On a day to day basis I couldn't agree more with Mr. Washington. But on some recent hikes, on opposite ends of this great nation, I found happiness in "large", "remote", and "uncommon".
Muir Woods, federally protected as a National Monument since 1908, might not be home to the "record holders" when it comes to California's Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), but this old growth forest is more than reachable with a short drive from anywhere in San Francisco. There's no cell service in or around the forest, so even though your close to civilization, you are immediately put into a solitary state of mind.
It rains a lot here, especially in winter. Rainfall averages are around 50" a year, but on this winter day the trail was dry and the company was good.
Any gardener worth his or her salt will tell you a plant is only as good as the soil it stands in. At the feet of these giants is a dark brown, humus-rich loam. A mix of gravel, stone, and sand help aerate those large roots and drain away some of that winter water.
Redwoods can grow to nearly 400' tall, but most in Muir are around 250' The trees in the park are between 500 and 800 years old. The oldest is at least 1,200 years old!
One final argument against Booker T's proclamation that "success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things". Did you know that the tallest tree ever measured was a Eucalyptus? In 1872 forester William Ferguson found a E. regnans in Victoria, Austrailia that measured 435' tall!
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Enter Joe Seamone, a life long gardener and consultant at a Maryland Landscape Mamagement Co. Joe's been experimenting with Hardy Eucalyptus, palms and bananas for the past 20 years. Joe ordered a 4" 'Mappa Tassie' and 'Grace' from Southern Eucs, followed proper planting and watering practices, and sent me these pictures of the trees back on June 8 (10 weeks ago).
Then Joe sent me this email with the attached pictures of the same trees just 10 weeks later.
"My two eucs I ordered from you are doing great … they are both about 5 feet high (from 8" in June). I tipped them and they are busting out."
I know Eucs are fast growers, but this is pretty impressive stuff. I contacted Joe for more information. He responded with the below email:
"For years, I have used fish emulsion on all new plants, shrubs trees, tropicals, palms etc.
I've found a weekly commitment to fish emulsion + miracle gro in the hose end sprayer and watering in the warm season did this every time.…
Joe also attached a before and after photo, same regimen, of the last 18 months showing his tree growth especially with loblolly pines. The top photo was taken March 2017, bottom photo Aug 31, 2018. Wow!
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Or completely change the character and offer much needed shade to an entire neighborhood.
Now some Californians have recently turned their backs on Eucs. After planting them for hundreds of years (when/where nothing else would grow) as windbreaks for farms and orchards, for aesthetics, and for timber, they now say it’s time for their invited and gracious guests to go.
Proponents of the “native only” movement” like to co-mingle the “invasive” and “non-native” tags to win their argument against the trees. But not all non-natives are invasive!
The non-native tag is true. Eucs are native to Australia and belong to the Myrtaceae family. Yes, just like our beloved Crepe Myrtles.
But keep an open mind when casting off non-natives. They bring much needed species diversity, offer animal shelter, nectar, and sometimes provide a better choice (see dogwoods and elms) than natives in the landscape. And remember, corn, strawberries, avocadoes, chickens, cows, and most of us, are not natives either! I think that claim goes only to the American Indian and fish!!!
Alright, enough with all the politics. The real reason for this blog is to share some pictures and surprises from a recent west coast trip and visit to the wonderful world of Disney.
The Anaheim, CA park welcomes over 70,000 visitors a day. I think it was closer to 100,000 when we arrived. Disney’s horticulturists and designers are some of the best in the world. They could choose any plant to welcome their high paying patrons through the gate. But they choose Eucalyptus!
It is a great way to stop and smell the Eucs before paying the piper and mixing with the masses. Also, Eucs as a canopy, is counterintuitive to the argument that they are prone to dropping their limbs. Can’t see the Disney lawyers missing on that one!
The tree lined street was functional in both providing filtered shade and screening the massive parking lots. And the use of Eucs as specimens was prominent at the park’s famous photo-op.
From a gardener’s perspective there was also enough “Disneyfied” stuff to appreciate, and still ask why?
Never got the animal topiary thing! Still, it was good to see - when some in California have turned their back on Eucs – that Disney still has an appreciation for the diverse trees.
(Thought) I lost one of the ‘Angus’ Eucs to a 6 degree winter back in 2015, but now have a nice 15’ replacement that has regrown from the base.
Twenty feet down the driveway are a 30’ tall, three-year old ‘Cab Sav’, and 20’ tall, 16 yr. old ‘Funky Monkey’,
I know, my own house, kinda like cherry pickin’. Let’s hit the road! Just a mile away there’s a Southern Eucs success story at Matt and Mary Jane Portwood’s house.. They needed to replace a dead Wax Myrtle in a high profile area they use for entertaining. They planted this 1 gallon neglecta ‘Big 0’ about 18 months ago and are thrilled with the rapid growth, fragrance, and light shade it provides.
This stunning Euc 2 miles away is in the historic section of McDonough and it fits perfect with this home's color and craftsman style.
Mile marker four is a Euc that I have long kept tabs on. This (unidentifiable) 40’ tall Eucalyptus tree calls the Ola area of Henry County home. I’m confident it is a Southern Eucs because of its proximity to the nursery I used to own and sell Eucalyptus trees from.
At mile marker five, right near the entrance of I75, are three, I think, rubida ‘Cab Savs’.They do a great job screening the interstate and filtering the sounds of the busy interstate.
Just off the exit is a trials participant in East Atlanta. Scott Lootens, a videographer by trade, always sends great pictures documenting the rapid growth of his three-year-old ‘Big 0’ and pauciflora ‘Bonza’.
Working my way over to the Market, I have fist hand knowledge of a great Southern Euc in the Emory Area. I helped plant it at world renowned designer, metal fabricator and TV host Bryan Fuller's cottage style house in the Emory area of Atl.
Finally, Krog Street Market and mile thirty of the shopping spree, turned Southern Eucs sighting trip.
I know a lot of landscapers in the metro Atlanta have been adding Southern Eucs to their designs. And wouldn’t you know it, while looking for parking at the Market, I noticed that great silver-blue color - only a few trees can claim - highlighting this in town home’s tidy landscape.
Looks like a ‘Maggie’ but I didn’t want to intrude any further on the homeowner’s privacy. Absolutely love the placement as a specimen tree and how it sets apart this home from other’s in the Atlanta neighborhood.
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And was quick to see positive results.
Heading into his second winter, he has seen some some impressive results with some specific varieties.
Shino's early reports stated he planted in an unprotected and uncultivated field with lots of grubs. "It was a very wet winter" Shino said, "with the lowest temperature twice recorded at -2 Fahrenheit. Still, three varieties showed substantial cold hardiness and have quickly regrown from the bases."
Eucalyptus neglecta 'Big O'
Eucalyptus pauciflora 'Bonza'
Eucalyptus parvula 'Funky Monkey'
Shino will be planting three new trees from our ongoing Southern Eucs trials. E. perriniana, a striking Spinning Gum with reported extreme cold hardiness. Eucalyptus palverulenta a small tree or shrub sought after for its foliage for use in arrangements. And Eucalyptus Macarthurii, or Camden Wollybutt, a large "oak-like" tree that grows in the broad cold flats in its native habitat..
Check out our next blog on "Atlanta's (Southern) Eucs!"
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We had 22 Pine Trees, 2 Laurel Oaks and 2 Red Maples removed about this time last year. The Pines were just too tall, and had to go. The others were diseased unfortunately... I hated to see them go. But hey, it made room for all these Eucs.
Here's a picture taken around November of last year when I was re-grading the yard (Yard is approximately 8500 sq.ft.)
So far I've planted Southern Eucs in the backyard only. I'm considering some for the front. We'll see. Here are some iPhone photos of the three I've gotten from Southern Eucs so far at planting: Here's Big O in the back left corner of my backyard:
https://southerneucs.com/products/eucalyptus-neglecta-big-o-eucalyptus-tree
Lucky Country at planting:
https://southerneucs.com/products/eucalyptus-camphora-lucky-country-eucalyptus-tree
Lucky Country has amazed me. Despite the root-ball and root-collar damage from shipment, it has taken off -- growing about 1 ft so far. It started showing growth within a couple days after planting. I'd have to say it is my favorite.
Note that the soil where Big O and LC are planted is at the lower grade of my backyard, and therefore gets quite mucky when we get heavy rains. We had a big storm just after planting Big O where we got 5 inches within a couple hours! The rain water took a few hours to drain down. Didn't seem to phase Big O. Funky Monkey at planting.
https://southerneucs.com/products/eucalyptus-parvula-funky-monkey-eucalyptus-tree
Grace showed slight stress initially after planting, but soon recovered strongly and is now showing new growth which appears to be picking up speed. This is despite my pug "marking his territory", and insects eating her leaves a bit, which I was surprised to see. I ended up planting her near our back-porch.
https://southerneucs.com/products/eucalyptus-elliptica-grace-eucalyptus-tree
And here is a photo taken about a month ago from the same angle as the first pict.:
Beautiful (Euc) yard Brian!!! look for our next blog post on "Atlanta Homes Utilizing Eucs!"
]]>Recently introduced Southern Eucs ‘Maggie’ and ‘Funky Monkey’ are continuing to show tremendous growth in the Trials gardens. They are resistance to pests and disease, and are maturing into stunning specimens.
https://southerneucs.com/products/eucalyptus-nova-anglica-maggie-eucalyptus-tree
https://southerneucs.com/products/eucalyptus-parvula-funky-monkey-eucalyptus-tree
The record holder in the Southern Euc Trials has to be this 35’ ‘Grace’ planted (from seed) less than 3 years ago.
Check out ‘Grace’s peeling and smooth bark. Sherwin – Williams calls the color “Roman Column”. I call it cool!!!
https://southerneucs.com/products/eucalyptus-elliptica-grace-eucalyptus-tree
Still going through our Southern Eucs Trials and showing consistent, upright growth is Eucalyptus Macarthurii.
Its common name is Camden Woollybutt, reason enough to grow it, but it is also an endangered species in New South Wales.
The leaves and stems are pretty impressive with a sweet fragrance and hints of copper to orange appearing on new growth.
Eucalyptus perriniana, or Spinning Gum, has long been considered one of the most cold hardy of the species (down to -20). It is showing well in its second year in the Southern Eucs Trials.
Still, I’m anxious to see how this sub-alpine species, which grows in areas that are snow-covered for months, will hold up to a hot, dry Southern summer.
Perrinianna’s seed is difficult to source from the coldest provenances, but its potential as a true “specimen” tree are outstanding.
Yes that is the stem growing right through the circular leaves. Not sure how common that is in the horticulture world, but this Master Gardener has never seen it.
Another tree two years into trials is Eucalyptus ‘Crenulata’.
I added it to our trials because of its upright but small stature.
A mature ‘Crenulata’ will grow up fast, and give you a nice specimen tree in the 20 – 30' range.
Next Southern Eucs blog: Textures in the Garden.
https://southerneucs.com/
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Jasmine and gardenias can fill a neighborhood with sweetness, and citrus blossoms in winter are special. But as far as I’m concerned, the defining smell of Southern California is Eucalyptus.
My earliest memory of the fresh, spicy scent was on a Kindergarten field trip to the LA Zoo, where towering eucs line the pathways (and feed koalas, too).
Eucalyptus trees grow along freeways, anchor steep embankments, and seem to crown every distant hillside.
Bark ranges from near white to near black, as seen in this picture taken near Griffith Park (in a driving rain, alas). I think the contrast is really striking, though it was obviously more vivid in person.
On breezy days, the fresh scent of their leaves can even fill a car that has its windows up.
During a recent visit to San Diego, I couldn’t help but wonder if the men who imported Eucalyptus in hopes of a new lumber source had any idea they would contribute so meaningfully to the beauty of the state.
When I moved to Atlanta and began landscaping my yard, it never occurred to me that one of my favorite trees from the arid Southwest would also thrive in the humid Southeast. But, a passing comment from a friend inspired a quick Google search, and . . . that’s how I found Southern Eucs! I purchased Neglecta and Ripper varieties, and both are beautiful. They’ve shown promising growth, especially in the trunk, and their ease of care has been a welcome contrast to the nurture most other shrubs and trees require.
For all these reasons, I love Eucalyptus trees. My hope is that mine will create the same sort of happy “scent memories” for my children that I cherish from my youth.
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Sounds like a pretty progressive concept, but the roots of this age old method sprouted with the harvesting of timber and can be traced back 3806 BC.
Long ago our ancestors realized that, for optimum wood production, certain trees can be perpetually cut to the ground and grow back. Most deciduous trees can be coppiced, but beech, cherry and poplar produce weaker growth.
Very few evergreens can be coppiced, but one that thrives with this practice of pruning is Eucalyptus!
A lignotuber at the base of the tree protects eucalyptus stands from deforestation during fires and freezes. That single "protector" cell also provides gardeners a host of pruning possibilities when growing this diverse and tough tree.
How To Prune A Eucalyptus Tree To Control Height
Most species of eucalyptus respond well to this method of pruning. So, if you think you don't have room for a larger variety of Eucalyptus tree, or you like the juvenile foliage of a specific species better than the adult foliage, you can coppice it to control size or just to get wonderful new stems and young foliage.
Note: Perform coppicing pruning in late winter or early spring in hot and humid climates. Trees in cooler and dry climates can be pruned in summer.
To coppice a eucalyptus tree, slightly angle the cuts, pruning the trunk(s) back about a foot to 18 inches above the ground and removing all side shoots. For unsightly or leggy growth, cut back to about 6 inches from the ground. Then, when new growth emerges, select the best looking shoot and allow this to develop, cutting all others at the ground.
How To Prune Eucalyptus Trees For A Privacy Screen
To encourage lateral branching for screening purposes cut tree trunks to about 6 to 10 feet above the ground leaving the side branches to fill in for privacy.
How To Prune Eucalyptus Trees For A Hedge
Prune Eucalyptus trees for a hedge at the end of their second growing season, removing about a third of their height and cutting in pyramid shape. Each year thereafter remove about a quarter of the tree to maintain the neighborhood’s most fragrant, colorful, and unique hedge row.
Sourthern Eucs that make great hedge rows are:
How To Prune A Eucalyptus To Form A Tree
This one is easy. As your tree grows taller remove lower branches to desired height to form a tree with a nice canopy atop exposed trunks. This type of pruning is especially desirable on Eucalyptus varieties prized for their interesting and colorful bark. Don’t prune any lower branches for the first 6 feet until the third season.
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It was a Volleyball Tournament that brought me to Orlando. Games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The grounds there were nice, but nothing compared to the wash of colors and textures at the theme parks. Lucky for me, some games were also played at the Orange County Convention Center where I got my first look at an interior Urban Farm.
The scene reminded me of the movie The Martian where, in the absence of soil, water, and oxygen, botanist Mark Watney - played by Matt Damon - had to keep experimenting to grow food to survive!
Plants like lettuce, herbs, chard, choi, mustard, celery, kale and the occasional tomato and pepper plant, start out small in the Urban Smart Farm. . . . .
They only require 18 - 24 days to mature. The seedlings quickly filling out 81 towers with 44 planting ports in each tower.
The quick math equates to 3,564 plants, ready for harvest in about three weeks, providing an annual yield of about 80,000 plants!
Besides holding the mantle as the largest indoor vertical farm in a venue in the U.S., the Urban Smart Farms take up a miniscule 2,000 square foot space in the massive Orlando convention center.
Look for our next Southern Eucs blog on "Coppicing Eucalyptus trees". A great way to manage height, train you Southern Euc into a hedge row, or just to encourage more of that great fragrant Eucalyptus foliage!
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The ultimate goal of growing a Bonsai is to create a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree.
I was first bitten by the Bonsai bug when I saw Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid practicing the art form and trying to teach Daniel San about inner peace.
I would mess with them back in early 2000 when I owned Walnut Creek Nursery. It was fun to cut back on a small, pot-bound Crape Myrtle or pull a Juniper with potential and just start pruning.
I wish I could take credit for the Juniper or any of the pictures in this blog, but these works or art were stumbled upon at a roadside Bosai garden in Cottondale, FL. You can't miss the billboards on Interstate 10, west of Tallahassee, announcing "Bonsai by Dori". And yes, if you are any kind of plant person or artist, it's well worth a visit.
Before I show you some of my favorites, I have to report on some of my findings. Trees with smaller leaves, contorted trunks, and interesting bark make great specimens. Japanese Maple, Elms, Ficus, and, why not, Eucalyptus meet that criteria and thus make great Bonsai! Recommended Southern Eucs varieties are:
Eucalyptus parvula 'Funky Monkey' https://southerneucs.com/products/eucalyptus-parvula-funky-monkey-eucalyptus-tree
Eucalyptus stellulata 'Sheila' https://southerneucs.com/products/eucalyptus-stellulata-sheila-eucalyptus-tree
Eucalyptus nicholii 'Angus' (seen below in Bonsai form) https://southerneucs.com/products/eucalyptus-nicholii-angus-eucalyptus-tree
Experts say that the many qualities of Eucalyptus trees transfer well to larger 2-4' formed Bonsais. Can't wait to get started! Until then, a few of my favorites from Bonsai by Dori.
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Originally the soil in the pots dried out quickly in the Florida heat and needed to be watered daily.
Larger pots with water reserves helped immensely and now they stay well-watered throughout the hot Florida days!
Aside from some occasional black mites on 'LC', they're all real healthy and pest free.
They smell absolutely amazing and the cuttings have been helpful in keeping my home smelling nice. A bonus is that my bird cages smell nice too and the birds love to chew on the leaves and bark.
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At Southern Eucs we take the "cold hardy" label and the science behind the trees very serious. Species research leads to sourcing seeds form the coldest provenances in the world. From there, the trees are planted in trials gardens for observing cold hardiness, resistance to drought and disease, growth habits, and characteristics of foliage, bark and trunk.
That being said, the first step to planting success is to know your USDA planting zone. This helpful map divides up the U.S. into zones. Know your zone, match it to a plants tag, and you are in the game.
http://southerneucs.com/pages/u-s-hardiness-chart.
Keep in mind growers and retailers are trying to sell you plants and are pretty aggressive with pushing a plant beyond its ideal zone.
But here's where the game gets fun. There are areas known as "micro-climates", areas of your property that might have a southern exposure, a wind break, a low lying area, ideal soil, etc. that can "extend" a plant beyond its advertised hardiness zone. But "micro climates" with windy conditions, damp soil, exposed sites, etc. can also have the opposite effect and reduce a plants hardiness.
Long time gardeners know this all to well, and this is why you see that tropical palm, western conifer, or Monkey Puzzle Tree growing at your neighbor's house and outside its advertised zone.
Below are some techniques to create that micro-climate and improve your chances of a plants survival.
Bottom line is this. Know your plant and its hardiness zone, trust your supplier, and take the time to create a "plant healthy" environment that will greatly improve your chances of growing a happy and healthy plant!
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Neither plant was irrigated, but an azalea falls victim to the drought, while a Eucalyptus 'Big O' still thrives.
In doing a little research I learned that, before recent rains, parts of Georgia were approaching 60 days without substantial rainfall! That equates to the driest 3-month period on record!!!
One of six Eucalyptus 'Macarthurii', still in trials and planted just before the drought, finally gives in.
Five others Macarthurii fought off the drought and, following recent rains, look amazing.
On Nov. 17 the State Environmental Protection Division declared a Level 2 drought in 52 counties, including metro Atlanta, and much of North Georgia.
I watered once, out of pity on Nov. 23, but water just ran away from trees' roots.
This all follows the second-hottest summer in Atlanta’s recorded history, Still, beside the Eucalyptus pauciflora - an alpine species that requires a damp, well drained soil - all the current Southern Eucs survived.
Pleased to report that Southern Eucs new spring introductions, Eucalyptus nova anglica 'Maggie' and parvula 'Funky Monkey' came through the drought unscathed.
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The location wasn't close to ideal for planting. No irrigation, rocky soil, and a few hundred kids dribbling and drilling soccer balls right through it from Feb. to Oct.
But one of those kids was my daughter Maggie. I'd sit and watch her evening practice, two hours, three times a week, and figured a little landscaping would go a long way to my sanity after those tough days at the office.
Knowing the plants would be tested, I loaded it up with tough selections like Juniper, Echinacea, and of course, a cold hardy Southern Euc.
I chose Eucalyptus elliptica 'Grace' because I like its fast growth, white bark, durability, and dappled shade it would provide.
Maggie stopped playing soccer shortly after I finished the design, and I never really thought back to the quarry fields until just last week. I was in the area and a little voice inside my head prodded me to take a look.
I was disappointed to see the rough conditions of the fields and the little garden I planted. But, avoiding the poison ivy, I pressed on, and to my surprise, nothing (besides the poison ivy) had endured the heat and neglect except one plant.
The Eucalyptus elliptica 'Grace' was the sole survivor. Left for abandonment, with other plants known for toughness, it was "Grace Under Fire" in an onslaught of soccer, summer, drought, and debris!
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Villagers pride themselves on thinking outside the box, and new homeowner Scott Lootens wanted to make a statement fast, so he agreed to take part in the Southern Eucs Trials. Both trees, started from seed less than three years ago, have not disappointed.
The location gave Southern Eucs a zone 7b site and valuable feedback on how the trees would fare in a busy urban environment.
Eucalyptus neglecta 'Big 0' was planted to help screen a busy Glenwood Avenue. In less than 3 years it has grown to 30' and attained a brilliant trunk and canopy.
Eucalyptus are evergreens, offering year round cover, but it's the way they pay compliments to the other deciduous trees, most notably this nearby Crape Myrtle, that grabs the eye.
Eucalyptus paucifloriia 'Bonza' was planted as a specimen tree to help frame Looten's craftsman styled cottage.
It's the striking bark that really sets 'Bonza' apart. White trunks are common in Birches and Aspens in the North and out West, but you would be hard pressed to find a smooth white trunk in a hardy tree that thrives in the South.
Eucalyptus elliptica 'Grace' showing off similar hardiness and trunk traits in the zone 8a McDonough, GA trials garden.
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It quickly became obvious that Southern Eucs first European Trials Master was serious about his craft.
Seed was sown and in no time Shino was communicating pertinent information on the trees germination and growth rate, susceptibility to fungus, and aesthetics.
The trees, 6 mos. old from seed, are all flourishing. No surprise four of Southern Eucs most popular and cold hardy species Eucalyptus neglecta 'Big 0', E. camphora 'Lucky Country', E. rubida 'Cab Sav', and E. stellulata 'Sheila' are thriving.
It's encouraging that Shino has had success with the difficult to seed and slower growing Eucalyptus pauc. 'Bonza'.
Even more excited to see next spring's new introductions Eucalyptus parvula 'Funky Monkey' and E. nova anglica 'Maggie' doing so well.
And highly anticipating Shino's feedback and hope to see similiar results with Eucalyptus perriniana 'Corker' which has yet to complete our 3-year trials.
Check back in early spring to see how the trees respond following the Polish winter!
]]>I quickly realized that John and Adam were real plantsmen. I told them about my efforts to prove cold hardiness in Eucalyptus by establishing Trials Gardens throughout the region. I’m not sure if they agreed to become a Southern Eucs Trials Garden because they were interested in the science, or because I spent a boat load of money over my many visits to Grass Roots. Still, they agreed, and Southern Eucs had a high elevation, and cold (zone 6b) trials location in nearby Waynesville, NC.
John agreed to plant a dozen trees on a windswept corner of his property. Observation and reporting in this cold climate were pretty simple; Dead or alive!
A nurseryman for over 20 years, John knew that most homeowners were not Master Gardeners, so he jammed the young trees into his rocky soil, in late September, and forgot about them.
After two of the coldest winters on record (2014, 2015), where temperatures twice touched -!0 degrees, were followed by a late hard freeze in 2016, I was almost reluctant to revisit the site.
I finally got back to the site on Friday, July 29, 2016 and was amazed at what I saw.
John was on hand to greet me and had been blown away by what he had witnessed.
Five of the eight varieties, that were planted and left alone to face the elements, had not only survived the -!0 temps and wind swept location, but are thriving!
I am happy to report the following Waynesville, NC (zone 6b), three year trials results: Eucalyptus subcrenulata 'Ripper' was a stunning 10’ with multiple trunks and full of clean foliage.
Eucalyptus stellulata ‘Sheila’ resembled a tall, fully branched shrub. Would make a great hedge row in any garden.
Eucalyptus neglecta ‘Big 0’, a small tree by nature, was only about 4’ but a real specimen in the making.
Looks like one of the winters knocked back Eucalyptus camphora ‘Lucky Country’ to the ground, but it was responding well with an attractive multi-trunk and fragrant foliage.
And finally Eucalyptus nova-anglica 'Maggie'. A stunning 8’ tall tree that was John’s favorite for its silver to grey foliage and weeping habit. Nova-Anglica will be introduced by Southern Eucs in spring of 2017.
All the Southern Eucs that passed our Waynesville, NC Trials will be available this fall at Grass Roots; one of Carolina’s finest nurseries!
]]>I was told the Castle also had some impressive gardens, so at the urging of my buddy, and famed wedding crasher, Jon Baime, I passed on a mid-day nap and made the short drive from Cork to Blarney.
The grounds were amazing with gardens of all shapes and sizes.
But it was the Poisonous Gardens at the base of the Castle that stopped me in my tracks. One of the coolest and cruelest things I've ever seen.
So many common plants that are mainstays in U.S. gardens are potential killers, or at least dangerous bedfellows.
The iron cages hid the real bad boys like Deadly Nightshade, the king of killer plants.
And our old friend Poison Ivy.
Interesting that they listed tobacco and marijuana (sorry Pep) for the potential harm they can bring to regular users.
Same with Opium, but I had never seen the plant in person before. The blooms are really something!
Some of the poisonous plants in the collection, that many of us enjoy in our home landscapes, were Sweet Shrub, Chaste Tree, Rhubarb (the leaf), Hellebores, Japanese Holly, and Foxglove.
No, Eucalyptus is not a poisonous plant. It's on the other end of the spectrum and has hundreds of medicinal purposes. Saw this tree that had just been coppiced (cut back to promote new growth) just outside the poisonous gardens and thought it was ironic.
Finally, Harry Potter fans should be proud that author JK Rowling did her horticultural homework. Wolfsbane, used by Hogwarts students to render dangerous beasts into sleepy wolves, is actually a nasty plant that tortures the stomach and slows the heart rate to deadly levels.
And Mandrake, another plant that's properties attack the vital organs, was also a favorite Potter plant. Hogwarts students hurled it over the castle's embankments to ward off Death Eaters.
Next blog post; Our first edition of "Eucalyptus Trials Observations - Drought and doubt".
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Picking a favorite garden or plant is impossible, but the Mountain Tropical House kept me there well past the allotted time I had budgeted for each glass house visit.
Not only was the climate considerably cooler, to mimic higher altitudes, but the plant life seemed to grow from anything left on the ground for rot.
Thought I traced this moss and fern covered trunk back to its origin.
But counted three different varieties of Rhododendron growing from various points on the same rotted-out trunk.
There were some exotic cacti from all over the world in the Desert Climate House.
A little closer to home in was the American native Prickly Pear.
It was introduced to the Old World as a food source. Apparently the fruits are tasty and sweet.
Later introduced alongside Australia’s Eucalyptus trees, it was so happy in the dry arid climate that it now occupies over 24 million acres of the landscape.
And finally for the Lawn Lover’s out there.
Acres of pristine green stuff with hundreds of perennials in borders that seemed to go on forever.
Next post: Blarney Castle's unbelievable Poisonous Gardens!!!
]]>But a picture is worth a thousand words.
Folks here are not only the world’s best horticulturists but they know a little something about presentation.
The entrance into the first Palm House was smothered by a weeping Kashmir Cypress tree.
The assortment of Palms and Orchids was overwhelming.
I thought the process in which this small tree fern (Cyathea Tomentosissima) unveiled its fronds was pretty spectacular.
And for anyone who ever dreamed of a small pond, some fish, and the sound of running water, the Royals got it right!
Feast your eyes on the gigantic Victoria Longwood hybrid water lily. 6’ in diameter, they looked almost too perfect to be real!
Next post; USA, USA, USA!
]]>This famous 23’ high Beech hedge row is over 100 years old.
It makes a great backdrop for anything planted on its South facing lawn.
The sculpted lines are only pruned once a year in September but they somehow carved out enormous walkways into the old hedge. Didn’t have a chance to explore, but I think they lead to the famous Victory Gardens.
I talk to a lot of friends who have aspired to do a rock wall (Brad Jones). This Royal one went on for a football field and, even after 3 straight days of rain, had blooms as far as the eye could see.
This is the ever so funky 'Monkey Puzzle' Tree from Chili.
Aptly named by a Brit who when first seeing the strange tree claimed it was “enough to puzzle a monkey.”
Male and female cones appear on separate trees. The males are brown and cucumber- shaped (sorry), and hang from the trees’ lower branches.
Nest post; The Royal Botanical Gardens exclusive glass houses!
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Cool temps have delayed our spring crop.
But the young trees are in excellent condition.
We won't push them with heavy fertilizers.
We hope to have them ready to ship in May.
Thank you for your patience and continued support.
]]>Most perennials do return and thrive to become those “pass along” favorites like daylilies, irises, and daises. But I think I ‘m around a 3 to 1 kill ratio for some of the newly introduced and highly priced Echinacea, Coreopsis, and Heuchera plants.
One lesser known perennial that never surrenders to a nasty winter, or a less than ideal location, is Solomn’s seal, or polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ to be official.
Like Eucalyptus, Solomn’s seal is considered a culturally significant plant for its medicinal and restorative value. It is said to be under study by the National Institute of Health for its potential benefits to heart health.
It can be tough to find in retail settings, but if you ever notice (for lack of a better description) a variegated, small “hosta-like” leaf on the end of a narrow stalk, scoop it up and plant it in light shade.
In early spring sturdy stalks push aside pine straw and begin to unravel. This is the ideal time to devide, “pass along” to a friend, or move to other areas of your garden. By mid spring creamy - white pendulous bell shaped flowers fill arching stems.
Eventually the flowers fade but the real show is in the foliage, just like our beloved Eucs!
The sturdy stems and variegated foliage will hold until a hard frost, but rest assured they won't disappoint like some of their higher priced peers, and will return next spring to start the show all over again!
]]>Our updated garden trials continue to show Eucalyptus nicholii ‘Angus’, rubida ‘Cab Sav’, and the newest Southern Euc introduction subcrenulata ‘Ripper’ to be the best choices for tall, fast growing screens. And look no further than Eucalyptus stellulata ‘Sheila’ and neglecta ‘Big 0’ for a hedge row that will turn your neighbor’s heads.
But full garden disclosure here, there is another stunning option for a screen that I have just come to appreciate this spring in my home landscape. Patience is the key here because growth rate is much slower than Eucalyptus. See photo below of Cryptomeria and E. nicholii ‘Angus’ planted at the same time about 12 years ago.
But Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yoshino’ (40’tall) under planted with Loropetulam (any of the taller varieties) is something to behold.
The purple to red foliage with their hot pink blooms appear to reach for the cooler dark green foliage of the Cryptomeria giving you not only an effective top to bottom screen but a true focal point in your landscape.
If the Cryptomerias are a bit more screen than you would like, combine the Loropetulum with the aforementioned Eucs for a more open and airy screen and stunning focal point.
]]>(Eucalyptus camphora & mannifera)
I know fall color is more an attribute associated with deciduous trees, and one doesn’t look to Hollies or Pines for autumn inspiration, but in Eucalyptus trees, coppers, reds, burgundies and even purples in both leaves and branches appear as soon as temperatures drop below freezing. To the best of my knowledge it’s a form of “protection” from the elements; kind of like the healthy look of blushed cheeks on a cold winter’s day.
(Eucalyptus nicholii 'Angus' & rubida 'Cab Sav')
Now I’m not saying the colors of Eucalyptus are going to challenge those offered by Mother Nature in Maine, Colorado, or the NC mountains. But I know I will be enjoying the subtle hues and evergreen foliage well into the winter months when very little else in my landscape is offering up seasonal interest.
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I have an abundance of foliage from Eucalyptus trees now that some in the trials have reached 20’ in just three years. And it seems like the faster I cut, the faster the foliage grows back. So I’ve been trying some different things around the house to utilize the natural fragrance and beauty of the leaves. Full disclosure here, I have not tried 6, 8, or 9.
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The temptation to water came from a walk around the gardens on a recent 97 degree day. I was surprised when I saw reliable natives like Eastern Redbud and American Beautyberry struggling to keep their leaves hydrated, especially at their tips.
On my way to the Eucalyptus trials I noticed some dieback in the always reliable Cryptomeria Japonica. If you are not familiar with this conifer it’s still a worthy candidate for a specimen or screen and should always, in my humble opinion, be planted instead of the more popular Leyland Cypress.
Out of the 65 three-year old trees, only one Eucalyptus - paucifloria ‘niphophilia’ (not through trials yet) - was showing any signs of distress from the recent month-long drought. In contrast, the other 64 Eucalyptus trees showed ample new growth, rigidity, and even blush and red stems usually reserved for the fall.
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I'm surrounded by hanging ferns, palms, and Bougainvillea, all overgrown and random, but somehow working as a whole. The mostly tropical plants frame the narrow balcony that hangs over the brick lined Park Ave. It makes for a perfect vantage point for people watching: funny and surreal at the same time. But it's 5 o'clock on a Friday, I have a cold beer in hand, and it's about all I could ask for. Okay, so maybe a little fragrance would be nice.
Just recently I started fielding a lot of questions about whether Eucalyptus trees would do well in pots on decks, patios and such. A lot of the inquiries are from folks who have discovered the elegant trees but live in parts of the country where it's just too cold to put them in the ground. Others are from the lower South, where the trees will thrive in the ground, but they want to be closer to the great fragrance and have access to the trees outstanding foliage.
So focused on proving cold hardiness in Southern Eucs, I never thought about how beautiful, fragrant, and functional these trees are when put in a great pot for easy access and for all to enjoy. When the trees roots get to the edge of the pot and are encircled, the tree's legendary growth rate is stunted. No issues with health and happiness, just a smaller version of a great tree!
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