Great year-round color

I was talking with one of my friends in the Mid-West to get his take on a great new Juniper that is thriving in my garden. Rated cold hardy to Zone 4, Juniperus communis ‘Kalebab’ is definitely a conifer to keep an eye out for at your local garden center. In fact, it’s so great, I suggest you talk your garden center folks to get it on their spring order!

Juniperus communis 'Kalebab' - Summer

This Juniper is a broad upright grower with lateral branches that grow out and upward like raised arms. The branchlets then droop off the main branches giving a wonderful effect especially as they sway in the wind. During the spring and summer, ‘Kalebab’ is a healthy yellowish green color. With the cooler temperatures of autumn and winter, the foliage begins to take on a plumb color that turns to an amazing shade of orange. The slightly more protected inner foliage may remain green (perhaps less so in more frigid climates than my own). The winter color really stands out and makes a remarkable show piece in what might otherwise be a dreary winter garden.

Juniperus communis 'Kalebab' - Winter

Here in the Pacific Northwest, even our coldest winter temperatures don’t drop anywhere near as low as my friend endures every year. ‘Kalebab’ thrives in our mild temperatures but I’ve wondered about how well it may hold up in some of the colder regions of the country. In the midst of our conversation, he said, “We’re having a good Zone 4 winter out here this year.” I brought up ‘Kalebab’ and even though he didn’t have experience with this relatively new conifer, he did mention that the low growing Juniperus communis cultivars do very well in his zone, but that some of the upright forms can tend to sunburn during the winter. I suggested that he needed to get a ‘Kalebab’ to grow in his region so we could learn more about this great tree in his harsh winter conditions. Since he is one of the directors of the Bickelhaupt Arboretum in Clinton, Iowa he assured me that he would get a specimen planted there this year.

I hope you’ll give this exciting new conifer a try in your garden. I’m confident that you will not be disappointed with its pleasant form, great year-round color and hardiness for most any garden.

Ed-
Conifer Lover

Wisdom from the past

I recently had an opportunity to spend a few hours at the public library. I’ve had a desire to catch up on my reading since the weather has been cooler and I’ve been spending more time enjoying my garden from the warmth of my chair near the wood stove.

While at the library, I thought I’d try to find some books on historic American gardens or gardeners. In my search, I was drawn to a book about gardening in colonial times which then lead me to a book full of quotations by Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Jefferson is not only famous for his writing the Declaration of Independence and political career, but also for his agricultural knowledge and practices.

A beautiful blanket of snow

Here are just a few of the quotes by Thomas Jefferson that I thought I’d share with you today:

”No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth and no culture comparable to that of the garden.”

“Cultivators of the earth are the most virtuous and independent citizens.”

“I am an old man, but a young gardener.”

That last one really hit home with me! Even though I have been gardening for over 30 years, I’ve found that I still have a great deal to learn

Hang in there, Spring is only 67 days away.

Ed-
Conifer Lover