GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS

TBG’s Conifer Collection Offers Winter Feast for the Senses

By Paul Gellatly, Director of Horticulture

A garden never reaches its full potential until there is interest in all four seasons—including winter. The stars of the winter garden are found in the bold bark, the brave berries and the clever conifers. After the beautiful autumn symphony of the deciduous trees, many gardeners hang up their trowels and secateurs for the year, cozy up with a hot chocolate or cup of tea and read their gardening magazines while dreaming about spring. Admittedly, I used to be one of those gardeners.

My affair with the winter garden started with my love for Japanese maples and their graceful silhouettes standing in the snow like soldiers, some small, some tall, some weeping, some wide. There was a starkness to the garden. Something was missing. As I looked around the neighbourhood, I started to pay closer attention to the conifers. They were not just boring and uninteresting. They had form, style, substance and, most importantly, they had colour in the middle of winter.

The next spring, I decided to give the maples some winter interest companions. I added several conifers and not only did they provide texture and form from spring to fall, but they added interest, wildlife refuge and companion planting for the deciduous trees I held in such high regard.

Hens & chicks (Sempervivum arachnoideum)

Arriving at the TBG in early March last year, I was immediately drawn to the conifer collection found adjacent to the Knot Garden. Continuous contrasting conifers in every shape, size and colour create a beautiful late winter feast for the senses. Combined with berries, bark and birds, this was definitely the spot to spend a bit of time appreciating the late winter/early spring garden.

Paperbark maple (Acer griseum)

I’ve always thought of evergreens/ conifers as companions to other plants. In the winter garden it is quite the opposite. They are the focal points and everything else becomes a companion. They simply wait for the right season to shine. Good winter companions include Acer griseum with its extreme exfoliating paper bark and A. x conspicuum ‘Phoenix’ with its bright red bark, accented with white stripes. The ilex, barberry and snowberries often hold their berries well into the winter adding pops of red/orange/ white/pink, making them great companions to the conifer collection. In this region there are often days and weeks throughout the winter with little or no snow. Many of the Carex grasses are considered evergreen and provide a lush base for these trees and shrubs. There are even witch hazel cultivars that begin flowering in February, which always seem to grab the attention of the neighbours when they start to bloom.

Although there are thousands of varieties of conifers to choose from, there are a couple that will always have a spot in my garden.

Japanese umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata)

Sciadopitys verticellata (Japanese Umbrella Pine), a slow growing conifer has stunning form, shiny needles and beautiful, luxuriant green colouring. While it can be finnicky, planted in the right protected spot, it will quickly become a favourite. Although hardy from Zones 5 to 9, it is more reliable when a bit protected, getting morning rays and shaded from the hot afternoon sun.

Japanese crested cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Cristata’)

Cryptomeria japonica ‘Cristata’ (Japanese Crested Cedar) wins the award for being the quirkiest. Every tree is unique as the growth is completely random. Much of the new growth is fasciated with areas of congested cristate growth found throughout the branches. There is something about a one-of-a-kind tree/shrub that makes it that much more special.

Golden Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Aurea’)

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’ (Dwarf Golden Hinoke False cypress) has a form and colour that can’t be beat. It maintains a dwarf compact habit and a distinctive pyramidal shape requiring very little maintenance.

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’)

WIN A MEMBERSHIP TO WHISTLING GARDENS

ANYONE WHO makes a purchase through the Toronto Botanical Garden online Shop in the month of February will be entered into a draw to win a one-year membership to Whistling Gardens. In addition to the largest conifer collection on public display in North America, Whistling Gardens is also home to the largest peony collection with more than 1,200 varieties. Thank you, Darren and Wanda Heimbecker, for donating the membership.

Nootka cypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Sparkling Arrow’

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Sparkling Arrow’ is hardy to Zone 3 with an 8-foot mature height. This graceful pendulous grey-green weeping evergreen with white variegation is extremely ornamental and highly recommended.

Many conifers have dwarf selections, variegated selections and/or columnar selections, making them an easy addition to any space in your garden. Some grow in sun, some in shade, checking off a variety of different colours.

TBG conifer collection

As you start to plan improvements to your winter garden, consider a trip to Whistling Gardens. located within driving distance of the TBG, in Wilsonville, Ontario. This private botanical garden has a conifer collection that exceeds 2,000 different species, making it the largest collection of conifers on public display in North America. Included in that collection is one of the rarest plants in the world, Abies beshanzuensis (Baishan Fir) which has only three wild specimens remaining. Definitely worth the trip and a great way to view specimens you might be considering as additions to your garden, Whistling Gardens also has a small garden centre where many of the conifers are available for sale. https://www. whistlinggardens.ca