The Pines

Spring is in full swing. Deciduous plants are showing their new foliage. The branches of broadleaf evergreen trees and shrubs have bright green tips that really stand out against the older darker foliage. Most conifers are sporting new bright green growth also, but not the pines.

Pines are covered in ‘candles’. Pointing straight up, their new growth are finger-like protrusions on the branches, like candles on a Christmas tree. Our state tree is the Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris). We use its twelve inch needles for mulch.

Our new conifer garden has several young pine trees. One of the most decorative pines in this stage is the Thunderhead Pine (Pinus thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’). It has a dwarf broad habit, maturing around 3 feet tall by 6 feet wide, with dark green needles and white candles. Tanyosho Special Pine (Pinus densiflora ‘Tanyosho Special’) is vase shaped and gets 6-7 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Vanderwolf’s Pyramid (Pinus flexilus ‘Vanderwolf’s Pyramid’) grows to 15 feet by 10 feet. It has twisted blue green needles, grows two feet a year, and takes our heat. Bennett’s Contorted (Pinus strobus ‘Bennett’s Contorted’) is another small broad pine that gets about 4 feet tall and 7-8 feet wide. These are all accent plants that will stand out in the garden.

The arboretum has two mature pine trees. The Lacebark Pine (Pinus bungeana) is near the greenhouse. It has a wonderful mottled bark when young and should be planted where people pass closely so they can see the interesting bark. It can get 30+ feet tall.

The Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) is adjacent to the conifer garden. It grows 30 feet tall and has rugged scaly bark. It often has an irregular oriental-like growth habit.

Because of its long history as a cultivated garden, the arboretum has many mature trees and shrubs. As a growing, vibrant arboretum, it has many new plants also. It’s a great place to see the old and the new.

Come out a take a stroll. We’ll be looking for you.