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CONIFEROUS CONTEMPLATIONS NORTHEAST REGION NEWSLETTER

SUMMER 2015

"The things I don’t understand – they’re

not intimidating to me anymore. They’re mysterious.” –

Jon Ronson (author, commenting on moving to New

York)

Although I can relate to this sense of fear and discov-

ery living in cities like New Orleans and Manhattan, I

also remember a sense of intimidation when I first en-

tered the world of horticulture, both as a hobbyist and

professionally. It took time before I was comfortable

enough to stop being intimidated by garden design,

plant societies, or working in the world of urban

horticulture and now, instead perceive it all as an

amusing unknown to explore.

Since I turned towards landscaping, I have been

surrounded by serious and educated horticulturists,

whether they be hobbyists or professionals. I remember

feeling over-whelmed, that I would never be on their

level. Even attending ACS garden tours, hearing all the

botanical Latin, and the folks rattling off hundreds of

conifer cultivars, I would think – "how they heck do

they know all those?" This feeling was even stronger

when I entered the horticultural world professionally –

hearing “go prune the X, Y and Z” and thinking to

myself, "well what’s that? And how and when do I

do it?"

After only a couple of years I realized how much en-

joyment many of us get from introducing new folks

to our hobby, and although it wasn’t immediately ap-

parent, how helpful and nonjudgmental most in the

horticultural world are, and how we act as stewards.

Early on in my career change there were folks that

were helpful, acted as teachers or mentors, and who

have now become good friends. As our organization

is all about membership and spreading the love of

conifers, I ask you all to be cognizant of our role as

conifer stewards. Not simply to answer questions

when asked, but approach new members and share

stories, information, and how-tos – bring folks with

you on the journey.

I know we all want everyone to enjoy the mystery

and discovery rather than feel any sense of intimid-

ation, and with a bit of luck we'll lead them to full on

Addicted Conifer Syndrome. Continued.....................................................Page 3

Conifers Can Be Care-Free Ground Covers.

Low Maintenance conifers can make

great ground covers--they offer texture, color

and four -seasons of interest.

By Ronald J. Elardo

Weeds, weeds go away-- don't come back another day!

Who wouldn't want to have ground covers that require

minimal maintenance and choke out weeds? Who

wouldn't want to have an array of colors, even fall and

winter colors, in their garden? If you are like me,

someone who would rather not see weeds, then I have a

solution for you: ground-spreading conifers.

First of all, conifers are some of the best plants to have

in your garden. They are relatively disease free and

resistant to pests. They come in all kinds of shapes and

sizes. They virtually take care of themselves.

1-Microbiota decussata

Some will pop up a branch or two-- like Serbian

carpet cypress aka Russian arborvitae (Microbiota

decussata)(1). Continued.......................................................Page 4

CONTENTS

Colbys' City Digs.............................. Page 1, 5

Conifer Ground Covers..................... Page 1,4,5

Editors' Corner....................................Page 2

What's Happening...............................Page 2

Rhododendron 101..............................Page 6

Registration Form................................Page 7

2015 Garden Photos.............................Page 8, 9

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EDITOR'S CORNER It's that time of year, when we go into the

garden and find out the good, the bad and

the ugly things bestowed on us by this years'

brutal winter weather. Yes, some of it is

very bad, as in only stumps remaining of the

smaller 2 and 3 foot Japanese maples! But

today I did see little red leaves poking out

at the top of a 3 foot plant !!! Do dare hope

more foliage will emerge?

Many of the conifers recently covered with 2,

4 or 6 feet of snow have had branches ripped

away from the trunks so they end up, looking

lop-sided and stripped. I tried tying them back

together and have had a bit of success with that

process in the past. Time will tell if the attempt

saves the limbs of those plants.... at least most

are still green. Some plants are brown and grey-

green and dead as door nails; some have been

devastated by the deer population and must

be removed-possibly nursed back to health

for a couple years behind the potting shed. On

the positive side, this loss provides a spot for

the goodies being held behind that potting shed.

They won't have the stature of the mature plants,

but they will partially fill the hole.....and hope-

fully, those replacements will live to prove

effective in the landscape within our lifetime.

Be sure to read the What's Happening column

for the latest information on meetings and

events scheduled this summer and fall.

Being an ACS member entitles you to partici-

pate in these planned gatherings and an oppor-

tunity to meet other folks with common interests.

Sometimes, these meets are a terrific source of

info as to where to find the best conifers or garden

ornaments!

Colby has submitted the last article in his Rhodo-

dendron 101 series and our Conifer Quarterly editor

Ron Elardo published a short article on conifers

useable as ground covers.

And don't forget about the meetings, try 'em,

you'll like 'em!

WHAT'S HAPPENING CALIFORNIA

Join the Western Region in Sonoma County

CA. for the 2015 National Meeting planned

for September 10-12, 2015 and being held

at the Double Tree Hotel, Sonoma. You can

register on line at the ACS web site.

MASSACHUSETTS

A Rendezvous on July 19, 2015 is planned

in Lakeville MA. Below is just a hint of the

plant collection at Tom Voystock and Ron

Cotés' property.

Our hosts, Tom & Ron plan to provide

lunch, so if you wish to attend please

RSVP to Suzanne: misue150@verizon.net.

Once you have confirmed your attendance

we will provide directions. Our meet starts

promptly at 10 A.M.

PHILADELPHIA

NORTHEAST REGIONAL MEETING

August 14, 15, 16, 2015

“THE MAIN LINE OF PHILADELPHIA”

Explore more gardens than anywhere on

the continent of North America! That’s a

lot of gardens! Come to our Northeast Re-

gions' 30th

annual summer meeting in the

middle of 'horticulture' and the 'main line

of Philadelphia'. The meeting is being held

at the Sheraton Great Valley Hotel. Tours

include Chanticleer, a 35 acre garden in

Wayne, PA., the Tyler Arboretum, Sam

Brown's Wholesale Nursery and Conifer

Collection and another private garden. See

the registration form on the back page of this

newsletter if you have misplaced the registra-

tion documents recently mailed to you, or may

register for this meeting online at the ACS web

site. Full color garden photos are posted in the

on-line newsletter- check them out!

CONIFEROUS CONTEMPLATIONS Publication Dates

Issue Months Deadline Publish

Winter Dec, Jan, Feb. Nov.1 Dec.1

Spring Mar, Apr, May Feb 1 Mar 1

Summer June, July, Aug. May1 June1

Fall Sept, Oct, Nov. Aug.1 Sept.1

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Continued from.....................................................Page 1

And as I look forward to a new growing season and

back on my experiences thus far, I realize it is very

much like looking through a kaleidoscope. When I

first entered this sphere, my interest was less specific

to horticulture and more focused on ecology, nature,

and sustainability – the things I studied in school, and

that were of personal interest. Then I studied landscape

design, as I thought that I would like to draw, create

and plan. Low and behold, I realized I most enjoy being

out in the field, hands in the dirt, seeing what the plants

actually do

and experimenting outside formal design principals.

It has been interesting to see how these patterns relate

to each other, but consistently change and shift.

I now, very much enjoy the unknown, learning and

opening myself to new paths, while at the same time

assisting others. Having gone from being intimidated

by the wealth of knowledge of those more experienced,

to now being asked for advice by others on conifers

suitable for both urban residential designs and public

parks, I wanted to recognize the ACS’s role in guiding

me down this path to where folks are now coming to

me to aid them.

And yet it has become less clear if I am consciously

making changes or additions to the gardens under my

care, or if they themselves are informing new discov-

eries in me. One particular challenge that has forced

me to grow quickly, is the demands of clients to have

an instant mature garden, in a small space, and all in

a “New York minute”.

As I may have mentioned before, many of the gardens

we work on are small in scale, similar to a jewel box,

where one small change can have a dramatic impact.

We already create four seasons of design, and attempt

to add new plants and something whimsical every

season. But the challenge arises when a client wants

something, such as a tropical plant for their garden t

hat was designed to mimic a woodland setting. We

must think carefully how the addition of this new plant

to the palate should evolve the design and cohabit with

the existing material.

Clients seek “instagardens,” the plants quickly fill

containers, and yes many times they want mature trees

on their terraces and balconies. I usually try to talk them

out of it, if for no other reason than saving my back and

avoiding the difficulties that come with moving large

trees through apartment buildings, usually with very

small elevators. But folks don’t want to wait, and if they

want an established forest on their roof, a forest they

shall receive. If nothing else I have realized the only

constant is change.

Much like our gardens grow and evolve, so too

does the ACS progress and change, even if we

have to look to the past. I am pleased to announce

that the National Board, having listened to the desires

expressed by the membership, have decided that we

will be printing an updated member directory. We

realize how valuable

and well used the printed version is, and believe it

will be a great supplement to our online directory.

And even though the member directory on the web-

site is not as user friendly as it could be, you should

still check out the blogs and forums just to see the

interesting photos and discussions that are ongoing.

Don’t be intimidated, have fun and explore – it is a

great resource, and will be even more effective the

more folks share their own ideas and stories, and

ask questions to engage the more of the membership.

“Gardens are not made by singing 'Oh, how beautiful!'

and sitting in the shade.” ― Rudyard Kipling

SAM BROWN’S WHOLESALE

NURSERYAND CONIFER COLLECTION This nursery has been selling wholesale in Chester County for well over thirty years. Owners, Tim Sterling and Andy Schenck,

have put together a great collection of hard

to find conifers in their private arboretum,

next to the three acre plus sales yard. The

plants in the sales yard are landscape size,

but could fit, for the most part in your family

auto. Looking at this vast collection of plant

material, you can see why the greater Philadel-

phia region has earned the distinction as 'Horti-

culture Capital of the United States'.

plants in the sales yard are landscape size,

but could fit, for the most part, in your family

auto. Viewing at this vast collection of plant material, you can see why the greater Philadelphia region

has earned the distinction as ‘Horticulture

Capital of the United States'

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Continued from........................................................Page 1

This conifer turns a purple-burgundy throughout the

winter. Come spring, Microbiota decussata returns

to green, with some varieties sporting gold tips. Another of my favorite ground cover conifers is 'Blue

Star' Juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star') (2).

2-Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'

This spreader has a deep blue hue. In winter it looks

like someone painted it a grayish-purple. All junipers

have a tendency to take on other colors as winter cold

sets in. Plus, they are tough. Junipers withstand the

blasts of winter's sun and winds and come back strong

in the spring. I always know when things are turning

from the sleep of the season when my 'Blue Star' juni-

pers smile back at me with a blue grin. Just the epithet

squamata sounds like a spreader to me, like the scales

of a reptile, pretty and compact.

3-Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'

A cousin of 'Blue Star', Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue

Chip' (3) looks like someone dropped glops of powder-

blue paint onto the ground. Each pretty, star shaped splat

starts out small, but then grows to fill in the space to

provide a wow-factor to the landscape.

The texture of this plant, as with most junipers, is coarse.

But don't be deterred. Its dense habit will choke out the

weeds and protect the space as this conifer does its job to

dominate the ground under its feet.

Gardeners always want a hint of color-contrast. The

answer is another juniper: 'Mother Lode' (Juniperus

horizontalis 'Mother Lode')(4).

4- Juniperus horzontalis 'Mother Lode' Yes, I know, "another juniper", but this one brings a

very different habit to the garden while dominating its

space and adding yellow. 'Mother Lode' needs full sun.

And, she gives back a sunny color. This one is truly a

carpet. It barely stretches its tiny branches up to the

sun at only 4-5 inches tall.

One of my favorite soft spreaders is 'Niagara Falls'

white Pine (Pinus strobus 'Niagara Falls')(5).

This white pine cultivar has a woody tough trunk. It

crawls across the ground and strikes an impressive

pose.

5-Pinus strobus 'Niagara Falls'

Older needles will yellow and then shed, but fear not,

'Niagara Falls' is a come-back kid.

Continued .............................................................Page 5

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Continue from..........................................................Page 4

Norway spruce, red pine and white pine also offer

spreading cultivars that will give you ground cover

and interest.

In similar fashion, weeping Norway spruce (Picea abies

'Pendula' (6) won't bend or break under heavy snows or

unrelenting winds.

6-Picea abies 'Pendula'

It fights back while taking command of its space. When

purchasing this cultivar, look for plants that are already

low to the ground and you will have a winner. This

spruce keeps its forest green color all year long.

Other spreaders include a wonderful weeping red pine

(Pinus densiflora 'Pendula') (7). We call this one

"Cousin It", as it reminds my wife and me of the fic-

tional character with the same name in "The Addams

Family" TV sitcom.

7-Pinus densiflora 'Pendula' Although the specimen I show you rises above the

ground, once again, look for the soft green colored

ones that are low to the ground. As they mature, they

show off their architecturally profound "bones." As a

tip, when shopping for your ground cover conifers,

look for prostrata, procumbens, pendula and horizontalis

epithets in the botanical names. Those are spreaders for

sure. Deep greens, blues yellows, purples, burgundies,

light greens-they are all there for the picking. Have fun

and cover the ground in a painting of textures, shapes,

sizes and colors of your choice. Photo Credits: 1- Microbiota decussata (CC BY 3 0 Crusier

Wikimedia Commons) 2- Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ (CC BY 2.0 Drew Avery).jpg 3- Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’ by Janice M. Lecocq and

Ron Elardo 4- Juniperus horizontalis ‘Mother Lode’ (CC BY SA 2.0 F. D. Richards) 5- Pinus strobus ‘Niagara Falls’ by Janice M.

Lecocq and Ron Elardo 6- Picea abies ‘Pendula’ (CC BY SA 2.0 F. D. Richards) 7- Picea densiflora ‘Pendula’ (CC BY SA 2.0 F. D. Richards). A version of this article appeared in State-by-State Gardening March/April 2015, reprinted with the authors' permission. Ronald J. Elardo is the editor of the American Conifer Society’s Conifer Quarterly. He collects conifers of all genera and species. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Purdue University and the University at Buffalo.

Rhododendron 101 – Conclusion

by Colby Feller

For those of you having read Rhododendron 101, Parts I

and II, I applaud your interest and hope to have

stimulated some enthusiasm about these beautiful plants.

If so, take heart, read on, this third and final article will

treat with the remaining members of the genus Rhodo-

dendron occurring in our part of the world, and provide

useful information about cultural requirements, planting

and after care.

Joining Elepidote (large leaf) and Lepidote (small leaf)

members of the genus discussed in earlier issues of the

newsletter, are azaleas – both evergreen and deciduous.

Azaleas of all types are generally more heat tolerant

members of the “clan”, and their range extends through

the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic/Mid-West regions and the

West Coast. Deciduous varieties are also quite cold

hardy as well as heat tolerant, extending their range

over much of the United States.

As with Elepidotes and Lepidotes, evergreen azalea

cultivars, although widely grown in this Country, can

trace their origin to Asia – particularly Japan, Korea

and China. Early plant collectors dispatched by wealthy

European estate owners are largely responsible for

introducing the many varieties widely used today. As

with other members of the genus, efforts to create new

cultivars through hybridization have also expanded the

range of available forms. While almost all evergreen

azaleas bloom in May in our part of the world, a new

group dubbed “Encore azaleas” repeat the show in the

Autumn when grown in Southern latitudes. Evergreen

azaleas occur in white, pink, red, purple, lavender and Continued....................................................................Page 6

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Continued from..................................................Page 5

variegated patterns of all these colors. Currently, there

are no yellow forms although hybridizers continue the

quest. Evergreen azaleas typically cover themselves in

an abundance of flowers – often of deeply saturated hue

for a spectacular, visual effect. They prefer a shaded

site and respond well to aggressive pruning to maintain

size and density. They should be pruned right after

they flower for best results. Although not as fussy as

other members of the genus, azaleas like well drained,

acidic soil.

Deciduous azaleas, the last to be discussed, are probably

the most versatile plants in this group. Because they

shed foliage annually, they are extremely cold hardy.

Although not particularly attractive in the Winter

landscape like their evergreen “relatives”, deciduous

azalea cultivars produce extravagant flower clusters in

red, orange, yellow, pink and white in May or June, as

illustrated above. They require less shade than their

relatives needing more sun to produce flowers in

abundance. They also respond well to pruning to

maintain size and/or shape. As with evergreen azaleas,

deciduous azaleas should be pruned right after they

bloom.

While many deciduous azaleas trace their origins to Asia

there are a number of species native to the United States,

particularly in the Appalachian Region and elsewhere in

the South. These natives are generally robust “good do-

ers” and of particular interest to those gardeners prefer-

ring native species over “exotic” imports. Az. vaseyi is

a particularly nice selection. Some of the natives and

their hybrid offspring are naturally resistant to “powdery

mildew” which can spoil the appearance of Summer

foliage on various cultivars of “Asian” descent. Some

are also aromatic, adding another dimension of appeal. Colby Feller is the current president of the Northeast Region of ACS. He gardens in Long Island, but can often be found installing gardens on rooftops in N.Y.C.

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Mail to: Registrar, Ed Williams, P.O. Box 593, Columbia CT. 06237-059

Sheraton Great Valley Hotel • 707 East Lancaster Ave• Frazer, PA 19355 • 610-280-2090

Email: kelliehess@sheratongreatvalley.com. Room Rates are $109.00 plus tax Thursday 8/13

through Monday 8/17 and are guaranteed until August 18th, 2015.

Please make your own reservation early and reference the Conifer Society at that time .

REGISTRATION American Conifer Society Northeast Region

ANNUAL MEETING August 14-16, 2015 Mainline-Philadelphia Region

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INTA KROMBOLZ’S GARDEN

Inta Krombolz’s garden is truly a masterpiece.

Started over thirty years ago in a densely wooden site,

it is, today, a wonder of color, texture and form.

Conifers compliment the different gardens - herba-

ceous, perennial and shrub borders.

What struck me most was the use of color – all colors!

Conifers from prostrate Cephalotaxus herringtonia

(Duke Garden’s Japanese Plum Yew),

to tall Cryptomeria japonica ‘Black Dragon’

(Japanese Cedar), trough gardens to highly pruned

specimens.

Inta has been welding garden ornaments for over 14

years, creating everything from human size pieces to

small, unique accent pieces –

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a garden hard to walk to away from!

Her garden is full of whimsical iron ornaments.

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NORTHEAST REGIONAL MEETING

August 14, 15, 16, 2015

"The Main Line of Philadelphia" Registration form enclosed