Cupressus x notablis

This inter-generic cross between Cupressus glabra and Chamaecyparis nootkatensis is absolutely stunning. I saw a large specimen at Larry Stanely’s wonderful conifer nursery in Boring Oregon. It has taken me a few years to obtain this plant but it has been worth the wait. The habit is an upright weeping form, from the nootkatensis parent. The light blue color is from the Arizona cypress. I have not

Cupressus x notablis

tried this plant yet in the ground but I hope to do so this coming season. So far, this plant has grown quite fast, and has the open loose weeping habit that will make it a real eye-catcher. In a way, it reminds me of Cupressus cashmeriana which is not hardy here in the piedmont of NC.

Pruning class filled. / Winter sales

The pruning class sold out. In North Carolina, it is possible to plant during the winter months – when the ground is not frozen and the soils are too saturated. We have had a number of customers that set up appointments to look at our offerings during this time of year. Though the plants are consolidated into blocks and some are in winter houses to protect them from drying winds, it is still possible to see most of our offerings. No need to fight the crowds this time of year, and any spring price increase is not yet determined, so it may be a good time to shop. Winter bought material does need to leave the nursery within 3 weeks to make room for new spring material. As usual, we can assist in finding a competent landscaper to deliver or deliver and plant your new plants.

One student opening left for pruning class!

We have just one opening left for the 9:30 class. There will only be the morning class offered this year. IF you are interested, let me know. The maximum number for this class is six students.

Save the date – Saturday Jan 21

We still have openings in our annual pruning class. See specific information in the previous post. I had the pleasure of visiting Thomas and Nancy Ashe’s Japanese Maple Farm in Hampstead NC last weekend. A very unique nursery where Thomas transforms Japanese maples into works of art. The carefully tended trees are trained into a single leader form with the major branches separated into distinct layers giving a sort of pagoda appearance. This careful crafting of the trees takes many years but the results are clearly beautiful. Thomas demonstrated some of his pruning techniques that he uses and I plan on sharing some of what I learned in the upcoming pruning class.

Sign up for Pruning Class

Each January, we offer a pruning class. This years class will be held on Saturday January 21. There will be two classes. The morning class starts at 9:30 and ends at 12, the afternoon class starts at 1:30 and ends at 4pm. The class includes class room instruction, demonstration, and then student practice. We will go over reasons for pruning, learning to ‘read’ a tree to help direct pruning decisions, and specific techniques for Japanese Maples. and other trees. Students are encouraged to bring in a photo of a pruning question. they may have. There will be a limit of 6 students per class. The class is held at the nursery, rain or shine, but will be postponed one week if there are icy road conditions. Fee for the class is $40. To register, you must pre-pay,( check, or credit card) call 919-620-0779. The class is taught by John Monroe, Owner of Architectural Trees.

Niwaki class a success! Talk this Friday

We had five talented students take the Niwaki class Sunday. After a short nature walk for inspiration, the students made creative forms out of various junipers, and Chamaecyparis obutusa which they took home with them. It is a class that I plan to offer again next fall. if not earlier.
This Friday, John Monroe will be giving a talk on ‘The best Weeping Trees for the Piedmont’ at the NC State Fair, Garden show in Raleigh. The date is October 14 and the talk will start at 5 and again at 6pm.

Cody Feathers Bald cypress

Close up of foliage.

Taxodium distichum ‘Cody Feathers’

Also known as Wooster’s broom, this dwarfish form of the bald cypress grows into a beautiful small tree. I graft mine a few feet off the ground to bring the ferny foliage closer to the viewer. Being a bald cypress, it can be sited in a wetter than usual place and perform well. In the fall, the foliage turns an attractive orange then brown and then falls off. Other smaller forms of bald cypress to look for include: Tiny leaf, Hurley Park, Cave Hill, and Seacrest..

Niwaki Class filling up!

We have only two spaces left in our Niwaki Pruning class to be held Oct 9th ( Sunday ) from 1-3pm rain or shine. Students will select a shrub or small tree to turn into a beautiful niwaki ( ‘garden tree). Class size is 5 students. Fee is $80 including the plant. Call 919-620-0779 to register.

Carolina Farm Stewardship Tour

We will be on the farm stewardship tour again this weekend. Saturday and Sun from 1-5pm. ‘Buttons’ can be purchased at each farm on the tour which allows you to visit several farms each day. At Architectural Trees, the tour participants will get a chance to walk through the upper garden which is usually closed to visitors, as well as learn more about our production methods at our nursery. You will also be able to walk under the HUGE Thomas Sayre Sculpture ‘Tiller’ and walk among two year old blueberry bushes. The nursery will be open for regular customers on Saturday . Support local agriculture!

Niwaki Pruning Class Offered – OCT 9th

Hinoki after first pruning ( first year of training)

I will be conducting a Niwaki pruning class on Sunday Oct 9 from 1-3pm. Niwaki is a Japanese pruning method that means ‘Garden Tree’. There are a variety of forms of Niwaki. The class will be held in our education center at the nursery. Examples, demonstration and practice will be the teaching model. Each student will get a plant to work on in the class, which they will take home. Class is limited to 5 students . Fee ( including plant) is $80 due upon registration . Call 919-620-0779 for more information and to sign up.