Monday, November 30, 2009

Evergreen Shrub Of The Day

Thuja occidentalis 'Milleri'
Eastern Arborvitae, American Arborvitae, Siberian Arborvitae, Northern White Cedar, White Cedar


Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 3A to 7B
Height 24" to 4' / 60cm to 1.20m
Spread 5' to 6' / 1.60m to 1.80m
Growth rate Slow
Form Spreading or horizontal
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Evergreen

Bloom Color Yellow
Bloom Time Spring

Environment

This plant tolerates some drought, occasional wetness and a little salt.

This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.

Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.

The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes

Transplanting is moderately easy if plants are root-pruned and either balled and burlapped or potted. White-Cedar likes high humidity and tolerates wet soils and some drought, but not salt exposure of any kind. The foliage turns brownish in winter, especially on cultivars with colored foliage and on exposed sites open to the wind.

Foliage turns brown with the onset of cold winter temperatures. Some of the cultivars, including this one, retain their green foliage well into winter.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009


Polemonium caeruleum 'Brise d'Anjou' syn. Polemonium sibiricum
Jacob's Ladder, Charity, Greek Valerian
Type Perennial
Hardy range 2A to 7A
Height 18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm
Spread 12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Growth rate Average
Form Upright or erect
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Evergreen
Bloom Color Blue
Bloom Time Spring and Summer

Environment

This plant will grow in moist soil.

Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.

The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green, variegated and yellow

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes

This variegated plant is an introduction from Blooms of Bressingham. 'Brise d'Anjou' is better known for its striking (but somewhat fragile) variegated, fern-like foliage than its violet-blue blossoms. Polemoniums prefer a cool, moist setting, in a well-drained soil. Plants suffer in hot, humid and wet conditions. Will continue to bloom well into the summer if weather conditions stay cool, and if spent flowers are removed. Division can be done in the spring or fall, and stem cuttings can be taken in the summer. Seed will germinate easily. The stems of 'Brise d'Anjou' are brittle. Occasionally, an all-green or all-white shoot my form on this plant; if so, remove that shoot.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Evergreen Ground Cover Of The Day

Hedera colchica 'Dentata Variegata'
Persian Ivy, Colchis Ivy

Type Groundcover, vine, woody plant

Hardy range 4B to 7A

Height 6" to 12" / 15cm to 30cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Prostrate and variable spread

Exposure Full shade to full sun

Persistence Evergreen

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Fall

Environment

This plant tolerates some drought and some salt.

This plant will grow in dry soil.

Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.

The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green, variegated and yellow

Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes

Tolerant of full sun conditions, Persian Ivy in the southern part of its range does best in some shade on moist but well-drained soils. Plant on 12-inch centers from rooted cuttings. Pollen can cause mild allergy symptoms.

Ivy will usually not strangle a tree because stems ascend straight up the trunk and do not spiral around as do some other vines. However, before allowing ivy to climb a tree, consider that the added weight of the ivy on the limbs can contribute to branch failure and breakage. The tangle of stems and foliage can also hide decay and cavities in the trunk and branches which makes it difficult to evaluate the health and safety of the tree.