Winter Gardens

Between the outstanding fall colors of deciduous trees and the early spring blooms of Cherries, Magnolia and Forsythia there, sometimes, is a perceived notion that nature is on hold. Winter doldrums can get the best of us, leaving us longing for the arrival of spring. The truth is there is so much to appreciate in the calm of winter that simply cannot be seen any other time of year. Couple this with an occasional white background and gardening takes on a whole new appreciation.

Certainly walking around your yard or neighborhood you can find some outstanding trees to look at. However, visiting arboretums and gardens often guarantees you and up close and personal look at specimens which have taken years to become. There is a quite calm walking around these gardens this time of year which is only broken up by the crunch of the ground as you walk across mulched beds.

There are several unique gardens to look at this time of year and all are in close proximity. Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, New Jersey is a “suburban conservancy dedicated to environmental and horticultural education for children and adults and to the enjoyment of nature through the professional care and preservation of a historic country estate.” Their sunken garden is a personal favorite of mine but equally exciting this time of year is their winter interest garden. You can test your horticultural skills by identifying bark, berries and the occasional flower. Let’s not forget their European Beech (Elephant tree) aptly named for its bark which resembles that of an elephant’s skin. All this is worth the trip however, make it a point to revisit the arboretum in the early spring for the daffodil bowl….trust me.

The Cross Estate Gardens in Bernardsville, New Jersey has characteristics of the Arts and Crafts period. Interesting year round attractions include their Silver Maple and Chinese Sequoia. Their wisteria-covered pergola, typically brings visitors in the spring and summer, has fantastic structure and lines this time of year to admire. In addition to the formal and native gardens, “the grounds of the Cross Estate provide hiking trails that connect to trails in the Jockey Hollow, Lewis Morris Park, and the Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Conservancy.”

The Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills, New Jersey is one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States. Donated to the Somerset County Park Commission by Mrs. Helen Buck in 1976, the gardens are situated in a 33 acre wooded stream valley among some of the most coveted real estate in New Jersey. A naturalistic garden, the large rock outcroppings are clearly visible in the winter months showcasing rare and exotic rock garden plants.

The Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick, New Jersey I may be somewhat biased to. A graduate of Rutgers University some years ago, this garden is a collection of gardens which spread over some 50 acres. Highlights include the largest collection of American Hollies in the world, a Shade Tree Collection, the Roy H. De Boer Evergreen Collection (anyone who has ever taken a class of his at Rutgers could never forget him), the Ornamental Tree Collection and a Bamboo Forest to name a few. Their ornamental tree collection alone is enough to entice visitors in the colder winter months. The state’s largest Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) and their Kousa Dogwood (patches) both have exfoliating bark and are two of the nicest specimens you will ever see.

Finally, The New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx, New York is one of the most awe inspiring gardens I have ever been to. The famed Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is the man made structural staple that most remember. Too many gardens to list, there are two formidable trees which I can never forget from here. The first, Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica) is a tree indigenous to Iran and has a most dramatic bark appeal. Showcasing colors of gray, green, white and brown the bark reminds me of that of Pinus bungeana (Lacebark Pine). Taking considerable time to have this as a characteristic, you can imagine its age. Second is a stand of Tanyosho Pines (Pinus densiflora ‘Umbraculifera’). These shrub-like multi-trunk trees have the most beautiful orange to orange-red markings with a touch of gray at the base. The bark becomes fissured into oblong plates with age. This stand of trees is no less than 25 feet tall.

Now I know much of this can be lost to a non plant person. But, if you have some time this winter try visiting one of these tranquil places. Who knows you may become a tree-hugger after all.

Winter Protection for Our Green Friends

According to Consumer Reports, the average depreciation value for all models of automobiles is 45 percent over the first three years. Having said this, most go to great lengths to protect an investment that’s depreciating. Checking fluids; changing the oil every three thousand miles, being mindful of the engine coolant, watching the power steering levels, radiator and battery fluids are all basic maintenance we pay particular attention to as we approach winter. Furthermore, spark plugs, brakes and lights are all on schedule to be checked, repaired or simply maintained throughout the year. We put snow tires on cars, sometimes chains and add water to engine coolants so they do not freeze when the bitter cold hits zero degrees. Shouldn’t the same attentions and commitments be implemented to protect our landscapes? After all, landscapes that are well maintained appreciate adding to the resale of your home.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, FALL IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO PLANT TREES AND SHRUBS!! Plant material is going dormant and thus there is virtually no transplant shock. So feel free to move plants about your property, assiduously checking for the occasional fall dig hazard plants. Conversely, planting trees and shrubs simply means slipping the plant material into the ground which you have just purchased. Water requirements are far less as temperatures are plunging and you may even come across an occasional deal as plant purveyors are committed to depleting inventory this time of year.

Hopefully by now you have been diligently watering and fertilizing your plant material through summer and early fall. Watering can be decreased in early fall and should be increased towards the end of late fall to help protect trees and shrubs. Just before you turn your outdoor water off for the winter, give your trees and shrubs one last long, slow drink as this will help protect them from the drying winds of winter. Allow plants to go dormant. Don’t encourage growth by adding nitrogen fertilizers in the fall. This will stimulate top growth and force plants to reach and stretch at a time when they should be relaxing and ready to sleep. Phosphorous and potassium fertilizers will be better suited to help with winter acclimation. Consider wrapping younger trees with a commercial tree wrap, vinyl or paper, as you will protect them from desiccating winds as well as from “buck rub” (deer damage). Protecting evergreens from drying winds has always been a topic of debate. Antidesiccants (Anti-Transpirants) help protect broadleaf evergreens like hollies, rhododendron, azaleas and laurels, but should not be used to protect our needled friends. Spruce, hemlock, arborvitae, pines etc. should not be sprayed but rather have a burlap wall around them. Winter browning of evergreens is caused by a combined effect of wind and sun. Thus, these coniferous evergreens will benefit immensely by simply providing them with a line of defense. In this case a burlap wall. Thoughtfully select species and cultivars that will tolerate the given surroundings. Plant species that are susceptible to winter injury should be thoughtfully placed in areas of minimal exposure to winter wind and sun. In other words, don’t plant Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ (Shipka or Skip Laurel) on the west side of your property, without protection, and expect great results. While one of the hardiest of the cherry laurels, this broadleaf evergreen found near the Shipka Pass in Bulgaria, is often placed in wind tunnels only to succumb a most certain death.

Mulching your trees, shrubs and perennials for the winter is very important. However, doing it properly is even more important. Two to four inches of mulch around your plants is plenty. Too much mulch is just as bad as too little mulch. Aside from aesthetics, the purpose of mulch is to regulate and control temperature and hold moisture. Too little and plants can dry out. Too much and plants can rot. Always be mindful to keep the mulch material away from direct contact with the bark of trees.

Finally, there is still enough time to plant bulbs for next year. The ground should still be “workable” and thus you can add tremendous excitement to your garden by having bulbs peek out early next spring. The pedestrian types such as Tulips, Hyacinths and Crocus are always welcome; however consider Scilla, Chionodoxa, Allium and Fritillaria to spice things up a bit. Remember, Narcissus (Daffodil) is always a good staple bulb that not only naturalizes but is “Deer Proof”. All will look great emerging somewhere between the flowering of Hamamelis (Witchhazel) and the Mahonia (Oregon Grapeholly).