Spring Pics/New Plants- Bandwidth buster!

[Paul Ont]

Some shots from this past weekend, and the new plants from beaver Creek greenhouses...

Sorry for the funny angles, someone else took the pics and I neglected to turn them before uploading! We hit a low of -22C this winter, and only one/two nights below -20C. About as good as it gets here!
Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectibilis' foreground, plain aureosulcata in the back:
<img src="http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/46517 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02468"></a>
Phyllostachys rubromarginata after its first winter:
<img src="http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/42226 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02469"></a>

Another aureosulcata 'spectibilis':
<img src="http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/36917 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02470"></a>

Hard to tell what this is, front is Fargesia nitida (5% defoliated) back in 90% top-killed Phyllostachys vivax 'huangensis'
<img src="http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/37927 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02471"></a>

Sabal minor (foreground) and Rhapidophyllum hystrix... I'm 2 zones outside their comfort zone (though only 1 this past winter):
<img src="http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/42400 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02472"></a>

Rhododendron don't seem to notice that there has been a winter... Looking VERY healthy, almost all are a vibrant green this spring! None were protected.
<img src="http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/44058 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02473"></a>
<img src="http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/45213 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02474"></a>
<img src="http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/46900 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02475"></a>
<img src="http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/44909 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02476"></a>

Rhodo 'test' bed for small plants to 'prove' their hardiness:
<img src="http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/11401 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02477"></a>

Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'alata' looks really good this spring!
<img src="http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/45720 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02479"></a>

The basjoo is coming back:
<img src="http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/46202 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02484"></a>

Adding an extension (Yes, another extension) on the cactus bed to house the new plants! The ash tree in the foreground is diseased and has to come down!
<img src="http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/44916 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02485"></a>
<img src="http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/47170 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02486"></a>
<img src="http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/24692 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02489"></a>

Some of the new recruits:
<img src="http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/46232 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02497"></a>
<img src="http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/20060 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="DSC02498"></a>

Thanks for looking!

[hardyjim]

Very nice!
Nothing better than X-mas in springtime.
I just got a Princeps and 3 Takil seedlings today
Your bamboo and Basjoos are looking good.

That's quite a nice layout you have there for your cactus,to bad about the Ash tree-
I guess the cactus will just have to deal with more sun!

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

Paul, please make sure to post some pics when that new bed is completed!

[lucky1]

Love the cactus bed...will look even better after the dead tree is removed.
Nothing beats succulents on a slope, very attractive.

The bamboo look fabulous after your mild-winter.
And my rhodo doesn't look that good in the summer (and it's on N side of house).

Wow, that basjoo didn't rot to the ground!
Nice not to lose a lot of last year's trunk.

Great new purchases.

Just think: Google Earth in five years...oh yes, that's Paul's house...there...in the middle of that bamboo forest.

Barb

[hardyjim]

Just think: Google Earth in five years...oh yes, that's Paul's house...there...in the middle of that bamboo forest.

Barb[/quote]

[TerdalFarm]

I'm looking forward to that, too!
And I'll definitely check with Paul before starting my bamboo grove. My three-years-in-the-ground P. aurea has not come back yet; nothing green showing. Paul would have warned me....
--Erik

[Paul Ont]

Thanks guys! I don't think I'll be able to generate a bamboo forest... Unless, that is, my house suddenly moves 1 full zone warmer!!!

Erik- Bamboo is finicky, and I don't pretend to understand your climate, but, I'd think it will shoot again this spring. I've lost aurea before, but that was to -30C with little to no snow cover. I'd also think that a third year plant would be tougher than my little 2 gallon division! It is really a zone 7 and warmer plant, what zone are you in again?

[TerdalFarm]

Paul,
thanks.
For zone, I'd say an honest Zone 7, even though the USDA map put me in zone 6.
My garden microclimate is bad, as I am on the hilltop facing NW so there is a strong wind blast during winter storms.
This P. aurea did accumulate a nice snow mound before the soil really got cold. When the snow melted in January I heaped used horse bedding (pine shavings/uneaten hay/manure) over the root area. So, hopefully it will come back from the roots soon.
The local nuserery where I bought this is stocking P. aureosulcata in place, presumably as a hardier alternative.
The only other bamboo I've grown in this area was P. nigra. I had a better microclimate then (house in the city). It grew great--too well, in fact, according to the neighbors.
So, my plan is to pass on P. aurea and try aureosulcata and nigra instead. Does that make sense?
--Erik

[Paul Ont]

Erik- P. aureosulcata is a much hardier plant. Some of the 'different' clones are also very interesting. Things like 'Alata' and 'Spectibilis' are really nice AND they are proving to be hardier than 'normal' clones, though this shouldn't be an issue for you. If you can find 'aureocaulis' it would be well worth growing too.

As for nigra, is does OK in Niagara up here... Interesting that Pseudosasa japonica, in a better microclimate, looks AWFUL this spring while the P. nigra 'Henon' is almost untouched (Niagara's low was something like -16C, 4f)... But, nigra can look ragged if there is a zone 6 winter, and can be top-killed if temps stay below -20C for any length of time. I would be tempted to grow nigra if I were you. Maybe it's just because I can't do it here? There are some really cool forms (obviously the black culms, but also the timbers, dwarfs, etc.) as well.

You should check out Brad Salmon's website (google needmore bamboo). He really is the best source for information for bamboo in continental climates. He'll answer your emails quickly as well. There are far more bamboo available and worth growing than I can ever cover here... I mostlyknow about the ones I grow and how much cold and exposure they can take!

I'm acutally quite jealous of the selection of bamboo nurseries you have to choose from...

[Paul Ont]

Just to annoy you all I'm embedding some new pics in this thread.

These are from the public planting of Rhododendron in Mississauga. They are the plants (mostly) of the late Joe Brueckner. Some of these plants are available from specialty nurseries both here and in the USA.

<img src="http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/17143 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1351">
<img src="http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/45718 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1352">
My father checking a tag for me!
<img src="http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/21449 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1353">
<img src="http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/47147 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1354">

Some of my own new plants (Yes, more new plants) from a trip to Niagara this weekend:
Rhododendron fortunei. USually rated as a zone 6 plant it 'can' grow to 40 feet if left to do its thing!
<img src="http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/47675 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1355">
R. 'New Century' I had to have it when I saw the lustrous foliage!
<img src="http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/47377 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1356">
R. yakushimanum 'Phetteplace', the 'tall' form of Rhodo yakushimanum... If given 40 years it might hit 12 feet!
<img src="http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/46204 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1358">
R. wiltonii, a mostly untried species... I like it, but it may end up not being worthwhile...
<img src="http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/45989 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1359">
R. 'Anneke Plazek', a VERY hardy species known to have survived -35C and bloomed the following spring! Too bad I don't grow Rhodo's for their flowers...
<img src="http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/25036 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1362">
To tie the beginning to the end, R. 'Hot Dawn' a purple/red flowering hybrid made by the late Dr. Brueckner!
<img src="http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/45426 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1364">

Thanks for looking!
<img src="http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/14823 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="IMG_1366">

[BILL MA]

Paul nice work with the overwintering this year everything looks Great. That Cacti garden is Awesome! Just wait til you add to it

Nice new additions of Rhodies. Why do people say they don't do well in S. Ontario? I always thought they where super tough.

Good Job,
Bill

[Paul Ont]

Bill- I'm worried that the cactus bed will run out of room before I add all the plants I want! Then there's the weeding... Hmmm....

Rhodies have a bad rep here because people just stick them in the ground and hope for the best (the best of course being 1-2 years followed by death). The cold temps aren't an issue, but Rhodies are pretty specific about soil conditions, and if you don't get these right, they can look pretty bad very fast! I'm in the process of trying to get the traits of the more tender 'Big-leaf' (to 3 feet long) Rhodies crossed on to some smaller leafed spp's... Nothing to report yet, but I want to have, eventually, some very tropicalesque plants that are bullet-proof in my 4b/5a!


Thanks!

[hardyjim]

Looking good Paul
You will be busy,busy,busy!

BTW
I noticed "somewhere else" that you are growing some different varieties of Trachys.

What all are you trying?

[BILL MA]

Rhodies sure are a great bush/tree. I think you might be on to something crossing the big leaf with a hardier species.
What zone are the big leafed rhodies? I'm pretty sure I've seen them in the Carolina's before.

You would be impressed, about 3 years ago there was a McD's on the corner of my road and rt 1 that was being turned into a nicer resterant. Anyways to make a long story short they had some monster 35 year old rhodies that where going to get trashed. So I asked the new owner if I could have one. He chuckled and said if I thought I could dig it up I could take one of the 3. "No problem I said" of course I wanted the biggest and most full out of the bunch. It measures 10' long by 6' wide by 6' high. A fairly large job for a bunch of shovels and pry bars. After five hours or so of digging and prying it was out. Then I wrapped the root ball in a huge tarp and towed it up the middle of the road into my yard with a truck. That's how I got it out of the hole too it was wicked heavy! It's flowered every year and is super happy at it's new home. Think I like rhodies? LOL!!!

Bill

[hardyjim]

Can't really tell Bill-
could you give us some more details



I would love to see some pics

[BILL MA]

Will do. I'm Boston for a few days, I'll dig the pictures up when I get home.

Bill

[DesertZone]

Paul,
very nice garden

[Paul Ont]

Thanks guys!

I can't wait for my Rhodies to get to that size... I'm trying to find a way to get the big-leaf thing into production for myself... No luck thus far!