The girl with the Black Dragon tolerance

You know your visit is going to be interesting when the conversation goes something like this:

“See, Ed. This is exactly what I am talking about. This… Crypt… Crypt-o – I mean, who named this thing, an undertaker?”

“That’s Cryptomeria japonica ‘Black Dragon’ – I thought you would rather like that one.”

“Well, the last name is cool… but…”

“Oh c’mon, just admit you like it – I won’t verbally tell a soul.” And with that, she knew she was in trouble.

With her wry smile, she looked at me briefly and then back at the plant, “I suppose you’re going to blog about me again aren’t you?”

“Well, you do inspire discussion about why I love conifers.”

It had been a while since The Flower Girl had paid me a visit. She was disheartened with our long and wet spring, the incredibly short summer and the quick return to a wet autumn. All the rain and cool temperatures this year prevented her usually glorious flower garden from performing its best. She had mildew and fungus and blight, oh my!

Cryptomeria japonica ‘Black Dragon’

Her sunflowers were half their normal height, the zinnias and marigolds were sparse and thin as were the other flowers that normally thrive in hot and dry summers. She found that she needed to dead-head the flowers more frequently because the cool wet weather would quickly turn them into dark brown mush.

I listened to her frustrations as we walked around my garden and the light sprinkles fell from the sky. I looked to the west, and noticed the sky was incredibly dark – I had a feeling that, momentarily, we would be in for a big shower. As we rounded the path that returned us past the ‘Black Dragon’ and back toward the house, she did admit that she found the plant to be somewhat tolerable (which I have come to understand translates into her actually liking the plant).

“Of course you do.” I thought to myself with a slight smile.

‘Black Dragon’ is a great conifer that has quite a lot of natural appeal and yet it is unusual enough to keep my interest too. As a young plant, it can grow somewhat vigorously with a rather narrow form. With some maturity, it seems to slow its upward extension and puts more of its energy into filling in and becomes a little broader at the base (kind of like me). As ‘Black Dragon’ ages, it will acquire a very nice semi-broad pyramidal form with a combination of slightly open branching and dense clusters of its soft, awl-like, dark green foliage. Hardy in Zone 5 and warmer, this one won’t survive the colder regions (although I have seen on online reference which states that one is growing in Keota, Iowa). In the hot and humid south, some conifers experience a “melt-down”, but not ‘Black Dragon’. Possibly its more open habit allows for better air flow.

As we settled into the comfortable chairs near the woodstove, my wife had already brewed the tea, and we chatted about how well the conifers had performed during our unusually cool and wet season. We talked about the change of seasons, the soon-to-come brilliant display of autumn foliage color and the excitement that a new season of gardening will bring.

Ed
Conifer Lover

The garden room

One great advantage of a conifer garden, should one have a desire for privacy, is that you can create very nice garden rooms where the neighbors can’t find you. The disadvantage is that if you’ve fallen asleep while sunbathing, your snoring may give away your location – to the parcel delivery man.

I’ve actually created a few little garden rooms. The one we use the most frequently partially encloses the patio just off the back of the house. I’ve planted a combination of a few slender upright conifers, mixed in a couple mid-sized, broadly conical forms, added a small Japanese maple and filled with lower, spreading forms that all work together to make a very nice colorful border to enclose the patio.

With the recent arrival of very hot weather, I thought it would be fun to relive the old days and lay out in the sun for a little while. Dressed in my shorts, flip-flops, hat and mp3 player, I dragged my favorite reclining lawn chair into position in my “secure” garden room. Full quart of iced tea at my side, I was ready to enter that state of meditation I achieve when lying in the hot sun. Some people call it a nap, but I wouldn’t dare fall asleep in this kind of hot sun, would I?

After watching the humming birds chase one another in a contest of territorial dominance, I closed my eyes and covered my face with my hat. Then, in what seemed like mere moments later, I began to hear someone speaking in some strange dialect.

Juniperus communis 'Gold Cone' is another great narrow upright conifer for use as a colorful specimen or as part of a screen for your garden room.

“Sir? Excuse me…? Uhhhmm… Sir?”

My mind slowly beginning to drift back to reality, perspiration dripping from all exposed skin, I wondered what strange lyrics these were to the music I was listening to.

“Excuse me, uhhhhmmmm, Sir – the note on the front door said I should bring this around back to you.”

“What?” I mumbled with the kind of snort and growl that accompanies the tail end of a deep snore. My wife must have gone somewhere.

“I’m sorry sir, did I wake you? – It’s just that…”

“No, I’m not asleep… I… What time is it? Who are you?”

“UPS, sir, the sign on the front door said I needed to bring this around to you….”

You get the idea. I was thankful I had decided not to fully return to the days of my youth and retained some sense of decency in what I thought was my “secure” space.

As a word of advice, no matter how private a space you may think you have created with the nearly endless selections of colorful conifers available today, you never know when you may need to accept a parcel delivery – or when the Google Earth satellites may be photographing your area from high overhead.

Ed-
Conifer lover

Variegated conifers are cool!

My wife and I have varying tastes in garden plants. She grew up enjoying annual flowers, bulbs, perennials and flowering shrubs. I, of course, prefer conifers. One thing that we both definitely agree on is our love of variegated plants. I even tolerate a few plants that I otherwise would have no interest in if their foliage were not variegated.

Generally, variegation refers to variety or variation of color. One great example of a common plant seen in gardens and as houseplants almost anywhere is Coleus. Who doesn’t love the brightly multi-colored leaves of the Coleus plant? Another of our favorites is Hosta. Many Hosta have large leaves that appear to have been brushed with two or three colors of watercolor paints. Happily, some of the coolest conifers also have variegated foliage.

Sometimes conifers will push their new spring growth of one color, like red or yellow, and then mature to their “normal” color of green or blue. Others will push their new growth a bright golden yellow and as the older foliage becomes shaded by the new, it can darken to green giving the overall plant a variegated appearance. Still others will have green or bluish needles on one side and appear silver or white on the underside due to a waxy coating, again giving the plant a variegated appearance. Beautiful as all these things are, this is not the variegation of which I am referring today.

Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa Variegata'

Today I will share with you some of the most striking variegated conifers whose foliage is multi-colored due to interesting patterns of pigment (or perhaps more accurately, lack of pigment). First on the list is a fairly slow growing small tree, Juniperus chinenesis ‘Torulosa Variegata’ or the Variegated Hollywood Juniper. You might think of this as an irregularly shaped upright green conifer with splashes of yellow all over the foliage. Sometimes entire twigs of new growth will be yellow, other branches will have a mix of yellow and green in varying quantities giving the whole tree a very unique appeal.

Pinus parviflora 'Ogon janome'

Another great example of yellow variegation in a conifer is Pinus parviflora ‘Ogon janome’ with its bands of buttery yellow variegation on its green needles. From a distance, the variegation is difficult to discern. One may perceive that this Japanese White Pine is a little more yellow than other nearby plants in the garden. Closer inspection will reveal a wonderful variegation on each and every needle providing this striking effect.

Tsuga canadensis 'Albospica'

In most gardens, the two previous trees will perform their best in full sun, although ‘Ogon janome’ may enjoy light shade in the afternoon to protect it from the intense summer sun. The final conifer on today’s list is actually quite tolerant of shade. Tsuga canadensis ‘Albospica’ loves moist, rich, well drained soil and thrives in filtered sun to bright shade. Its new foliage will emerge nearly pure white with some tell-tale signs of green showing. As the foliage ages, its chlorophyll production will kick in and eventually become dark green. The contrast between the white new growth and the dark green mature foliage is absolutely stunning. ‘Albospica’ can become quite a large and open grower, so I like to keep mine pruned which encourages a fuller habit and more of the white new foliage to brighten its home on the north side of my house. I’ve seen a low hedge of ‘Albospica’ that has been regularly sheared and kept to a height of about four feet for many years.

Even the cones of 'Albospica' are variegated - that's cool!

These are just a very few of the many selections of conifers available with variegated foliage. I believe that no matter where you live, you will be able to find at least one variegated conifer that will thrive in your area. Keep an eye out for them the next time you visit your favorite independent garden center.

Ed-
Conifer Lover

I’m a changed man

I just realized that I have become somewhat of a cultivar snob – and I’m not very pleased with myself. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time searching the internet, looking for more information about conifers and I’ve come across websites whose educational focus is on Species trees. Generally speaking, these are the indigenous trees to specific geographical locations. I usually just roll my eyes and move along. I am extremely interested in the cultivated variants of these species – the genetically different or mutated forms that arise through naturally occurring seedling variations or foliar mutations which may occur in the form of sports or brooms.

The silvery blue foliage of Juniperus cedrus droops from upright gowing branches giving a light, whispy appearance.

I hadn’t realized until today that I have silently scoffed at the interest many have in these “pure” species trees. Aside from naturally occurring Pseudotsuga menziesii and a few Calocedrus decurrens, Thuja plicata, Picea pungens and Cedrus deodara that were planted on the property forty or fifty years ago, I certainly have not added any pure species tree to my garden. I’ve always considered the “native” trees to be far too large and unsophisticated for my personal tastes. I love the refined, tidy, compact growth rates of the dwarf and miniature conifers; the huge variation in color and texture; their relatively care-free nature and the fact that they are very unusual. Today I came to terms with my snobbery and am now publically admonishing myself. 

I feel better. 

What brought about this revelation? It was a tree that I have overlooked for far too long; a tree that is endangered in its natural habitat; a tree with a growth rate, color, texture and form worthy of the finest gardens. Unfortunately for some, it is a tree that is naturally limited to Zone 8-9 climates. The folks at Iseli have been grafting this tree for a number of years and have seen it survive single digit temperatures, so it is probable that it is hardy into Zone 7. The tree is, Juniperus cedrus, native to the Canary Islands at elevations from 1,600 to almost 8,000 feet. 

Over twenty years in the Jean Iseli Memorial Garden and this specimen of Juniperus cedrus is less than twenty feet tall.

Yes, I know, it’s another tree with two common genus names (like Picea abies), but don’t let that cause you confusion or distress. This is a magnificent upright growing Juniper with silvery, blue-gray foliage that gently weeps and sways in the slightest breeze giving a delightful glimmering effect. This rare conifer should do well almost anywhere in the temperate Pacific Northwest and throughout Zones 7-9.

Go on, plant one in your garden – I dare ya! 

Ed-
Conifer Lover

The cloud parade

My wife and I have really been enjoying this extended sun break (it’s been over a week since we’ve seen any rain and we’ve had a few days in the 90s). Sunday afternoon we found ourselves lying in the lawn, head to head, gazing up into the sky which was beginning to produce a parade of puffy, cotton ball clouds – the kind that morph into all kinds of shapes right before your eyes.

“That one looks like a mamma duck followed by a couple of ducklings.”

“Looks like a row of dwarf conifers from my perspective.”

“Oooo… That one has a puppy face!”

“I think it’s more like a mounding hemlock.”

“Don’t you think of anything but conifers?”

“Yes…” (But this is a family friendly blog.)

Pinus strobus 'Louie' points to a "cotton ball" dragon.

As we reclined there on one of the last remaining patches of cool green grass in my garden, I couldn’t help but think about conifers. We were surrounded by them. I was enthralled viewing them from this unique perspective. The larger conically shaped trees seemed to point up into the parade route that the clouds were taking as if to point the way; their silhouettes were stunning against the deep blue sky. The intermediate sized conifers, in an assortment of shapes, sizes, colors and textures also looked new and exciting viewing them from this ground level point of view.

Remembering an old classic science fiction film, The Incredible Shrinking Man, I began to wonder what it would be like to be only a few inches tall in my garden. I decided that should I ever befall such a fate as the main character in the movie, I would have my wife make a small shelter and place it in the miniatures section of my rock garden.

My mind continued to wander as I heard my wife say, “Now THAT one is definitely a Teddy bear!” and looking at it, I had to agree.

Summer had finally arrived. While many of our neighbors are busy mowing and watering their huge lawns and dead-heading their flower gardens, we are enjoying the peace and quiet of our low-maintenance conifers.

Ed-
Conifer Lover

Elegant whimsy

Back in 2007, the American Conifer Society awarded two fantastic conifers with the status, “Conifer of the Year.” Picea orientalis ‘Tom Thumb’ is a golden miniature form discovered as a witches’ broom growing on P.o. ‘Skylands’. I mentioned it in one of the first blogs I wrote in October of that year. The second selection is perhaps one of the best upright growing, weeping forms of spruce you will find.

Picea omorika ‘Pendula Bruns’ is one of those trees that always turns heads because of the wonderful character it adds to the garden. This narrow upright grower, as it matures, will begin to slightly lean and curve and gently twist its way upward in a very narrow spire that will fit in the smallest gardens. As its terminal growth heads ever skyward, all of its side branches will droop and fall toward the ground. Once on the ground, those lower branches will begin to spread and layer upon one another creating a low ground cover. Of course, with a little pruning, those lower branches can easily be removed if one prefers other companion plants beneath this elegant living garden sculpture.

'Pendula Bruns' is an exceptional selection for the garden. Its narrow footprint and unique character make it one of the best weeping conifers available.

I love its light green foliage and the silvery cast of the undersides of the needles. At times its form reminds me of an old wizard, standing with a slight bend to his posture, while watching over the garden and all its inhabitants. I’ve seen others planted in groups of three that have appeared as snake-like creatures dancing to the secret tune of a snake charmer. Others inspire different imaginations depending on the angle with which one views the garden. Once I saw a large specimen planted near a Pinus densiflora ‘Umbraculifera’ and from a distance the two looked like a giant mastodon.

I hope you’ll have an opportunity to enhance your garden (and stimulate your imagination) by planting at least one ‘Pendula Bruns’ in your garden. I’m confident that you’ll love this hardy, elegant and whimsical conifer as much as I do.

Ed-
Conifer Lover

An exhilarating week

Ever have a week when things take you totally by surprise? I did this week.

‘Pixie Dust’ [sport #1] update
The first big surprise came when I decided it was time to take a stroll through the gardens at Iseli Nursery. I was very curious about a new plant I described a few months ago, Picea glauca ‘Pixie Dust’ [sport #1]. I wondered if it had begun to push its new growth (my ‘Pixie Dust’ at home was one of the first in my garden to begin its spring flush). So, as I was walking down the path, past the lush soft new foliage on the Acer palmatum ‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’ with its red color so deep that it is almost purple, I spotted the object of my desire. Wow! It was totally covered in its fresh light green new growth.

“I want one.”

Picea glauca 'Pixie Dust' Sport #1 in its full spring glory

My words spilled out softly and my mouth remained open as I gazed at the beautiful little tree and imagined how it would grow and shape itself over the coming years. Part of what excited me was the knowledge that this perfect little cone-shaped tree, like its parent, would produce a second flush of growth later in the season that would be near the golden color of butter.

I know it is years away from commercial production, but I want one.

Speaking of Japanese Maples
I mentioned the ‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’ above, but I need to tell you that as I toured myself around the garden, it was far from the only Japanese Maple providing a beautiful show in the spring garden. I’ve said before that I look forward to the month of May when the majority of my conifers burst forth into their colorful glory. I’ve also mentioned that April is the month for Japanese Maples.

Deep red leaves of Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'

As I walked through the garden, I saw a full assortment of reds and orange and yellow and green, all soft and fresh and magically inspiring in me a great peace and contentment. One of the tremendous benefits of gardening is the impactful stress relieving qualities it can provide.

Delicate spring foliage and flower cluster of Acer palmatum 'Omuryama'

Now that I was calm and feeling quite at peace, I turned a corner and discovered a mature specimen of  Abies cephalonica ‘Meyer’s Dwarf’ that was totally covered in bright red male pollen cones. I’ve observed this same dwarf conifer for many years and I have never seen it with a colorful display this intense! I was instantly transformed from my calm and serene state to complete exhilaration.

I think there is no cure for what I’ve got. I am a confirmed conifer lover.

Ed-
Conifer Lover