Conifer Quarterly Vol. 22 No. 3 Summer 2005 K e n t B u r g e s s Pinus parviflora ‘Bergman’ is framed by Acer palmatum ‘Chishio Improved’ and spring flowering groundcovers. Below, Pinus parviflora 'Glauca Nana' grows alongside Acer palmatum 'Shaina'. K e n t B u r g e s s The Conifer Quarterly is the publication of The American Conifer Society Contents 8 Conifer Companions Anne Brennan 12 Visiting the Conifers of New Zealand, Part 2 Daniel Luscombe 20 Prolific Plantsman: Joe Stupka Byline 28 A Taylor-Made Upright Conifer Bob Henrickson 32 Conifers in the News Tony Green 35 Collectors’ Conifer of the Year Program Debuts Ridge Goodwin 38 Members’ Gardens Open by Appointment Conifer Society voices 2 President’s Message 4 Editor’s Memo 6 Letters to the Editor 36 Obituary: Alan Bloom 42 News from our Regions Cover photo: Hostas and oak-leaf hydrangeas grow alongside Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula' in Gerald Kral’s garden in Rochester, New York. Photo by Anne Brennan. Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 1 Conifer PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY DON WILD As you read this, I will be finishing my ing board. John patiently brings forward being said, taught, viewed or evaluated Quarterly first year as your president, a position the previous debates concerning these horticulturally at the meetings. The lat- that has offered me the opportunity to issues as they were discussed in varying ter includes items such as handouts from Summer 2005 Volume 22, No. 3 interact with many prominent and inter- forms in years past. lectures, personal photos, and personal esting hobbyists, horticulturists and Only the ACS presidents who have recollections of discussions and tours. If The Conifer Quarterly (ISSN 8755-0490) is nurserymen in the world of conifers. communicated with John on an almost members have items, pictures, notes, or published quarterly by the American Conifer Society. The Society is a non-profit or- The title has given me a level of respect daily basis know how significant John’s stories that they think would be of inter- ganization incorporated under the laws of the in the community that I have not earned effort has been. To paraphrase past-pres- est, please contact John Martin or my- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is tax ex- but readily accept with all its trimmings. ident Marvin Snyder’s recruiting pitch self. Initially, I would be willing to store empt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Rev- enue Service Code. It is a stimulus to continue to work dili- to me four years ago: “Don, it’s not that or catalogue some of this information You are invited to join our Society. Please gently to keep this group working to- hard – John does all the work.” while we work to find a permanent stor- address membership and other inquires to the gether and having fun. age site. In the meantime, I do not wish Conifer Society National Office, P.O. Box 3422, Crofton, MD 21114-0422. Membership: Preserving our history to lose so much of our history. US $30 (basic), $30 (institutional) $50 (sus- John Martin deserves our thanks As one reviews the obituaries in our last taining), $100 (corporate/business) and $130 The Society exists only because of its few journals, it becomes apparent that we Changes to our Board (patron). If you are moving, please notify the National Office 4 weeks in advance. generous members who devote time, are losing some of our early contributors I would like to welcome Ellen Kelly to Editorial and advertising matters should plants and expertise to the organization. and founding members, many of whom our Board of Directors as she replaces be sent to the Editor: Anne Brennan, 145 Though we have made an effort to ac- are in their 80s. This past winter, I enter- Les Wyman. Ellen has contributed sig- Cedar St., Jenkintown, PA 19046. knowledge everyone’s contributions, we tained myself by reading records from nificantly to the Central Region while Editor are aware that on occasion someone is the early ACS meetings, and I noted that serving as its treasurer. In that role, Ellen Anne Brennan overlooked. While John Martin is offi- during the very first meeting, there was and her husband, Jim, standardized the Technical Editors cially a contractor and our National Of- mention of creating an archive of ACS auction procedures for our regional and Ethan Johnson fice Manager, he is also one of our most activities. In the Spring 2000 issue of our national auctions. We sincerely appreci- Susan Martin R. William Thomas generous and valuable volunteers. Bulletin (the predecessor to the Conifer ate her willingness to serve. Advisory Committee I have seen John acknowledged at the Quarterly), Tom Schlereth wrote a defin- Les Wyman has served dutifully as a Tom Cox, Committee Chair National Meetings, but those are at- itive article on how, what, and why cer- board member and has been the key- Jane Frampton tended by only a small percentage of our tain materials should be saved. To date, stone of new-member recruitment in the Charlene Harris Tom Schlereth members. It is essential that he be recog- however, we have not accomplished what Northeastern Region. I will thank Les ex officio: Don Wild nized for his part in all that happens in he recommended. more appropriately in the next issue. ex officio: Dennis Groh our organization. While the debate continues as to As a final note, I would like to say ex officio: John Martin John and his wife, Susan, have been where this material is to be stored, I that I am concerned that we continue to a part of the ACS since its inception. As would like to stimulate members to struggle to find members willing to vol- Copyright © 2005, American Conifer Society. All rights reserved. No material contained a result, John has not only a historical find and contribute to a central archive unteer for the Board of Directors. I herein may be reproduced in any form with- perspective of all the ACS activities any materials generated at these early know you have the time; we are asking out prior written permission of the publisher. over the years but also a “parent-to- meetings. you to take the time. Opinions expressed by authors and advertis- ers are not necessarily those of the Society. child” commitment to see that we stay Tom’s article divides the materials on the right path. There are a number of into two groups. One is primarily insti- See you in “Joyzee”! Note: Hardiness Zone references in the issues that have arisen over the last 22 tutional or procedural, relating to the Conifer Quarterly are USDA classifications unless otherwise specified. years and some remain unresolved, business portion of our operation, and though often revisited by an ever-chang- the second has to do with what was 2 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 3 EDITOR’S MEMO BY ANNE M. BRENNAN ummer is here, so our national meet- Bringing your favorite plants to- new Conifer Quarterly feature that is re- Sing in New Jersey can’t be far away. gether in close proximity personalizes ceiving enthusiastic feedback from While the many volunteers who have or- your garden, and the photos on our cov- members. As you will see beginning on ganized the event can’t ensure low hu- ers and elsewhere in this issue celebrate page 32, conifers pop up unexpectedly midity in August, they can promise you this idea. The short article beginning on as key characters in a variety of publica- a meeting filled with garden destinations page 8 describes a few of the most com- tions accessed by people in all walks of and conifer camaraderie you won’t for- mon approaches to combining conifers life. Some are serious references (red- get. I hope to see you there! with other plants. wood logging) and others are humorous This issue of the Conifer Quarterly Next, Daniel Luscombe takes us (conifer-napping and ransom notes) – includes, among other things, a subject along to New Zealand as he wraps up but all offer a perspective on conifers that might surprise a few readers. A lot the trip that began in Northland and that differs from that found in typical Fall / October issue: of us enjoy growing other kinds of New Caledonia. Read about the frustra- nursery or garden circles. Focus on Propagation plants besides conifers – so much so that tions and rewards of seed collecting in As you travel around the country this many American Conifer Society mem- Part 2 of his adventure. year, remember that many ACS mem- No sooner do we start growing bers belong to one or more other plant On page 20 begins an inspiring story bers are eager to share their gardens, and and collecting conifers than we societies. Even if we do swear sole alle- of nurseryman and “broom hunter” Joe they welcome visits by other members. want to make more to give away or giance to the ACS in terms of member- Stupka, who discovered horticulture as a Since the list in this year’s Membership sell.What propagation questions – ship, we’re bound to acquire a few second career and persevered through Directory is incomplete, the entire list is or solutions – do you have to share plants that could be more accurately de- trial and error to become a man whom printed in this issue on pages 38-41. Just with our other members? Photos scribed as “leafy” than “needle-y.” (Are every Conifer Society member can and be sure to contact the individual ahead of those perennials peeking around your should learn from.