Woody Ornamental Update
As the sun embraces our stock blocks, we're still plenty busy taking and sticking cuttings for the next rotation of liners. The focus continues on native Northeastern cold-hardy plant material, highlighted by trials of unusual conifer cultivars. A few we believe to be of particular interest are:
Tsuga diversifolia 'Emerald Ice' (Emerald Ice Northern Japanese Hemlock) This slow-medium growing cold-hardy clone with good compact habit and dark-green foliage, was discovered by Dr. Paul Cappiello from The University of Maine at Orono, ME., Zone 4
Tsuga seiboldii (Seibold's Hemlock, South Japanese Hemlock) A cold-hardy, medium growing tree, with dense dark-green foliage and graceful, arching branches. Zone 4. (Has survived U.M.O. -32F.)
Calocedrus decurrens (California Incense Cedar) An Arnold Arboretum selection originating from Yosemite National Park, with deep-green lustrous foliage and a more columnar habit than the species form. Zone 5 (4).
Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens' (Western Red Cedar) A good medium-fast growing specimen tree with narrow pyramidal habit and graceful drooping branches. Shows shade tolerance and drought resistance. Zone 5. We are also trailing approximately 30 different cultivars of Chamaecyparis thyoides introduced by Dr. Donglin Zhang and the horticulture department of The University of Maine in Orono, ME. Depending upon the performance and cold-hardiness of these cultivars, new plant offerings may be available in the not-so-distant future.
Bracted Balsam
A new addition to our conifer line, originating from Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia, is a close cousin of the canaan fir from West Virginia. Showing promise as a later-flushing, uniform growing balsam, it is better adapted to tolerate drought conditions. Not quite as tolerant of heavy soils as the canaan (W.V. source), nor as late breaking, the bracted balsam is fraser-like in needle structure with dense, dark green foliage and a fast growth rate. Zone 4
Japanese Beetles
In order to comply with the recent U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan as adopted by the National Plant Board, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (APHISPPQ), and the American Nursery & Landscape Association, Western Maine Nurseries is treating all containerized plant material (plug stock, woody ornamental liners) destined for those states* and countries where Japanese Beetle quarantines are in effect. These plants, which contain soil and/or growing media, are being treated in a manner that is recognized as effective in eradicating Japanese Beetle larvae. An additional 2.5 cents per plant charge will be billed to cover the cost of this process.
*AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, KS, LA, MN, MO, MS, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA. State quarantine status is subject to change on an annual basis.