Black Gum "Afterburner"

 

Earlier in the Spring, the Cercidiphylum japonicum 'Heronswood Globe' died, with leaves turning brown and dropping off during a short period with little rain.  It has been struggling for all the years since a large Tulip Popular in our neighbor's yard, which provided wonderful afternoon shade, was cut down.  

We cut off the branches, and put a few birdhouses from our collection on the remaining stumps.  It helped provide some whimsy after losing the tree.

After a long search of what was available locally, and waiting for a 50% off sale at one nursery, I bought a Nyssa sylvatica, or Black Gum, 'Afterburner.'  Research confirmed it is a small, tough tree, which is needed for the site.  Then came a three week wait for the temperatures to drop to a more reasonable level before planting the tree.

Last week we planted the new Black Gum.  It is about two feet from the previous tree, to the left side in this photo.  It appears to be settling in very well, even with new growth.  

It will take some time before it provides shade for the ferns below, and provides the central axis around which the labyrinth circles.  It will be a few years before becoming an established presence.  But as a gardener, I have had to learn to live with hope for what will happen even when trees die.

January Snow

The snow was there for a short time, and now it is gone.  Usually I don't have to rush to add new photos because of weather changes.  However, these photos taken last week are already out of date.

The only plant that I have provided winter protection for is the Agapanthus. It is root hardy for the zone, but last year the whole crown of the plant was frozen off.  It took a long time for the leaves to re-form and build up enough  energy to bloom, and then only a single stem.  I am attempting to avoid the damage with a leaf mulch over the top so it will have earlier and better blooming in 2013.

While it is hard to see it on the far side of the bench, the Arum dioscoridis var.cyprium, a variety native to Cyprus as its name notes, is up and green.  Okay, so the photo I am using was actually taken before the snow fell and the low temperatures arrived. But it doesn't look that much different now, with the leaves less rigid and more lax than this.  I am always amazed at those plants that do take advantage of the cold weather to grow and flower, only to disappear as the spring competition comes on.  For this Arum, I am guessing it is a way to avoid the intense heat and dryness of the Cyprus summer.

A view up toward the house shows some of the layers that the different trees and shrubs are starting to create.  The ink berry holly in the foreground, which forms a loose hedge along the road, creates a dark green and shady screen.  It was damaged a few years ago by a wayward car that broke off the tops of several, but they are suckering up from the roots, and with some good fertilizing, I hope they will provide a sense of separation and privacy for people walking the labyrinth.  The bare tree in the center is the Katsura, Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Heronswood Globe.' While it will top out at about 12-15 feet, it really has quite a presence since being planted 8 years ago.  The trunk is quite thick, and appears to be older than the actual age of the tree.  Then further back is the Parrotia persica, which holds its leaves throughout the winter.  As it grows, it will provide a different layer, with a bit of screening year round.

It is fascinating to see what temperatures in the 20's do to the color of some of the foliage.  The Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki,' seen at the bottom, shifts from bright yellow-green into more intense red and orange shades with the dropping temperatures.  The Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold,' the thread leaf false cypress on the right, becomes more yellow than normal.  The dark blue-green of the Pencil Holly remains the same, but seems much more intense against the other colors close-by.  These changes are impossible to predict when buying plants on a warm summer or fall day.