium miconioides (Seven-Son Flower) has features that have been developing over summer and are now ready to put on display. Native to the Zhejiang Province of China this garden gem offers characteristics that are comparable to the popular southern beauty Lagerstroemia (Crapemyrtle). With an upright, open growth habit this one really puts on a display quickly. Starting off with four inch, dark green leaves in early spring which sticks through November, it is the bark, flower and fruit which make this a suitable candidate for smaller landscapes. The buds appear early on in summer, however it’s not until August that they open and really shine through September, maybe October. Six inch long terminal panicles are fragrant and creamy- white, with a fragrance reminiscent to jasmine. Heptacodium’s common name is derived from small single flowers that are borne in tiers, capped by a flower, thus creating a seventh flower. Exfoliating gray-brown bark creates a patchwork consistent with those beautiful Crapemyrtles we see all too often south of Maryland. Another bonus is the groupings of pink-red calyxes through the progression of the season. Known to attract butterflies and related to the honeysuckle, this horticultural delight transplants easily from containers and prefers moist, well drained soils. The growth of Seven-Son Flower can be exponential at a younger age. Mature heights are ten to twenty feet high and about five to ten feet wide. Suitable as a small specimen, try to keep this one out of direct sun in the hot afternoon. And by all means look, with anticipation, for the purple-bronze fall color.

Franklinia alatamaha (Franklin Tree) is just about the most impressive late summer/early fall flowering tree going. Almost perfect white flowers are borne in August and September. Made up of five petals and a yellow center, the fact that it’s fragrant is just an exclamation mark for an already impressive small tree. Trying to outperform this feat is the intense red and orange markings which take place in the cooler fall months. And for the real plant “weenies”, try staring at the peculiar fruit which is dissected into five-valved capsules, an instant give away in a plant ID class. Showcasing Franklinia should be a prerequisite for any gardener as its attributes are numerous. Even the bark, as it matures, offers vertical fissures affording a fluted appearance. Found and native to the banks of the Altamaha River in Georgia by John and William Bartram, Franklin Tree prefers moist, well drained soils and full to partial sun. Overall appearances for this specimen can reach ten to twenty feet tall by eight to twelve feet wide. For best results, try planting a container grown or smaller B&B type as the root system, which is not heavily fibrous, lends itself better for transplanting. Franklinia’s common name is derived from the Bartram’s (Eighteenth-century botanists) association with friend Benjamin Franklin. Paying homage to Franklin and the old spelling of “alatamaha” (the river by which the tree was found in Georgia) make up this historical beauty’s nomenclature.

Windbreakers and sweaters will soon be moved to the front of our closets. Pumpkins, chrysanthemums and Montauk Daisies will be the foreground admixtures supporting more permanent plant materials. So before you pack away all your outdoor garden furniture, try using it to relax and enjoy the splendors of fall. After all, autumn can be just as enticing in your garden as any other season.