We have long loved the North American native, dawn redwoods. Yes, you read it correctly…North American natives. As I always try to explain to the scientifically challenged, native is not a place in location, but instead only a place in time. Metasequoia went extinct in North America, a mere 7.5 million years ago, primarily because our mountain ranges ran the wrong way. When you have north/south oriented mountains, as we do in North America, cold air and glaciers easily move south from the North Pole. In China, where Metasequoia remains alive, most of their mountains run east west, which greatly limits the southern flow of ice and cold, resulting in relictual plant populations which better survive climate change.
My latest favorite clonal selection of the typically large-growing dawn redwood, is Metasequoia ‘Schirrmann’s Nordlicht’. It’s namesake, Germany conifer enthusiast, Winfried Schirrmann, discovered this compact, witches broom mutation on a plant of Metasequoia ‘White Spot’. Like its parent, Metasequoia ‘Schirmann’s Nordlicht’ has creamy white foliage, which makes it really stand out in the garden, with an overall effect of creamy gold.
In 2015, the year we obtained our first specimen, it also won the prestigous Conifer of the Year award from the American Conifer Society. My only concern is the bizarre small mature size that’s often touted on-line. I typically find it listed as reaching a size of 6′ tall in 15 years. Well, our plant, which will turn eleven this fall, is already 15′ tall x 12′ wide. While it is slow and compact, compared to the typical species, I certainly would not find it appropriate for a rock garden, as I often see listed on-line. The cultivar name “nordlicht” translates to Northern Lights, which is how you often find it listed. Hardiness Zone 5a-9a, at least.
Glorious!
Propagation method used in each instance seems likely to affect scion vigor. And shape produced, at least initially. For instance, commercially produced ‘Cantab’ coast redwoods typically produce a branch-like shape for a time after purchase by end consumers. Only to begin generating sometimes a number of vertical shoots with apical dominance later. The first phase is attributed to scions used coming from side branches. Otherwise, repeatedly used depictions of specific conifer cultivars being dwarf or even miniature can be based on characteristics of original occurrences on their own roots (in the case of seedling variants). With it appearing that frequently sold stock of various conifer cultivars often being too large and vigorous to fit depictions used being due to use of seedling rootstocks of normal vigor. The reverse of grafting orchard fruits onto to weak growing stocks to dwarf the scions.
Wow, I just got one of these–the tag says 3’x3′ in 10 years–and of course I acquired the thing for a small space believing it to be compatible with such. I am obviously rethinking that plan.
It’s grafted. Presuming rootstock of normal vigor, shall I expect a relatively slow monster?
Obviously climate makes some difference, but we have two plants in different sections of the garden, and all are the much larger size that we gave on the blog.
Thanks, so glad I came across your post prior to planting. Further attempts to find information have not produced any evidence contrary to your reality.
I am in a much harsher climate; if it makes it, I will update with my experience as well.