THEY ARE GARDEN STALWARTS, FEARING NOTHING–not even low single digits and multiple feet of snow. In this old-fashioned Northeastern winter of 2010-11, I’m counting my blessings, and tops on that list: the conifers who live here with me (including the weeping Alaska cedar, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula,’ above). What better time of year to review them, in a slideshow that links off to all their individual profiles?
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
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The color and weightiness and scent of conifers are so enlivening in snow…
Hi, Mary Ellen. Well-said! I am so thankful to have them here right now, where most everything is buried deep in multiple feet of snow. See you soon again, I hope.
I love the way a good layer of snow makes even a trashy yard look beautiful when conifers are on the lot.
Not sure I’ve ever seen that type of cedar, but it’s beautiful. I grew up in the mountains surrounded by deep conifer forest (mostly fir), which was wonderful anytime of year, but after a heavy snow it was like having a whole other world to explore. We usually got enough snow that the trees were completely laden and you couldn’t even see any green. We had a yew in the yard, too, but it was much smaller than the one in your slideshow. I think ours was a different variety, but as far as I know, they all grow quite slowly.
Welcome, Kathy. It’s a Chamaecyparis, meaning the common name is “false cypress” (because it’s in the Cypress family, Cupressaceae) or more often “Alaska cedar” (even though it’s not a cedar, either, which would be in the genus Cedrus). Which is one good example of why common names are useless, and only the Latin ones insure that you will get the plant you want. :) See you soon again, I hope.
I think winter turns evergreens from gardening background, to “Sculptural Stars” in the garden. So it must be… Every evergreen has “his or her” day. And their days to shine are WINTER DAYS.
Fred from Loudonville, NY / Fred Gonsowski
I just purchased an Alaska Cedar, and need information about how best to plant it and take care of it. I live in upstate New York. Does anyone have any advice for me?
Welcome, Tess. Here’s my article on the weeping Alaska cedar. Hope that helps!
I would like to know how to plant WEEPING ALASKAN ceders seeds. My neighbour gave me some.
Hi, Stephanie. Growing this conifer from seed will take many years, and germination of the seed will be low…as you can red in this technical pdf from Washington State University, e.g. Not something akin to sowing seed of more familiar and faster-growing things.
I have a 12 foot weeping Alaskan cedar. Can you tell me if there is any addition furtlizer I should give to my tree
I don’t fertilize things, but I do apply a good-quality mulch (not giant bark chips, but something that sustains the soil like this . So my soil is in good condition, and my plants seem to thrive without added nutrients.
I am considering purchasing two Alaskan Weeping Cedars and am concerned that my soil (clay like) will not be good? Also, I have read that this particular tree has a foul odor when the leaves/needles are “crushed” or brushed against? Can you please let me know about my concerns.
I have never noticed any odor, Sonja, and I have two old Alaska cedars here that have been with me a very long time. As for soil, it wants what many plants want: moist but well-drained — so neither drying out, nor ever any swampiness where it doesn’t drain. I don’t know how clayey your soil is, or how poor the drainage is.