A Grower Perspective

In honor of the arrival of fall, we have a shade tree celebrated for its vivid color this time of year. As the love child of ‘October Glory’ and ‘Red Sunset’, ‘Autumn Radiance’ boasts the best qualities of its parents with vivid, red foliage two weeks before other red maples.

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My favorite tree for gorgeous fall color: the parrotia. Today, on the first day of autumn, it is just beginning to show the splendor of what is to come.  At its best, it will show jewel toned leaves of amethyst, garnet, topaz and ruby. Do you have a favorite fall tree?

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What to say about the Japanese Holly Fern? It seems too obvious to mention that the leaves closely resemble holly leaves. But they do, and they are beautiful and not the least bit sharp.

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Our native shore pine is a sturdy, adaptable, compact tree. I’m sure you’ve seen the wind blown version of this plant on the coast. Grass green three inch long needles in bundles of two cover this particular tree. In youth it grows in a random way and as it matures it grows into a tighter form eventually reaching twenty feet or more. This attractive tree has grown in two of my gardens, one city one country. Size wise it fits very well into city gardens and can be pruned as needed. In a larger setting it grows well amongst larger trees, evergreen and deciduous, as well as a backdrop tree for shrubs and perennials. It adapts to all soil and water conditions (except standing water year round). Additionally this is a very good wildlife tree providing nesting sites and forage for woodpeckers, chickadees, bushtits and chipmunks. Can be planted as a hedge or integrated in the garden. Pinus contorta blends well with native plants as well as other landscape plants. The shore pine will fill a need for a smaller evergreen able to thrive in many conditions, a choice and desirable tree. Grows 20’ to 35’ tall and wide. Plant in full sun or partial shade.

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Although “Russian Sage” is a misnomer, as this plant is neither a sage nor Russian, this is a great perennial for sunny spaces. It performs well even in poor soil conditions and stands up beautifully to drought and glaring sun. Smaller and tidier than ‘Longin’ and other common varieties, ‘Little Spire’ grows about two to three feet tall and about three feet wide.

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