Written by Mike Darcy
9:30 Great Fall Tree Color, Nancy Buley, J. Frank Schmidt & Son
Fall color foliage of Nyssa sylvatica (Tupelo) is spectacular at this time of year. Nancy Buley is the Communications Director for J. Frank Schmidt & Son, which is a large wholesale nursery in Boring. I asked Nancy to talk about some trees that are noted for their fall color and the Tupelo (above) is one. This is a tree that can survive in soils with poor drainage and is an easy care and low maintenance tree.
Another excellent tree for fall color is the Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum). This is a fairly small tree reaching about 20 ft in height, making it a good selection for those with smaller lots but yet wanting a tree for fall color. The creamy white bell shaped clusters of flowers can be up to 10 inches in length and will smother the branches in mid-summer. Unlike the Tupelo, Sourwood needs good drainage.
10:00 Winter Care for Ponds and Water Features, Eamonn Hughes, Hughes Water Gardens
This is the time of year when we need to give some consideration as to how our pond and/or water feature is going to go through the winter. Eamonn Hughes will give us some general maintenance tips. There are different things to consider, such as is it a circulating pond, are there water lilies, other water plants, are there fish, etc. Hughes Water Gardens, 25289 Stafford Road, Tualatin, 503/638-1709.
10:30 Brian Kanotz, Kings Mums
Brian Kanotz is the owner of Kings Mums which has for many years been the leading supplier of chrysanthemum plants for the home gardener. While the shipping season is in the spring, this is an ideal time to view mums and pick out some favorites. During November, there will be a display of over 500 potted plants at the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland giving gardens a great opportunity to see the many colors and diverse flower forms of these plants.
Brian will give us general care tips of chrysanthemum including the best planting times, how to get large flowers, how day light determines when chrysanthemums bloom, etc. www.kingsmums.com
Notes from Mike and Listener Photos
With the high winds last weekend, we had many small branches and debris throughout our garden. We were fortunate not to have any large trees fall over although our neighbors had a huge fir tree that cracked and came down and miraculously in fell between their house and a neighbor and no damage done to either house. I have cut my Salvia plants to the ground as they had stopped blooming.
Cuphea micropetala in my garden is becoming a favorite blooming summer/fall plant. It started flowering in July and has not stopped. I think it looks as good right now as it ever has. Not reliably winter hardy but worth buying each spring.
Salem gardener Charlotte Hottmann sent me these two photos. The photo on the top is an amazing close-up of the seed-head from a Rudbeckia and the photo on the bottom is Cotinus obovatus (Smoke Tree) displaying some wonderful fall color with a Euhorbia in the foreground. There are several different species of Cotinus, so if you are looking for a particular leaf color, be sure to check the specific name.
Dave Eckerdt sent this photo of Heptacodium miconioides (Seven Sons Flower) that is a fall blooming large shrub/ small tree in his Salem garden. The creamy white fragrant white flowers in August attracts swarms of pollinators. This can be kept more shrub size by pruning and so can easily fit into a small space. Dave reports this is 10’ X 6’. Another bonus is the gray-brown exfoliating bark and the fact that this is a low maintenance plant requiring little care once established.
Last week in this newsletter/schedule, I posted a picture from Michael Burns and Paul Beal and asked if anyone knew what this was that was appearing on their deck. It was initially a mystery to them and then they found the source.
Above is the mystery photo and there were many guesses. There were guesses such as cutworm and the larvae of a night flying moth or a worm in an apple. But listener Donna got it right. She said it was the fruit of an Akebia and “when intact looks like a giant peapod then falls opening to a lavender seedy pulp. They are edible, flavor is ho-hum”. Doesn’t look too appetizing to me!
EVENTS
6th Annual Holiday Bazaar & Craft Fair
Sunday, November 2, 10am-2pm.Dennis’ 7 Dees Garden Center, 1090 McVey Avenue, Lake Oswego. Get a head-start on holiday shopping from 30+ local craftspeople, artists & food vendors for hand-crafted gifts for your home, garden, friends & family. This annual event kicks off the holiday season and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Rogerson Clematis Collection. This is also an opportunity to check out what is blooming, has red berries or a plant with good fall foliage color. When I stopped by earlier this past week, they had some beautiful blooming plants of the Sasanqua, Camellia ‘Yuletide’.
Workshop: Pine Pruning
Saturday, November 8, 9am-3pm. Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston. Learn all about how to care for your pine trees. Workshop conducted by Head Gardener Michael Kondo and staff gardeners, this demonstration will explore specific pine pruning and needling techniques, shaping, and growth regulation. Limited hands-on practice will be provided. Participants need to provide their own lunch. Fee; $65 members/$85 non-members, register on line.
Mumvender: A Celebration of the Chrysanthemum
During the entire month of November, Lan Su Chinese Garden, 312 NW 2nd, Portland, will be celebrating the chrysanthemum and the importance it serves in Chinese history. The Garden will be displaying over 500 potted chrysanthemums which will be arranged throughout the Garden. Special events throughout the month including Brightening the Eyes: The Medicinal Uses of the Chrysanthemum, Saturday, November 8, 11am-noon Learn about the medicinal properties and uses of chrysanthemum tea in traditional Chinese medicine.