AS MANY TIMES AS I HAVE SEEN THEM, I’m always startled when the Korean fir, Abies koreana, puts out a fresh crop of purple “pine” cones each year at this time. They’re a favorite of wildlife (and the gardener) here; read the full profile of this great conifer, or browse through all my conifer stories anytime.
I WATCHED A ZOOM lecture the other day that really put into words a lot of the ways my own deepening understanding of ecology is shaking up the way I practice horticulture—from spring cleanup, right on to the last chore of the active year. The lecturer was Rebecca McMackin, director of horticulture for Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City, where she leads the team that manages 85 acres of diverse parkland with a central focus on habitat creation of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows to build soils and support birds, butterflies, and other organisms.
We talked about the dynamic tactics they use and when and why–a whole different approach to spring cleanup, where the life cycles of animals (from insects on up) dictate what happens when, garden maintenance-wise. Like why some things don’t get cut back, and others that are still seed-laden when they do have their seeds collected and set aside, then returned to the spot after whatever cleanup is needed there.
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
Those are really pretty. I don’t think I’ve seen them before.
Margaret I posted a question in the q&a forum on Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan Sugi’ but have had no feedback. I hope you don’t mind me asking here if you or anyone has any info on this one, I saw one in a nursery and it screamed gold, take me home. But before I do I was trying to get clarification on the mature size. The tag said 10′ x 5-6′ but online it says it is much taller. Also right now it looks somewhat open branched and weeping in form. Pictures on line show it as more solid.
I don’t know, Terry, as I believe they are a bit tender for me. But…I often put my trust in the info from Great Plant Picks out in Seattle (allowing for the difference of climate, of course). They say it gets to that size in the first 10 years, twice that high and wide or more in its lifetime. Often the tags put the 10-year results which I think it stupid, of course (which is why my paths are overrun by one shrub or tree here and there and everywhere).
Thanks for answering Margaret. I have to give this a bit more thought before buying it. By the way I was at Claire’s nursery in Patterson/Pawling this afternoon and I hear you have been there too. It was my first visit, what a nice nursery. Lots of interesting things.
My friend has one pruned to an interesting shape. I love it and have always wanted one.