Sorbus aucuparia

Sorbus aucuparia
“European mountain ash” “Rowan”
ROSACEA

Deciduous Tree

Zone: 3 – 6
Native habitat: Europe and Asia; naturalized in North America

Conditions
Soil: any including clay
Moisture: well-drained
Light: full sun to part shade
Exposure: tolerate seaside and pollution
Plant size (h x w): 20′ – 40′ x 15′ – 25′
Other: best away from hot, dry conditions

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: upright, smooth bark with small lenticles
Leaf: pinnate leaves green turning yellow in autumn
Flower: small, white, clusters 
Bloom: Spring
Other: bright orange
berries persist through winter

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: ideally don’t plant as now considered invasive
Maintain: low maintenance, prune dead and damage and form form
Propagate: cutting, seed, grafting

Uses
Landscape: specimen tree, average garden tree, woodland, back of boarder, park tree, wildlife (birds like fruit)
Companion planting: nice with herbaceous perennials planted underneath 
Medicinal:; berries are edible but sour and high in vitamin c; has spiritual properties

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: fire blight, scale, anthracnose
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: not native to Victoria
Pot size (to purchase): 5g
Nature: ornamental invasive tree
Identification (key features): key features are the leaves and berries

Interesting mythical raven tree, used in the past to ward of bad spirits
Comments: considered invasive; birds eat seeds and spread around, 
Cultivars:
Sorbs aucuparia ‘Xanthoscarpa’ – ambet-yellow berries
Sorbus vilmorinii – smaller size, 15′ – berries rose-pink to bright mauve, foliage dark purple brown in autumn,- berries fade to white over the winter

 

Liquidambar styraciflua

Liquidambar stryaciflua
“Sweetgum”
ALTINGIACEAE

Deciduous Tree
(CAN BE EVERGREEN OR SEMIEVERGREEN IN MILDER CLIMATES)

Zone: 5 – 9
Native habitat: US (range from southern New England into Florida and to the west)

Conditions
Soil: acidic loam, tolerates clay
Moisture: moist, tolerates poor drainage
Light: full sun (best) can take light shade
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): to 60′ x 40′
Other: hates lime; prone to snow damage

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: upright, attractive deeply furrowed bark, tall, broadly conical in outline
Leaf: alternate, star-shaped, shiny, green, 5-7-lobed, brilliant and long-lasting autumn colour ( orange, crimson and purple)
Flower: inconspicuous, unisexual, greenish 
Bloom: Spring
Other: long-lived; vigorous root system; hard, spiked fruits


Treatment (how to…)
Plant: think about where you plant it as it is prone to broken limbs from snow damage and will heave up concrete
Maintain: low maintenance, prune dead and damage
Propagate: cutting,

Uses
Landscape: specimen tree, average garden tree, woodland, back of boarder, park tree, 
Companion planting: 
Medicinal: none known

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: not native to Victoria
Pot size (to purchase): 5g
Nature: ornamental tree
Identification (key features): leaves can sometimes be confused with acer but leaves are alternate and no samara; Leaves are fragrant when bruised. Branchlets may have distinctive corky ridge

Interesting facts:important to the lumbar trade in the US;
Liquidambar first given by Linnaeus 1753 from liquidus, fluid, and Arabic ambar, amber, in allusion to the fragrant terebinthine juice or gum which exudes from the tree
Comments: Trees may live to 400 years
Cultivars: ‘Vanessa’ – upright, columnar form 15′-25×10′-15′

 

Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’

Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’
syn. ‘Lemon yellow’
“Monterey Cypress”
CUPRESSACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Tree

Zone: 7 – 10
Native habitat : Coastal California (Monterey area)

Conditions
Soil: average
Moisture: well drained, moderate to regular
Light: full sun to full shade
Exposure: seaside
Plant size (h x w): to 33′ x 10′-15′
Other: tolerates stronger winds

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: upright, columnar, holds conical shape, flakey bark
Leaf: bright golden-yellow, ascending sprays, small, ,scale-like, colour persisting into winter
Flower:small, spherical female cones
Bloom: insignificant
Other: slow to grow; size can vary based on conditions

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: stake for the first year
Maintain:  no pruning is required; don’t prune top till desired height, can prune to be hedge (late spring) otherwise prune out dead; rake out needles every so often
Propagate: cutting

Uses
Landscape: specimen, winter interest, evergreen tree, hedge, screen, windbreak, seaside, accent, architectural, hedge
Companion planting: look to colors of dark greens, full bodied greens, purples 
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant; may see cypress aphid
Deer resistant: yes; deer proof hedge too

Interest
Local info,: not native,
Pot size (to purchase): 2 g or bigger
Nature: small evergreen conifer tree
Identification (key features): distinct layered look to growth, foliage has a lemon scent to it
Comments: more stressed it is the more yellow it will be; very popular cultivar
Cultivars:‘Wilma Goldcrest’ – smaller at 15′ tall

Parrotia persica

Parrotia persica
“Persian Ironwood”
HAMAMELIDACEAE

Deciduous Tree

Zone: 4 – 8
Native habitat: N Iran to Caucasus

Conditions
Soil: prefers acidic soil, tolerates clay if well-drained
Moisture: well-drained, average moisture,
Light: full sun to part shade
Exposure: tolerates air pollution
Plant size (h x w): 25′ – 30′ x 25′-  30′
Other: very tough


Aesthetic
Shape/stem: upright, vase shape, nice mottled bark, as ages bark exfoliates, multi-stem or single trunk, tends to have lower growing branches
Leaf: leaves wavy margin, distinct veining, alternate, green with slight red ting, fall colours, broadly ovate
Flower:small but abundant red flowers, fairly insignificant 
Bloom: early spring
Other: will change colour early if stressed

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general, be sure to give it a fair amount of room and raise canopy over time
Maintain: low maintenance, very tough and tolerant even if given the worse conditions, prune out dead and damage and to maintain good form
Propagate: cutting,

Uses
Landscape: specimen tree, average garden tree, urban, front yard, good for a tough site
Companion planting: pairs well with most anything, nice with summer blooming shrubs and perennials 
Medicinal: none known

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 5g
Nature: ornamental tree
Identification (key features): id by wavy margin and vase shaped form; Some times confused with Stewartia (however tipped buds and more growth is a way to tell them apart)
Interesting facts:  genus Parrotia was named after the German naturalist, F.W. Parrot; the specific epithet persica refers to its origin in Persia (Iran)
Comments: pretty all year; can see splitting cambium at their base
*for more info and details visit: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/parpera.pdf
Cultivars: ‘Vanessa’ – upright, columnar form 15′-25×10′-15′

 

Sciadopitys verticillata

Sciadopitys verticillata
“Japanese umbrella pine”
SCIADOPITYACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Tree

Zone: 5 – 9
Native habitat : Japan’s cloud forest

Condition
Soil: moderately fertile, neutral to slightly acidic
Moisture: well drained, moist
Light: full sun to part shade (no hot sun)
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): typically 20′ – 30 x 15′ – 20′ (slow to 30′-70’x20′-25′) (age 10: 4′-7’x3′)
Other: cool summer climates are ideal 


Aesthetic
Shape/stem: upright, conical, opens with age , not so symmetrical, peeling red-brown bark hidden by foliage
Leaf: glossy, dark green, linear “leaves”, 2″-5″ long, in terminal whorls of 15-25 needles; true leaves are randomly scattered scales on twigs
Flower:inconspicuous flowers followed by ovoid cones 8cm in length
Bloom: insignificant
Other: needles die and reform every 3-4 years

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; plant in an area that will allow adequate space
Maintain: low maintenance; no pruning
Propagate: cutting, seed

Uses
Landscape: a true specimen tree, woodland main, estate, screening
Companion planting: 
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant;
Deer resistant: unknown

Interest
Local info,: not native, often seem to be chlorotic in Victoria (maybe look to part shade locations for more healthy specimen)
Pot size (to purchase): 5 g (slow growing so the bigger you can find the better)
Nature: sacred specimen tree
Identification (key features): scales on twigs (leaves); needles whorl around stem tips, needles long, bundles of needles alternate

Interesting facts: very sacred (spiritual) plant in Japan;
Cultivars:
Comments:

Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’

Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’
“Weeping Eastern Hemlock”
PINACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Shrub

Zone: 4 – 8
Native habitat: Eastern North America

Conditions
Soil: humus
Moisture: well drained, average to moist
Light: full sun to part shade
Exposure: protect from wind and excessive sun
Plant size (h x w): to 20′ – 33′ wide at age 100
(height depends on how trained and initially staked)
Other:

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: gracefully weeping mound, leaning columnar, narrow, pendent side branches, messy but nice
Leaf: soft fine needles, mostly in 2 opposite rows with a few short needles lying flat along shoots, dark green on top with showing silvery underside
Flower: insignificant
Bloom: insignificant
Other: 

Treatment (how to…)

Plant: general; train to desired height by staking (tie in) and then directing growth; be sure to give it plenty of space; be sure to water when young
Maintain: low maintenance, prune dead and damaged, train if needed to direct growth (leaning or tie in) in right direction
Propagate: cutting,

Uses
Landscape: specimen, screen, wind break, can pin up to train horizontally along a fence like a curtain, shade garden, foliage garden, mixed boarder, over a stone wall,
Companion planting: see photo bellow for good color pairing ideas (would be nice trainned along the back fence in this garden); complement shrubs with larger leaves (ideas for a shady spot: rhododendrons, viburnums, hybrid mahonias, witch alders, witch hazels, camellias)

Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: native to Canada but not the island
Pot size (to purchase): 2 g or bigger
Nature: unique weeping conifer tree with gracefully messy pendulous form
Identification (key features): notice the 2 shaded lines of foliage (dark needles on top laid out flat then left and right on top with white underside with green margin and edges)

Cultivars:
T. canadensis has many excellent dwarf cultivars (but note.T. c. ‘Coles’ becomes bare of needles in the center)
Comments: hemlocks are great for shade

 

Pinus mugo var. mugo

Pinus mugo var. mugo
(was P. mugo mughus)
“Mugo” “Swiss mountain pine”
PINACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Shrub

Zone: 3 – 7
Native habitat : Europe

Conditions
Soil:  average
Moisture: well drained, average to drought tolerant;
Light: full sun
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): 8′ – 10′ x 15′
Other: Aesthetic
Shape/stem: dense, rounded form, branches spreading and ascending
Leaf: needles dark green (1.25-3″ long) in pairs (2 per bundle) whorles, needle growth directed up and relatively soft
Flower:
Bloom: brown ovoid female cones, tall, symmetrical
Other: highly variable if grown from seed

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; prefers ball and burlap
Maintain: low maintenance; can shorten candles or even sheer “candles” in march or remove candles in July
Propagate: seed, grafting

Uses
Landscape: specimen, backyard shrub, screen, informal thick hedge
Companion planting: nice contrast to bright green foliage and purple blooms 
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant; may see spider mite
Deer resistant: yes

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 1 g +
Nature: thick handsome conifer shrub
Identification (key features): id by 2 needles (true pine squeeze needles together and they make a perfect circle), growth direct up in “candles”
Interesting facts: not a strong scent to them
Cultivars: over 28 forms of pinus mugo; grafted of predictable size but more expensive
P. m. ‘Mops’
P.m (straight species) – 10′-16 x 10′-13 – irregular habit
Comments:

 

Pinus aristata

Pinus aristata
“Bristlecone Pine”
PINACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Tree

Zone: 4 – 8
Native habitat : USA (Colorado rocky mountains to Mexico)

Conditions
Soil: deep, rich to average
Moisture: well drained, average to drought tolerant; prefers drier conditions
Light: full sun
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): 15′ – 30′ x 20” – 13′ (age 10: 5-6.5′)
Other: 

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: dense, tear drop shape, lowest branches can sweep the ground, upturned branch tips,  bark is grey-brown, thin and scaly at the base
Leaf: needles dark green with distinct specks of white resin, in bundles of 5
Flower:
Bloom: cones ovoid-cylindrical, 5–10 cm long and 3–4 cm broad, purple at first, ripening yellow at 16 months old, with numerous thin, fragile scales
Other:

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general;
Maintain: low maintenance; does not need major pruning; remove dead, clean out needles as needed
Propagate: seed, grafting

Uses
Landscape: specimen, park, estate, back of property densely wide screen, backyard tree
Companion planting: nice contrast to bright green foliage and purple blooms 
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant; may see spider mite
Deer resistant: yes

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 1 g +
Nature: thick handsome conifer shrub
Identification (key features): id by 5 needles (true pine squeeze needles together and they make a perfect circle) and resin (white spots on needles)

Interesting facts: can live for 2000 years
Cultivars:
Comments:  dense forest Colorado mountains 

 

Picea pungens ‘Globosa’

Picea pungens ‘Globosa’
(was P. p.  ‘Glauca Globosa’)
“Dwarf Colorado Blue Spruce”
PINACEAE

Evergreen Conifer Shrub

Zone: 3 – 8
Native habitat : Bosnia and Siberia

Conditions
Soil: deep, rich
Moisture: well drained, average (adequate to good moisture is best especially in Victoria summers)
Light: full sun
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): age 10: 20″ x 28″ age 25: 5-6′ x 5′
Other: more drought tolerant than other spruces

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: mounded, round to triangular
Leaf: blue-grey needles radially arranged around twigs on stiffly horizontal branches, needles can be sharp, thick, bluer at tips
Flower:
Bloom: insignificant
Other: slow growing

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; spruces don’t transplant well; Plant slightly above soil grade and mulch top of soil in a 2 -3 foot diameter circle. Water regularly until established
Maintain: low maintenance; does not need major pruning; remove dead, clean out needles as needed; water in dry summer to reduce risk of spider mites; wash out or spray out to reduce as well
Propagate: cutting, graft
Uses
Landscape: mixed shrub boarder, winter interest, townhouse garden
Companion planting: nice contrast to dark green, gold
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: conifer red spider mite
Deer resistant: yes

Interest
Local info,: not native, spider mites problem here
Pot size (to purchase): 1 g +
Nature evergreen dwarf shrub
Identification (key features): id spruces by each fallen leaf leaving a peg (indent off branch) and cones hang down
Interesting facts:
Cultivars: P. glauca var. albertiana ‘Conica’ – “Dwarf alberta spruce” – 5′-10’x3.5′-5′ in Victoria – hates dry wind – prone to defoliation by insects
Comments:

 

Picea omorika

Picea omorika
“Serbian spruce”
PINACEAE

Evergreen ConiferTree

Zone: 5 – 8
Native habitat : Bosnia and Siberia

Conditions
Soil: deep, rich
Moisture: well drained, average to moist
Light: full sun
Exposure: average
Plant size (h x w): 70′ – 100′ x 2.5′ – 13′ (age 10: 8′ – 11.5′)
Other: least drought tolerant of all the spruces; takes cold, wind and even wet soils

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: wafting pendulous branches, graceful, slender tree of narrowly conical habit
Leaf: dark foliage, whitish beneath, in drooping sprays curving up at the tips
Flower:
Bloom: insignificant
Other: best forms are very narrow

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; spruces don’t transplant well
Maintain: low maintenance; does not need major pruning; remove dead, clean out needles as needed
Propagate: cutting,

Uses
Landscape: entrance way, narrow hedge, privacy, screening, townhouse garden, hide a telephone pole
Companion planting: nice contrast to dark green, copper to gold and blue
Medicinal: unknown

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant; may see aphids, conifer red spider mite
Deer resistant: yes

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 1 g +
Nature: nest shaped, flat-topped, evergreen dwarf shrub
Identification (key features): id spruces by each fallen leaf leaving a peg (indent off branch) and cones hang down
Interesting facts:
Cultivars: Picea abies – Norway spruce
Comments: