Conifer Quarterly
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Conifer Quarterly Vol. 24 No. 1 Winter 2007 y r e s r u N i l e s I f o y s e t r u o c , h t i m S . C l l a d n a R Cedrus libani ‘Glauca Pendula’ Color pictures for the Conifer Genetics and Selection Article that starts on page 7. t n e m t r a p e D y r t s e r o F U S M : t i d e r c o t o h P Looking for true blue: Variation in needle color stands out in this aerial view of the Colorado blue spruce improvement test at MSU’s Kellogg Forest. Foresters use seed zones to determine the optimum seed source for their geographic location. Many ornamental conifers such as these at Hidden Lake Gardens start as grafted seedlings. The Conifer Quarterly is the publication of the American Conifer Society Contents 7 Conifer Genetics and Selection Dr. Bert Cregg 16 Pendulous Conifers – A Brief Look Bill Barger 18 Cascades in the Garden Ed Remsrola 21 Shaping Pendulous Plants A grower’s and a collector’s perspective 24 Thuja occidentalis ‘Gold Drop’ Plant Sale Supports ACS Research Fund Dennis Groh 26 Information and History of the RHS International Conifer Register and Checklist Lawrie Springate 28 Tsuga canadensis Cultivars at the South Seattle Community College Arboretum Peter Maurer 35 Just a Couple of Raving Coniferites from Cincinnati Judy and Ron Regenhold 38 Changing Genes – Brooms, Sports, and Other Mutations Don Howse 46 Cornell Plantations Offers Many Favorites, Not Just One or Two Phil Syphrit Conifer Society voices 2 President’s Message 4 Editor’s Memo 42 Conifer News 44 ACS Regional News Vol. 24 No. 1 CONIFER QUARTERLY 1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY TOM COX Conifer n behalf of our officers, the Board of ment at our Board of Directors meeting in tributor to our Conifer Quarterly. The final ODirectors and national office, let me February. The intent is to ensure that we evening provided an opportunity to also Quarterly take this opportunity to wish each of you remain dynamic and look for ways to spend time over a stimulating dinner with Winter 2007 the very best in the New Year. It has been better serve you. ACS member Charles Paquelet. Volume 24, No. 1 our honor to have served you in the past While this position has its share of Being that far north, I took the time to year. challenges, it has also afforded me the op- drive to Tifton, Michigan to see the Harper The Conifer Quarterly (ISSN 8755-0490) is published quarterly by the the American As we usher in the New Year, this is a portunity to meet some very wonderful (Chub) Collection at Hidden Lakes Conifer Society. The Society is a non-profit time for reflection on our past accomplish- people and see some beautiful gardens. As Garden. Despite a blowing, cold rain, this organization incorporated under the laws of the ments as well as the challenges of contin- you travel, I encourage you to seek out the was as good as it gets for a conifer collec- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is tax exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal uing to grow our organization. The sometimes hidden treasures available to us tion. I later told Chub that I refer to this Revenue Service Code. American Conifer Society had a good as members open their gardens. Here are place as the James Bond garden as there You are invited to join our Society. Please year. Our member retention rate continues but a few of the people and places that was not one hair (blade of grass) out of address membership and other inquiries to the American Conifer Society National Office, to be above 80% and we are operating in crossed my path. The first journey took me place. A ‘must see’ if anywhere near south- P.O. Box 3422, Crofton, MD 21114-0422. the black. All of our meetings were suc- to the home of my good friends Walter and ern Michigan! On the way to Hidden Membership: US $30 (indiv.), $35 (joint), $30 cessful and feedback was positive. The Emilie Cullerton in Doylestown, Pennsyl- Lakes, we had yet another exciting stop at (institutional) $50 (sustaining), $100 (corpo- rate/business) and $130 (patron). If you are Collectors Conifer of the Year program is vania. Besides having a fabulous garden, the nursery of Dave Dannaher in Galena, moving, please notify the National Office 4 now in its second year and is going strong. Walter is past president NE Region. Ohio. Dave is a good plantsman and really weeks in advance. This has proved to be an innovative initia- During our visit, Walter drove us to the has an extensive collection of woody All editorial and advertising matters should be sent to: Evelyn Cox, 342 North tive that not only provides great member home of Helen Donn who owns Watnong gems, many that were new to me. The last Main Street, Suite 202, Alpharetta, Georgia benefit, but also is a source of good PR for Gardens in Parsippany, New Jersey. This stop was one I almost didn't make as it was 30004. (770) 663-7576, or email the Society as we announce it to the media. garden is just about as good as it gets. time to head south and the weather was [email protected]. My thanks to Ridge Goodwin and all of Helen seemed unfazed by the light rain as miserable. This Cincinnati, Ohio garden in Editor the growers who spearhead this. she toured us around for at least two hours. a quiet neighborhood belongs to Ron & Evelyn Cox Earlier, I mentioned the challenges of Also while in the area, I had the pleasure to Judy Regenhold and is loaded with cool Technical Editors continuing to move our Society forward. tour Ridge Goodwin's gardens and nursery. plants. They have accomplished a master- Ethan Johnson In this connection, I recently had discus- Upon leaving each of these gardens, I ful mix of dwarf conifers with companion Susan Martin R. William Thomas sions with presidents of Camellia, Rhodo- mused that unlike here in Georgia, these plants. This stop was well worth the detour. Advisory Committee dendron, Hosta, Rock Garden and Daylilly folks don't have weeds, as I never saw any. All this to make the point that becom- Ellen Kelley, Committee Chair societies. The purpose was to benchmark The next trip was a return to the fabu- ing involved in the ACS has its rewards - Anne Brennan our organization against like societies to lous Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio to we forge friendships that transcend the Marvin Snyder ex officio: Tom Cox determine best practices and pinpoint attend the Conifer Symposium hosted by Society and we have the opportunity to ex officio: Don Wild areas for improvement. These discussions the arboretum. Perhaps because this time I see many beautiful gardens. What could ex officio: John Martin covered areas such as organizational struc- had the opportunity to spend quality time be better? Copyright © 2006, American Conifer Society. tures, meeting formats, websites, publica- with a great plantsman Rich Larson, the On a closing note, I appreciate the All rights reserved. No material contained tions, advertising and public relations. One conifers and maples seemed even more many e-mails, letters and calls that I have herein may be reproduced in any form with- out prior written permission of the publisher. common theme was member retention and impressive than at my last visit. This visit received since becoming president. This Opinions expressed by authors and advertis- age of members. It is refreshing to learn also afforded an opportunity to renew a lets me know you're involved and that you ers are not necessarily those of the Society. that we are doing better than most in re- friendship forged with Dan Luscomb of care about the Society. Note: Hardiness Zone references in the taining members. That is an indication that the Bedgebury Pinetum in the UK. Dan is Conifer Quarterly are USDA classifications we are doing some things right. We will be also a founding member of the British Warm regards, unless otherwise specified. discussing areas for potential improve- Conifer Society as well as a frequent con- 2CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 24 No. 1 Vol. 24 No. 1 CONIFER QUARTERLY 3 EDITOR’S MEMO BY EVELYN COX This issue kicks off a new Conifer Quar- aberrant plant behavior. to attend the ACS National Meeting that terly year – its 24th. I think the key to this With the realization that not all of begins July 26 and runs through July publication’s success for almost a quar- our members are at the same knowledge 29? For those planning to also attend the ter-century is that it has been surrounded level, we are soon to begin a column post conference tour, it will run through by smart people. There is a wealth of dedicated to answering your plant ques- August 1. More details can be found on knowledge and talent among its readers tions. This will be simple; submit your our website at www.conifersociety.org. who are also generous and proactive question to me and it will be answered One of the national meeting venues, about ensuring its longevity. To those of by our technical staff. Kubota Gardens, was featured in the fall you who help fill these pages and all of Beginning on page 35 Ron and Judy CQ. In this issue, you can read Peter you who read them, thank you.