Archive for the ‘Trees and Shrubs’ Category

Five Common Gardening Errors

March 13th, 2009

Silver Leaf Dogwood planted correct distance from building

Silver Leaf Dogwood planted correct distance from building

 

  • We’ve all seen them – shrubs that grow against a house, twisting the plant into a grotesque monster that hides windows and damages siding. Often, people only consider the mature height of a shrub or tree when the mature width should also be considered. Plant shrubs far enough away from building foundations to allow the shrub to reach its mature width without being crammed against a wall. Not only do the shrubs benefit, but you won’t have to worry about the roots of the shrub damaging drainage tiles buried underground.

 

  • Planting in too shallow a hole. Container grown shrubs should be planted so the top of the soil ball is at the same height as the ground. The soil ball should not stick up above the soil level. That exposes the roots to air causing them to dry out, which leads to a plant that struggles. Read the rest of this entry »

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Larch

January 29th, 2009

larix decidua

larix decidua

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of our favourite trees – Larch (larix decidua). It is an oddity in the evergreen world because, it is not an evergreen. Larch is a conifer that sheds its needles in the fall, leaving branches bare except for the little cones that linger on the branches.

 

The needles of the Larch turn from a light green in spring, to bright green in summer to a stunning yellow-gold in the fall. In winter, the bare tree becomes a focal point in the winter garden. Overall, Larch adds interest to the home landscape all year.

 

 

Height:                                  15m

 

Width:                                      7m

 

Shape:                                  pyramidal, horizontal branching

 

Cones:                                  1 – ½”

 

Growth Rate:                       rapid, up to 2’ per year when young

 

Zones:                                   2 – 6

 

Soil:                                       moist, well drained

 

Light:                                     full sun to part shade

 

Diseases:                             cankers, rust

 

Insects:                                 Larch case borer, gypsy moth, woolly larch aphid

 

Uses:                                     specimen plant, or windbreak when grouped

 

Prune:                                   in mid summer if required

 

 

 

We had neighbours who were avid gardeners. They planted a larch tree in their front yard. It was a particularly beautiful specimen and thrived in its new home. Then, one summer, they sold their house. The lovely young couple who purchased the property moved into it in January of the following year. They were not gardeners. In early spring, they took the larch out. I asked them “Why?” They replied “Well, it was dead!” I was very surprised to learn that the larch had succumbed. Then a thought occurred to me. I asked if they were sure the larch was dead?  They replied with “Well, yes! All of the needles had fallen off! It had to be dead!” Trying hard not to laugh, I explained the nature of the Larch tree to

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Pagoda Dogwood

January 18th, 2009

Young tree planted in front of plain brick wall. In time the tree will fill the space and soften the look of the wall. Note the shredded red cedar mulch that helps with acidity levels of the soil.

Young tree planted in front of plain brick wall. In time the tree will fill the space and soften the look of the wall. Note the shredded red cedar mulch that helps with acidity levels of the soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close up of Pagoda Dogwood flowers

Close up of Pagoda Dogwood flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cornus alternifolia

 

 

This is an interesting but under utilized small tree, perfect for smaller landscapes.

 A native dogwood, with horizontal branching . White flowers in the spring followed in the fall by dark blue berries. Alternating light green foliage turning red in the fall.

 Height                        15’ – 25’

 Width                         1 ½ times its height

 Flowers                     1 ½” – 2 ½” creamy white clusters that last approximately

                                    7 – 10 days from May until early June

 Fruit                           ¼” berries born in July – August changing from green to red

                                    to dark blue as the fruit matures

 

Location                   Prefers partial shade though will perform well in full sun given enough       moisture and protection

Soil                             Likes acidic, mois,t well drained soil

 Insects                      Scale, borers (several species), leaf miner

 Diseases                   Powdery mildew, crown canker, blights, root rot

 Uses                          As specimen plant or in shrub border where horizontal

                                    lines are needed to break up vertical lines of surrounding architecture

  

NOTES:                     Must be planted in the spring. Young transplants have better success rates than older trees.  Fibrous spreading root system must have acidic, moist soil

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