southeastern conifer - American Conifer Society

SOUTHEASTERN CONIFER
AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY—SOUTHEASTERN REGION
ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA,
SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA
March 2015 – Volume 2
FROM THE EDITOR
The weather has certainly been throwing curve balls for the last few weeks here, 60
one day then 29 then freezing rain topped with 3-4 inches of snow. What a challenge
for gardeners. I would like to thank all the contributors this month for their wonderful
articles and pictures. I have tried to correct things brought to my attention as far as
staple information and I know that soon we will have a new reference garden list. I
hope that everyone enjoyed Dr. Solomon's garden and I look forward to more
pictures from that trip. Thank you to Sandy Horn who has stepped up to the Web
Editor, and the format may or may not change with the newsletter, but there will be a
newsletter. Would love to hear from Conifer enthusiast in Florida, what’s growing
there we won’t find anywhere but there. Any ideas or comments are welcome.
Kind regards, Celia
If you are interested in helping with the regional meeting in any way please let
Jennifer or me know. Our most urgent need is someone to help organize a
committee to ask for auction plants. What we would like to try is have a team
with one person in each state or geographic area asks for donations. This way
the work in collecting, logging in and transporting plants can be shared. It
would be great to have a published list before the meeting so attendees can
generate a wish list. The northeast region did this last year and it was fun to
see what was coming. Registration forms will be out soon.
Jeff Harvey
Inside this issue:
From the Editor: Celia
Chastain
Dr. Solomon's Yard Photos
Page 2
Himalayan Spruce - pages
3&4
Taiwania - pages 5 & 6
Microclimate Abies -page 7
Pinus Thunbergii - page 8
Baker Arboretum pages 9 & 10
American Conifer Society—SE
region www.conifersociety.org
www.southeasternconifers.com
SE President: Dr. John Ruter
[email protected]
SE Vice President: Dr. Sue
Hamilton
[email protected]
SE Treasurer: Jeff Harvey
[email protected]
Regional Director. ACS Board:
Tom Neff
[email protected]
Reference Gardens:
Beth Jimenez, Chair
[email protected]
Amelia Lane, Co-Chair
[email protected]
Picea smithiana
HIMALAYAN SPRUCE
Text and photos by John Monroe
Himalayan Spruce
Picea smithiana
Text and photos by John Monroe
The Himalayan spruce, Picea smithiana grows into a large, attractive tree and is known
for having the longest needles of all the spruce species. What is particularly attractive
about this tree is that it develops long, secondary branches that droop down, somewhat
reminiscent of Spanish moss. There are other conifers that develop a similar look,
including Taiwania cryptomerioides and the Brewer’s Spruce, Picea breweriana. We
cannot grow Picea breweriana in the Southeast—at least, all my attempts have failed—
but Picea smithiana has done well. My stock tree was initially grown in Oregon and I
suspect it was grafted on Picea abies, the Norway spruce, which has been a good
rootstock for many of the spruce species. Now about fifteen feet tall, my tree looks
especially attractive when the fresh new shoots have just finished elongating, with a
lighter green color and soft heavy new shoots contrasting with the deeper, medium
green color and the stiffer branches of the previous year’s growth.
A few years back, I noticed one branch with a creamy variegation. Some shoots off this
branch were entirely cream colored, and others were mixed, with some needles cream
colored and other the typical green color. Having acquired some Picea abies root-stocks
this fall, I decided to graft a few of these mixed shoots. There were only about 4
possible shoots, so I decided to collect only two, not sure of my success, so that this
sport could continue to grow, in case I needed to try again, in future years.
Picea smithiana is not commonly found in the
trade. It is a good spruce for the piedmont of
North Carolina and probably other areas in
zone seven. It is described as being sensitive
to frost in the literature, but I have never
observed any problem, although attention to
site placement may be a consideration. Maybe
one day there will be a variegated form of this
desirable conifer available, if I am successful
in my grafting effort and the variegation
remains stable.
John Monroe, a lifelong conifer collector, is the
owner of Architectural Trees in Bahama, NC.
The nursery specializes in conifers and
Japanese maples.
Taiwania cryptomerioides
Bradley W. Roberts
Atlanta
Garden
Botanical
Rare and unusual conifers
are seldom considered viable for Southeastern landscapes. Many are not hardy for our climate, some
can be difficult to grow, but most are not readily available in the nursery industry. Only
the latter is true for one of my current favorite conifers, Taiwania cryptomerioides.
Often referred to as Coffin Tree, Taiwania is native to China, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Vietnam. This tree has been extensively logged for its prized wood specifically for use in coffin-making (hence its common name), to the point that the IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species considers it Globally Vulnerable. The current population is now considered stable
due to conservation efforts across its native range.
In addition to the native conservation efforts, Taiwania has been cultivated in the United
States for use in the landscape trade. While rare in commerce, it can be found in arboreta
and botanic gardens, making a stunning addition to any conifer collection. Well-suited for
the Southeastern landscape, Coffin Tree will grow in zones 7 through 10, thrives in full
sun, and loves well-drained acidic soils. After being established, it can grow up to two feet per
year, reaching heights of over 100 feet in full maturity (much shorter in cultivation). It has few
if any disease issues of note, and will tolerate light shade.
Taiwania features beautiful glaucous (blue-green) needled foliage, with a stunning columnar
habit. This tree shows a strong resemblance to Cryptomeria japonica, drawing on its specific
epithet cryptomerioides, “oides” meaning “to resemble”.
reaching heights of over 100 feet in full maturity (much shorter in cultivation). It has few if
any disease issues of note, and will tolerate light shade. Taiwania features beautiful
glaucous (blue-green) needled foliage, with a stunning co-lumnar habit. This tree shows a
strong resemblance to Cryptomeria japonica, drawing on its specific epithet
cryptomerioides, “oides” meaning “to resemble”.
Due to the conservation and propagation efforts of Ron Determann at The Atlanta Botanical
Garden (ABG), Taiwania cryptomeriodes can be found on display there. It can also be seen
at other Southeastern Reference Gardens including Smith-Gilbert in Kennesaw, Georgia and
J.C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Large, stately, and regal, this conifer makes a statement in the landscape and is an excellent specimen in any collection. It has become a new favorite of mine, having a chance to
admire and work with it at ABG. Please notice this jewel on your travels throughout our
Southeastern Reference Gardens. It definitely has a place in the landscape as a noteworthy
ornamental tree.
Taiwania cryptomeriodes in the landscapre
.Opportunities for Conifers in
Micro Climates
I was first introduced to conifers (for real) at the 1998 Chelsea Flower Show. Prior to
this pivotal trip, my experience with conifers was limited to cutting down a family cedar
tree for Christmas and seeing the occasional Sargent juniper at the end of sidewalks. I
was told our summers here in Memphis are too hot, the humidity is awful, and our sudden bark-splitting thaws are devastating to most evergreens. The city is in USDA hardiness zone 8a, while the rural counties just to the north, east, and west of us are in zone
7b.
I was fortunate at the Chelsea Flower Show to meet the author of several books promoting the use of conifers in the landscape, Adrian Bloom, who encouraged me to try them
in Memphis while cautioning me to site certain varieties in filtered sunlight rather than in
direct sun.
Since 2011 I have had the pleasure of working at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, a 14acre public museum and display garden. My position allows some creativity in plant selection and display, so I have been able to experiment by utilizing conifers in numerous
somewhat sheltered locations. The front entrance to our property faces north and has
two important focal points amid two rows of cryptomeria japonica ‘Black Dragon.’ While
both receive four to six hours of filtered light, but no direct sunlight, the tree on the
northwest side gets far more filtered light than the tree on the opposite northeast side. I
thought these two locales would be great test spots for Abies nordmanniana ‘Pendula,’
typically designated a zone 5 or 6 plant. Both trees were purchased locally in threegallon containers, were planted in similar soil conditions with amendments to facilitate
essential drainage, and are watered as necessary via irrigation. Both are on a busy
street at a stoplight, so exhaust fumes are part of their daily intake.
After more than a year of growth, the plant on the sunnier northwest side has become a
little larger but has far fewer cones than the one on the shadier northeast side. These
are either the toughest Abies in the area or, more likely, they are in a niche area where
they can thrive amidst our heat and humidity.
I believe that far more conifers can be grown in the Mid-South than commonly believed
with a little shade, adequate water, and thoughtful site selection
Celia Chastain
Treasured Trees – Pinus thunbergii ‘Nishiki-tsukasa’
From the garden of Robert Barker, Cary, North Carolina. Photos by Robert Barker.
This Nishiki-tsukasa cork bark Japanese Black Pine is a centerpiece
in my garden. I purchased it from Architectural Trees in Bahama,
NC, just north of Durham, at the end of summer in 2013. Nishikitsukasa is especially prized for its gnarly bark, which makes it
appear to be a much older tree than it is, from an early age.
Although it’s only been in my garden for about a year and a half, it
has settled in well and is a centerpiece in my ever evolving rock
garden.
I planted this tree in full sun, in a heavy clay soil, but you can see
from the first picture that it is planted high, to improve drainage.
Supplemental watering is only needed in the driest of weather.
Nishiki-tsukasa is highly prized for bonsai and Niwaki, if space is
limited. It is reputed to grow wider than tall, reaching 16’ by 7’ in
ten years, if left unpruned.
Baker Arboretum, Bowling Green, KY Joins Reference Garden Program
The Baker Arboretum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is the newest participant in the Southeast Region’s
Reference Garden program and our first Reference Garden in Kentucky. The Baker Arboretum was
established in 1992 on the estate of Jerry E. Baker, on the outskirts of Bowling Green. The vision for
creating an arboretum was a result of traveling the world and viewing the outstanding arboreta,
botanical gardens, and other public and private gardens with horticulture friends.
In 2006, Mr. Baker made an endowed gift to Western Kentucky University of his home, arboretum, and
art collection. In 2009, the Downing Museum opened, featuring artwork by the late Joe Downing. Now,
with over 115 acres, the Baker Arboretum is open to the public to explore the landscape and art of
Kentucky.
The landscape is European inspired, with the focus on conifers, Asian maples, other ornamental trees,
and woody ornamentals. The conifer collection contains a myriad of sizes, shapes, and colors. The
conifers, Asian maples, and other woody ornamentals are integrated in the landscape, with art woven
throughout. With 82 species and 385 taxa at last count, conifers are the largest collection at the Baker
Arboretum.
[Continued on next page]
[Baker Arboretum, continued]
ACS SOUTHEST REGION
CONIFER REFERENCE GARDENS
Gardens of the Big Bend, Quincy, FL
Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, GA
Smith-Gilbert Gardens, Kennesaw, GA
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens,
GA
Baker Arboretum, Bowling Green, KY
JC Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC
Hatcher Garden-Woodland Preserve,
Spartanburg, SC
South Carolina Botanical Gardens, Clemson, SC
East Tennessee State University Arboretum
Johnson City, TN
Memphis Botanic Garden, Memphis,TN
West Tennessee Research and Education
Center Gardens, Univ. of TN Jackson, Jackson,
TN
The Baker Arboretum serves as an educational
and research facility and a living laboratory for
the WKU students. The arboretum annually
sponsors a grafting seminar for WKU horticulture
students and the public, space permitting. In
addition, nationally recognized horticulture
experts are sponsored as annual speakers.
Ongoing research at the arboretum includes
conifer research used to determine species that
can thrive in Kentucky, characteristics and cultural
needs of conifers that affect their health and
beauty, and cultural practices that can enhance
their survivability.
The Baker Arboretum invites you to visit, explore
the beauty and variability of their conifers and
other trees, and learn with them as they grow.
Baker Arboretum
4801 Morgantown Rd.
Bowling Green, KY 42104
270.846.2397
Website:
http://www.wku.edu/bakerarboretum/index.php
Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/BakerArboretum/225247944167659
Map: See link to map of all SE Region Reference
Gardens in the sidebar to the left.
University of Tennessee Gardens, Knoxville, TN
Al Gardner Memorial Conifer Garden,
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College,
Goochland, VA
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA
Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk, VA
State Arboretum of Virginia, Boyce, VA
Map of all SE Region reference gardens:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=
zTqJ3QlLmjpU.kWFPe8edk-io
All members are encouraged to submit
articles and photos for publication in the
newsletter and on the website. Send
your contributions—news, events,
conifer culture and observations, and
other items for publication to
Celia Chastain, Newsletter Editor
[email protected]
or
Sandy Horn, Web Editor
[email protected]