Looking for something showy as a specimen..de Ruyter, Gotelli weeping?
Matt W (Zone 5 OH)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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Comments (16)I really like the idea of a serviceberry in this spot. I recently posted a serviceberry question in this forum and I've done a lot of research on them recently. There are many different varieties of serviceberries, including some dwarf varieties like 'Prince William' which my nursery told me grows to a max of about 8' T x 6' W. Even if they grow larger, I'm told they can be pruned every couple of years to help contain the growth, they are large shrubs that become tree-like after all. I think a serviceberry would give you the best 3 season intrest with flowers in the spring, berries in the summer, and pretty foliage in the fall that would look nice against your light house color. The bare tree is a nice sculptural accent in the winter. All of this and you would also have entertainment from the birds as they fly in and gobble up the berries while you sit on your porch! They're edible for people too although birds almost always will beat you to them. The roots of a serviceberry are not invasive so you can plant anything you like under and around a serviceberry without trouble. Being planted so close to your house it's good to know the roots will not damage foundations either. I don't suggest a Korean Spice Viburnum as the main focal point of the bed because I have several and although they bloom and smell beautiful, the rest of the year they are rather boring - just green. Redbuds are ok but again, they don't have any berries for the birds so after flowering you're left with just green. Keep in mind you probably won't get to enjoy very early blooming trees too much as they often bloom so early it's still chilly to be outside. I also wouldn't recommend the maple (any maple really) because you have so little room and maple roots ultimately become a real pain. They will take over and make it difficult if not impossible for you to plant under them. I don't know if you've ever tried to dig a bed under a maple but it's impossible, ask anyone who's ever tried it! Maple roots can also be invasive to foundations and this bed is very close to your home. Seven Son Flower is pretty but I honestly don't know much about it so I can't comment. I am all for any Ginkgo as they are one of my favorite trees! I find the leaf shape highly ornamental and there are varigated varieties for lots of color. The fall color can't be beat! There are many dwarf varieties. If you like something different try looking at Song Sparrow's web site: www.songsparrow.com they have lots of interesting things including Ginkgos, just type in Ginkgo in the search bar and you'll see them all. I've included a link to the page of a favorite of mine below. Best of luck, G.O. Here is a link that might be useful: GINKGO BILOBA 'MAJESTIC BUTTERFLY'...See MoreSuggestions Please
Comments (11)Dax: I am happy that you also like P. abies 'Elegantissima.' But I have a confession to make--I have never had anyone give me a positive ID on this one. I have just made what I hope is an educated judgement. The tree I have in mind is the large NS in the Gotelli Collection at the National Arboretum in D.C. I talked to Sue Martin, the conifer curator there, about labelling it as something other than species NS, and she said she couldn't do that without the proper provenance, and she couldn't find any. But if this were just a chance seedling, it would be "mind blowing," so to speak. Another bit of evidence that this NS at the Arb is at least a special cultivar, is that there was another one, seeming to me to be exactly like it in the seperate spruce area there. Two chance seedlings? No way. This second tree, last time I saw it, looked like it would die--too bad. I am also growing what I think is also an 'Elegantissima,' but it was sold to me as 'Elegans.' So, you see where I am on this one. Just one more bit of a description I can give you, to see if you can add some confidence to my identification of this cultivar. The foliage has an especially nice soft "brushy" appearance. I am not sure if I can describe it correctly, but the effect may come from needles that have more of a tendency to be at a 90 degree angle to the twig, at least on the secondary twigs, or at least they are not as forward as the species. But to be honest, I might have to look again to confirm just what effect I am talking about. Anyway, you may be right that the tree is slower than the species, but the one in the National Arb is large--I would guess something like 55 or 60 feet and has a decent growth rate of something over a foot per year, but I have not seen it in a while so my impression may be faulty. Anyway, I think it is the most beautiful tree in the Gotelli Collection. Oh, one more thing--the last time I met with Sue Martin, I showed her a witches broom up in a semi-hidden portion of the upper crown. She took great interest in this. I wonder if she did anything with it and whether it turned out to be anything nice. --Spruce...See Morefavourite 5 conifers of all time
Comments (39)After the late Brian T. Styles, formerly of the Oxford Forestry Institute, and a very deserving botanist. Great gesture. Yes; exceptionally good drainage is perhaps the most important. Keeping the foliage dry in winter wet weather is also likely important (to stop bud rot), but not at all easy to do. Wiki says that they last a paltry 100 years out of their accepted conditions. I have a 45 degree slope which gives the idea of raised gritty beds that will flush through. Or would long term generous containerization be a way? These aren't big or fast growing plants, and they might not resent some root restriction as much as wet. I'm betting the specimen is from Kohouts so I wonder how they deal with the problem. I'll make a thread about it sometime. Top wet cover would also be easier in containers....See MoreLooking for something showy as a specimen..de Ruyter, Gotelli weeping?
Comments (1)this is a duplicate post .... other one here https://www.houzz.com/discussions/looking-for-something-showy-as-a-specimende-ruyter-gotelli-weeping-dsvw-vd~5386841?n=8...See MoreMatt W (Zone 5 OH)
5 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years agoMatt W (Zone 5 OH)
5 years agoUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
maackia
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
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