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Meadow Rue 'Lavender Mist'
$8.95 ea $6.27 ea
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Matteuccia struthiopteris
$12.95 ea
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Malva sylvestris 'Purple Satin'
$8.95 ea $7.16 ea
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Magnolia x 'Vulcan'
$63.95 ea
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Schisandra chinensis 'Eastern Prince'
$28.95 ea
Dawn Redwood
This fast-growing deciduous conifer is simply breathtaking!
Dawn Redwood is a deciduous conifer with fresh green foliage and small, scaly cones (present only in hot-summer climates). In autumn, the needles turn a deep brownish shade of red before dropping -- a splendid sight! This tree grows quickly, often creating buttress roots (raised roots above the soil on all sides of the trunk, helping to support it and to access surface nutrients) that add to its stunning ornamental appeal. After just 10 years it may be 10 to 15 feet tall; after 30 it could be as much as 50 feet high, and ultimately it will reach 100 or more feet high, with a trunk several feet in diameter at the base.
This pyramidal tree is a glorious landmark in any large-scale setting. It loves moist to wet soils, so it's a natural choice for a waterside planting, and poor soil drainage is a godsend to its thirsty roots. As you might expect, it is not drought-tolerant at all, particularly when young, so take care to select a spot that acquires constant moisture with or without your intervention!
Easy to care for, Dawn Redwood has been found to be very tolerant of urban pollution. It seems to thrive best in almost rainforest conditions, which the high humidity in much of the U.S. is happy to provide! This part of the world was once its home, and you will find it quite adaptable to nearly any condition except dry soil.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides is nearly extinct in the wild, and is on the critically endangered list. (Relentless cone collection from the wild population in China has largely prevented the natural reproduction of the original 1943 trees.) In 1995 a grove named the Crescent Ridge Dawn Redwoods Preserve was planted in the Appalachian region of North Carolina, and it is hoped that one day this 50-acre stand of trees will become established enough to become a public park (2035 is the target date for opening the preserve to the public). Presently the only place to view a large number of Dawn Redwoods in the wild is China.
This is a very special tree, historically as well as botanically. Consider giving it a home in your landscape and preserving one of the Earth's most ancient of known species! Zones 4-8.
| Genus | Metasequoia |
| Species | glyptostroboides |
| Habit | Upright |
| Zone | 4 - 8 |
| Plant Height | 70 ft - 100 ft |
| Plant Width | 15 ft - 25 ft |
| Item Form | 2-Quart |
| Additional Characteristics | Fast Growing, Heirloom, Award Winner, Easy Care Plants, Fall Color |
| Foliage Color | Burgundy, Medium Green, Red |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun |
| Moisture Requirements | Moist, well-drained, Wet |
| Soil Tolerance | Clay, Normal, loamy |
| Uses | Fall Color, Foliage Interest, Privacy, Specimen |
| Restrictions | CAN, HI, PR |
How to Plant Your Tree
When planting a new tree, know the strengths and weaknesses of your tree variety. For example, if your tree has delicate leaves placing the tree fully exposed to drying sun and wind will certainly lead to scorched leaves
and a puny tree. Think of your tree's habit and mature size when
planting. You would not want a tree that will be 15' wide in a few
years planted too closely to any permanent structure or other trees.
Choose a place with plenty of room in a partially shaded place,
preferably a spot where your tree can get a nice dose of morning sun
and be protected through the harshest part of those hot summer
afternoons.Gardeners will often plant their trees in holes that are too deep and too narrow. Roots need access to oxygen and room to grow. Dig a hole about three times the width of the root ball, and the crown (the place where the roots meet the trunk) should be level with the soil surface. If you have clay soil, make sure to break up the sides and bottom of the hole to prevent water from being trapped and rotting your brand new tree. If your tree was in a container, carefully pull apart the roots to ensure that your tree does not become girdled and strangle itself. Recover the soil to the crown, but do not pack it down tightly—loose dirt allows roots to become established.
How to Feed and Water Your Tree
Trees, once established are very low-maintenance for most of the year. Most trees love moisture—during the warmer months, make sure you give your tree a deep watering
about twice a week during hot, dry summers to help it establish strong roots.Some
varieties with more delicate leaves may have a tendency to
dry up and scorch in the summer or freeze in a late frost and scorch.
If you suspect a late frost is headed your way, just go ahead and cover
the more delicate plants in your garden. Deep watering may be your only
hope against drying in the summer.An all-purpose slow-release fertilizer or rich compost will supply the basic nutrients to feed most trees. Just work the fertilizer into the soil around the tree at the beginning of every season to get the best results.
How to Prune Your Tree
If
your tree has been properly planted, has established itself, and has
developed a strong root system, the only thing left to do is periodic
pruning and shaping. Pruning maples is really simple. Remove dead or
damaged limbs, and any new growth that appears on the main trunk
(allowing your tree to focus its energy on filling out its distinctly
beautiful branches). You may also want to shorten long limbs that
distract from the overall shape of the tree.Choosing Tree Varieties to Suit Your Garden
Want to make a dramatic change in the overall look of your garden? Planting a trees is the quickest way to change the look and feel of your garden. Trees add
structure and height, and they have striking presence and
style. A few strategically placed trees in your landscape design can
change the entire look and feel of your yard. Planting a tree provides incredible results for the modest amount money and time
invested, it's good for the environment, and it's fun.Some of the quickest growers are also the most interesting. Many varieties of dense firs, colorful maples, and wispy willows grow quickly enough to noticeably change the look of your garden in just one season. Fast-growing trees are as functional as they are beautiful—quickly providing privacy screens, shade trees, and dramatic color and fragrance that could take years to achieve with slower varieties.
Landscape Design with Evergreen Trees and Shrubs
Most
Pines, Cypresses, and Thujas grow incredibly fast, and make a great
quick fix for most of your tree-related garden needs. A tall pine, like
a Loblolly or Rock Pine, can reach impressive shade-tree heights in a
third of the time that it would take many deciduous trees to reach the
same height. And the long, dark-green, wispy needles give an
ephemeral—almost mystical—feel, turning your garden into the setting
of a great fairytale. Thujas, also known as Arborvitae, are the
fastest-growing evergreens around. Their dense green foliage is perfect
for blocking outside sights, sounds, and wind—turning your garden into
a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle.
Fast Growing Deciduous Trees
Many of the most popular trees for gardeners are also some of the fastest
growers. Red Maples and Weeping Willows are sold bare-root, about two
or three years old, and not more than a few feet tall. But often, after
being planted in your yard, they will grow 3 to 5 feet in one year.
These trees are popular because of their interesting foliage and habit,
and because they offer such quick return on investment, they have
become indispensable in landscape design.Grow Your Own Fruit
Growing your own fruit is cheaper, more fun, and usually a lot safer than buying fruit from the grocery store. Also, fruit trees are usually very impressive in the garden--they usually have pretty, fragrant blooms, and they attract humming birds and butterflies. Fruit trees are always popular, but often it takes several years before a tree produces a substantial amount of fruit. There are a few fast-growing fruit tree varieties that produce a useful amount of fruit within a couple seasons. Dwarf citrus trees are small, and mature very fast, but you can only grow these in containers unless you live in a very warm place. Trees from the genus Prunus, like cherries, apricots, plums, and peaches, all grow fairly quickly, and they are so diverse that any gardener will be able to find exactly what they need.
