Not all gardens can support the bulk of forest trees, yet it is still feasible to achieve a very satisfactory winter landscape in miniature. Various forms of Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum, even grown in pots will soon develop the mushroom-like, slightly windswept outline which makes them excellent plants for the heather or rock garden.
Sixteen years ago I planted a few specimens of the arboreal alpine to add height to a corner of the heather garden. Now the plants 4 ft. high and the soft green foliage on erect is seen in contrast to the bare branches of the birch woodland beyond adding a touch of some green to the inhospitable winter scene.
Conifers make all the difference to a winter escape. There are varieties of all sizes from use suitable for growing in a window-box to the largest suitable for property many acres in tent. Remember, however, that it is easy to err plant and render the landscape formless. All mention only two groupings as examples of hat for me are meant by garden silhouettes. The groupings like so many other garden features are with one shrub, a specimen of Chamaecyris pisifera plumosa, conical in outline and with very green foliage.
Gradually over the years the picture was filled in first by adding Chamaecyparis lawsoniana wisselii which forms a narrow dark green column and then by planting, just to one side, a maple with its intricate twig pattern.
Trees of pendulous outline are available in bewildering diversity, from the beech or weeping willow to the miniature charms of a standard- grown Cotoneaster hybridus pendulus, so it is relatively easy to suit most soils and situations. The birch, naturally pendulous, includes two elegant weeping varieties in Betula pendula youngii, a dome-shaped small tree, and the primly graceful B. pendula tristis which develops a neat symmetrical head, needing only a small area in which to grow.
The composition of this piece of garden took my ingenuity to the utmost but gave me infinite pleasure also. Now, as it matures, I look for t other ways to improve it, for such is the essence of gardening, changeless yet ever changing.
Sixteen years ago I planted a few specimens of the arboreal alpine to add height to a corner of the heather garden. Now the plants 4 ft. high and the soft green foliage on erect is seen in contrast to the bare branches of the birch woodland beyond adding a touch of some green to the inhospitable winter scene.
Conifers make all the difference to a winter escape. There are varieties of all sizes from use suitable for growing in a window-box to the largest suitable for property many acres in tent. Remember, however, that it is easy to err plant and render the landscape formless. All mention only two groupings as examples of hat for me are meant by garden silhouettes. The groupings like so many other garden features are with one shrub, a specimen of Chamaecyris pisifera plumosa, conical in outline and with very green foliage.
Gradually over the years the picture was filled in first by adding Chamaecyparis lawsoniana wisselii which forms a narrow dark green column and then by planting, just to one side, a maple with its intricate twig pattern.
Trees of pendulous outline are available in bewildering diversity, from the beech or weeping willow to the miniature charms of a standard- grown Cotoneaster hybridus pendulus, so it is relatively easy to suit most soils and situations. The birch, naturally pendulous, includes two elegant weeping varieties in Betula pendula youngii, a dome-shaped small tree, and the primly graceful B. pendula tristis which develops a neat symmetrical head, needing only a small area in which to grow.
The composition of this piece of garden took my ingenuity to the utmost but gave me infinite pleasure also. Now, as it matures, I look for t other ways to improve it, for such is the essence of gardening, changeless yet ever changing.
About the Author:
Gardener can grow plants in roof, in doorways, on sidewalks, in hanging baskets, on the fire escape, or in window boxes in your urban garden.
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