The Genus Cephalotaxus

Volume 2, Issue 16
May 27, 2011
The Genus Cephalotaxus
The genus Cephalotaxus has more
than a half-dozen species, all native to
Korea, China, and Japan, but only two of these
species, C. harringtonia and C. fortunei, are
typically used as ornamentals. The latter,
known as the Chinese plum yew, is somewhat
rare in the nursery trade. In cultivation it is
usually a large, shade tolerant, multi-stemmed
shrub with dark green glossy needles that
resemble those of a yew. Its more common
relative is Cephalotaxus harringtonia
C. harringtonia
(Japanese plum yew), a popular needle ever‘Duke Gardens’
green that grows between 5 and 10 ft. high.
This species offers deer resistance, heat tolerance, and will grow
in relatively dense shade. There is a lot of genetic variation in
this species, and 45 clones have been collected for testing at the
University of Georgia. There are several good cultivars and
varieties available, including:
Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. Drupacea – A distinct
botanical variety with linear evergreen needles up to 2
in long. Grows up to 8 ft. tall.
Table of Contents
Cephalotaxus
pg. 1
Pond Repair
pg. 2
Education @ Lockerly
pg. 3
Cephalotaxus fortunei
‘Duke Gardens’- A dense, spreading, shade-tolerant
shrub with glossy dark green leaves. Grows slowly to
4 or 5 ft. tall.
‘Fastigiata’- An upright, columnar form, eventually
distinctly vase-shaped. 10 to 16 ft. tall. Features deep
green, almost black leaves.
‘Prostrata’: A popular low-growing form with
spreading branches, 2 to 3 ft. tall. Can be used in mass
as a ground cover.
C. harringtonia ‘Prostrata’
Pond Repair
Thankfully, our pond which was recently drained is now fixed! In order to fix the problem, we had to seal the old drain system and install a new siphon system. A siphon is a pipe
in an inverted V shape which causes a liquid to flow uphill over the dam, above the surface of
the reservoir, without pumps. The siphon system is powered by the fall of the liquid as it flows
down the tube under the pull of gravity, and is discharged at a level lower than the surface of the
reservoir. The advantages of using a siphon system are that when made of Schedule 40 PVC
(the same stuff your plumber uses) the piping will not corrode and will last for an untold number
of years. It drains from the bottom, which conserves nutrients and relieves stagnation.
Prior to the 1970s almost all pond drainage and overflow systems were made out of galvanized pipe. A pipe was embedded during construction at the bottom of the pond with
a standpipe protruding upward to the desired level of the water. These systems preformed
adequately but they had some serious short comings - they rust out, and that’s what happened
to ours. Ours was installed in 1975, and the life span of one of these systems might be 15 to 20
years, so it was due for a breakdown. Repairing the old overflow would have been very costly. We are so happy to have our pond back in working order! Now all we need is rain to fill
it back up.
Education at Lockerly
Lockerly has experienced the busiest
spring on record for our education programs.
We have provided programming for 3000
participants from pre-k through high school
age in addition to adult groups. Participants
involved in our education programs came
from nine Middle Georgia counties. This
spring we have continued to conduct our
weekly programs with the Boys and Girls
Club, the Life Enrichment Center, Central
Care, and home school biology labs. We
continue to expand the reach of our school
programs by going into more schools as well
as bringing more schools out to Lockerly.
This year Lockerly worked with
every class in every grade level of both Midway
Elementary and Jasper County Middle School.
Building on our Saturday programs with Midway
Elementary, Lockerly hosted a Midway Field Day
with a large biology component. Jasper County
middle school sixth and seventh grade were introduced to Lockerly education programs through
hands on in-school field trips while the eighth
grade made a visit to the Oliver Worley Education
Center.
Lockerly Arboretum and Georgia College and State University continue to build a strong partnership
within our community. Lockerly education programs have worked closely with GC&SU’s Academic Outreach,
and also the Fossils to Space program. We have also had an increase in practicum students and internships from
the Outdoor Education and the Biology Departments. This spring GC&SU students devoted over 560 hours to
the beautification of the Arboretum, in addition to assisting with our education programs.