Oral Auction Items
1. Japanese Snowbell, Styrax japonicus
You will adore this neatly structured, upright spreading, large shrub
or small tree growing to 10-20' in height. Clusters of bell-shaped,
white, faintly scented flowers are exciting in early summer as they
hang gracefully beneath the spreading branches. The Japanese Snowbell
grows well in light shade or full sun but prefers a light,
well-drained soil. This is a nifty tree as a specimen or excellent in
grouping or in border plantings. Offered as a tribute to Justin
Marotta, Possum Run Greenhouses, Inc., Bellville, Ohio, who has
generously contributed much time, expertise and insight into the
development of the Arboretum and its programs. Justin is Vice
Chairman of the Arboretum Board.
2. Mohawk Viburnum, Viburnum x 'Mohawk'
This is an award-winning hybrid, upright, spreading, multistemmed
shrub that reaches a height of6-8'. 'Mohawk' has these special
characteristics: it bears red bud coloration that appears several
weeks before the flowers that will open in mid-spring and has
snowball-shaped, reliably abundant white flowers. In autumn, the
glossy, dark-green foliage that is resistant to bacterial leaf spot
displays a brilliant orange-red. "For fragrance it cannot be beat; a
well-behaved shrub and well-suited to enhancing the landscape." Plant
in an average field soil; it also performs well in urban settings.
Donor: Willoway Nurseries Inc., Avon, Ohio.
3. Aurora Dogwood, Cornus x 'Rutban'
This vigorous hybrid offers hope for dogwood lovers. This is a
sterile, white-flowering selection from Rutgers University's breeding
program; the cross promises to be more resistant to leaf spot, canker
and borer than the native flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, from
which it was hybridized. Aurora is highly adaptable to many garden
situations. Its upright habit supports a multitude of large, heavily
textured, velvety, white bracts in mid-spring, aging to creamy white.
Eventually this selection will be extremely floriferous -- an
interspecific hybrid resulting from crosses between kousa dogwood and
flowering dogwood. Remember, the natural environments for dogwood are
in partly shady places and at the edge of woodlands. The most
important factor is for the soil to have good internal drainage so it
is not saturated with water during wet weather. Also, drought is
another major contributor to stress in dogwood and such trees may be
more likely to be invaded by dogwood borers. Donor: Willoway
Nurseries Inc., Avon, Ohio.
4. Golden Dawn Redwood, Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Ogon'
Bright-yellow, feathery, fernlike foliage -- this is a rare and
outstanding tree. As new foliage develops in the spring and the
summer, it is an excellent contrast to the green foliage of the
species Dawn Redwood. The species grows faster if there's year-round
moisture, but it adapts well to average soils; drought and dry sites
might mean death to this tree. This selection is offered as a tribute
to Dr. Burney Huff, retired Wooster family physician, who has
generously and graciously contributed much time, enthusiasm and
resources to studying the Dawn Redwood and helping people learn about
this beautiful species of trees.
5. Weeping Katsuratree, Cercidiphyllum magnificum 'Pendulum'
Ultimate majesty from Asia is the way to describe the picturesque
Weeping Katsuratree. Dramatic growth can be experienced on Weeping
Katsuratree, specifically if grown in a good garden soil and planted
out from under the afternoon summer heat. Planting this cold-hardy
selection near a pond edge may boost its growth because of the tree's
access to a reliable groundwater supply. So apropos, Dr. Gary Koller
of the Arnold Arboretum writes the following of Cercidiphyllum
magnificum 'Pendulum': "Considering the unique architecture of the
tree, its rapid growth and development, and the interest shown by
members of the nursery industry, I have no doubt that it will become
a standard of distinctive American landscape design." The foliage
unfolds in reddish hues in spring, and summer leaves are a bluish
dark-green that shimmer on summer days.
6. Spreading Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba 'Horizontalis'
This is a rare find for ginkgo lovers. Supposedly the tree at the
Botanical Garden of Leiden, The Netherlands, is an original of this
selection, and it is an incredible specimen -- outstretched arms for
70'-plus and not over 30' in height. The one at Secrest is quite
spectacular, especially in autumn foliage: the branching grows only
horizontally. This top-grafted plant will produce a living parasol
for the landscape.
7. Weeping Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida 'Pendula'
The Weeping Dogwood has rich aesthetic value as a small tree with its
pendulous branches. It cools the spring landscape with splashes of
white flowers and warms the autumn scene with foliage of maroon and
scarlet hues. Naturally this species is found in edges of woods, in
moist but well-drained soils, but it cannot survive significant
amounts of flooding or severe dryness. For planting this selection in
your landscape, choose a northern or eastern exposure where a bit of
shade softens the sun's heat and where the soil is well-drained yet
usually moist. Donor: Little Acorns Landscaping, Port Washington,
Ohio.
8. Three-Flower Maple, Acer triflorum
With a stunning autumn foliage display, incredible peeling bark and a
tolerance of various cultural conditions, why is this wonderful small
tree absent from most nurseries? Acer triflorum is a common woodland
tree in its native habitat of northern China and Korea. As autumn
approaches, the medium-green foliage changes slowly from soft yellow
to a fiery orange-scarlet at its peak. Throughout the seasons, light,
gray-beige,
exfoliating bark exhibits an appealing fashion. This 20-30'species
grows equally well in full sun as it does moderate shade. It grows
best in a good garden soil, acid or alkaline. The Pennsylvania
Horticulture Society selected this species for its prestigious Gold
Medal Plant Award in1996.
9. Evergreen Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana 'Henry Hicks'
From this North American native species, the outstanding, hardy
selection 'Henry Hicks' has proven to be an excellent 20' evergreen
tree. We are not talking evergreen only in the south, but evergreen
when growing in northern regions that have dropped to -17F, -25F, and
retained beautiful evergreen foliage! It is very rare to find this
selection in commerce. While the creamy-white flowers may make little
visual impact, they have a rich fragrance, once described as "one of
the best outdoor scents -- cool and fruity and sweet." In Ohio, a
wide range of soils, provided they are moisture-retentive and not hot
and dry on the one extreme or waterlogged on the other, can sustain
Magnolia virginiana. A sunny yet sheltered site is desirable. Donor:
Francis Nock Nursery, Perry, Ohio, and Maple Ridge Garden Center,
Concord, Ohio.
10. Hornbeam Maple, Acer carpinifolium
Hornbeam Maple forms a small tree, and the autumn foliage is golden.
This hardy species is an interesting plant for every maple lover due
to its atypical maple foliage. A landscape-size tree would range from
20-25' in height. This species prefers a good garden soil, and some
shade should be provided out from the heat of mid-day.
11. Tree-peony, Paeonia suffruticosa
For many centuries, tree peonies have been used in landscapes in
their native China, but they are still uncommon in North American
landscapes. This notable deciduous shrub matures to about 4-5' in
height and flowers with striking blooms in mid-spring. Tree peonies
grow best in a good, well-drained, garden soil. The following
cultivars along with their flower color are being offered: 'Kinkaku,'
apricot-orange. 'Yagumo,' purple. 'Kinshi,' golden yellow.
'Kamatanishki,' wisteria blue.
12. Hybrid Red Horsechestnut, Aesculus x carnea 'Briotii'
'Briotii' offers ruby-red flowers. The growth habit is rounded, and
the ultimate size ranges from 30-40' high and wide. As a single
specimen in mid-spring and in full flower, 'Briotii' has few rivals.
Given a moist, well-drained soil, this selection will provide
first-class ornamentation. The English treasure this plant, and it is
evident from the many trees planted in city and country. This is a
fruitless cultivar. Donor: Willoway Nurseries, Avon, Ohio.
13. Lacebark Pine, Pinus bungeana
Plant this plant for your retirement years or for future generations
to enjoy, as it is slow to develop and display its bark character --
camouflage. The very mottled bark develops as a plant ages, and a
mature specimen is outstanding as sunlight hits its exfoliating
plates to expose the varying light-creamy inner bark. It often grows
as wide as tall; it grows naturally with multiple trunks, so allow
plenty of room to spread. It becomes a beautiful, durable pine and a
conversation piece for the residential landscape. Donor: Francis Nock
Nursery, Perry, Ohio, and Maple Ridge Garden Center, Concord, Ohio.
14. Pencil Cactus, Opuntia ramosissima
Pencil Cactus, with its unique and excellent structure is quite
something as an interior plant. This species is satisfactory for
culture in containers, which, although capable of attaining 6', is
very attractive because of its habit of branching when still small.
It then reminds one of a miniature edition of Sahuaro or Giant
Cactus, Carnegiea gigantean. Add this adaptable specimen to your
interior container garden and place in a well-lighted, warm, dry room
in your home or office. Donor: Possum Run Greenhouses, Inc.,
Bellville, Ohio.
15. Fox Valley, River Birch, Betula nigra 'Little King'
This little-known unique selection was originally introduced by Jim
King, King Nursery, Oswego, Ill., for its uniform, compact, dwarf
habit, adaptability to varied soils, good disease/pest resistance;
and ornamental exfoliating bark. An 11-year old plant, 6' in height
and spread in Secrest Arboretum, is an eye-catcher. 'Little King' is
typically single-stemmed with one or more large branches arising near
the ground and densely branched within. The exfoliating bark becomes
evident at an early age, with colorful patterns of cinnamon-red and
pale salmon on trunks and main branches. Surely you have an
appropriate small-scale site in your landscape for an outstanding
plant like Fox Valley.
16. Purple Asian Birch, Betula platyphylla 'Crimson Frost'
An unusual, loosely pyramidal birch developed by the Evergreen
Nursery Company Inc., Sturgeon Bay, Wisc. This unique, purple-leafed
birch is a hybrid of Betula platphylla var. szechuanica x Betula
pendula 'Purpurea'. The exfoliating bark turns white with a
cinnamon-brown hue. Plant in a good garden soil and irrigate during
periods of drought.
17. Calsap Rhododendron, Rhododendron x 'Calsap'
A very hardy rhododendron with white flowers, boldly blotched in dark
purple. 'Calsap' was awarded Best of Show in 1985 by the Great Lakes
Chapter, American Rhododendron Society.
18. Swamp Chestnut Oak, Quercus michauxi
In spite of its common name, Swamp Chestnut Oak does not have to grow
in a swamp. Foliage has a leathery texture. A stately tree, with the
national champion being 200' by 148' in Fayette County, Ala.;
generally medium size. Found in low areas, river bottoms, swamp
borders or ravines from New Jersey to Florida, west to Indiana,
Missouri and Texas. This is a hardy species for Ohio and deserving of
greater consideration.
19. Secrest Dwarf Baldcypress, Taxodium distichum 'Secrest'
This Secrest introduction has its own structural personality: a
natural beachball (in fact, it will grow in the water! ). Each
spring, new, soft, half-inch, bright-green needles emerge, and in
autumn they turn a deep copper-orange before they shed. This plant
grows best in full sun with moist soil, even tolerating wet, boggy
soils, and is not demanding of your gardening time. This plant was
developed from a branch mutation of a species tree in Secrest
Arboretum. Jim Karcher, OARDC grounds superintendent, discovered this
branch mutation. It has been top grafted to make an interesting dwarf
conifer. A very rare find.
20. Golden Larch, Pseudolaris amabilis
This species has a broad head, often almost equal in cross-section to
its height. The branches spread horizontally and are irregularly
whorled. The foliage is arranged in spirals and is a beautiful soft
green turning a bright yellow in autumn, characteristics that makes
this species a valuable ornamental plant. Golden Larch originated in
China and is seldom seen in this country outside of botanical gardens
and arboreta. It grows best in a good garden soil and tolerates
partial shade.
21. Pink Silverbell, Halesia tetraptera 'Arnold Pink'
When rose-pink bells hang from the branches of this medium
upright-spreading tree for 10-14 days in mid-spring, it is a sight to
enjoy. This would be an excellent 30' tree with rhododendrons at the
woodland edge or as a focal point in partial shade of over
story-trees. Silverbell grows best in good garden soil. Donor: East
of Eden Nursery, Hunting Valley, Ohio.
22. Carol Mackie Daphne, Daphne 'Carol Mackie'
Visitors to your garden will be stopped in their tracks. "Wow! What a
splash!" Its green leaves, bordered by creamy-white margins, and its
fragrant pink flowers result in an unusually ornamental plant. Plant
this selection in full sun or light shade and a well-drained, loamy
soil.
Donor: Arcola Creek Nursery, Madison, Ohio.
23. Limber Pine, Pinus flexilis 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'
'Vanderwolf's Pyramid' is an outstanding introduction that shows
great deep glauca/blue foliage and exceptionally vigorous growth.
This is one of the finest conifers around, and once you see a large
specimen you will wonder why there are so many Eastern White Pine
being used. 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid' is an excellent upright form of
this species, very blue in foliage effect, fast-growing and adaptable
-- super! The common name of the species is derived from the plant's
flexible branches; the current year's growth can be easily bent over.
The species does not tolerate drought as well as other pines.
24. Young's Weeping Birch, Betula pendula 'Youngii'
Young's Weeping Birch has one of the most versatile tree habits. It
can be pruned into a perfectly symmetrical parasol or allowed to grow
into a wild, artistic, individualistic shape of its own choosing,
attaining a height of 15'. This cultivar is as beautiful in winter as
in summer. When the tree is leafless, its long, slender, pendulous
twigs of dark brownish black contrast beautifully with the clean
white bark of the trunk and limbs. Properly locating this selection
in the landscape to ensure optimum growth and development is very
important: a good garden soil, out from under the heat of the day and
irrigate during periods of drought. It likes to be cool and gets
thirsty in the heat of the summer. Donor: Francis Nock Nursery,
Perry, Ohio, and Maple Ridge Garden Center, Concord, Ohio.
25. Vienna Weeping Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus 'Vienna Weeping'
We are indebted to the late Ed Scanlon, a world-renowned plants man
from North Olmsted, Ohio, for introducing this selection after
discovering it while on a vacation in Vienna, Austria. 'Vienna
Weeping' was originally planted on the grounds of the Hapsburg Palace
by the Emperor Franz Josef, in 1885. It is an elegant specimen with
pendulous, gracefully arching branches, growing to 20' in height with
a slightly greater spread. This will be a striking and singularly
dominate specimen for the person that loves weeping forms in their
landscape -- and a rare find outside of botanical gardens and
arboreta.
26. Midget Boxleaf English Yew, Taxus bacatta 'Adpressa Fowle'
A great little plant. Short and thick with deep-green, heavy-textured
needles. Prune to maintain a compact plant. Slow growing. Donor:
Francis Nock Nursery, Perry, Ohio, and Maple Ridge Garden Center,
Concord, Ohio.
27. Sourwood, Oxydendron arboreum
Very few plants have the distinction of being multitalented and
featuring ornamental qualities in all seasons, but sourwood comes
close to making that claim. As in most plants, emerging spring
foliage is delightfully exhibited, and in the case of sourwood, the
unfolding reddish-tinged leaves greet you with warming days.
Developing leaves take on a light green before taking on a deeper
glossy-green in summer and follow with shades of burgundy and
scarlet, with hints of purple and yellow -- a really appealing
exhibit. Tiny white flowers, but abundant on drooping racemes, reveal
a gentle fragrance in mid-summer and something of that structure
continues to change with the seasons, but remains into the winter.
This medium tree should be sited in moist, well-drained, acidic
soils. A partially shaded location mimics its native habitat in
southern Ohio and along the Appalachian Mountain range. If you have
an ericaceous planting under highly branched, towering oaks, I
suggest planting sourwood as an intermediate-story -- figure on about
25' in height, and bring down the aesthetics to another level.
28. Trident Maple, Acer buergerianum
Trident Maple, a small, dapper, oval-rounded tree to 20-30' in height
and spread, deserves consideration for the suburban and urban
landscape. Spring foliage emerges bronze to purple and eventually
changes to glossy, medium-green in summer. The yellow to orange-red
autumn foliage appears later than most maples, and the orange-brown
mottled bark is attractive in winter. This hardy maple grows best in
full sun and displays outstanding heat and dry-soil tolerance. It has
no serious pests.
29. Cutleaf Alder, Alnus glutinosa 'Imperialis'
Deeply cut leaves provide an elegant lacy texture to this small tree
useful as a garden specimen or as a pondside addition. It is
adaptable to poorly drained soils, because the species is native to
river bottoms.
1. Japanese Snowbell, Styrax japonicus
You will adore this neatly structured, upright spreading, large shrub
or small tree growing to 10-20' in height. Clusters of bell-shaped,
white, faintly scented flowers are exciting in early summer as they
hang gracefully beneath the spreading branches. The Japanese Snowbell
grows well in light shade or full sun but prefers a light, well-drained
soil. This is a nifty tree as a specimen or excellent in grouping or in
border plantings. Offered as a tribute to Justin Marotta, Possum Run
Greenhouses, Inc., Bellville, Ohio, who has generously contributed much
time, expertise and insight into the development of the Arboretum and
its programs. Justin is Vice Chairman of the Arboretum Board.
2. Mohawk Viburnum, Viburnum x 'Mohawk'
This is an award-winning hybrid, upright, spreading, multistemmed shrub
that reaches a height of6-8'. 'Mohawk' has these special
characteristics: it bears red bud coloration that appears several weeks
before the flowers that will open in mid-spring and has
snowball-shaped, reliably abundant white flowers. In autumn, the
glossy, dark-green foliage that is resistant to bacterial leaf spot
displays a brilliant orange-red. "For fragrance it cannot be beat; a
well-behaved shrub and well-suited to enhancing the landscape." Plant
in an average field soil; it also performs well in urban settings.
Donor: Willoway Nurseries Inc., Avon, Ohio.
3. Aurora Dogwood, Cornus x 'Rutban'
This vigorous hybrid offers hope for dogwood lovers. This is a sterile,
white-flowering selection from Rutgers University's breeding program;
the cross promises to be more resistant to leaf spot, canker and borer
than the native flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, from which it was
hybridized. Aurora is highly adaptable to many garden situations. Its
upright habit supports a multitude of large, heavily textured, velvety,
white bracts in mid-spring, aging to creamy white. Eventually this
selection will be extremely floriferous -- an interspecific hybrid
resulting from crosses between kousa dogwood and flowering dogwood.
Remember, the natural environments for dogwood are in partly shady
places and at the edge of woodlands. The most important factor is for
the soil to have good internal drainage so it is not saturated with
water during wet weather. Also, drought is another major contributor to
stress in dogwood and such trees may be more likely to be invaded by
dogwood borers. Donor: Willoway Nurseries Inc., Avon, Ohio.
4. Golden Dawn Redwood, Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Ogon'
Bright-yellow, feathery, fernlike foliage -- this is a rare and
outstanding tree. As new foliage develops in the spring and the summer,
it is an excellent contrast to the green foliage of the species Dawn
Redwood. The species grows faster if there's year-round moisture, but
it adapts well to average soils; drought and dry sites might mean death
to this tree. This selection is offered as a tribute to Dr. Burney
Huff, retired Wooster family physician, who has generously and
graciously contributed much time, enthusiasm and resources to studying
the Dawn Redwood and helping people learn about this beautiful species
of trees.
5. Weeping Katsuratree, Cercidiphyllum magnificum 'Pendulum'
Ultimate majesty from Asia is the way to describe the picturesque
Weeping Katsuratree. Dramatic growth can be experienced on Weeping
Katsuratree, specifically if grown in a good garden soil and planted
out from under the afternoon summer heat. Planting this cold-hardy
selection near a pond edge may boost its growth because of the tree's
access to a reliable groundwater supply. So apropos, Dr. Gary Koller of
the Arnold Arboretum writes the following of Cercidiphyllum magnificum
'Pendulum': "Considering the unique architecture of the tree, its rapid
growth and development, and the interest shown by members of the
nursery industry, I have no doubt that it will become a standard of
distinctive American landscape design." The foliage unfolds in reddish
hues in spring, and summer leaves are a bluish dark-green that shimmer
on summer days.
6. Spreading Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba 'Horizontalis'
This is a rare find for ginkgo lovers. Supposedly the tree at the
Botanical Garden of Leiden, The Netherlands, is an original of this
selection, and it is an incredible specimen -- outstretched arms for
70'-plus and not over 30' in height. The one at Secrest is quite
spectacular, especially in autumn foliage: the branching grows only
horizontally. This top-grafted plant will produce a living parasol for
the landscape.
7. Weeping Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida 'Pendula'
The Weeping Dogwood has rich aesthetic value as a small tree with its
pendulous branches. It cools the spring landscape with splashes of
white flowers and warms the autumn scene with foliage of maroon and
scarlet hues. Naturally this species is found in edges of woods, in
moist but well-drained soils, but it cannot survive significant amounts
of flooding or severe dryness. For planting this selection in your
landscape, choose a northern or eastern exposure where a bit of shade
softens the sun's heat and where the soil is well-drained yet usually
moist. Donor: Little Acorns Landscaping, Port Washington, Ohio.
8. Three-Flower Maple, Acer triflorum
With a stunning autumn foliage display, incredible peeling bark and a
tolerance of various cultural conditions, why is this wonderful small
tree absent from most nurseries? Acer triflorum is a common woodland
tree in its native habitat of northern China and Korea. As autumn
approaches, the medium-green foliage changes slowly from soft yellow to
a fiery orange-scarlet at its peak. Throughout the seasons, light,
gray-beige,
exfoliating bark exhibits an appealing fashion. This 20-30'species
grows equally well in full sun as it does moderate shade. It grows best
in a good garden soil, acid or alkaline. The Pennsylvania Horticulture
Society selected this species for its prestigious Gold Medal Plant
Award in1996.
9. Evergreen Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana 'Henry Hicks'
>From this North American native species, the outstanding, hardy
selection 'Henry Hicks' has proven to be an excellent 20' evergreen
tree. We are not talking evergreen only in the south, but evergreen
when growing in northern regions that have dropped to -17F, -25F, and
retained beautiful evergreen foliage! It is very rare to find this
selection in commerce. While the creamy-white flowers may make little
visual impact, they have a rich fragrance, once described as "one of
the best outdoor scents -- cool and fruity and sweet." In Ohio, a wide
range of soils, provided they are moisture-retentive and not hot and
dry on the one extreme or waterlogged on the other, can sustain
Magnolia virginiana. A sunny yet sheltered site is desirable. Donor:
Francis Nock Nursery, Perry, Ohio, and Maple Ridge Garden Center,
Concord, Ohio.
10. Hornbeam Maple, Acer carpinifolium
Hornbeam Maple forms a small tree, and the autumn foliage is golden.
This hardy species is an interesting plant for every maple lover due to
its atypical maple foliage. A landscape-size tree would range from
20-25' in height. This species prefers a good garden soil, and some
shade should be provided out from the heat of mid-day.
11. Tree-peony, Paeonia suffruticosa
For many centuries, tree peonies have been used in landscapes in their
native China, but they are still uncommon in North American landscapes.
This notable deciduous shrub matures to about 4-5' in height and
flowers with striking blooms in mid-spring. Tree peonies grow best in a
good, well-drained, garden soil. The following cultivars along with
their flower color are being offered: 'Kinkaku,' apricot-orange.
'Yagumo,' purple. 'Kinshi,' golden yellow. 'Kamatanishki,' wisteria
blue.
12. Hybrid Red Horsechestnut, Aesculus x carnea 'Briotii'
'Briotii' offers ruby-red flowers. The growth habit is rounded, and the
ultimate size ranges from 30-40' high and wide. As a single specimen in
mid-spring and in full flower, 'Briotii' has few rivals. Given a moist,
well-drained soil, this selection will provide first-class
ornamentation. The English treasure this plant, and it is evident from
the many trees planted in city and country. This is a fruitless
cultivar. Donor: Willoway Nurseries, Avon, Ohio.
13. Lacebark Pine, Pinus bungeana
Plant this plant for your retirement years or for future generations to
enjoy, as it is slow to develop and display its bark character --
camouflage. The very mottled bark develops as a plant ages, and a
mature specimen is outstanding as sunlight hits its exfoliating plates
to expose the varying light-creamy inner bark. It often grows as wide
as tall; it grows naturally with multiple trunks, so allow plenty of
room to spread. It becomes a beautiful, durable pine and a conversation
piece for the residential landscape. Donor: Francis Nock Nursery,
Perry, Ohio, and Maple Ridge Garden Center, Concord, Ohio.
14. Pencil Cactus, Opuntia ramosissima
Pencil Cactus, with its unique and excellent structure is quite
something as an interior plant. This species is satisfactory for
culture in containers, which, although capable of attaining 6', is very
attractive because of its habit of branching when still small. It then
reminds one of a miniature edition of Sahuaro or Giant Cactus,
Carnegiea gigantean. Add this adaptable specimen to your interior
container garden and place in a well-lighted, warm, dry room in your
home or office. Donor: Possum Run Greenhouses, Inc., Bellville, Ohio.
15. Fox Valley, River Birch, Betula nigra 'Little King'
This little-known unique selection was originally introduced by Jim
King, King Nursery, Oswego, Ill., for its uniform, compact, dwarf
habit, adaptability to varied soils, good disease/pest resistance; and
ornamental exfoliating bark. An 11-year old plant, 6' in height and
spread in Secrest Arboretum, is an eye-catcher. 'Little King' is
typically single-stemmed with one or more large branches arising near
the ground and densely branched within. The exfoliating bark becomes
evident at an early age, with colorful patterns of cinnamon-red and
pale salmon on trunks and main branches. Surely you have an appropriate
small-scale site in your landscape for an outstanding plant like Fox
Valley.
16. Purple Asian Birch, Betula platyphylla 'Crimson Frost'
An unusual, loosely pyramidal birch developed by the Evergreen Nursery
Company Inc., Sturgeon Bay, Wisc. This unique, purple-leafed birch is a
hybrid of Betula platphylla var. szechuanica x Betula pendula
'Purpurea'. The exfoliating bark turns white with a cinnamon-brown hue.
Plant in a good garden soil and irrigate during periods of drought.
17. Calsap Rhododendron, Rhododendron x 'Calsap'
A very hardy rhododendron with white flowers, boldly blotched in dark
purple. 'Calsap' was awarded Best of Show in 1985 by the Great Lakes
Chapter, American Rhododendron Society.
18. Swamp Chestnut Oak, Quercus michauxi
In spite of its common name, Swamp Chestnut Oak does not have to grow
in a swamp. Foliage has a leathery texture. A stately tree, with the
national champion being 200' by 148' in Fayette County, Ala.; generally
medium size. Found in low areas, river bottoms, swamp borders or
ravines from New Jersey to Florida, west to Indiana, Missouri and
Texas. This is a hardy species for Ohio and deserving of greater
consideration.
19. Secrest Dwarf Baldcypress, Taxodium distichum 'Secrest'
This Secrest introduction has its own structural personality: a natural
beachball (in fact, it will grow in the water! ). Each spring, new,
soft, half-inch, bright-green needles emerge, and in autumn they turn a
deep copper-orange before they shed. This plant grows best in full sun
with moist soil, even tolerating wet, boggy soils, and is not demanding
of your gardening time. This plant was developed from a branch mutation
of a species tree in Secrest Arboretum. Jim Karcher, OARDC grounds
superintendent, discovered this branch mutation. It has been top
grafted to make an interesting dwarf conifer. A very rare find.
20. Golden Larch, Pseudolaris amabilis
This species has a broad head, often almost equal in cross-section to
its height. The branches spread horizontally and are irregularly
whorled. The foliage is arranged in spirals and is a beautiful soft
green turning a bright yellow in autumn, characteristics that makes
this species a valuable ornamental plant. Golden Larch originated in
China and is seldom seen in this country outside of botanical gardens
and arboreta. It grows best in a good garden soil and tolerates partial
shade.
21. Pink Silverbell, Halesia tetraptera 'Arnold Pink'
When rose-pink bells hang from the branches of this medium
upright-spreading tree for 10-14 days in mid-spring, it is a sight to
enjoy. This would be an excellent 30' tree with rhododendrons at the
woodland edge or as a focal point in partial shade of over story-trees.
Silverbell grows best in good garden soil. Donor: East of Eden Nursery,
Hunting Valley, Ohio.
22. Carol Mackie Daphne, Daphne 'Carol Mackie'
Visitors to your garden will be stopped in their tracks. "Wow! What a
splash!" Its green leaves, bordered by creamy-white margins, and its
fragrant pink flowers result in an unusually ornamental plant. Plant
this selection in full sun or light shade and a well-drained, loamy
soil.
Donor: Arcola Creek Nursery, Madison, Ohio.
23. Limber Pine, Pinus flexilis 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'
'Vanderwolf's Pyramid' is an outstanding introduction that shows great
deep glauca/blue foliage and exceptionally vigorous growth. This is one
of the finest conifers around, and once you see a large specimen you
will wonder why there are so many Eastern White Pine being used.
'Vanderwolf's Pyramid' is an excellent upright form of this species,
very blue in foliage effect, fast-growing and adaptable -- super! The
common name of the species is derived from the plant's flexible
branches; the current year's growth can be easily bent over. The
species does not tolerate drought as well as other pines.
24. Young's Weeping Birch, Betula pendula 'Youngii'
Young's Weeping Birch has one of the most versatile tree habits. It can
be pruned into a perfectly symmetrical parasol or allowed to grow into
a wild, artistic, individualistic shape of its own choosing, attaining
a height of 15'. This cultivar is as beautiful in winter as in summer.
When the tree is leafless, its long, slender, pendulous twigs of dark
brownish black contrast beautifully with the clean white bark of the
trunk and limbs. Properly locating this selection in the landscape to
ensure optimum growth and development is very important: a good garden
soil, out from under the heat of the day and irrigate during periods of
drought. It likes to be cool and gets thirsty in the heat of the
summer. Donor: Francis Nock Nursery, Perry, Ohio, and Maple Ridge
Garden Center, Concord, Ohio.
25. Vienna Weeping Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus 'Vienna Weeping'
We are indebted to the late Ed Scanlon, a world-renowned plants man
from North Olmsted, Ohio, for introducing this selection after
discovering it while on a vacation in Vienna, Austria. 'Vienna Weeping'
was originally planted on the grounds of the Hapsburg Palace by the
Emperor Franz Josef, in 1885. It is an elegant specimen with pendulous,
gracefully arching branches, growing to 20' in height with a slightly
greater spread. This will be a striking and singularly dominate
specimen for the person that loves weeping forms in their landscape --
and a rare find outside of botanical gardens and arboreta.
26. Midget Boxleaf English Yew, Taxus bacatta 'Adpressa Fowle'
A great little plant. Short and thick with deep-green, heavy-textured
needles. Prune to maintain a compact plant. Slow growing. Donor:
Francis Nock Nursery, Perry, Ohio, and Maple Ridge Garden Center,
Concord, Ohio.
27. Sourwood, Oxydendron arboreum
Very few plants have the distinction of being multitalented and
featuring ornamental qualities in all seasons, but sourwood comes close
to making that claim. As in most plants, emerging spring foliage is
delightfully exhibited, and in the case of sourwood, the unfolding
reddish-tinged leaves greet you with warming days. Developing leaves
take on a light green before taking on a deeper glossy-green in summer
and follow with shades of burgundy and scarlet, with hints of purple
and yellow -- a really appealing exhibit. Tiny white flowers, but
abundant on drooping racemes, reveal a gentle fragrance in mid-summer
and something of that structure continues to change with the seasons,
but remains into the winter. This medium tree should be sited in moist,
well-drained, acidic soils. A partially shaded location mimics its
native habitat in southern Ohio and along the Appalachian Mountain
range. If you have an ericaceous planting under highly branched,
towering oaks, I suggest planting sourwood as an intermediate-story --
figure on about 25' in height, and bring down the aesthetics to another
level.
28. Trident Maple, Acer buergerianum
Trident Maple, a small, dapper, oval-rounded tree to 20-30' in height
and spread, deserves consideration for the suburban and urban
landscape. Spring foliage emerges bronze to purple and eventually
changes to glossy, medium-green in summer. The yellow to orange-red
autumn foliage appears later than most maples, and the orange-brown
mottled bark is attractive in winter. This hardy maple grows best in
full sun and displays outstanding heat and dry-soil tolerance. It has
no serious pests.
29. Cutleaf Alder, Alnus glutinosa 'Imperialis'
Deeply cut leaves provide an elegant lacy texture to this small tree
useful as a garden specimen or as a pondside addition. It is adaptable
to poorly drained soils, because the species is native to river
bottoms.
