Thankful

Last night, as my wife was enjoying the dancing styles of Donny, Mya and Kelly, I was sitting next to the woodstove with a warm herbal tea and a pile of conifer catalogs that I have accumulated over the past few years. My catalog collection is of great value to me. Full of plant photos and descriptions, my notes written in the margins of the pages, plants circled and starred, I’ve turned my collection of catalogs into an analog version of my own personal plant Wikipedia.

Happy Thanksgiving to my gardening friends!

Even though the economy is a challenge, and like many people I’ve needed to tighten my budget and cut back on frivolous spending, I have made sure that I have a New Conifer section in the budget plan. I am thankful that my wife has always been very patient with my conifer expenditures since, after all, my hobby does keep me close to home and we do love to garden together.

I’m thankful that we live in a country with a rich history of freedom with a Constitution and Bill of Rights to guide our leaders. I’m thankful that we have a strong military filled with young, dedicated men and women willing to risk their lives so that I may enjoy those freedoms. I’m thankful for my family and friends and hope that my garden may inspire them to begin their own conifer gardens. I am thankful for the friends I am making as a result of this blog – may it be a positive and uplifting experience for my readers and may your gardens be a source of great joy for you and yours in the many years to come.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Ed-
Conifer Lover

Don’t be late

Last year I was a little too late when I wrote about two great conifers selected by the  American Conifer Society as the 2009 Collectors Conifers of the Year. This year I want  to make sure you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to order the three plants  chosen for 2010.

Larix decidua 'Puli'

Larix decidua ‘Puli’ is an absolutely gorgeous weeping Larch. This deciduous conifer  has bright green needles densely covering weeping branches that will cover the ground  if allowed to naturally spread. Staked to any height desired, ‘Puli’ can either be a low  mounding, sprawling groundcover or a tall specimen that matures with great character.  Its deciduous habit gives a show of yellow foliage in autumn before needle drop  exposing an interesting silhouette that will sway in the winter breeze.

Taxodium distichum 'Peve Miniaret'

Taxodium distichum ‘Peve Minaret’ is a wonderful contrast to ‘Puli’ in that it has a very  upright growing habit. Some annual trimming will produce a neat and formal looking  tree. Growing naturally, ‘Peve Minaret’ can become a little unruly, but some may enjoy  its unique character. During autumn, the soft textured foliage will turn reddish brown and will persist on the plant for weeks before it drops to expose a fascinating, layered  branch work.

Ginkgo biloba 'Mariken'

Ginkgo biloba ‘Mariken’ is a delightful dwarf version of this fascinating tree. Not quite  a conifer and not quite a traditional broadleaved tree, this gymnosperm dates back to  the dawn of time and is classified in a division all its own called Ginkgophyta. In Asian  culture, the Ginkgo has been used for thousands of years for culinary as well as  medicinal purposes. ‘Mariken’ is very dwarf, growing three to five inches per year and  will mature into a multi-branched small tree. Its bright golden autumn foliage color will  brighten the garden for a few weeks until leaf drop.

All three selections for 2010 are very unique and will be rare in the trade for some time. Members of the ACS have a tremendous opportunity to order these plants for spring  delivery. Not a member? Don’t be late and join the American Conifer Society today!

Ed-
Conifer Lover

The pot lady

I took a trip to visit the pot lady. She sells absolutely the best pots in town. Her selection is quite varied and when considering the potential lifespan and quality of her pottery, they are a great value.

There really is nothing that can dress up and make the entry, patio or deck more inviting than a collection of premium plants in quality pots. My preference is to collect and plant dwarf and miniature conifers, but other slow growing, hardy plants can be used as companions. If one desires, and has the space large enough, intermediate or even large trees can be planted in some of the huge clay pots that are available today.

Amazing dwarf and miniature conifers, in high quality pots, create an inviting space on the patio.

The pot lady told me that her pots are a much higher quality than the typical terra cotta pots we often find on the shelves of the big box store. Her pots can withstand much colder temperatures without being destroyed by cold snaps in winter (at least in our area).

As I wandered through her large display area I found many “family” groupings of pots. These families would all have similar color, shape and style characteristics within the broad range of sizes from small single plant pots, to shallow bowls (great for miniature gardens), to larger bowls and pots (that might  accommodate  small street trees).  When you choose pots of varying size within a family group and plant them with dwarf and miniature conifers and then place them together on the deck or patio, you are treated with a year-round display that looks like you may have paid a professional designer to create it for you.

I love container gardening with conifers and now I’ve found a great source to supply all my pot needs. Thank you pot lady!

Ed-
Conifer Lover