Our conifer collection really shines in the winter, and one that I walk by daily is the false cypress, Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Clouded Sky’. This sport from the old standard, Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Squarrosa’ is an introduction from Holland’s L. Konijn & Company Nursery. Our 18-year old Clouded Sky False Cypress is now 8′ tall x 12′
I first met Juniperus chinensis ‘Aurea’ at the JC Raulston Arboretum in 2018, grown from cuttings taken at Richmond, Virginia’s Maymont Garden. We struggled to find a cultivar name, toying first with naming it Juniperus ‘Maymont Gold’. It wasn’t until horticultural cultivar historian, Larry Hatch, of Cultivar.org, told us that this is the true Juniperus
Every year, I fall further in love with the false yew, Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Golden Dragon’. These eight year old plants are our oldest, and now measure 30″ tall x 6′ wide. This incredible import from Japan, holds it color year round when planted where it will receive at least full sun for a few hours.
Staring Down a Golden Dragon Read More »
Looking lovely this fall/early winter is the fascinating Asian beautyberry, Callicarpa rubella, planted here beside the golden, Juniperus conferta ‘All Gold’. This little-known beautyberry species has been a star for us in the garden since 2015. Thanks to the US National Arboretum for sharing their wild collection.
Here’s a view in the garden this week. One of our goals is to teach people how to have a garden that looks good all year, where the climate will allow. The gold conifer in the back is Chamaecyparis ‘Lemon Thread’. In the foreground is Agave ovatifolia and Beschorneria ‘Fire Towers’
Cryptomeria japonica ‘Champagne’ is a lovely, but little-known selection of Japanese cedar. This gem was discovered by David Parks of Camellia Forest Nursery at the now defunct, Yadkin Valley Nursery in Yadkinville, NC, as a dwarf sport of Cryptomeria ‘Knaptonensis’. It was later named by Brie Arthur, and introduce by Camellia Forest Nursery. Our 9
A Toast to Champagne Read More »
Looking lovely in the garden now is Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan’. This amazing, full-size selection of Japanese cedar has long been a personal favorite. It has solid green foliage all year until cool nights arrive, at which time, the yellow tips brighten to create a truly amazing sight in the garden. Commercially, it is often sold
Here’s an early November shot from the garden, just prior to our first freeze. By using lots of evergreens, the garden continues to have interest and structure into the less active seasons.
The North American native Thuja plicata ‘4Ever’ is looking particularly stunning in the garden this summer. Of all the forms of Thuja plicata we’ve trialed, this is undoubtedly the brightest. Reportedly maturing at 12′ tall x 3.5′ tall, I’m left to wonder what they used the measure the size. Our 4 year old specimen is
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Here’s an early June shot from the garden. The conifer in front left is Picea abies ‘Glauca Pendula Oxtail’. The weeping conifer in the distance is Cupressus glabra ‘Raywood’s Weeping’. The bright shrub in the distance is Ligustrum lucidum ‘Marble Magic’. Delve more into the world of woody ornamentals during the upcoming Southeastern Plant Symposium
