The trouble with "new" ideas is that they'll always be "old" to anyone who already knew about them. I received quite a lot of e-mail from readers following my recent column that featured plant suggestions that were a little out of the ordinary. As I had guessed, some readers were already familiar with my recommendations. But even for the most knowledgeable horticulturists, it's good to be reminded of plants we might not have considered for a while.
In fact, when Cheryl read that column, she reminded me of several other plants that have caught our interest recently, and today I'll describe some of them in case you're looking at fresh ideas for spring planting.
But first, if you missed that previous column, you can find it archived at my Web site. Go to www.landsteward.org then clink on "The Plant Man" and look for the column titled "Some new plant ideas for the New Year."
And no to this week's planting ideas.
Crimson Pygmy (Berberis thunbergii) - As the name suggests, this is a dwarf variety of Japanese barberry. I am fascinated by this plant, mainly because of the leaves which will develop a hue of deep crimson in direct sunlight but will turn to a lighter red or even green as shade increases.
In spring you'll just be able to see tiny gold-tinged flowers and in the fall small red berries will appear what will usually remain throughout most of the winter. At maturity, they grow to about three feet high with a three-foot spread.. Crimson Pygmy can be planted alone or grouped to make a low hedge or to surround a garden feature such as a birdbath.
Green Panda (Fargesia rufa) - If you lived in Western Sichuan province in China and you planted Fargesia rufa, you might have to find a way to keep pandas out of your back yard because they find this variety particularly succulent! However, that probably won't be a problem for you if you live in the Untied States where this variety is a relative newcomer.
Green Panda is ideal if you're looking for a screen or an unusual hedge that will grow to about eight feet in height. I like the way the orange-red sheaths are set off by the deep green leaves. This non-running evergreen could add a unique flair to your landscape, but might not be easy to find. If you're having difficulty finding a supplier, drop me an e-mail.
Lily of the Kings (Iris pseudacorus) - Legend has it that this iris was the inspiration for the Fleur de Lys, the symbol found on the coat of arms of numerous French kings. Whether or not that's true, this plant will certainly add a sense of nobility to your landscape particularly if you have a pond or a water feature.
Lily of the Kings thrives in wet areas and marshlands and I've seen some landscapers plant it, in containers, directly into a shallow pond. The heavy, grass-like blades will grow to a height of four to six feet, and the cut flowers make beautiful arrangements, both fresh and dried. If you have been wondering what to plant in that "wet" area, this might be your solution.
Royal Standard Hosta - Don't quit reading just yet! Yes, I'm sure you're familiar with the Hosta, perhaps the most popular perennial groundcover. However, there are many Hosta varieties and at least one might be just different enough to appeal to you. Take the royal Standard, for example
The deep green foliage will grow to about 24 inches high with a 30-inch spread. I really like the extra-fragrant, funnel-shaped white flowers that bloom in July and August. Let it bask in morning sun and cool in evening shade and it will flourish. As a point of interest, the Royal Standard was the first ever patented Hosta and was introduced in 1965.
Need more personal suggestions for spring plants? Send me an e-mail and I'll try to give you some specific ideas.
The Plant Man is here to help. Send questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landstward.org For resources and additional information, or to subscribe to Steve's free, e-mailed newsletter, to go www.landsteward.org
It's Official: Trees Are GOOD For You!
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Those of us who enjoy the outdoors have always known that being around trees somehow makes us feel better. The sound of the rustling leaves, the sight of the dappled sun light filtering through the gently swaying branches. The cooling shade from the summer's heat...
Aha!
One of the major issues confronting environmentalists (and thus, all of us) is a phenomenon known as Urban Heat Island Effect. We'll call it UHIE to save space.
What is UHIE? In a nutshell, the air in urban areas can be 6 to 8 degrees warmer than in surrounding rural and suburban areas, particularly in the summer. Apart from being uncomfortable, UHIE increases pollution, reduces air quality and increases energy use (and cost) as we crank up the air conditioning as a counter-measure. So UHIE is bad for the environment, bad for our health and bad for our pocket book.
But there is some good news. This is one of those rare problems where we can all make a change for the better. Not just for the world at large, but also for the little piece of the world that we call home!
Causes of the Heat Island Effect include dark surfaces - that absorb heat from the sun - and a lack of sufficient vegetation.
Traditionally, roofing and pavement tend to be constructed of dark materials (think "blacktop"). An online report by the Heat Island Group suggests that cities would save enormous sums of money by changing what's known as "roof reflectivity." How much? Los Angeles would see a net energy saving of $35M and Phoenix would save $37M. But savings would also be seen in the cooler northern areas of the country: $16M for New York and $10M for Chicago.
Roads, sidewalks and driveways coated with dark asphalt can be as much as 70 degrees hotter than similar white or light-colored surfaces because sunlight is absorbed by the blacktop and converted to thermal energy.
Even though you, personally, can't do much about Los Angeles or Phoenix, you CAN make a difference in your own back yard, literally, by replacing blacktop driveways and walkways with what is called "low albedo" pavement, and planning to switch to lighter-colored roofing when that project becomes due.
In addition to that hardscaping, you can make a major and noticeable improvement to your own environment by planting... trees! Research by leading academic institutions and government agencies continues to show that planting trees will lower the temperature in and around your home and, as a consequence, reduce your energy bills.
There is one very convincing reason to plant trees on your land: Evapotranspiration. Trees transpire water through their leaves, cooling the surrounding air. A single mature tree with a 30ft canopy can transpire as much as 40 gallons a day.
According to the Department of Energy, just three trees planted around a house can save between $100 and $250 annually in heating and cooling costs. (I would guess the savings would be even higher, given current energy costs.)
And here's another interesting fact: Ambient temperatures are 3 to 6 degrees cooler in tree-shaded neighborhoods. As well as being cooler, homes located on streets lined with mature trees are more attractive and have greater "curb appeal" when it's time to sell.
If your hometown is woefully lacking in trees, you can do something about it. Find out if there's a neighborhood tree project. If not, think about getting together with your neighbors and starting one. When you add up the benefits - lower energy costs, aesthetic enhancement, improved resale prices - your neighbors are likely to share your enthusiasm! You can find a lot of information online by going to Google and typing in "neighborhood tree projects."
Which trees work best to provide shade, save you energy, enhance the environment and are pleasing to the eye? In the next Plant Man column, I will discuss some of my favorites that will provide a feeling of tranquility and keep more of your hard-earned money in the bank!
Meanwhile, here are two useful Web sites I referred to in this column: http://eetd.lbl.gov/HeatIsland/LEARN/ and http://www.energy.gov/news/1652.htm You can click on a direct link to both those Web sites (and more) when you go to www.landsteward.org and find this column under "The Plant Man" heading.
The Plant Man is here to help. Send questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org For resources and additional information, or to subscribe to Steve's free e-mailed newsletter, go to www.landsteward.org
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