Garden Gem of the Month Archives
January 2013: European Beech
The European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is surely one of our most beautiful shade trees. This large, slow-growing nut tree has smooth gray bark, which resembles elephant hide. The shimmering green leaves turn to rich russet and golden bronze in the fall.
October 2012: Sugar Maple
The wonderful native sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is unexcelled for fall color. It does not perform well in restricted growing areas and is sensitive to air pollution and drought. Despite these challenges, sugar maples have fairly easy cultural requirements, and will tolerate shade. They have lovely dark bark, an attractive oval-to-rounded habit, and the stunning yellow, burnt orange, and red fall colors make a beautiful show. They are an excellent choice as a larger shade and lawn tree.
September 2012: Doublefile Viburnum
'Shasta'
.As a group, viburnums are an asset to home gardens, and we think that one of the nicest is the doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum tomentosum.) This medium-sized, wide-spreading shrub has four-season interest. Showy white (or pink-tinged in some of the cultivars) flowers in May are held above the foliage, creating an interesting effect. The dog-eared leaves and rounded habit are attractive all summer. In the fall, the foliage is a consistent red-wine color, and the horizontal, tiered branches are an asset to the winter landscape. A number of beautiful cultivars are available, such as 'Fireworks,' 'Kern's Pink,' 'Pink Beauty,' 'Popcorn,' and 'Shasta.'
August 2012: Frickart's Aster
'Monch'
Frickart’s aster (Aster x frikartii) has attractive lavender flowers that blend well with other colors and serve as a wonderful focal point for a summer and autumn border. This mildew-resistant hybrid has a very long bloom season – from mid-summer through frost. Frikart’s aster grows about 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide with a loose tumbling habit. Full sun, well-dried soil, and winter protection are best for Aster x frikartii. It is best not to divide this aster in the fall and the stems should remain on the plant during the winter. The most common cultivars are ‘Monch’ and ‘Wonder of Stafa.'
July 2012: Goldenraintree
Goldenraintree (Koelreuteria paniculata) has distinctive compound leaves and papery fruit capsules. This medium-sized tree is adaptable to a wide range of soils, and withstands drought, heat, wind, and air pollution. The most dramatic feature of goldenraintree is its late flowering. Lovely yellow panicles appear in July when almost no other trees are in bloom. K. paniculata has an attractive rounded habit with spreading and ascending branches, especially in its preferred full sun exposure. It is an excellent choice for a small lawn tree or specimen, or to shade a patio or porch.
June 2012: Clematis 'Candida'
There seem to be almost as many clematis (correctly pronounced with the stress on the first syllable, by the way) cultivars and hybrids as there are types of roses, and I think that every gardener can find a spot for one of the beautiful vines. I’ve seen many in bloom early this year, but none quite as spectacular as the clematis ‘Candida’ (most commonly listed as Clematis lanuginosa ‘Candida’). This large-flowered cultivar has pure white sepals surrounding lemony yellow stamens. The established plant is completely covered in blooms in late May and June, then often blooms again in late summer on new growth. (I've even seen it bloom in the dead of winter--on New Year's Day!) I think the feathery fruits are very ornamental and they are attractive to birds. Clematis plants take a while to become established (“The first year they sleep; the second year they creep; the third year they leap.”) and fungal leaf spot and stem rot can be a problem, but proper cultural practices should ensure many years of beauty. (They like to be grown “with their heads in the sun and their feet in the shade.”)
May 2012: Lady's Mantle
Alchemilla mollis, or lady’s mantle, is a lovely medium-sized perennial with 8-10” foliage topped by tiny chartreuse flowers on stems up to 18”. The spread is 24”. This late spring bloomer’s flowers are excellent cut or dried and the plant works well near the front of a border, or in large groups as a ground cover. My favorite feature, however, is the foliage. The leaves are rounded and lobed, with a silky pubescence. When beads of rain, dew, or water from your sprinkling can collect on the leaves, they glisten charmingly. Lady’s mantle has no major disease or insect problems, and will grow in partial shade or full sun, with evenly moist soil. Alchemilla mollis, and its smaller cousins, A. conjuncta and A. erythropoda are worthwhile additions to your garden.
April 2012: Siberian Bugloss
Brunnera macrophylla, or Siberian bugloss, is a low-growing perennial with attractive leaves and tiny blue flowers. The season of bloom is early to late spring, after which the large, dark green leaves increase in size and provide an excellent foliage effect. This little Siberian native prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It suffers from no serious diseases or insects and requires little care. Some popular cultivars include the variegated 'Jack Frost,' which withstands more heat than the species, and 'Looking Glass,' which features silvery leaves.
March 2012: Corneliancherry Dogwood
Although flowering dogwoods and kousa dogwoods abound in Blackridge, the yellow blossoms of the corneiliancherry dogwood (Cornus mas) are much less common. This dogwood is an extremely early bloomer, showing its small flowers in March and sometimes even in February. The show is especially effective because it has little competition in the garden. This large multistemmed shrub or small tree is quite pest-free and adaptable to many types of soil conditions and tolerates both full sun and partial shade, and is drought resistant. Cornus mas produces bright red fruits in July and its various cultivars are attractive in a shrub border or used as a hedge or screen.
February 2012: Eastern Hemlock
The eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is our state tree. Years ago, I hiked a beautiful trail in Cook Forest State Park where I passed by a large stand of the last remaining primeval white pines and hemlocks remaining in Pennsylvania. Some of the 350-year-old hemlocks stood 200 feet tall, with thick trunks, deeply furrowed between the wide, flat ridges. Both these giant specimens and the many young hemlocks in our Blackridge yards exhibit the soft, graceful habit and fine texture that make T. canadensis such an attractive and versatile plant. Unlike most conifers, hemlocks can take pruning, and can tolerate shade and alkaline soils. This popular tree does not care for pollution and drought, and is susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. Even so, if planted in moist, well-drained soil, and given shelter from excessive sun and wind, the eastern hemlock is usually reliable, and makes a lovely hedge or screen as well as a pretty grouping or accent plant. Many cultivars and forms are available.
January 2012: Redosier Dogwood
When used in the proper setting, the native redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea), with its bright red (or, in some forms, yellow) stems can be a beautiful accent in the winter garden. Massed in a shrub border or as a bank cover, this plant is most effective when viewed against a snowy background. This fast-growing shrub can grow to about 8 feet in height and will spread by underground stems to 10 feet or more. It is easy to establish and, while it does best in moist soil, it is extremely adaptable to many soil and climate conditions. Cankers, scale, and bagworm can all be problems for this dogwood, which features white fruit and dark green leaves which become reddish purple in the fall
December 2011: Flowering Dogwood
Some would say that the familiar flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is an overplanted tree. There are certainly many planted in Blackridge. Nonetheless, this native tree is one of the best plants for winter habit. The spreading horizontal branches, with their layered effect, are lovely in the winter, especially when sprinkled with glistening snow. Cornus florida has true four-season interest: excellent flower; summer and fall foliage; fruit; and winter habit. It's easy to understand why this beautiful ornamental tree is popular despite its susceptibility to various pests and diseases. Enjoy its beauty this winter.
November 2011: Ginkgo
While the leaves are still on the trees, take a walk past 1883 Atkinson; you will be very impressed. The spectacular yellow fall color of the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) will stop you in your tracks. This extremely primitive and beautiful species has distinctive fan-shaped leaves and handsome, furrowed bark. Ginkgos are almost completely free of pests and are tolerant of even difficult landscape situations. This large gymnosperm can grow to 130 feet, but is usually closer to 50 feet in a residential landscape. Many good cultivars are available, but the messy and malodorous fleshy seeds of the female tree are the reason that only male trees should be planted.
October 2011: Witchhazel
Our native common witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) makes a very good autumn show. The medium green leaves turn to a pretty yellow in the fall and the fragrant yellow flowers open in fall or winter. Some forms drop their leaves ahead of flowering, which makes an even more effective show. This small tree or large shrub has an attractive irregular habit and smooth bark, and is free from most serious diseases and pests. Common witchhazel will grow in either full sun or shade but prefers a moist soil. The extract witchhazel is distilled from the bark of young stems and roots of H. virginiana. A myth of witchcraft held that a forked branch of witchhazel could be used to locate underground water.
September 2011: Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a medium-sized shrub that is native to the southeastern United States. Although this plant has a rather coarse texture and can be difficult to integrate into a small yard, I like it and think that it is attractive year-round. Its tiny grayish spring leaves turn to a deep green as they reach their large summer size, and then become a lovely wine color in the fall. The exfoliating bark exposes rich brown stems in the winter. The white flowers that appear in the spring can be especially showy in the cultivars. This species is usually free of diseases and insects, but the flower buds can be damaged by very cold winters. H. quercifolia does best in moist, fertile, well-drained soil, and partial shade, but they adapt well to sun. You can see some small oakleaf hydrangeas at our Collins corners
August 2011: Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Katsuratree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is a very attractive medium to large shade tree, which is native to China and Japan. Its small, fragrant, heart-shaped leaves emerge as a reddish purple, change to bluish green, and turn a lovely apricot color in the fall. Although katsuratree is not drought-tolerant, and requires a rich, moist, well-drained soil, it suffers from no serious disease or insect problems, and it is a good choice for a sunny street or an adequately sized yard.
The young katsuratrees at 1061 Blackridge Road and 2374 Hollywood Drive have the characteristic pyramidal, dense habit of the species.
The young katsuratrees at 1061 Blackridge Road and 2374 Hollywood Drive have the characteristic pyramidal, dense habit of the species.
July 2011: Hydrangea macrophylla 'Pink Shira'
BGC member and tour host Kathy De Filippo on her 'Pink Shira': "The hydrangea shown is 'Pink Shira', a bigleaf macrophylla, just beginning to bloom , and the flowers are long lasting. Petals emerge green gradually infusing with cream and raspberry. It has good frost resistance, and it's my favorite hydrangea because I just love the color with the rich green of its leaves."
Proven Winners describes their selection as follows: "A standout hydrangea noted for its compact growth, strong stems and reliable long-lasting blooms. Flowers emerge green and become infused with red and then transform to shades of rich pink. Acid soils deliver tones of lavender purple. Has been noted to bloom even when other varieties have been damaged by frost. It features large summer flowers which emerge green then turn pink. Good for cutting and drying. Compact growth."
Proven Winners describes their selection as follows: "A standout hydrangea noted for its compact growth, strong stems and reliable long-lasting blooms. Flowers emerge green and become infused with red and then transform to shades of rich pink. Acid soils deliver tones of lavender purple. Has been noted to bloom even when other varieties have been damaged by frost. It features large summer flowers which emerge green then turn pink. Good for cutting and drying. Compact growth."
July 2011 Bonus: Stokesia laevis 'Bluestone'
Kathy De Filippo on her cornflower asters: "My stokesia is my pride and joy. I have cornflower blue on the side and yellow beside the dry creek -- they bloom in July. The stokesia is a cornflower aster, the 'Bluestone' type. These blooms are long-lasting--from July until the first frost. There is practically no maintenance, just an occasional deadheading; and the stiff stems help make them a great cut flower. I love the cornflower color of the fringed bloom."
Bluestone Perennials agrees with Kathy about their aster and has this to say: Hardy in Zones 5-9, this variety merited its selection from our fields here in Madison. Immense light blue flowers with "ripped" petals. Young plants bloom as heavily as regular two-year-old plants. Eye-catching. Features to Note: Humidity tolerant, good for cut flowers, rabbit resistant.
Bluestone Perennials agrees with Kathy about their aster and has this to say: Hardy in Zones 5-9, this variety merited its selection from our fields here in Madison. Immense light blue flowers with "ripped" petals. Young plants bloom as heavily as regular two-year-old plants. Eye-catching. Features to Note: Humidity tolerant, good for cut flowers, rabbit resistant.
June 2011: Amelanchier arborea
Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is a small native tree with four-season interest: ornamental white flowers in early spring, colorful small dark fruit in the early summer, ripening in June, beautiful apricot-orange leaves in the fall, and attractive smooth, streaked grayish bark in the winter. Serviceberries, also called Juneberries, are tolerant of most soils, but prefer moist, well-drained, acid soil and partial shade. The newer cultivars resist a number of diseases and insects, but in general they are susceptible to lacebugs if planted in full sun. Serviceberry trees work well with shrub borders and against an evergreen background. This native from the rose family commonly grows to about 25 feet, and often has a multistemmed and/or rounded habit.
BGC member and multiple-time tour host Anne Messner on serviceberries: "Ahhh, serviceberries--my favorite! After Amy and I dug out our ancient yews by their stumps, she and I and Bob went looking for the perfect tree or shrub to put in their place. I wanted airy, native, low maintenance, all of which I got, in addition to beauty. I purchased a large one at Sestilli's and they delivered it to the enormous hole we dug on the hill at the street corner of my yard. Besides the pleasure the tree itself gives, the only time I have seen cedar waxwings, they were earing the berries! What's funny is that when I look for a perfect tree or shrub at a nursery or boxstore, I always gravitate to serviceberries. In my opinion, with their four-season interest, they are truly the perfect native.
BGC member and multiple-time tour host Anne Messner on serviceberries: "Ahhh, serviceberries--my favorite! After Amy and I dug out our ancient yews by their stumps, she and I and Bob went looking for the perfect tree or shrub to put in their place. I wanted airy, native, low maintenance, all of which I got, in addition to beauty. I purchased a large one at Sestilli's and they delivered it to the enormous hole we dug on the hill at the street corner of my yard. Besides the pleasure the tree itself gives, the only time I have seen cedar waxwings, they were earing the berries! What's funny is that when I look for a perfect tree or shrub at a nursery or boxstore, I always gravitate to serviceberries. In my opinion, with their four-season interest, they are truly the perfect native.
April 2011: Magnolia virginiana
One of the highlights of taking a walk throughout Blackridge in early spring is the welcome sight of the many saucer magnolias (Magnolia x soulangiana) in bloom. (As Dr. Michael Dirr writes, “…[It is] often overused, but with ample justification…”) This treat can be disappointingly ephemeral if the temperatures dip below freezing, as they often do in Pennsylvania’s springtime. Our garden gem is actually M. x soulaigiana’s less recognized and later blooming cousin, Magnolia virginiana (sweetbay magnolia), which is a very lovely native shrub that grows to about 15 feet in our area. Its beautiful semi-evergreen leaves are dark green and glossy above and silvery below. Sweetbay magnolia produces a subtle show of white, lemon-scented flowers in late spring and early summer. These flowers develop into attractive red fruits. M. virginiana is free from serious pests and diseases, but does require acid soil. Sweetbay magnolia tolerates shade as well as wet soils. This excellent plant can be enjoyed in the wild along streams in the southeastern U.S. and in cultivation.
We welcome the participation of our members and friends in the GGOM feature. Please let us know how you feel about magnolias, and send us pix of your favorite magnolia moments at our blog.
We welcome the participation of our members and friends in the GGOM feature. Please let us know how you feel about magnolias, and send us pix of your favorite magnolia moments at our blog.
March 2011: Hosta
The genus Hosta may contain almost 50 species and more than 5000 cultivars and hybrids, many from the species Hosta plantaginea. This herbaceous perennial, native to China, Japan, and Korea, is usually grown for its leaves, rather than its late summer scapes of white, cream, or lavender flowers. The leaf color in this genus ranges from solid and variegated greens through chartreuses and creams through combinations of yellows and glaucous blues. Hosta sizes start at the tiny and adorable 6-inch-tall ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ and go up to ‘Empress Wu,’ which is 4 feet tall with leaves that are 18 inches wide. (While I typed this, someone probably developed both a larger and a smaller version! Good Hosta resources are http://www.americanhostasociety.org/ and http://www.hostalibrary.org/)
Most hostas thrive in full to partial shade, and in evenly moist, high organic matter soils. The shade of tall trees provides an excellent microclimate, and Hosta rhizomes are easily naturalized. If you wish to divide your clumps, do it in the spring, but Hosta has no need for regular division or for coddling. Occasionally, the plant is susceptible to leaf spots or crown rot or sometimes chewing insects, but in general, this is a very easy perennial to grow. Easy—and delicious: Hostas are edible, and are served as a vegetable in Asia. Here in Blackridge, they are often unwillingly served to our deer and our slugs.
This beautiful and elegant mounding perennial is a local favorite, and Garden Club President Nancy Del Presto shares her thoughts on hostas below:
"My love for hostas directly follows the timeline for my interest in gardening. When we bought my first, and so far, only, house on Blackridge Rd, I inherited the previous owner's landscape plan which included a hillside of Hostas. As our children grew older and my time and interest in gardening started to, pardon me, "blossom", I noticed the resilience and late summer flowering beauty of Hostas. I had to do nothing each year but enjoy them. That is a great attribute in a garden, or in anything in life, now that I think on it.
My gardening skills soon advanced so far that I observed that my very shady front yard (due to a 70+year-old red oak) and north-facing hillside were a perfect match for these hostas. I then began to expand from my inherited, commonly seen, H. lancifolia and H. undulata varieties.
Every year I would add a new hosta: Some were huge (H. fluctans variegated or ‘Sagae’), others tiny (‘Blue Mouse Ears’), some bloomed in early summer with white flowers (‘Golden Sunburst’), others late with purple ones (‘Antioch’). I have blues (‘Big Daddy’) and chartreuses (‘Sum and Substance’), variegated (‘Elizabeth Campbell’) and solids (‘Zounds’) and every single one is happily growing in my yard.
Cultivars now exist that can take direct sun, have fragrant flowers, begin in one leaf color and change during the growing period, are slug-resistant (unlike my inherited bunch!) and more, but I am content with my shade lovers—more than content! My love affair with Hosta will be never-ending but I might be close to ending my yearly additions of new cultivars as my yard is overflowing with Hosta grace and beauty.”
Most hostas thrive in full to partial shade, and in evenly moist, high organic matter soils. The shade of tall trees provides an excellent microclimate, and Hosta rhizomes are easily naturalized. If you wish to divide your clumps, do it in the spring, but Hosta has no need for regular division or for coddling. Occasionally, the plant is susceptible to leaf spots or crown rot or sometimes chewing insects, but in general, this is a very easy perennial to grow. Easy—and delicious: Hostas are edible, and are served as a vegetable in Asia. Here in Blackridge, they are often unwillingly served to our deer and our slugs.
This beautiful and elegant mounding perennial is a local favorite, and Garden Club President Nancy Del Presto shares her thoughts on hostas below:
"My love for hostas directly follows the timeline for my interest in gardening. When we bought my first, and so far, only, house on Blackridge Rd, I inherited the previous owner's landscape plan which included a hillside of Hostas. As our children grew older and my time and interest in gardening started to, pardon me, "blossom", I noticed the resilience and late summer flowering beauty of Hostas. I had to do nothing each year but enjoy them. That is a great attribute in a garden, or in anything in life, now that I think on it.
My gardening skills soon advanced so far that I observed that my very shady front yard (due to a 70+year-old red oak) and north-facing hillside were a perfect match for these hostas. I then began to expand from my inherited, commonly seen, H. lancifolia and H. undulata varieties.
Every year I would add a new hosta: Some were huge (H. fluctans variegated or ‘Sagae’), others tiny (‘Blue Mouse Ears’), some bloomed in early summer with white flowers (‘Golden Sunburst’), others late with purple ones (‘Antioch’). I have blues (‘Big Daddy’) and chartreuses (‘Sum and Substance’), variegated (‘Elizabeth Campbell’) and solids (‘Zounds’) and every single one is happily growing in my yard.
Cultivars now exist that can take direct sun, have fragrant flowers, begin in one leaf color and change during the growing period, are slug-resistant (unlike my inherited bunch!) and more, but I am content with my shade lovers—more than content! My love affair with Hosta will be never-ending but I might be close to ending my yearly additions of new cultivars as my yard is overflowing with Hosta grace and beauty.”
February 2011: Helleborus orientalis
The Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) is a wonderful perennial with dark green, leathery leaves and 4-inch wide flowers that can be shades of purple, pink, or cream. The showy sepals are effective into the summer and can be easily dried. This shade-loving beauty blooms in the very early spring or late winter. H. orientalis is somewhat fussy and difficult to grow, requiring humus-enriched, moist, and well-drained soil, and it is not tolerant of heat, but the lovely show during Lent is well worth the trouble. If you are lucky, you may see hellebores blooming at 2390 Hollywood Drive and 1648 Georgetown Place.