Celtis sinensis ‘pendula’

Weeping Japanese Hackberry Photo: 1-15-10

Celtis sinensis ‘pendula’ Weeping Japanese Hackberry. The smooth bark and wonderfully pendulous branching of this fast growing tree makes it a great addition to a larger garden. The tree in the photograph is about 20 years old and is about 25 feet wide by 8 ft high. Early training is very important for this tree. If you want a taller structure it is necessary to stake up the new growth up a bamboo stake to the desired height. The leaves are small to moderate in size and turn gold in the fall. Winter interest is high due to the sinewy look to the trunk and major branches. This tree can fairly easily be rooted under mist from summer semi-hardwood cuttings treated with rooting hormone. Placing this tree where it can be viewed from some distance is effective due to this trees sprawling nature.

Weeping Bald cypress -winter

Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Fall's Photo: 12-20-09

Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Falls’ has a beautiful winter character. Lovely in the growing season, this cultivar has a veil of weeping branches that attract interest also during the winter months. This specimen, displayed in our arboretum has a pronounced root flare.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Imbricata pendula’

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Imbricata pendula' 5 years old in Bahama NC

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Imbricata pendula’ This tree is a unique tree-sized green threadleaf. The picture shows one that has been in the ground for 5 years. Lawson’s cypress is not known to grow in the southeast due to root fungus problems. However, there is a disease resistant rootstock that can be used and the results are promising. This cultivar can be successfully grafted on Thuja occidentalis and also Leyland Cypress rootstocks, however over a few years time, the ‘Imbricata pendula’ scion will very much outgrow the rootstock so it is not a satisfactory union. This tree is certainly one for the collector. It is difficult to find in the nursery trade. Only a few specialty nurseries have to tree for sale.

Larix decidua ‘Puli’

Larix decidua 'Puli' in Indian Lake, NY garden

 

or Puli European Larch is an exceptionally beautiful selection. Compared to the more commonly available weeping form ‘pendula’, ‘Puli’ has much finer or thinner needles, giving the small weeping tree a unique refined appearance. This selection is worth searching for if you live in a climate where it will grow. The hardiness zone is 3a to 6. Being a deciduous conifer, the needles on this tree turn bright orange in late fall, and reveal the interesting and graceful branch structure until new growth resumes in the spring. Deer leave this plant alone making it a good choice for those who have a deer problem. Rate of growth is moderate, probably 2 feet a year. Being a weeping tree, it is best to stake the tree to the desired height and then letting it tumble and grow from there.

Casual or Informal Conifer garden

Informal conifer garden in Indian Lake NY

The casual or informal conifer garden fits right in with more natural settings. In this photogragh, the Picea glauca ‘pendula’( weeping White spruce) provides a focal point. The tree which has been planted for over 15 years grows upright with ALL secondary branches heading straight down along the trunk. In the Adirondack Mountains of upstate NY, the tree only becomes a few feet wide. Other conifers of interest in this photo include: Sester’s Dwarf Blue Spruce, Juniperus communis ‘Oblonga pendula’, Bush’s Lace Spruce,’ Rainbows End’ White spruce, ‘Puli’ weeping Larch, and the beautiful weeping blue spruce called ‘The Blues’. Deer leave most of these selections alone. Most have been planted in June of the year, and basically left on their own hoping for natural rainfall to keep them alive during the first critical year. The soils are extremely sandy in this location. Native White pine, Balsam fir, and Scotch pine provide a visual backdrop for this ‘casual conifer garden

Thuja plicata ‘Holly Turner’

Holly Turner Western Cedar -- weeping cultivar

 

 is a weeping variety of Western Cedar. This attractive selection was introduced by Collector’s nursery in Washington state, where there is a large specimen. From our experience deer leave this evergreen alone. To make a pyramidal tree, the leader must be staked when the tree is young. ‘Holly Turner’ would make a striking specimen or could be used as part of the conifer garden. Propagation is by cuttings during the winter using bottom heat, hormone and mist. The tree is moderate in rate of growth.

‘Feelin’Blue’ Deodar Cedar

Fellin Blue Deodara Cedar - Four Years old

This prostrate and mounding dwarf deodar cedar can be staked upright several feet or allowed to tumble on its own. Grown either way, this blue needled evergreen is outstanding. Preferring full to mostly sun and adequate soil moisture, “Feelin’Blue’ could be used as a mini-specimen as part of a rock garden, conifer garden or just about anywhere you want the eye to settle for a while, as this small tree captures attention in a very pleasing manner.

Conifer Garden – casual

conifer garden in Indian Lake NY

Conifers can be used in a casual manner. What I mean

 

 

 

 

by this, is that rather than having the plants displayed in a showcase manner, it is possible to present them in a more natural manner as if they just naturally appeared and starting growing. In the Adirondacks of upstate NY, the zone is 3, deer abound and many homes are used on a seasonal basis. Making a garden where the ornamentals don’t look out-of place was the goal. On one side of a blue stone walk, Picea pungens ‘RH Montgomery’, Juniperus communis cultivars ‘Gold cone’, ‘Green Carpet, ‘aurea depressa’ are all used. The weeping Norway Spruce (Picea abies pendula’  ) adds deep green color. Wildflowers are allowed to grow among the plants as long as thet do not choke out the elements. With very little care, these selections are beginning to knit together after three years.

Weeping Alaskan Cedar

Xanthocyparis nootkatensis ‘pendula’ or Weeping Alaskan Cedar is a striking evergreen that we find does quite well in the piedmont of NC. It grows to a little more than twenty feet and about 10 to 15 ft wide. Preferring full sun and average soil moisture, this tree demonstrates moderate rate of growth when established. The tree in the photo is twelve yers old. The weeping effect can be subtle in some of the pendulous cultivars;planting several in a grove can be quite effective. Some of the popular cultivars include: ‘Green Arrow’– with a blue-green color to the foliage and a more narrow habit. ‘Van den Aker’ is the most narrow of all – resembles a bean stalk and probably for the collector. Weeping Alaskan cedar can be used as a background plant or as a specimen. Derspite it’s common name, this tree has performed well in the heat and humidity of this region.

weeping Alaskan Cedar in background-12 yrs old

Carpinus betulus ‘Vienna weeper’

Vienna Weeper - 26 years old

This particular cultivar of weeping european hornbeam is great for a larger garden as it really conveys an estate feel. ‘Vienna weeper ” is low branched and if left to grow on it’s own without pruning, it grows into a magnificent specimen about 18ft tall bt 25 ft wide in twenty-five years. The dome shaped habit looks great as a specimen or adjacent to a larger water feature. Winter interest is high, as the branch structure resembles a multitude of serpents twisting and twining themselves in some frenzy. Disease and insect problems have been non-existant over twenty years in the garden. The other weeping forms of weeping european hornbeams look quite a bit different and are not really substitutes for this look. Propagation is by grafting on species understock. Rate of growth is moderate.In NC, this tree performs well in both full sun to half day sun.