Conifer Quarterly

Vol. 22 No. 3 Summer 2005 Kent Burgess Kent Burgess overs. er haina'. c 'S A oundc cer palmatum cer inus parviflora gr A Pinus parvifloraPinus P y b ‘Chishio Improved’ ‘Chishio ‘Bergman’ is framed and spring flowering elow, 'Glauca grows Nana' alongside palmatum B 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. time to arrange a mutually convenient are also important for this topic. Pseudotsuga?) “Conifers in the News” is a relatively time for your “tour”! Many feel that this Contact the Editor by August 12th. membership benefit is one of the soci- ety’s best-kept secrets; don’t overlook the opportunity to seek out fellow Winter / January issue: conifer enthusiasts both close to home Keeping Track of Your Publication Dates and farther afield. Speaking of garden visits, “Garden Conifer Collection Deadline to Publication Date Rendezvous” events of the sort first or- Issue Calendar Quarter submit articles (approx. mailing) Twenty years from now, how will ganized by Gary Whittenbaugh in the Central Region are catching on through- you remember when or where you Winter Jan/Feb/Mar Nov 7 Jan 15 out the Society. All three of our other found your favorite garden Spring Apr/May/Jun Feb 6 Apr 15 Regions have held at least one such conifers? If you collect and Summer Jul/Aug/Sept May 10 July 15 local garden-visitation event this propagate witches brooms or Fall Oct/Nov/Dec 31 Aug 12 Oct 15 Spring, as described in the regional re- other unusual forms, what records ports beginning on page 42. It’s been do you keep so you don’t forget Submit articles/photos to: quite a year already, and it’s only July! the story behind each plant? Share Anne Brennan, Conifer Quarterly Editor Best wishes for a great summer to your ideas or horror stories by 145 Cedar St., Jenkintown, PA 19046 • PH (215) 376-0231 you and your conifers. submitting a short article on or FAX (215) 827-5926 • E-mail: [email protected] before November 7th.

4 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Conifer caption corrections

From time to time, I review a new book nam with other parts of Asia. that may be of interest to ACS members. Currently there are about 29 species A plant in the Winter 2005 This particular one is a bit unusual, as it of conifers in Vietnam, which represents issue’s color section may be in- doesn't seem to have a publisher. less than 5% of the world's known correctly identified. The lower Last fall our national president, Don conifer species. As many readers are photo on page C3 looks very Wild, shared a book with me titled aware, one species, Xanthocyparis viet- similar to Pinus thunbergii Conifers of Vietnam by Nguyen Duc To namensis, was only discovered in 1999. ‘Oculus-draconis’ based on the Luu and Phillip Ian Thomas (ISBN One very rare plant that we recently ac- characteristic white buds. 1872291643). Perhaps he knew this quired for the arboretum is described in It does not look like Pinus would be of great interest to me because the book – Amentotaxus argotaenia, densiflora, which is shown on our arboretum lies in Zone 7B here in which also has a disjunct distribution in the same page. Georgia, or because we trial a large num- southern China. e n

ber of plants here at the Cox Arboretum. The book is written in both Viet- n Bill Valavanis e

While the book is not oriented to the namese and English with about 50 pages H West Henrietta, New York d u casual reader, anyone interested in learn- in English. Each species discussed in- a M ing about the coniferous flora of this tiny cludes a description plus details about country will find it worth reading. Few of distribution, uses and propagation. A the plants described could be success- line drawing illustrates each listing. fully grown in regions colder than Zone I have read the Winter 2005 8, but the author does a good job of dis- Tom Cox Conifer Quarterly with interest. cussing the floristic relationship of Viet- Canton, Georgia Page C4 in “Reader Recom- mendation” includes the name Juniperus tortulosa ‘Variegata.’ I think that the correct name is Cupressus torulosa ‘Variegata.’

Wil ten Dam Netherlands

Rare & Garden Conifers Ginkgos, Beeches, Perennials Rich’s Hostas, Daylilies, Irises, Alpine Plants Top: Pinus thunbergii Foxwillow Rich and Susan Eyre 'Oculus-draconis' Pines 11618 McConnell Rd Woodstock IL 60098 815-338-7442 (phone) Bottom: Cupressus torulosa h

Nursery 815-338-7446 (fax) c t i ‘Variegata’ [email protected] R g

Inc. www.richsfoxwillowpines.com u o D

6 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 7 Conifer Companions Diversity adds interest, so perk up your garden with non-conifers by Anne Brennan

hough we all love conifers, a garden conditions as their conifer comrades. Tof nothing but conifers is like a If you’d like your garden to present a freezer full of chocolate chip cookie woodland effect, you may want to add dough ice cream. It might be your fa- rhododendrons, azaleas, hollies, camel- vorite flavor, but if it’s all you eat day in lias, magnolias or oaks to the area. and day out, chances are you’ll eventu- These plants appreciate the same acidic, ally start to lose interest. clay loam soil found in many conifer gardens. When developing a woodland Contrasting colors and textures garden, try to position trees and large At left and below: The reason mixed conifer/non-conifer shrubs to minimize shading of sun-lov- Kent Burgess’ garden in gardens invite admiration is that the dif- ing conifers. St. Louis, Missouri,

ferent plant types create visual contrast. Perhaps a rock garden is a better s displays a collection of s e g

Large leaves, like those of hostas, hy- match to your climate or personal taste. r Japanese maples along u B drangeas, and rhododendrons, comple- Luckily, many alpine plants thrive in the t with his conifers. n e ment the fine texture of most conifers. same sunny, well-drained soils that dwarf K And, while the conifer world boasts a conifers prefer. Combining ground- wide variety of foliage colors to mix and hugging and crevice-filling annuals match, there’s no coniferous equivalent and perennials with your dwarf conifers of deep purple blooms glowing along- produces a more natural-looking rock- side a gold-tinged Chamaecyparis. One garden environment that changes with of my own favorite combinations is the the seasons. Check out the North Amer- fall-blooming Aster X frikartii ‘Monch’ ican Rock Garden Society (www.- planted next to Chamaecyparis obtusa nargs.org) for ideas. ‘Cripsii.’ Heaths and heathers are great Similarly, a bright yellow herba- conifer companions in parts of the ceous plant such as Tanacetum or country that aren’t plagued by hot, Coleus looks positively fluorescent humid summers, such as New England. growing in front of a dense, deep green Their needle-like foliage blends well spruce (Picea) or fir (Abies). with conifer groupings while the pink, purple and white flowers provide wel- Good neighbors come splashes of color. Visit the North Many plant forms look attractive grow- American Heather Society’s web site ing among conifers, but to ensure a (www.northamericanheathersoc.org) to s s e

long-term relationship, you should make find a list of nurseries as well as cultural g r u sure your companion plants thrive in the information. B t n same light, soil moisture, and soil pH A new conifer garden often includes e K

8 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 9 a large proportion of open space between as they have conifer cultivars. Not only plants due to allowances for future does the same “collector mentality” Chamaecyparis pisifera growth. Some gardeners, especially col- apply to unusual and dwarf maples, but ‘Plumosa Compacta’ lectors, prefer to keep these spaces their glowing autumn foliage and grace- spends the winter tucked mulched but otherwise empty so that the ful branch structure are even more strik- in among Sporobolus plants can benefit from maximum air cir- ing against a coniferous backdrop. heterolepis (prairie culation as well as minimum competi- A birch, a small flowering tree, or a dropseed) at Mark Dwyer’s tion for water and soil nutrients from large shade tree can add seasonal inter- Rotary Gardens in r other plants. While I’m a firm believer in est and an element of scale to a prima- e Janesville,Wisconsin, y

w shown here in February.

mulching, I prefer not to see large ex- rily evergreen landscape. D k r panses of the stuff between my infant This season, why not invite over a trees and shrubs, so I’ve added low- some leafy friends to keep your conifers M growing flowering annuals and some company? ▲ perennial groundcovers to fill the voids until the woody plants fill in. In many of the gardens we’ve visited on ACS meet- Anne Brennan is Editor of the ing tours, I’ve seen unusual hosta culti- Conifer Quarterly and gardens in Annual or perennial vars growing happily between conifers. Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. ground covers can add visual weight to a Selecting specimens

A specimen conifer. Here, a n

It’s probably no coincidence that n

e mass of celosia draws the many conifer collectors also ap- B r e eye toward Abies alba n preciate specimen plants from n a ‘Green Spriral,’ also at other botanical groups and use n Rotary Gardens. them as focal points in their gar- dens. I’ve met several ACS members who have almost as many Japanses maple (Acer palmatum) cultivars on display

A groundcover with broad or rounded leaves, such as this Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens), contrasts well with umbrella-pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) growing near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. r e y w D k r a M

10 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 11 Visiting the Conifers of New Zealand, Part 2 abrupt transitions. We stopped to see the tation type. A bizarre population of Arau- largest known Agathis lanceolata, which caria muelleri grew out of rocks that New Caledonia’s botanical treasures treat the tour group as their trip winds down was massive but could not compare with were at least 50% iron and no soil. Only the trees in New Zealand. Walkways a few sizable plants remain but there are Photos and text by Daniel Luscombe through the forest were created to protect seedlings present also; these are all that the trees. A strange palm turned out to be remain from an ancient “forest,” and we Campecarpus fulcitus, one of the stilt noticed Gymnostoma sp. and Dacrydium In our last issue, we read about the first Agathis and Araucaria and a seed or- palms endemic to New Caledonia. araucarioides growing nearby. part of Daniel Luscombe’s trip to New chard of Agathis ovata and A. lanceo- We were honored by a visit from one Zealand, Northland, and New Caledo- lata. The latter displayed amazing blue of the world’s rarest birds, the Cagou, nia in 2002. With the Araucariaceae new growth and developing male and fe- which is the national bird of New Cale- At the waterfall Cascade Symposium behind him, Daniel is tour- male cones. The staff had also planted donia. At one point there were fewer de Wadiana, we could ing New Caledonia with a small group an orchard of A. subulata (one of the than 50 in the world. look across the bay at the of conference attendees to see these Araucaria we didn’t see in the wild) When a steady rain began to fall, we and other conifers in their native set- from seed collected from trees felled on stopped for lunch inside some thatched best wild population of tings. Mont Dzumac. huts and wandered down to the river. Araucaria columnaris We then went out into the park. Here we found Araucaria bernieri, Li- on the mainland. n March 22nd, after our terrifying Abundant scrubby maquis flora (includ- bocedrus yateensis, Podocarpus novae- Odescent from Mont Do on rain- ing Dacrydium araucarioides as the only caledoniae and the yellow-flowered slicked roads, we went to the nursery of noticeable conifer) suddenly changed Xanthostemon myrtifolium. From there One of the most upsetting places we the Forest Service of the South into tropical forest; the variety of soil we hiked up from the river to observe visited was the Kwe Basin, our next Province. They had experimented with types in New Caledonia creates these the parasitic plant Daenikera corallina stop. We observed many Retrophyllum grafting various species of Araucaria alongside a small Prumnopitys ferrugi- minor, the only reophytic conifer. (Its and Agathis, and all of the native noides, some Dacrydium lycopodioides seeds float, so plants grow in or along- species were included in their collec- and lots of Nepenthes sp. Another amaz- side rivers.) Unfortunately, we learned tion. Two striking Podocarpus sub- ing day left us very tired! that the whole area is soon to be tropicalis – one female with cones On March 24th, we left at 6.30 AM to dammed and flooded, so all of these and one male – from China were visit Col de Yate to see Agathis ovata, trees will die. among the most memorable trees. and the roads were terrifying. (Think of Our last stop that day was Port Boise After a brief stop at our hotel, we the film “The Italian Job.”) The trees are to see the rarest of all of the araucarias, headed back out for cocktails at the small, stout, flat-headed plants that look Araucaria nemorosa. It grows in two residence of the President of the very strange. Growing with them were main locations and we visited them South Provinces, where I also met Dacrydium araucarioides. both. They closely resemble some of the the English ambassador. Next we drove down through the other araucarias, and it was difficult to The next morning we set off for “town” of Yate. which was actually no identify them positively. We stopped the Rivere Bleue Park. First we ob- more than a few shacks. At the waterfall down on the coast for lunch then walked served some reforestation areas of Cascade de Wadiana, we could look around to the next bay, Gite Kanua, across the bay at the best wild population through stands of Araucaria colum- of Araucaria columnaris on the main- naris. A. nemorosa and A. columnaris land. We spent a few minutes taking pho- are thought to hybridize here; this would The seeds of Retrophyllum minor tos before boarding the bus and heading be a first for the genus, as no other hy- float, so plants are found along for the Goro Plateau, where we again ob- brids are known. riverbanks as shown here. served the low and shrubby maquis vege- The second population is a couple of

12 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 13 miles away on the other side of the Seed Collecting in New Zealand A bit further up the road around Lake species. As before, we saw plenty of mountain and has been quite well docu- By April 2nd, I was back in New Rotopounamu we did find seed of both trees but I only managed to collect seed mented by a botanist working for the Zealand to begin a ten-day seed-collect- rimu and Prumnopitys ferruginea on the of one species, Podocarpus cunning- nickel mining company that owns the ing expedition for the Bedgebury Pine- ground. (One of the problems with col- hamii (syn. P. hallii). land. There are 247 trees recorded with tum. I drove from Auckland to Turangi lecting from big trees is that the seed is The final stop of the day was the GPS coordinates. Just across the main to the Department of Conservation of- usually right at the top of the tree and Bruce Road running up Mt Ruapehu, an road is one of the rarest palms in the fice to meet Nick Singers, who was han- impossible to reach.) area used in the filming of “Lord of the dling my permit application for the The lake itself was about 20 min- Rings.” The conifers that I sought were Tongariro National Park. Nick helped untes further and was very peaceful and not large trees but small shrubs, includ- The rimu is one of the with selecting the best locations to col- quiet first thing in the morning. The for- ing the world’s smallest conifer, Lepi- best timber trees in New lect the conifers that I was looking for est around the lake was a mix of conif- dothamnus laxifolius. The temperature and, as he wasn’t going to be busy the erous and broadleaf plants, and the pH on the mountain was only 36 °F (2 °C) Zealand and has been next day, he decided to accompany me. of the soil in this area is between 6.1 and and the ground was very boggy, but the extensively cleared We arranged to meet in the morning, so 6.3, which is quite similar to that of experience was worthwhile because this I headed off to find accommodation and Bedgebury. Although there were a lot of was the only place I could collect Halo- spent the night in the local backpackers’ conifers, most cones were either non-ex- world, Pritchardiopsis jeanneneyi, that lodge just up the road. istent or out of reach. I was only able to is only found in this location. A proposal The next morning, Nick and I set out collect Prumnopitys taxifolia here, and Sure enough, on the to widen the road by 160 feet (50 m) for my first day collecting. We stopped seed from this altitude should produce right-hand side of the road could make the palm extinct. This area by the side of Highway 47 to see a cou- hardier plants than those collected at is also the only biotype of its kind in ple of mature rimus (Dacrydium cu- lower altitudes or warmer areas further there was one tree dripping New Caledonia. The mine was due to pressinum). Unfortunately there was no north. Nick was able to show me the rare with cones open in 2004, but is estimated to contain seed, but the trees were magnificent parasitic wood rose (Dactylanthus tay- 150 years’ worth of nickel reserves, so nonetheless. The rimu is one of the best lorii), which is susceptible to possum this could be the end for many of the timber trees in New Zealand and has damage. The Department of Conserva- carpus biformis and Lepidothamnus lax- plants in the area. The mining company been extensively cleared in the past, so it tion’s considerable effort to eradicate ifolius during my entire trip. employs a botanist who works with was refreshing to see such a mature tree. possums from this area seem to have As we headed back to Turangi, Nick them to try and save some of been paying off, as we found quite a few suggested that I might try going to the the plants, but he is a lone intact plants. town of Motuoapa after dropping him voice for the only company As we continued down Highway 47, off, as I might find a Dacrycarpus on the whole island that we stopped briefly to photograph a pure dacrydioides from which to collect seed. makes any concession to stand of Prumnopitys taxifolia on the Sure enough, on the right-hand side of conservation. We all felt a bit south side of Mt. Kakaramea before the road there was one tree dripping despondent as we made our reaching a part of the Ketetahi forest with cones. At day’s end, I returned to way back to the hotel. that contained Phyllocladus alpinus and the backpackers’ lodge for the night and Halocarpus bidwillii. We also saw a lot arranged to meet John Dawson (from of Scottish heather that had been intro- the New Caledonia trip) the following duced to the area at the beginning of the day at Otari Scenic Reserve in Welling- last century, and these flats offered an ton. John is the world’s leading author- amazing view of Mt. Ngauruhoe cov- ity on Myrtaceae (the myrtle family), ered in snow. one of the best New Zealand botanists, Cone of Araucaria columnaris Nick suggested we take the Taurewa author of many books on New Zealand Loop walk to find some other conifer flora, and Chairman of the Committee at

14 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 15 Otari, so it would be quite an honor to I noted that many plants in these gardens, the plants of New Zealand. very long walk to find out so I decided tour the area with him. such as Pittosporum and flax, are quite When I eventually checked in at the to go elsewhere. I had heard that the On April 4th, I headed down to common in British gardens. John and I airport, I found the plane to be a tiny 10 Buller Gorge was an amazing place to Wellington on quiet but narrow roads. I also toured part of the native bush, the seater, and the flight was terrifying. We visit with conifers throughout, so I arrived at Otari around lunchtime, and fernery and an area featuring high alpine were blown all over the place but man- thought I would try my luck there. the staff provided me with a collecting plants. During this visit to Otari I col- aged to get to Picton in one piece. I The Buller Gorge was a great drive. permit. John met me and gave me an lected seed of Libocedrus plumosa, Phyl- picked up my rental car and made my The scenery was choice but there was locladus trichomanoides, Dacrycarpus way to Nelson and then on to Takaka nowhere to stop and, again, it was beech dacrydioides and Fuchsia procumbens. where I spent the night. I had already forest with no visible conifers. I made A wooden platform outside It was getting late, but I had time to been in contact with the Department of my way back to Nelson empty-handed. the visitors center leads make a quick stop at Wellington Botanic Conservation for this area, and they had The next morning, April 8th, I vis- into a canopy walkway so Gardens to have a look round. I was for- suggested a place called Knuckle Hill ited to the DoC office across the road to tunate to meet the curator, Tony on the northeast corner of the island as a get some insider knowledge to help me one can observe the tops Williams, who gave me a bit of back- good place to collect conifers. locate some specific conifer species. of the trees. ground on the collection and graciously I awoke the next morning to find There I met Simon Moore who was showed me around the education center. rainy weather, but I carried on anyway. The next morning, I decided not to The road turned into a dirt track as I got overview of the collection. Otari is a collect from around the Wellington nearer to Knuckle Hill, and the weather I was surrounded by mixed satellite garden of Wellington Botanic area but to go down to the South Island remained poor. However, the area was conifer forest disappearing Garden and only grows plants native to instead. This plan proved to be a bit dif- beautiful. I was surrounded by mixed up creeks and over hilltops; New Zealand. The conifer collection is ficult as the ferries were running four conifer forest disappearing up creeks close to the main entrance and displays hours late due to bad weather earlier in and over hilltops; the road ran alongside the road ran alongside most of the native conifer species includ- the week. The earliest I could get a the sea and there wasn’t anyone else the sea and there wasn’t ing the rare Halocarpus kirkii. A wooden ferry was 12:30 in the afternoon, and around. The hike to Knuckle Hill would anyone else around platform outside the visitors center leads the trip would take three hours, so I be a 4-hour walk from there, but I de- into a canopy walkway so one can ob- chose the alternative option of flying. cided that it was too risky to carry on as serve the tops of the trees. This route My flight wasn’t scheduled to leave for I didn’t know the area at all and no one leaving for St Arnaud and suggested I leads into a rock garden that is home to a few hours, so I checked out the Na- knew I was there. I did collect seed from follow him so he could point me in the smaller plants including Fuchsia tional Museum with its exhibits about one Dacrycarpus dacrydioides on the right direction. When we arrived there, procumbens (in flower left-hand side of the road on the way he directed me up the St Arnaud track and fruiting), Lepi- back to Nelson. that led to the top of the same beech- dothamnus laxifolius, On the morning of April 7th, I left covered mountain I had seen the previ- Leipothamnus laxi- my room and made my way up to the ous day! However, he assured me I folius x intermedius Nelson Lakes area south of Nelson. This would find conifers above the tree line, ‘Green Cascade’ and area is covered by mountain beech for- so off I went. Phyllocladus alpinus. est made up mainly of Nothofagus Very soon, I came across Podocar- solandri (and var. cliffortioides) that ex- pus acutifolius (the needle-leafed tended up the side of the mountains but podocarp) and observed two distinct stopped abruptly at a certain altitude. growth habits: one a low spreading The beech forests don’t usually include shrub and the other an upright shrub that conifers, so I was a bit disappointed. appeared to be a cross between P. acuti- Mt. Ngauruhoe There was a chance that conifers were folius and P. cunninghamii). There was- growing above the tree line, but it was a n’t much seed but I managed to collect

16 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 17 some from both types. tain totara) and more Phyllocladus alpi- On the final day of my trip, I had Widdringtonia nodiflora, and Prumno- The track zigzagged its way up nus covered in seed. arranged to visit Auckland Botanic Gar- pitys taxifolia. through the forest, which was fine at It was very cold on the mountaintop, dens with Graham Platt and meet up The very last stop of my trip was to first but became tiresome as there was yet it was a wonderful view and very with Steve Benham (Botanical Records Waikumate Cemetery in Glen Eden no variation at all and I couldn’t see quiet. I walked back down to the Para- Conservation Officer) who gave us a where I hoped to get seed from the rare through the trees how much father I had chute Rocks at an altitude of 4900 feet tour of the grounds. The garden is rela- Halocarpus kirkii. Continuing what to go. I bumped into a woman who was (1500 m) where the conifers were grow- tively new and is planted in geographic seemed to be a theme of the trip, no seed also going up, which provided me with ing and collected the seeds I had come groupings but also includes an area of could be found on the tree. some company. Gradually the trees for. native bush. Highlights were a stand of However, my trip to New Zealand began to get smaller and the canopy less It was getting on in the day and I still Agathis macrophylla, cones on Wid- and the surrounding areas was an over- dense, as the Nothofagus solanderi gave wanted to collect more Podocarpus acu- dringtonia nodiflora and the proteas in all success and very enjoyable. Please way to N. solandri var. cliffortioides). tifolius, so I rushed back to the trail. In full flower. I had permission to collect visit the Bedgebury Pinetum as we add We had an amazing view over the Nel- my haste I took a wrong turn and ended seed from the conifers in the collection, some of these conifer species to our son Lakes and could see that we were up on the wrong trail. There were no and I left with seed from Metrosideros collection! ▲ nearly out of the forest. more P. acutifolius but I did see a very excelsa, Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, Abruptly, the forest ended and we interesting Phyllocladus with large phyl- emerged into the alpine area. The first loclades (flattened branches that func- plant in front of me was a Phyllocladus tion as leaves). Several plants grew up to About the author: Daniel Luscombe is the assistant curator at Bedgebury National alpinus covered in seed, which was a re- 50 feet (15m) high and didn’t match the Pinetum in Kent, England, as well as a founding member and current secretary of lief. Having come this far, I continued descriptions of the three other Phyllo- the British Conifer Society. Because of his interest in species conifers and their walking to the peak, passing massive cladus from New Zealand, so I took a conservation, he has traveled to New Zealand, New Caledonia, South Africa, clumps of Podocarpus nivalis (moun- piece to show the botanist at Nelson the Australia, Spain and Tasmania looking at species in the wild, especially those that next day. He knew of the have potential as garden conifers in the UK. plants and said they were an as-yet-unamed species that has previously been com- bined with P. alpinus but has been shown to be different in both appearance and chemical composition. On the day following my trek through the mountain beech forest, I also found ad- ditional Phyllocladus tri- chomanoides trees near Nelson based on directions from Simon at the Depart- ment of Conservation. I also collected Podocarpus totara Agathis macrophylla at the Auckland and Dacrycarpus dacrydioides seed and Botanic Gardens observed a massive stand of Pinus patula before I had to catch a flight from Nelson back to Auckland later in the afternoon.

18 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 19 Prolific Plantsman: Joe Stupka that the trees had been rejected by an- how to grow Christmas trees success- other of the forester’s clients. fully. Having now secured a reliable A horticultural late bloomer,Joe went on to introduce many new conifer cultivars Joe was disappointed in his first ef- source for quality seed, his third attempt he found and propagated from seedling mutations and brooms forts, but not discouraged. He decided to produced a bumper crop! But his was buy seed and raise the seedlings himself. not the only nursery in the area produc- by Glenn Herold However, his attempts to purchase seed ing Christmas tree liners – competition from other growers proved fruitless. No was fierce. When it came time to sell his ome nurserymen are born with sap ever, were unsuccessful. Finally, with nurseryman would sell him seed be- crop, he couldn’t even procure pennies Sin their blood, growing up within an his parents’ permission, he joined the cause they viewed him as competition. per plant. Rather than give the trees established family business and eventu- navy at age 17 and served for 3 years. Finally, he found a source for some away, he mowed them down. ally taking the reins. Others rise to the Upon his return, and with the en- Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and blue Joe returned to working on the rail- top from unrelated backgrounds through couragement of the GI Bill, Joe finished spruce (Picea pungens) seed from a man road to provide a living wage, knowing perseverance and the love of plants. Joe high school and moved to Youngstown, in Michigan. Again he cleared the land, there would be occasional layoffs. Dur- Stupka, considered one of the best Ohio, to work on the railroad. As a fire- grafters in the business, falls into this man, he was no longer needed once second category. diesel engines replaced the old steam engines 16 years after he started. This development might have put Joe in a From left to right: Joe “My dad used to say, devastating predicament, but instead he looked upon it as an opportunity. “My Stupka, his friend Paul ‘Always have two jobs – dad used to say, ‘Always have two jobs Faedo, veteran conifer one to make a living with – one to make a living with and the other collector Chub Harper, as a hobby. Learn as much as you can and author Glenn

and the other as a hobby. d l Herold (seated), o

about it, though, because you never r e Learn as much as you can know when you might need it.’” H photographed in n

n February at Glenn’s e about it, though, because Joe’s hobby was plants. He bought a l G

f home in Peoria, Illinois. little farm out in the country in Pulaski, o you never know when you y s e

Pennsylvania, near his parents’ home- t r

might need it.’ ” u stead and planned to use it for growing o C Christmas trees. Joe cleared the land in Born in 1926 in the small coal-min- preparation for the first crop, and for a ing town of Clarion, Pennsylvania, while, everything was going his way. A worked in some fresh manure, and ing one of these layoffs, he worked for a where “a shot and a beer is considered a nursery forester happened to be renting sowed the seed. However, his ignorance nurseryman in Youngstown by the name mixed drink,” Joe didn’t find his niche an apartment at Joe’s mother’s farm, and again proved to be his undoing. The of Ralph Inglis. Ralph asked him if he right away. His father worked the coal upon meeting Joe, he said, “I’ll fix you seed was sown at a much higher rate knew how to graft trees. “Sure,” Joe mine’s 3:00 AM to 11:00 AM shift plus a up with some trees when you’re ready.” than recommended, and the seedlings replied, having dabbled in fruit tree second job in a blacksmith’s shop. Un- Joe ordered 1000 trees, but they arrived that emerged soon became diseased grafting in previous years. Looking like his brothers, young Joe helped out as a small bundle, not the large shipment from the stand density and fresh ma- back, Joe said they did everything wrong in the blacksmith’s shop rather than in that he was expecting. Each tree looked nure. When he sought advice from other in their early attempts, but he read about the mines. World War II began and Joe, like a toothpick. Not knowing any bet- growers, he was turned away; they the proper techniques and soon became like others, felt the need to help his ter, he lined them out, but in that first didn’t want to help out the competition. quite successful at grafting. country in a time of distress. His at- year, all but 25 trees perished. In his Thus, his second effort ended in failure. After collaborating with Ralph for a tempts to enlist at the age of 16, how- search for an explanation, he discovered Joe began reading books to learn while, Joe decided to try it on his own.

20 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 21 He didn’t have a greenhouse, so he at- evaluate the situation. Excavating a few nursery, which was just a short detour propagation relegates them to collector tached some snow fence to elevated sup- of the dead trees, he discovered that they off of Chub’s route back to Moline, Illi- or arboretum status. A few have become ports. Underneath, he used manure as a were all planted too deeply, causing the nois. He stopped there after the meeting commercial successes and are available source of heat. Each graft was covered in plants to suffocate. and went home with his truck filled to nationally. Whether redundant or a plastic bag, placed on the manure, and He was hired on the spot, and thus capacity. Visitors can now see many of unique, each plant tells a story and pro- heeled in with sawdust. The primitive began a relationship with Villa Maria these plants as part of the Harper Col- vides another glimpse at the special in- system worked, and Joe was on his way that lasted over 40 years. The convent lection at Hidden Lake Gardens in Tip- dividual that Joe Stupka has become. to a lifetime of grafting success. expanded greatly and with each expan- ton, Michigan, and the Heartland Joe can recognize a unique plant, be Joe sputtered along in the nursery sion, Joe would design new plantings Collection at the Bickelhaupt Arbore- it evergreen or deciduous. One of the business. He got a used greenhouse and tum in Clinton, Iowa. treasures he has discovered is a witches’ fixed it up, and he still uses it today. He Witches’ brooms soon swept Joe off broom on a Japanese maple (Acer was producing a variety of plants at that He didn’t have a greenhouse, his feet. He and another enthusiast palmatum) in Mercer, Pennsylvania. time, but mainly for a single architect. so he attached some snow would go hunting for brooms every The tree itself is unusual, having sur- The architect would specify what he weekend in the wintertime. Each week vived -30 °F (-34 °C) winter tempera- wanted, and how he wanted them fence to elevated supports. they set off in a different direction, one tures on several occasions. On the tree is grown; Joe would supply the materials Underneath, he used manure person driving and the other scanning a broom with tiny leaves and a growth and grow the plants, and the architect’s as a source of heat. Each graft the trees for brooms which they would rate of less than one inch per year. Joe crews would dig them. One often-used stop and collect. has made many trips to collect broom plant was a seedling from Bar Harbor was covered in a plastic bag, Another major influence in Joe’s life wood for grafting and seed from the nor- juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Bar placed on the manure, and was Jerry Morris, whom he met at an mal part of the tree to be used as under- Harbor’) that had a much tighter form heeled in with sawdust American Conifer Society meeting in stock. He calls the witches’ broom and slower growth rate than ‘Bar Har- Chicago. Knowing that Joe was an avid ‘Kandy Kitchen’ after the candy store bor.’ The architect liked it, and Joe prop- hunter and outdoorsman, Jerry invited where it is found, and over the years he agated hundreds of cuttings from it. while continuing to maintain the old him to come out to Colorado to do some has gotten to know the owners well. Feeling that it needed a name, the archi- ones. Joe provided the expertise and the hunting. While exploring his many hunt- One winter day in 2000, the Kandy tect called it ‘Little Joe.’ It is the only convent provided the majority of the ing and fishing niches, Jerry would also Kitchen owners called Joe to report a one of Joe’s introductions that was labor. Not being a trained landscape ar- show him many witches’ brooms he had problem with the broom. Under the named for him. chitect, Joe’s plans were such that only discovered. weight of a heavy, wet snow, the broom Joe began to diversify his business to he could interpret them. Villa Maria pro- twisted and cracked the main limb sup- include landscape installation. In 1957, a vided steady employment, and Joe ac- Every broom tells a story porting it. Joe examined the situation convent in Villa Maria, Pennsylvania, knowledges that, “It was a good place to Chub Harper has cataloged over 100 and determined that the best plan of at- built a chapel and asked him to put in a work.” witches brooms and clones that Joe has tack would be to thin the broom through bid for the landscaping. Joe replied, “I Joe first got interested in witches found and propagated over the last 25 selective pruning and to build a support can’t bid on the job. The plants cost the brooms when he met Justin “Chub” years. All of them are named either after to place under the abnormality. The same, my truck costs the same, every- Harper at an American Conifer Society the place where they were found or the technique proved successful and the thing is the same; how can my bid be any meeting in Philadelphia in the mid- person from whom they were obtained. broom survives to this day. ‘Kandy different than the next guy’s?” To this 1980s. They sat next to each other on a Joe found most of the brooms in Penn- Kitchen’ has found its way into the nurs- day, he will not bid on a job. tour bus and each began asking about sylvania and Ohio, and reading the ery industry and is available from sev- The convent hired someone else, but what the other was doing. The tour took names gives you a virtual atlas of these eral West Coast sources. soon after the plants were installed, they them to a nursery where they saw some states. Some of the plants proved to be Not all stories of promising brooms started to show signs of stress and died. white pine (Pinus strobus) witches redundant of plants already introduced have happy endings. Growing along In- The landscaper refused to replace them, broom seedlings, and Chub wanted to into the industry. Others are unique, but terstate 80 near Lehighton, Pennsylvania, so the convent hired Joe to come and buy all of them! Joe told Chub about his their slow growth rate or difficulty of was a downy serviceberry (Amelanchier

22 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 23 arborea) that had produced a witches’ Mac’s Gold white spruce (Picea glauca others. Joe is still working on this one, branch in the South Bridge office com- broom – a rare occurrence. The broom ‘Mac’s Gold’). A Christmas tree grower grafting plants from a single bud in an plex in Youngstown. The grafted plants formed a tight ball low on the plant, so discovered it in his fields, but no one attempt to isolate the exceptional clones. had a loose, open form that was not very Joe dubbed it ‘Sweet & Low.’ However, wanted to buy the odd plant. It has fo- In a batch of seedling English oaks attractive. He gave the plants away and the propagules never resulted in a dwarf liage that changes from gold in the (Quercus robur) that Joe grew in his one of them ended up in the Heartland plant, indicating that a disease, rather spring to a lime green hue in the sum- nursery, he discovered one that had crin- Collection, where plant curator Dave than a genetic mutation, most likely pro- mer. Joe asked if he could buy it and the kled leaves. Thinking that it was aphid Horst maintains it by shearing. This duced the broom. grower was happy to get rid of the alba- damage, he sprayed it with an insecticide, technique results in a much denser form. Another winner was a winged eu- tross. He dug it as a six-foot (2 m) tree, only to have the growth habit return. Sev- Joe ranks this cultivar, now called onymus (Euonymus alatus) found on the eral times, he repeated the pattern before ‘South Bridge,’ as one of his favorites. grounds of Villa Maria. It is much he realized that it was a genetic charac- The term “friendship plant” usually slower growing than the species, grow- When asked what his teristic, not a pest problem. refers to hostas, but any plant can serve ing no more than two inches per year. favorite introductions are, Patience is a virtue for anyone, but it as a way for people to meet. Once while The foliage stays green longer than the Joe is quick to mention is essential in the nursery industry exploring a strip mine in Callemsburg, typical plant but then turns the brilliant where one must wait for a plant to grow Pennsylvania, Joe found an unusual red characteristic of winged euonymus. Picea glauca ‘Mac’s Gold’ and develop before its full glory is ap- plant among thousands of Austrian For years, Joe would take cuttings, grow as being near the top parent. Joe’s experience with a weeping pines. This one had soft needles and a them to landscape size, and use the of the list Colorado spruce (Picea pungens) narrow, upright form, quite different plants in his landscape jobs. Recently, named ‘Candlestick’ is a great example. he told Jim Zampini at Lake County Joe originally saw this plant when he Nursery in Ohio about it and the nursery planted it in his yard, and began to suc- was working for another nursery. All of Patience is a virtue for was eager to buy the rights to the dwarf cessfully propagate from it. A couple of the limbs swept down close to the trunk anyone, but it is essential in plant. They are now increasing their years later, Joe had a pole barn con- and formed an apron on the ground. He the nursery industry where stock and will introduce it to the trade structed not too far from the tree. grafted the plant, but all of the grafts under the name Pipsqueak.™ Though the separating distance was ad- seemed to develop into normal trees. So one must wait for a plant to Lake County Nursery also bought equate to preserve the spruce, shortly he sold them as such, not keeping any grow and develop before its the rights to an arborvitae dubbed after the construction was completed, for himself. About 25 years later, he saw full glory is apparent ‘Linesville’ by Joe. He found the broom the tree rapidly deteriorated and died. a unique spruce in the front yard of a in a cemetery in Linesville, Pennsylva- Upon examination of the site, he discov- residence that looked exactly like the nia. Joe almost missed the tiny mutation, ered that the contractors had apparently plant he had grafted a generation earlier. from the normally stiff needles and but the juvenile foliage was distinctive. cleaned their brushes near the tree and His curiosity piqued, Joe inquired about spreading form of the species. He Not having much rootstock to use, he disposed of their brush cleaners by the unusual plant. Apparently, the owner knocked on the door of the owner and a grafted four scions on just one root- dumping them over the root zone of the had purchased the plant from Joe! He lady about his age answered. She asked stock. Soon, the bottom cutting began to tree. Fortunately, Joe still had small had sold it not realizing that it took on him to come in. At first, Joe refused, cit- form its own roots, indicating that the plants in the nursery. He kept one and its distinctive form later. The top retains ing his soiled boots, but she insisted and plant would be easy to propagate from gave the others away. When asked what an upright growth habit; only the lower he complied. The lady said, “Do you re- cuttings. The son of Lake County’s his favorite introductions are, Joe is branches weep. Again, Joe propagated member me?” Joe thought she had him owner wanted to call it ‘Bowling Ball,’ quick to mention ‘Mac’s Gold’ as being the plant and now has one in his own confused with someone else and stated alluding to its rounded growth habit, but near the top of the list. nursery. that he had never met her. The lady the owner said that Joe deserved more A Ginkgo biloba broom that Joe Another plant that did not merit a replied, “My name is Betty Hoover; we respect. Thus, the name Mr. Bowling found in Todd Cemetery in Youngstown second look initially is a variegated went to first grade together!” Joe was Ball™ came to be. is one of a kind. Each bud produces a white pine (Pinus strobus) that Joe amazed that she would remember him One of Joe’s best introductions is leaf cluster slightly different from the called ‘Kish.’ He found the mutant after 50 years.

24 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 25 Maybe it’s the climate, or perhaps and rope. Forests where Joe has found is always a thrill when he discovers a cone pine (Pinus aristata) found in Col- it’s the simple lifestyle, that has pro- many brooms are home to rattlesnakes, new one, and he can’t help speculating orado and California. Like Joe, they are vided Joe with his share of encounters so he takes the snakebite kit along as a about what kind of plant it would pro- a relic from the past, but capable of sur- with eccentric individuals. Topping the precaution. And the rifle? It’s more duce. He has several favorite brooms, viving in a tough environment. list is his relationship with the Swanson often used for retrieval of propagation but his favorite plant grows far to the The plant world needs more men brothers from Polk, Pennsylvania. Nu- material than for protection. west of his home – the ancient Bristle- like Joe Stupka. ▲ merous unusual plants, collected over A broom grew about 30 feet high in many generations, grew in their yard. a white pine along the highway right-of- One was a shrubby hemlock (Tsuga About the author: Glenn Herold was introduced to conifers and the American canadensis) that Joe wanted. He asked if Conifer Society by Dr. Edward Hasselkus, with whom he did his graduate work at he could take some cuttings. They said Not to be deterred, the University of Wisconsin. Through him, Glenn met Chub Harper and became in- that he could, but only four and they Joe took three sticks of volved in the Society’s Central Region where he eventually met Joe Stupka. Glenn wanted two back. Therefore, if only two has worked as a professor of horticulture at Illinois Central College in Peoria since grafts were successful, none would be dynamite and blew the 1979 and serves as curator of the school’s arboretum, which he founded. He also left for Joe to keep. Fortunately, they all entire broom out of the tree served as vice-president of the ACS’s Central Region from 2001-2003. took and Joe named it ‘Swanson.’ From then on, Joe was allowed to take additional cuttings, but only if he way near Strattanville, Pennsylvania, gave them something in return. One and there was a repair garage about 200 time, Joe gave a small grafted crabap- feet away. Climbing this tree would be ple to one brother and a different plant difficult, so Joe took out his rifle and to the other. The next day, one of them fired into the broom. Several cuttings called up Joe and said, “You didn’t do drifted to the ground. Hearing the shots, me right.” Joe replied, “Sure I did; I some men came running out of the gave each of you a plant!” However, garage to see what was going on. “Just the brother responded that they each missed a rabbit!” said Joe. 2004 Color Catalog had to have identical plants. So Joe said When a rifle won’t do the job, there Producers of rare and that he would bring him the proper may be another way. Joe found a broom unusual conifers, plant when he returned. Not wanting to growing along the side of a big cliff Shrubs, and Trees. wait that long, Mr. Swanson came to where he hunts. He tried shooting down Originators of the Joe’s nursery and, without him know- some cuttings, but they always got hung Girard Line of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and ing it, dug the entire six-foot tree. Joe up in the tree. Not to be deterred, Joe Juniper ‘Saybrook was spitting mad, but as he said, “What took three sticks of dynamite and blew Gold’ (Pat.#5014). could I do?” the entire broom out of the tree. It was Visit our nursery and full of cones and one of the resulting conifer gardens. Thrill of the hunt seedlings turned into a tight, slow-grow- Send for free catalog to: Broom hunting can be rewarding but ing, upright plant, worthy of introduc- Girard Nurseries also hazardous. Standard gear for a tion. Thus, Canoe Canada hemlock P.O. Box 428 8938 Newburg Road broom-hunting expedition includes a (Tsuga canadensis ‘Canoe’) was born – Geneva, OH 44041 Rockford, IL 61108 (440) 466-2881 ladder or climbing spurs, a long rope, a another of Joe’s favorite discoveries. Fax (440) 466-3999 Phone:(815) 332-5610 snakebite kit, and a rifle (Joe’s favorite Joe has collected cuttings from over Fax:(815) 332-7495 is a 30/40 Craig). Many brooms are 100 brooms in his lifetime and has prob- www.girardnurseries.com E-mail:[email protected] found high in tall trees, hence the spurs ably seen ten times that many. Yet there

26 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 27 A Taylor-Made Upright Conifer rus virginiana ‘Taylor’ was registered determined to be grafting ‘Taylor’ scion with the International Conifer Registry. wood onto Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetzi.’ GreatPlants for the Great Plains program promotes a tough Juniperus This cultivar is disease-resistant and The cultivar was distributed by virginiana cultivar that was locally born and bred tolerant of a wide variety of soil and en- means of a signed memorandum of vironmental conditions when planted in a agreement between NSA and the grow- By Bob Henrickson sunny, airy location. The deep green ers. It was considered in the nursery Assistant Director of Horticulture Program, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum summer foliage color turns a dull bronze- trade to be a “gentlemen’s agreement” in green in winter, and under favorable con- which growers purchased scion wood ditions the growth rate is medium in and could then engage in propagation llen Wilke of Columbus, Nebraska, He brought the Taylor tree to the attention youth and slow at maturity. Like most Adiscovered the plant that would be of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum conifers, this selection requires full sun to named Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’ (NSA), and the plant was subsequently develop dense growth and will not toler- The most successful growing in the wild in Loup County grown and observed by Wilke and NSA ate shade. In trials, it has performed well propagation method was near the town of Taylor in 1978, on the for approximately ten years. in high pH soils throughout Nebraska, determined to be grafting land of Marlen Britton. Joe Young was It was determined that a patent could Minnesota, North Dakota and Oklahoma, also involved in its discovery. The origi- not be obtained because the plant was and it is extremely hardy to Zone 3. Ac- ‘Taylor’ scion wood onto nal tree was 25 feet (8 m) tall and three found in the wild; a patent would have cording to a nursery manager in Lincoln, Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetzi’ feet (1 m) wide – a promising form for given NSA exclusive rights to the plant Nebraska, ‘Taylor’ is “for us, at least landscape use – and appeared both dis- for seventeen years. It was also deter- three times better than any other upright ease resistant and tolerant of poor soils. mined that a trademark would be of little in the trade.” and sale of ‘Taylor’ for a period of ten Wilke wanted to evaluate the plant for value because NSA was a non-profit or- In 1992, Alan Wilke and his son, years. The grower agreed to pay fifty possible distribution to the nursery trade, ganization. Also, a trademark is not al- Evan, gave all business interest in the cents for each plant sold during the hoping it could be promoted and recog- lowed for a plant that has been registered Taylor juniper to NSA in a written agree- agreement period. The initial agree- nized as a native Nebraska introduction. as a cultivar. Instead, the cultivar Junipe- ment, with the understanding that NSA ments required remitting this payment would “disseminate it into the trade in a to NSA until the year 2003; all proceeds professional manner” under the recog- were to be used for NSA’s New Trees nized name of ‘Taylor’ to note its Ne- For Nebraska plant introduction pro- braska origin. Under the agreement, all gram (a forerunner of the current Great- income and royalties from the plant Plants program). would go to NSA to defray introduction Since its initial introduction in 1992, costs. The Wilkes retained the right to the Taylor has performed well in the propagate and sell the plant for their use. landscape and, true to its description, J. virginiana ‘Taylor’ maintains its dense, The agreement also directed that has proved to be a hardy and adaptable upright habit without “Taylor juniper be promoted and recog- plant with a strong upright growth habit pruning. nized as a native Nebraska introduction, that does not require trimming. It is an that only reputable and sizeable produc- excellent specimen, grouping and ers shall be licensed to grow the Taylor screening plant for narrow areas of the juniper, and that only the best recognized landscape, such as parking strips or techniques and rootstocks be used in its property boundaries. In spite of this pos- production in order to produce the high- itive performance over the past ten est quality plants.” Propagation by cut- years, it is not a readily available plant tings was consistently successful, yet the in the nursery industry. To help give most successful propagation method was Taylor the recognition it deserves, it was

28 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 29 released through the GreatPlants® for the Great Plains program in 2003. This CONIFER OF NOTE plant promotion program recognizes and promotes “plains-hardy plants for Bob Myers sent in this photo of beautiful landscapes.” a tree in Carpinteria, If you’re looking for a juniper with a California. The placard reads: distinctive, narrowly upright habit remi- niscent of the Italian cypress, then look Wardholme Torrey Pine no further than the Taylor juniper. ▲ 1888 Largest known Historical Landmark About the author: Bob Henrickson City of Carpinteria is a native Nebraskan with a particu- lar interest in praire plants and sus- If you see any conifers like tainable landscapes. As the Assistant this one, singled out and Director of Horticulture Programs at protected for their size or the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, significance, send a photo he manages the GreatPlants for the and description to the Editor. 2005 is our 59th year in Great Plains program. This program business. We offer dwarf introduces new plants into the nurs- and unusual conifers and ery trade and promotes consumer Japanese maples from small use of a greater variety of landscape to specimen sizes. plants. He also works to acquire, When the snow flies, we make propagate and distribute plants for custom plant labels by order. evaluation through the NSA Plant GEE FARMS Research Consortium. Bob says he 816 Holly Pike is very interested in the incredible Mt. Holly Springs, PA 17065 diversity of conifers yet to be con- Nursery & Landscaping (717) 486-5142 sidered for the landscape. www.suncrest-gardens.com 10 Acres of Container Plants Conifers, Hosta, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials We invite you to visit our display gardens and new water garden featuring many unusual and hard to find plants. Family Owned since 1849 8:00 am till Dark – 7 days 16804 NE 102nd Ave., Battle Ground, WA 98604 Gary & Kaye Gee 14928 Bunkerhill Rd., Stockbridge, MI 49285 catalog $2.00 PH: (517) 769-6772 or 1-800-860-BUSH FAX (517) 769-6204 360-574-3832 fax 360-574-3596 41370 SE Thomas Road • Sandy, OR 97055 503.668.5834 phone/fax e-mail [email protected] Visit our Web site @ www.geefarms.com for our plant list EMAIL: [email protected] http://www.collectorsnursery.com www.porterhowse.com

30 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 31 Conifers in the News stolen. “It’s in great shape, well-wa- and Northern Sierra Nevada, reported tered, and everything is fine. In fact, I that American Forests, a nonprofit cit- Compiled by Tony Green think it’s grown a bit,” Reeh com- izens’ conservation organization, is mented. Grateful for the tree’s return, planting 633,000 trees in locations na- New Law Targets Leylandii guisher,” if not for the the bad pun, Reeh has pledged not to plant any tionwide under their Wildfire ReLeaf Good fences make good neighbors, as then perhaps for the fact that Leyland more trees in the traffic circle. While program. This program, administered the saying goes, but not when the cypress is not a fir. the treenapper’s motives are clear, his in cooperation with the United States “fence” consists of a stand of tower- identity remains a mystery. Forest Service, targets areas devastated ing, fast-growing Leyland cypress. The Case of the Kidnapped Conifer by wildfires. Among the many sites The BBC reported that these plants are A number of news sources in Califor- Conifer Plantings Aid chosen for restoration efforts is Giant now subject to regulation under an nia covered the story of Berkeley resi- Endangered Species Sequoia National Monument. The Mc- “anti-social behavior” law that now dent, Karl Reeh. Co-owner of Rakes Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald Nally fire in the Summer of 2002 specifically includes the conifer. Progress Landscaping, Karl Reeh and covered a story in New South Wales of burned about 150,000 acres in all and Overgrown hedges have long been friends have been planting trees in traf- an ongoing reforestation of plum pines destroyed about 5 percent of the mon- a problem. The government estimate of fic circles of his neighborhood with the (Podocarpus lawrencei) initiated to ument (16,000 acres). Fortunately, no disputes involving high hedges in the encouragement and support of the city. help preserve the already-endangered giant sequoias were burned, although UK is close to 17,000 cases, although In mid-April, however, someone took pygmy possum. The pygmy possum, the fire approached to within one mile the lobbying group Hedgeline calls exception to Reeh’s beautification. A whose population has dwindled to of one grove. Although the big trees that figure a “gross under-estimation.” six-foot baldcypress he planted in one fewer than 400 adults, depends on the were spared, the devastation was cata- The origins of a law to control Leyland of the circles was uprooted and left in plum pines for food and shelter. The strophic. American Forests will plant cypress date back to 1998, and since the circle. Reeh replanted the tree, but possums eat the seeds and fruit of the 18,000 conifer seedlings over 54 acres then the issue has never gone away. As shortly thereafter, the tree disappeared trees and the beetles, millipedes and in this area not only to regenerate the of late May 2005, local government completely. caterpillars that live on them. These forest, but also to restore the California councils have been granted the author- Then the ransom notes appeared. plum pines grow a mere two millime- spotted owl’s habitat. ity to intervene in disputes involving Reeh was reassured in the note that ters a year in the harsh alpine environ- this plant. “Your tree is safe. It’s with other trees.” ment. With a prostrate habit, they are Endangered Conifers Before a council will hear a case, The treenapper’s demand was not not tall, but may be many meters long. Abies nebrodensis, also known as the complainants must have attempted to money, but a promise that no tree The reforestation effort was begun Nebrodi or Sicilian Fir, is listed as resolve the matter privately first. While would be planted in the circle. Behind in the aftermath of a devastating fire in “Critically Endangered” by The World people whose yards are overshadowed the demand was the concern that the 2003 on Mount Blue Cow in Ko- Conservation Union (IUCN); the only by tall hedges now have recourse, the tree created a safety hazard by blocking sciuszko National Park that destroyed a trees known in the wild are in a grove road to relief can be an expensive one. the views of drivers and pedestrians. stand of plum pines. The Department of of just 30 individuals on a Sicilian A typical non-refundable fee for a Reeh let it be known through the Environment and Conservation is using mountainside, whose tenuous exis- hearing before a council is £300. If the neighborhood grapevine that he would cuttings taken from surviving pines to tence is threatened by erosion. Scots- judgment is in favor of the com- honor the demands of the ransom propagate about 1,000 of the trees. The man.com has reported that the plainant, officials can require that notes, but for two months the tree was new trees are being planted wherever International Conifer Conservation hedges be cut back to a maximum of not returned. Finally in late June, the the plum pines do not seem to be re- Program, based at the Royal Botanic two meters. Fines of up to £1,000 can tree appeared outside Reeh’s house. generating naturally following this par- Garden in Edinburgh, has planted 15 be levied for non-compliance. The baldcypress was in a large plastic ticularly severe fire. specimens at Dawyk Botanic Garden, Incidentally, it is perhaps amusing container and was not only unharmed, In related news, YubaNet, a com- near Peebles. that the article was entitled “Fir Extin- but in better shape than when it was munity website for the Gold Country Curator David Knott was quoted as

32 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 33 “Collectors’ Conifer of the Year” Program Debuts saying: “A combination of soil ero- other Wollemi was displayed at the sion through deforestation, climate Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, by Ridge Goodwin change, grazing and competition and one was shown at the RHS from other trees has all but wiped out Chelsea Flower Show in the Royal e on the lookout in the next edition will be used; if grafted, the #1 container the wild population, so measures such Botanic Gardens exhibit. Bof the Quarterly as the Collectors’ will be used. All non-dwarf plants will as this are crucial in ensuring the Conifer of the Year Committee an- be in #1 containers whether grafted or Abies does not disappear entirely.” Redwood Logging Halted nounces its first selections to be offered not. There will be 250 produced of each The Welsh Western Mail brought The Spring Conifer Quarterly in- for sale! size, and orders will be limited to one attention to some rare plants in Wales cluded the story of Pacific Lumber This exciting new program, for the plant of each per person. Once we reach on the brink of extinction. The conifer and its quest to resume logging in sole benefit of American Conifer Society sales of 250 of either size, we will be on the list is a dwarf variety of com- Humboldt County. As of that time, members, offers to our many enthusiasts “sold out” and unable to accommodate mon juniper (Juniperus communis the local Water Board in Humboldt the chance to purchase outstanding further orders. ssp. hemisphaerica), of which only Country had approved half the log- conifer selections – chosen each year by a Plants will be shipped at the appro- four plants remain on Ramsey Island, ging permits requested by Pacific panel of experts and produced for us by priate time by UPS Ground (typically Pembrokeshire. The only other popu- Lumber. Both residents and Pacific the country’s leading conifer nurseries. the second or third week in March) and lation in the UK is on the Lizard Lumber were disappointed with this There will be a minimum of two selec- should arrive within a week. All plants Peninsula in West Cornwall. This compromise. The lumber company tions each year, one a dwarf or miniature will have care sheets written specifically population has dwindled substantially claimed it needed to resume logging for rock gardens, troughs and diminutive for each plant to help you be successful there as well; only three plants re- to stave off bankruptcy, and the resi- landscapes, and the other having the more and will carry a one-year replacement main. Fortunately, this subspecies is dents of Elk River and Freshwater typical growth habit of a compact or full- guarantee. Additionally, each plant will growing in substantial populations in Creek wanted all logging prohibited size plant. Some years we will also offer a contain a beautiful anodized aluminum other parts of Europe. to prevent further erosion and silting selection chosen for its adaptability to plant tag, which has been custom de- of the creeks from occurring. Southern growing conditions should the signed for us, that will permanently Wollemi Pines Planted in England In June, that ruling was overturned main selections not be suitable. identify each selection with its full News organizations in the UK gave by the State Water Resources Control The annual selections will represent botanical name and the designation of wide coverage to the debut of the Board who ruled that Pacific Lum- plants that the committee feels are the American Conifer Society Conifer of Wollemi pine there. On May 10, two ber’s harvesting plans were improp- best choices available at that time. They the Year for that year! Royal Botanic Gardens locations held erly approved by the regional board will combine the elements of rarity, The plants that we will be offering ceremonies to unveil the tree. The without sufficient environmental re- uniqueness, adaptability, sturdiness, gar- for next spring and those that will follow actor Kenneth Branagh planted a view. State law requires an additional den worthiness, and that undefinable will represent the conifers that attract Wollemi pine at Wakehurst Place, round of reviews when logging could “wow factor” that will make the selec- the most attention during our plant auc- West Sussex, and Sir David Attenbor- harm already damaged waterways. ▲ tions the future stars of your garden! With tions at the regional and national meet- ough unveiled another Wollemi pine people like Paul Halladin, Don Howse, ings, only now you won’t need to enter at Kew Gardens. The tree at Kew is Tony Green is husband of Conifer Rita Oster and Larry Stanley on the selec- a bidding war. Everyone can be a winner situated on the lawn in front of the Quarterly Editor Anne Brennan. Though tion committee, you are assured that a – including the Society, to whom the Orangery, protected by a metal cage. he works as a software developer, he steady stream of truly fascinating plants proceeds will go, to be used in support There are 16 trees in all at Kew; the dusts off his English degree to abstract will be offered in the coming years. of our mission to bring conifers and peo- conifer-related news stories for ACS location of the other 15 is secret. The dwarf and miniature selections ple together. members. If you find an article that Wollemi seeds are preserved at the should be included, send it to the Editor will be grown in either a four-inch pot or Millennium Seed Bank in Wakehurst or e-mail Tony directly at tony@ a #1 (previously 1 gallon) container, de- Your participation is cordially invited! ▲ Place as well. Later in the month, an- merecat.org. pending on the method of propagation. If the plant is rooted, the four-inch pot

34 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 35 Alan Bloom 1906-2005 Renowned author and plantsman championed use of hardy perennials

lan Bloom, the founder of a fa- team of paid and volunteer helpers, Wicken Fen. As his contribution to also joint founder of the Hardy Plant Amous nursery and steam museum this was the beginning of what was to the war effort, Alan cleared the Fen Society and its first chairman. at Bressingham in Norfolk, England, become The Bressingham Steam Mu- for food crops, an achievement recog- Alan was joined in the nursery and has died aged 98 at his home, Bress- seum, one of the largest live steam at- nised by a visit to the farm from King farm business by his sons Adrian and ingham Hall. tractions in Britain. Opening in the George the Sixth and Queen Eliza- Robert in 1962, and after 1970 he took Creator of the six-acre Dell gar- early 1960s, the garden and Steam beth. an ever decreasing role, spending den at Bressingham, where he pio- Museum became a unique visitor at- Returning to his occupation as a more time on his steam interest and neered the use of hardy perennials in traction that. though much enlarged, nurseryman, Alan Bloom sold both propagating his beloved perennials. “island beds” in the mid 1950s, he still runs today. Alan Bloom wrote Burwell and Oakington and moved to Alan wrote his first book on was also responsible for breeding and many books on plants in general and Bressingham in Norfolk with his perennials in 1957 and often ap- introducing a wide range of nearly particularly perennials, steam, auto- young family in 1946 to establish a peared with Percy Thrower, Britain's 200 varieties of perennials, among biography and even novels – in all nursery in this quiet south Norfolk vil- first TV gardener. He was awarded the most famous of which are Cro- around 30 books. lage. Fulfilling a long-felt desire to be both The Victoria Medal of Honour cosmia ‘Lucifer,’ Astilbe ‘Sprite,’ When he left school in Cambridge, a “pioneer,” he needed little encour- (V.M.H.) and the Veitch Memorial Achillea ‘Moonshine,’ Geranium Alan worked on other nurseries in agement to move his family to Canada Medal (V.M.M.) by the Royal Horti- ‘Ballerina’ and Phlox ‘Franz Schu- England before returning to help his in 1948. Later he would say it was the cultural Society and an M.B.E. bert.’ The Dell garden eventually con- father Charles Bloom on his nursery in biggest mistake in his life. Moves to tained over 5000 species and varieties Oakington, Cambridgeshire, and then Vancouver Island and then Ontario Alan Herbert Vauser Bloom, born of perennials from all over the world starting his own business in the same were not successful, and he had to re- November 19th, 1906, Over, Cam- and was developed between 1953 and village in 1926. The nursery was pri- turn to rescue the failing nursery left bridgeshire. Married twice, to Doris 1962. After 1962, Alan’s energies marily wholesale, and Blooms Nurs- behind under the responsibility of a Heavens in 1931 and Flora Mackin- were directed toward a completely eries became one of the largest of its manager. Alan rebuilt the nursery, and tosh in 1956. He had six children, different pastime of collecting old kind in England by the outbreak of by 1955 it had became one of the eight grandchildren and two great steam traction engines and locomo- war in 1939. During this period, he put largest perennial nurseries in Europe grandchildren. ▲ tives which were then being put on the plant business into mothballs and during a time when perennials were the scrap heaps of Britain. With a bought a farm in Burwell adjacent to far less popular than today. He was

36 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 37 Indiana Schimke, Jozie Lynch, Stephen E. Members’ Gardens Open by Appointment Benedict, Robert Hughes, Paula M. Monet, Annette Butterfield, Dan Snyder, Marvin & Emelie O’Connor, Kate When each of us recently joined or renewed our membership in the American Conifer Flint, Harrison L. Srna, Craig Prado,Wayne A. Society, we were asked whether other members may contact us to arrange a visit to our Kercher,Terrie C. Rumpler, Marvin Kentucky Jerabek, Donald Strauch, Jr., Joseph G. garden. Those members who said “yes” are listed below. Baker, Jerry E. Kittle, Daniel R. Toffey, Liz Hart, Lawrence V. (Jack) Locker, Stephen J. West, Cully Devlin Some members insist that one of the most valuable benefits of ACS membership is the Leichhardt, Mitchell Michaelis, Louise & David Wyman, Jr., Lester M. access to hundreds of conifer-lovers’ gardens throughout the country. Use the list to Megginson, Douglas J. Miller, Roger & Lynda Wyman, Marian meet new folks in your area or schedule a detour to a new garden when you travel to Yoakem, John A. Park, Jay & Terri Zawacki, John S. & Elinor A. other regions! Thompson, Gerald L. Maine Bain, Lou & Murray Michigan Iowa Armintrout, David Due to a printing error, not all of the names below were designated as “open by appoint- Goodman, Forest Anderson-Quint, Ingrid Borgesen, Carl Lee, Robin ment” in the 2005 Membership Directory, so you may wish to keep a copy of these pages Batcheler, Craig for your reference. Use the Directory to obtain specific location and contact information. Bradley, Bruce E. Boleyn, Jan Maryland Cameron, John Coffman, Eugene W. Baker, Brant Carter, Hope Cook, Lura C. Beaudry, Norman Celtic Conifers Arizona Graham, Kenneth E. Jones, Jr., Sam B. Dunkle,Warren Cohen, Joel Hoffmann, Paul Hildreth,W. Richard & Susan Jamison, Scott Jones, Carleen A. Elder, Randall Cole, Richard Cheney, Bill & Mary Riser, Olin Ferrell, Jerry L. Cottrell, Mike California Jaynes, Richard A. & Sally Crossroads Animal Hospital, Inc. Hammerschlag, Richard & Kelley, Ray Ruter, Dr. John M. Flynn, Paula England,Tim Anderson, Dr. Paul Freddi Kennedy, Ian Specialty Ornamentals Folkerts, Gale Daleiden, Jack & Marilyn Baker, Alan Chaffin, Florence A. & Joseph P. Prandoni, Andrew & Linda Larned, Michael C. Forrest, Nancy Deppe, Dale Coulter, Nancy Swanson, Dollie C. Sullivan, Mark O’Brien, John D. Hall, Joe Detter, David A. Daneri, Dee Waters, Jr.,William U. Hermsen, Dennis Mallen,Wanda Paquette,Wayne Illinois Field, John & Julie Ashauer, Jeffrey D. Jacobson, Craig & Deb Massachusetts Mathey, Robert & Judith Perran, Bruce Griesmayer, Michael Coultrip, Robert & Christine Jaggard, Marybeth Albin, Rochelle Mayne, Roland & Gwen Sutcliffe, Mark S. Groh, Dennis G. & Carole L. Duthie, Pam Kautzky, Rosemary Arnold Arboretum Library of Piper, Susan E. Thaw, MD, B. D. Harris, Charlene & Wade Dykstra, Randy Kramer, Dave & Sue Harvard University Piper, Jr., Ross H. Twombly Nursery Pearson, Lisa Hartley-Kik, Marilyn Thibault,Tim Brodtman, Andrew Eyre, Richard W. & Susan Laws, Barry A. Herter, Dale & Sherrie Skellenger, Larry Banks, Arthur S. Wiersma, Roy H. Wheeler, Adam Gardner, John H. & Bernice Hop, Carol T. & Bruce Loukaitis, Dan Barker, Ann Wright, Stephen Williams, Edward A. & Patricia Grafton, James & Mary Horman,William H. Maresh, Richard E. Bigwood, Gerald F. Delaware Hall, Jan Benjamin & Jane E. L. LaFond, Rick & Cindy Colorado Montgomery, De Etta Boodakian, Paul Chandler, Charmayne & Jay Herold, Glenn & Terry Loughry, Bruce Coe, John Clark & Joy Pool, Robert & Jackie Britz, Nancy Murray, Kenneth W. J. Carlson Growers, Inc. Marek, Kenneth G. Davis, Deanna Carlson, Jon G. Rathje, Jeff & Lora Dalmas, Judith Wingate, Brad M. Owens, Clarence O. Gregory, Jae Farris, Kevin Rinderspacher, Emil DeBartolo, Mario & Gretchen Rollet, Paula & Raymond Hayward, Pat Georgia Krause, Lawrence A. Ripley, Merwyn & Nan Doughty, Charles Schray,Todd A. Johnson, Dan Barton, John Kupec, Arnold C. Riveland, Larry & Cindy Dustman, Christie Stern, Mark & Siegrid Oerter, Paul G. Berrong, Dale K. Markus, Brent Whittenbaugh, Gary Hanscom, Ann Wegner, Judy & William Teegarden,Walt & Joann Bethea, Harry Micheletti,Tom Whittenbaugh,Tom Jeanty, Roger Jones, Larry L. Wild, Don & Harriet Connecticut Cox,Tom Pribble, Lona Wiederstein, Nicki Kaufman, David Wilkins, Jim & Sandy Angle, Jay Cree, David W. Reiling, Arlan Wolf, Mike Winchell, Ross B. Atwood, Kristina Francis, Mike Senger, Kenneth Keegan, Charles J. Kansas Yancho, Sr., Michael Cuchetto, Robert George, Richard S. Shattuck, Kate Mahoney, Suzanne & Michael Duncan, Kirk Yunger, Andrew & Kay Bournival, Norman & Gail Johnson, Jr., Ozzie W. Malkasian, Rick The Morton Arboretum Henry, Brian Dodge, Dennis E. Bachtell, Kris Mirage Water Gardens

38 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 39 Minnesota New York Ohio Kaufman, Pete Seip, Robert G. Neff, Pamela Byman, Donald C. Bergen Water Gardens & Barger, Bill & Suzanne Mack-Yankee, Sharon Shaffer, Lance E. Henne, Maud Edelweiss Landscaping & Nursery Baxter, Byron & Nancy Mathis, Edward Solt, Ronald E. James, Paul S. Nau, Lawrence & Sherry Nursery, Inc. Cochran, Kenneth Neal, Margaret Beth Constantine, John Johnson, Gretchen Braeu, Josef & Debbie Blagowidow, George & Ludmilla Comparin, Leesa Leckey, David Stull, Linda M. Jones, Peter C. Hill, Roger W. Brody, Abby Jane Cutler, Sandra McLean & Bobby Pease, Cindy Lou Valentine, Patrick Miller, Jeff Illingworth, Robert Brown, Kenneth & Sue Dannaher, David J. Porterhowse Farms Wallen, Christopher N. Osborne, F.Gary Rodich, Richard T. Dustman, Elmer & Joyce Howse, Don Darrow, Nance Wolf-Run Nursery Paulsen, Dr. Albert G. Smith, Jason A. Feller, Bruce & Marianne Porter, Lloyd Priebe, Karen & Mark Demrovsky, Mark Rippy, Sue Hanford, George R. Russell, Loy Missouri Drake, John B. Rhode Island Schroeder, Francie Holland, M. Dolores Stanley, Larry & Marlene Buehrig, Bruce W. Dugan, Ellen R. DeCoster, Glenn A. Eastwood, Henry Kral, Gerald P.& Karen S. Turrell, Phil Burgess, Kent Echler, Frank Drury, John P. Stiff, Mac & Anne Kroll, Bill Van Meter, Morris Curran, Mike Evans, Michael Hartman, Ralph J. Wenleder, Rudolf B. & Rene Y. Munk, Fred Zamudio, Jesus Pforr, Greg & Eileen Fling, Russell S. & Dona Havens, Sidney E. Washington Oesterly, Charles Pennsylvania Rode, Daniel & Helene Jurgenson, Michael L. & Brenda Russell, Jr., Glenn W. Albers, Dr. John J. Perrone, Philip Beadle, Erica Schoedinger, III, George R. Lee, Dennis E.C. Miller Library Schoedinger, Lesley W. Steves, Gale Black, Jane D. & Barry D. South Carolina Marsolo, David Haywood, M. Furman & Edna Fincham, Robert L. Sewing Specialties Pfeister, Susan Brennan, Anne McKelvey, Adriana & Robert Helms, David Counts, Robert E. Rawlings, Kevin & Austin Green,Tony Head, Bob & Lisa Merrell, David M. Janssen, Bill Still, Jean & Stephen Rezek, Sr., Edward F. Brooks, Martin & Reba Wertz, J. David Myers, Ronald E. Montague, Dan & Pat Woody, Ray Schwarz, Eric D. Brouse, Frank W. Tennessee Nespolini, Gina Randall, Mike & Anne O’Neal, Eric Wiggs, Eileen Cullerton,Walter & Emilie Brennan, Jim Steele,Timothy T. Regenhold, Ronald & Judith Curanzy, Helen P.& Raymond R. Stanford, Edward R. & Sharon M. Nebraska Solomon, Alan Stirushnik, James Schnormeier,Ted & Ann Davis, Bob & Ruth Cartwright, Andrea Van Dyk, Jeri Ackerman, Rod R. Gamble, Paul Valavanis,William N. Soucek, Jonathan H. & Eileen Doyle, James F. Wick, James A. Moritz, Douglas Wiggin’s Nursery Weissenberger, Henry P. Stull, Kalman & Susan Elder, John P. Texas New Hampshire Trautmann, Christopher Flack, David West Virginia North Carolina Caldwell,William F. Allen, Nancy G. Tuckerman, Steve & Jennie Eckhoff, Andy Cain, Elizabeth Balogh, Michael & Ryan Wooldridge, C. Jay Fenderson, G. K. Vrablic, Jr., John J. Gianfrancesco, Edward Mills, Bill Bankhead, Delia Koelb, Palmer W. West, Clark D. Goodwin, Ridge & Jo Ann Utah Mills, Gussie Bertels, Norman & Monagail Parks, Joe B. Greey, Jr., Elmer B. Garr, Mary & Ken Claridge, Patti Oklahama Greey, Gertrude E. Wisconsin Miller, Len New Jersey Currier, Joann M. Gulden, Gregg & Barbara Vermont Allen, Sandra & Dennis Baker, Roger W. Africa, George Dilley, John E. Oregon Houle, Robert Brown, Kenneth Blasko,Timothy & Shirley Avery, Don & Lela Jack, Jordan & Bennett Ayers, Jack & Sharon Johns, Herb Cartwright, David E. & Carol Gantenbein, Daniel & Xiyu Burzon, Steve McClure, Mary C. Buchholz,Talon Macerollo, Michael Doll, Norm Goodhart, Frank & Joan Coleburn, Robin & Robert Means, Robert Durkin, Mike Brinley, Richard Erwin, John Marcus, Marlowe & Lila Hoogenboom, John Moore, Martha S. & Jerry D. Eckerdt, Pat & Dave Meiser, Dennis Hasselkus, Professor E. R. Marrone, Patrick Johnsen, Eric Mowrey, Joel Giusa, Anthony Metzgar, Dr. Judith & John C. Johnson, Irwin Mohr, John Parks, Kai-Mei & David Fortner, Jerry Morris Arboretum of the Mill Brook Bonsai Kammer, Gisela University of Pennsylvania Anderson, A. P. Okken, George Pawlowski, Paul L. Holden,Verl L. Kopitzke, Russell Aiello, Anthony Reynolds, Margo Ray, Dr. A. Graham Hardesty, Florence F. Virginia Lesch, Steve Pepper, Alice & David Seeley, Robert J. Riggs, Rudy Hupp, Barbara & Jason Burrell, Scott Meissner, Gregory Pottmeyer, Jr., Jerome J. Simon, Les Phillips, James L. Jacob, Brian Cadmus, Pamela Moersch, Peter Przybylek, Dan Ramsey, Larry Teti, Al Wagner,Tamela & Jim Jones, Susan & Rick Lyon, Ed R.A. Nursery Vermeulen, Nancy Kilbourne, H. Lenise Florence, Robert Munson, Ann North Dakota Angino, Richard C. Leethem, Donald Gardner, Margaret I. Reichenbach, Bill Anderson, Carolyn Routa, John Hallal, F.Joseph & Janice C. Seidl,William J. Lone Elder Nursery Savitsky, Robert Utterback,Tom Hankins, Gerald

40 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 41 Conifer Appreciation in Asheville We’d Love to See You in Roanoke This Fall by Jordan Jack by Maud Henne, Southeastern Region president

small group of conifer enthusiasts toured the old conifer display gardens of ith Robert and Linda Guiles as garden of ACS member Paul James who Amet in the Asheville area on May the Washington Evergreen Nursery site. Wcoordinators, preparations are in started growing conifers 40 years ago 14th to visit Michael Balogh’s Mountain These gardens are filled with about 130 full swing for the fall gathering of the but has concentrated more recently on Meadow Nursery in Weaverville, North types of mature conifers that were Southeastern Region in Roanoke, Vir- rhododendrons and azaleas. Other Carolina, and – after a good lunch off of planted in the early to mid 1980s. The ginia, on September 30th and October points of interest include the Blue Ridge the Weber hibachi – drove to our home visitors enjoyed them and were shocked 1st, 2005. Parkway, part of the Appalachians, for and gardens in Leicester. that some of the specimens have reached Roanoke is the entrance to the south- On a bright, sunny Saturday morn- more than double the height listed in western corner of Virginia, still in the ing, we began by enjoying Michael’s ex- most books. Shenandoah Valley, about 10 miles tensive display gardens, which were full Our home is surrounded by wood- away from an access to the Blue Ridge of conifers in their fine spring colors and land gardens with many conifers, dog- Mountains. Roanoke has an airport, but many blooming perennial plants at their woods, over 50 types of large-leaf it is a beautiful drive on I-81 in both di- feet. Michael and his son have even built rhodies, many evergreen and deciduous rections. As already outlined in the a waterfall that spills down into a gold- azaleas, and a number of recently devel- Spring issue of the Conifer Quarterly, fish pond. The water’s sound was won- oped mountain laurels. Many of the we will visit the Botanical Garden of derfully soothing. After the garden visit, rhodies and azaleas were in full bloom, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and meet we walked through Mike’s nursery with ablaze with white, pink, red, lavender, with Dr. Alex Nimiera, Director of the hiking and camping or simply enjoying its impressive selection of over 200 purple, and bicolor blooms. The moun- Horticulture Department there, as well the scenic drive; the Natural Bridge, a types of conifers in 1-, 2- and 3-gallon tain laurels were mostly in full bud and as visit his own garden close by. We will nature area with a 200-foot high rock containers. As if these plants were not hinted at their vivid colors. Much of the visit the Community Arboretum at formation spanning a creek plus an un- large enough to impress us, Mike also garden floor was filled with wildflowers Western Virginia Community College expected array of native arborvitae has rows of field-grown conifers that he in bloom. By now, we were all glad to sit near Roanoke to admire the result of an growing in the crevices of the rocks; uses in his landscaping business. Two of and rest tired feet on our living room initiative by more than a dozen commu- Roanoke’s museums for history buffs; his hoop houses were filled with about porch with a view of Mt. Mitchell some nity groups to set up and maintain a and Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s 70 types of rooted conifer cuttings wait- 55 miles away. A beverage containing small but exquisite botanical garden on “other” retreat, near Lynchburg. ing to be potted up once his spring land- some “old fashioned tranquilizer” helped campus that even includes a conifer col- We mailed meeting brochures and scaping schedule slowed down a bit. to relieve our tired muscles. lection. Our host at the college will be registration forms in July to the mem- The other poly houses were filled with All in all, everyone enjoyed this Lee Hipp, Director of Horticulture for bers in the Southeastern Region. If you conifers in small containers that had Conifer Day. We only wished that more the Community Arboretum and Pro- live outside of our region but would like been overwintered there and were wait- conifer lovers had been able to join us in gram Head for Horticultural Technol- to come to the meeting, you are very ing to be bumped up into the next con- the experience. ▲ ogy. Lee will give us insight into how welcome to do so. Please contact our re- tainer size. Mike and his wife and son the arboretum came about as commu- gional Secretary/Treasurer John Quack- then gave us a delightful picnic lunch on nity project. A visit to the private garden enbush (phone: 706-310-0670; e-mail: their terrace with hamburgers hot off the of Gary Osborne will conclude our tour. [email protected]) and request grill and many other goodies. The day will end with our plant auc- the information package. After lunch, the group drove to our tions, as is the tradition. home and gardens on the side of a small Our suggestions for pre- and post- Virginia is for Lovers. We would love to mountain in Leicester, NC. We first meeting visits will include the woodland see you in Virginia this fall! ▲

42 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 43 Pete Conrad Hosts Western Region Rendezvous by Horst Jeddeloh,Western Region President

e have had a typical Pacific North- with the entry at street level and a back Wwest spring with lots of rain. In yard that drops off considerably. Pete February, 90-degree days melted the designed and installed the entire garden snow pack in the mountains and our himself (except for help from Teresa, no Governor declared a drought emergency doubt!). He used wooden boards to edge for Oregon for the coming summer. Of the walks, interlaced with brick and course – what with Murphy's law and all gravel. His choice of pathways is excel- – the rains came, and came, and came. lent and allows for great viewing of the Great weather for conifers, though! With plant material, which mainly consists of this in mind, we scheduled a garden ren- Japanese maple cultivars, ground cov- dezvous at Pete and Teresa Conrad's ers, and many cultivars of dwarf and Pete and Teresa Conrad’s sloped beautiful home in Battleground, Wash- miniature conifers. property is a perfect backdrop ington, on May 22. On June 26, the Western Region held for their garden of maples, The Conrads’ home is about 30 min- a second rendezvous, this time at Porter- ground covers, and dwarf and utes from Portland. We did get a break in howse Farms in Sandy, Oregon. Don miniature conifers. the weather and were able to enjoy the Howse’s new display garden, installed garden and wonderful plants Pete has by Randy Oster of R&R Nursery, was been collecting over the last 10 years. one highlight. Details of that event will The house is located on a sloped lot appear in a future report. ▲ A l l p h o t o s b y P e t e C o n r a d

44 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 45 Northeastern Region Report by Walter Cullerton, Northeastern Region president Attention National n April 2, the Advisory Council issue was an agreement to hold the Meeting attendees: held a successful gathering in 2006 Northeastern Region meeting in O In addition to the “on your own” Hartford, Connecticut. With 14 people Connecticut, featuring Dr. Sid Wax- nursery list you received with in attendance, the agenda was lively man’s trial gardens. Now a meeting your registration confirmation, and the meeting productive. The key coordinator is needed. Mark Priebe invites you to visit A Garden Rendezvous has been held Wolf Run Nursery on Thursday, in Massachusetts, and a local “club” has Aug. 4, and Sunday, Aug. 7.These been formed and will meet several times are the days immediately before Conifer Society Slide Sets throughout the year. Congratulations to and after the meeting. Available to Members for Susan Mahoney and Les Wyman for Local Presentations their energy in making this happen! Contact Mark at (610) 779-5717 Other Rendezvous are in the planning for more information or stages. directions. On May 15, Bob and Ruth Davis and myself represented the American Conifer Society at Longwood Gardens’ “Plant Experts Expo.” Twenty plant so- cieties were invited to answer visitors’ questions and distribute brochures and 2005 Conifer Quarterly Advertising Rates applications from their booths. We are currently scheduling volunteers to staff Dimensions Cost ($ US) Cost per 4 issues Would you like to talk to your Ad Type (W x H) per issue (10% discount) a similar event called “Garden Fair” at garden club or social organization Winterthur in Wilmington, Delaware. about gardening with conifers? on September 16-18. ▲ Full page 5 x 8 in. 195 702 Half page horizontal 5 x 4 in. 135 486 Two slide sets featuring Half page vertical 2.5 x 8 in. 135 486 attractive plant combinations and Quarter page horizontal 5 x 2 in. 85 306 design ideas are available to THE ENHANCEMENT OF Quarter page vertical 2.5 x 4 in. 85 306 Conifer Society members. Many NATURE’S DEFINITIVE SPACES Eighth page 2.5 x 2 in. 55 198 of the images come from the collection of Charlene Harris. WOLF-RUN NURSERY Submit inquiries, ad material and payments to: Contact coordinator Byron Richards LANDSCAPES Anne Brennan, Conifer Quarterly Advertising to borrow the slides: • RARE AND UNUSUAL PLANTS 145 Cedar St., Jenkintown, PA 19046 • PH (215) 376-0231 •EXOTIC CONIFERS FAX (215) 827-5926 • E-mail: [email protected] Karen & Mark Priebe Byron Richards 610-779-5717 [email protected] Toll Free 877-779-5715 29 Klappenthal Road Fax 610-779-0555 Reading, PA 19606 The Conifer Society welcomes advertising from companies and individuals selling conifers, Phone: (828) 696-0801 E-mail: [email protected] wolfrunnursery.com companion plants, gardening supplies and other plant-related products and services.

46 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Vol. 22 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 47 Directorate Officers President Don Wild, 3058 Cross Creek Ct., Ann Arbor, MI 48108 PH (734) 662-6461, E-mail: [email protected] Vice President/ Tom Cox, 1621 N Lake Dr., Canton, GA 30115 Treasurer PH (770) 772-9747, FAX (770) 663-4063, E-mail: [email protected] Secretary Kathleen Pottratz, 42438 SW Vandehey Rd., Gaston, OR 97119 PH (503) 985-7561, E-mail: [email protected] Past President Dennis Groh, 160 S. Evangeline, Dearborn Heights, MI 48125 PH (313) 561-2315, E-mail: [email protected] Directors Term expires 2005 Flo Chaffin, 3650 Colham Ferry Rd., Watkinsville, GA 30677 PH (706) 310-0143, FAX (706) 310-0562, E-mail: [email protected] Don Wild, (see President above) Lester Wyman, 86 Tavern Waye, Hanson, MA 02341 PH (781) 447-3579, FAX (781) 447-3758, E-mail: [email protected] Term expires 2006 Tom Cox, (see Vice President/Treasurer above) Elmer Dustman, 26 Peachtree Ln., Pittsford, NY 14534 PH (585) 248-5156, E-mail: [email protected] Byron Richards, 31 Southridge Dr., Hendersonville, NC 28739 PH (828) 696-0801, E-mail: [email protected] Term expires 2007 Ethan Johnson, 669 E331st St, Eastlake, OH 44095 PH (440) 975-1675, E-mail: [email protected] Gerald Kral, 900 Winton Rd. N, Rochester, NY 14609 PH (585) 288-5082, E-mail: [email protected] Randy Oster, 29600 SE Kowall Rd., Estacada, OR 97023 PH (503) 630-7975, FAX (503) 630-7955, E-mail: [email protected] Regional Presidents Northeastern Region Walter Cullerton, PO Box 21, Pineville, PA 18946 PH (215) 598-1250, E-mail: [email protected] Central Region Gary Whittenbaugh, 625 3rd Ave. SW, Oelwein, IA 50662 PH (319) 283-3050, FAX (319) 283-4773, E-mail: [email protected] Western Region Horst Jeddeloh, 18535 SE Giese Rd., Gresham, OR 97080 PH (503) 667-9163 Southeastern Region Maud Henne, 1670 Milton Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22902 PH (434) 296-6051, E-mail: [email protected] Conifer Society Staff National Office John Martin, P.O. Box 3422, Crofton, MD 21114-0422 PH (410) 721-6611, FAX (410) 721-9636, E-mail: [email protected] Editor, Anne Brennan, 145 Cedar St., Jenkintown, PA 19046 Conifer Quarterly PH (215) 376-0231, FAX (215) 827-5926 E-mail: [email protected]

www.conifersociety.org

48 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 22 No. 3 Peter Conrad Mark Dwyer Japanese maples ar opca with Compacta’ pisif is At left orclearyellowit withbrightpurple flowers. pairing try agoldconiferIf isn’t already afocal point inyour garden, gathering thisspring. was thesite ofa Western Region shown here, Pete Conrad’s garden, er a ‘ G olden M Iris danfordiae op e ihhaits at rightis withhyacinths; ’ a favorite choice asconifer companion plants. . C. pisif er Chamaecyparis a ‘P lumosa Maud Henne encountered these unidentified Thuja spp. punctuating the landscape at Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden near Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. Photo by Maud Henne.