Japanese Umbrella Pine

30-year old Specimen at NC Arboretum in Asheville

Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) is an evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 5b -9). It is not actually a pine and is more closely related to yew (Taxus).  

Historically, umbrella pines date back to the dinosaur age. This mid-sized landscape tree possesses several fine attributes: shiny leaves are arranged in whorls like the spokes of an umbrella; peeling, reddish brown bark and a conical habit.

To conifer collectors, umbrella pine is the premium prize for any private collection. A young tree may require training to develop a strong central leader. Dwarf cultivars (see below)  grow slowly, only 4-5 inches yearly.

Umbrella Pine prefers a moist, organically rich, well-drained, moderately acidic soil. Feed with a slow release organic fertilizer in early spring. Maintain a 2-3 inches layer of an organic mulch around the tree base. In the mid-South (zones 6 -7), the tree prefers one-half to full-day sunlight. Further south,  morning sunlight is preferred. Pruning needs are rare, mostly to maintain the tree's pyramidal form and to remove a broken limb or two in late winter. Disease and insect problems are rare.

In the early years umbrella pine is a slow grower. Eventually, it reaches 30 to 40 feet in height and 20 feet in spread. Well cared for tree forms may attain 70 feet or more in height. This unique conifer possesses stiff needles arranged in whorls resembling an upside-down umbrella. Branches often will withstand heavy snow and ice loads.

The Umbrella Pine is an evergreen prized for its striking foliage and superior pyramidal form. Needles rarely go off color in winter. Select forms are available at specialty conifer nurseries.
Here are four dwarf forms for small gardens:

'Aurea' - yellow needle foliage

‘Gruene Kugel’ - from Germany with a rounded habit when young, slowly develop into a small compact tree with glossy deep green foliage year-round.

‘Joe Kozey’ grows tall and exceptionally narrow at 20 feet high and only 6 feet wide; slow-growing, spire-like habit.

'Picola' - broad growing, 2- inch long dark green needles; ultra-dwarf selection 16- 20 inches tall after 10 years; rock garden plant.

Dwarf Forms Of Elkhorn Cedar (Thujopsis)

Elkhorn cedar (Thujopsis dolobrata) is a slow to moderate growing evergreen shrub or tree. It is also called Hiba or false arborvitae and deerhorn cedar, referring to the shape of its scale-like leaves. It is rarely grown in U.S. gardens (USDA hardiness zones 5-7).

Thujopsis 'Aurea'

This native of Japan and China has a pyramidal growth habit and beautiful dense foliage similar to arbovitae (Thuja spp.). Mature trees may reach 50 -100 feet in height in the Japanese woodlands.  

The scale-like bright or dark green leaves are arranged in flattened sprays with white markings beneath.  Its reddish-brown peeling bark adds to the plant's appeal.  Small 3/4 inch cones provide little ornamental value. 

False arborvitae grows best on a moist well-drained site in full sun or bright shade . Occasional watering is recommended in severe summer/fall dry periods. False arborvitae needs to be sheltered from dry winter winds.

Winter foliage color may vary by location and cultivar planted. Here in the Southern Appalachian Region (USDA zones 6 and 7), winter foliage takes on a muted olive-green tone.

Two dwarf clones are:

• 'Aurea' - a dense shrub with golden yellow foliage; grow in light shade.
• ‘Nana’ - a slow growing, dwarf mounding form with good plant symmetry. Its wintry foliage takes on a silvery tint.

A 10-year old 'Aurea' or 'Nana' thujopsis grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. 

False arborvitae is hard to find in the nursery trade, but are available thru e-commerce specialty nurseries.

Vertical Accents Using Boxwoods And Japanese Hollies

'Sky Pencil' Japanese Holly

Boxwoods and hollies are popular landscape evergreen shrubs (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Both are utilized for low hedging and privacy fencing and some varieties are planted for their architectural accent.  Both shrub groups grow best in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil and in full sun to partial shade.

These shrubs are regularly pruned and shearing. Spring pruning should be avoided as it tend to stimulate tender new growth that may be injured or killed by late frosts.

In general, boxwoods tend to be more shade tolerant than hollies. Boxwood is best sited where it is sheltered from strong winds, and protected from full day sun in the winter months. Foliage may also bronze in winter. Carefully remove heavy snow accumulations as quickly as practicable to minimize stem/branch damage ("splaying").

'Dee Runk' boxwood

There are few shrubs that fit into narrow spaces better than 'Dee Runk' boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Dee Runk'. It is a better choice than currently popular cultivar 'Graham Blandy', which is seriously troubled by soil root rot diseases, particularly Phytophthora.

'Sky Pencil' Japanese holly (Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil') exhibits a similar upright (fastigiate) form. Japanese holly demands a well-drained soil, and is very susceptible to several soil root rot diseases including Phytophthora and Pythium.

Both 'Dee Runk' boxwood and 'Sky Pencil' holly grow well in large landscape containers on patios and along downtown streets. Expect mature heights between 8-10 feet.

Holiday Plant Care After Purchase

Potted Cyclamen in decorative pot

Poinsettias, cyclamens, kalanchoes, holiday cacti are flowering tropical plants that bloom in the early days of winter. With a proper mix of light, water, room temperature and humidity, your plant(s) should bloom through New Year's day and a good portion of the winter. 

Start by purchasing healthy plants at a local garden shop. Most new varieties tend to bloom longer in a home environment.

Poinsettia flowers are found in the center of the colorful modified leaves (called “bracts”). Place plants near a window that receives plenty of bright daylight daily. A south, west or east facing window is ideal. Don't set your plants near a cold or drafty window or a forced air heater which may dry out the leaves and bracts.

Poinsettia

Ideal day and night time room temperatures fall between 60 to 75 °F. Within 7-10 days a newly purchased plant may drop a few lower leaves. This is natural. The plant is simply adjusting to its new growing environment.

Schedule watering for every 5-7 days according to the amount of light the plant receives. If lots of cloudy weather, water less often. The soil (potting media) should feel damp to the touch. The wait until the soil surface feels and looks dry within 5-7 days. Move the plant(s) to the kitchen sink to spritz the foliage and media with tepid (not too hot – not too cold) water. Do not leave the plant sitting in water for more than two hours.

Kalanchoe

During the holidays you may leave the decorative wrap around the pot, but puncture holes at the bottom to permit excess water to drain into a saucer or tray.

In general, your holiday plants will not need to be fertilized for 6-8 weeks from date of purchase. Any soluble garden fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro™, Jacks™, Espoma™ and Daniels™ can be used. Feed plants twice monthly @ one-half rate of the package directions.

New Popularity Of Yellow Twig Dogwood

Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub native to much of the Northern and Western United States (USDA hardiness zones 2-7). These shrubs standout in the winter landscape by their colorful stems. Cut branches are an added plus for indoor arrangements.

In recent years the yellow-twig form (C. sericea 'Flaviramea') has gained in popularity. Osier dogwoods grow well in very large containers, but can rapidly outgrow their pot space in 2-3 years.

Leaves are oblong-lanceolate (up to 5 inches long), oppositely arranged with 5-7 pairs of lateral veins, and entire margins. Species may grow up to 10 feet tall and spread voraciously by underground stolons to form large clumps. One landscape idea is to mix red and yellow–twig dogwoods together for an added color blast.

These stoloniferous dogwoods bloom in mid-spring (in Tennessee and Virginia). The terminal creamy white (cyme) flowers measure 1.5 to 2.0 inches across and white berries follow in late summer.

In northern areas, plant osier dogwoods in full sun (Zones 2-6) and in partial shade (Zone 7). Shrubs handle average soils. Fertilize in early spring before buds break and irrigate during long dry summer spells. Shrubs establish quickly and become drought tolerant after one year.

Stoloniferous dogwoods are disease and insect resistant and deer generally overlook them. Utilize them in perennial or shrub borders, masses and groupings, container gardens and winter gardens.

Pruning tip: cut 2-3 year old shoots back to the ground immediately after spring flowering to promote colorful juvenile shoots.

Turn Yard Wastes into Black Gold

Compost tumbler

Leaf raking is a major chore in October and November. You may rake by hand or attach a mulching blade to your lawn. Most folks opt to using leaf blowers and push leaves to curbside. Protect your ears with plugs or headphones.

Compost is often called "black gold". It is a smart move to gather up leaf litter and twigs. Much of the debris from the vegetable and flower garden can be thrown into the compost pile. Leaves, grass clippings and green table scraps can be processed into rich humus. Never add diseased plant materials or meat scraps.

Compost heaps appear in many shapes and sizes. The simplest and most common is a back corner of the yard out of sight, a collection of several years of garden refuse. Homemade reinforced wire bins are common, a large receptacle of garden waste. Home and garden centers sell composters of various sizes including tumblers that will speed decomposition. You can also purchase special packets of microorganisms that hasten the decaying process.

At Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee are displays of several methods of composting garden refuse. It is not true that rodents such as rats, voles and moles may make their homes in compost piles unless proper sanitation measures are followed.

Gardeners can turn garden debris into black compost in as little as 6 weeks with adequate moisture, aeration and nutrition; or simply pile up your garden waste and wait 2-3 years for compost.

Inkberry Holly A Worthy Substitute For Boxwood

Ilex glabra 'Densa'

Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra), also called gallberry, is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Inkberry grows to 5-8 feet tall and, if not pruned, may spread by root suckers to form colonies. 

Inkberry is native  from eastern Canada to Florida, west to Louisiana.  The dark green glossy leaves (to 1.5” long) have smooth margins and are spineless. Foliage stays attractive in winter unless temperatures dip below 0 °F. Greenish white flowers appear in spring, but are mostly inconspicuous.

Inkberry grows in average, medium to wet, acidic soils and in full sun to partial shade. It is one of few holly species that tolerates wet soils. Inkberries are dioecious (separate male and female plants). Female plants need a male pollinator to produce black,  3/8 inch diameter, berry-like (drupe) fruits that mature in early fall and persist throughout late winter into early spring unless consumed by birds and other wildlife.

Inkberry holly is a popular hedging shrub that tends to grow faster than a boxwood. Prune in early spring before new growth begins. Plants generally need minimal pruning unless used as a hedge. Remove root suckers as they form. Many landscape cultivars do not root sucker as badly as species. 
Leading cultivars are 'Densa', 'Shamrock', and 'Nordic'

No serious insect or disease problems trouble inkberry hollies. Leaf spotting occurs in wet summers. Spider mites may appear, especially during dry spells. In high pH (alkaline) soils, foliar chlorosis (yellowing) may happen.

Mass or group several inkberry hollies as a shrub border, a low foundation planting. Species inkberries will naturalize in moist woodland gardens or near streams or ponds.

Honey derived from inkberry flowers is a highly-rated. It is locally marketed in certain parts of the southeastern U.S. Dried and roasted inkberry leaves were first used by Native Americans to brew "Appalachian tea" a black tea-like drink.