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ADDENDA TO THE RANTINGS BOOK

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LOST LEADER  (Chapter 44 - Pruning)

 

A lost leader is a dead terminal section of stem; not to be confused with loss leader -- the sales/marketing strategy. Lost leaders can be pruned and that is what I recommend, thus lost leadering is a type of pruning. Lost leaders are produced several different ways: (1) naturally and normally, (2) from insect damage, (3) from tissue damaged by adverse (less than optimal) growing conditions (e.g., ericoids, European beech, oriental maples, roses) and (4) mostly frequently from poor pruning (leaving too much of a stub above a node) thus manmade. The condition is more obvious on species with oppositely arranged stems. Paniculate hydrangea and viburnum specimens commonly manifest the manmade type.

 

A rather small number of species produce lost leaders normally and naturally – usually a reproductive stem that dies after completing its function. I find it surprising that this lost leader type is mostly ignored (both discussion and actual pruning). Practically all the specimens I see exhibiting lost leaders are au naturale (i.e., unpruned). Removing lost leaders from plants that produce them results in much better looking (cleaner) specimens. Plants that produce lost leaders include:

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  • bottlebrush buckeye

  • buttonbush

  • elderberry

  • ericoids (azaleas, blueberries, rhododendrons)

  • flowering raspberry

  • hydrangeas

  • lead plant

  • lilac

  • maples (some)

  • Peve Minaret (a cultivar of bald cypress)

  • raintree

  • roses (some)

  • rue

  • seven sons

  • sumac

  • tree peony

  • trumpet vine

  • viburnum

  • willow

  • wisteria

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Several species of pine and spruce (esp. oriental and Serbian) commonly lose their terminal leader as a result of damage caused by certain insects. The burrowing larvae of these insects are more likely to kill smaller trees, but large specimens can have their growth shape affected; producing stubby or stunted plants that are sometimes referred to as “cabbage trees.” To control the problem, one must remove the infested portion of the terminal stem. Furthermore, a fall application of systemic insecticide to the underlying mulch bed should also be considered to kill the insects thus preventing them from climbing up and reinfesting the apical tissue the next spring. Removal of the dead terminal leader can be challenging both due to height and to be certain all the tissue containing the burrowing insect is removed. Infection and reinfection are more likely in areas with a high density of host plants.

 

There is another special insect damage that produces lost leaders. Namely cicada ovipositing, either from the annual (dog-day) version or the 13- or 17-year periodic cicadas. These true bugs oviposit (lay their eggs) in the young branch tissue. The stem tips (leaders) often die and fall from the tree. Those branches that do not die are left with a football shaped scar – visible for a few successive years – and the annual growth for the affected year is stunted on the afflicted branches.

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WILL NOT TOLERATE WET SOIL (the SCOOBY DOO CONDITION, aka root rot)  (Chapter 105)

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What I am really referring to is poor drainage. And it matters when the soil is wet. For many plants wet substrate in winter, especially late winter, is a kiss of death. Placement whereby one takes advantage of natural elevation changes and or creates raised beds may put a species in play, at least with respect to drainage, as well as helping to reduce the potential for damage. Moreover, if the soil in the location you are considering is high in clay avoid all of the following plants since they are inherently intolerant of wet soil and will be much more likely to suffer root rot.

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  • aralia

  • bear’s breeches

  • bugbane

  • bulbs (esp. fall & winter)

  • ericoids (blueberries & relatives)

  • European beech

  • fir

  • flowering dogwood

  • lavender

  • lilies

  • pine

  • raspberry

  • yew

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LONG FLOWERING PLANTS  (NEW Chapter)

 

Most people have a sort of Disney World or Michael's craft store concept of how long plants flower. As I previously noted, the average period is perhaps a week, and many display for only a day or so. Very rarely do individual functional flowers persist for many weeks; rather the plants maintain flowers by replacement (i.e., they have an indeterminate floral arrangement and/or are remontant). Environmental conditions, habitat and cultivation technique may play a role in the actual display period. The period will definitely be shorter if conditions are hot, dry and windy.

 

So, why not longer? (1) the energy and resource investment to produce functional flowers is high, (2) to coincide with what is normally the optimal climatic conditions and (3) to synchronize with the presence and activity of associated pollinators, for those species with assisted pollen transfer.

 

The list of species, especially perennials, that can flower for a month or more is rather small (see below). But remember, for many species it is more than just flowers – although no longer functional, the spent flowers may be intact/persistent and visually appealing. While I love and appreciate flowers and flowering, because of the typical brevity I usually encourage people to give consideration to a longer lasting feature (i.e., leaves or fruit). Finally, for many species and cultivars, long flowering may require or be improved by deadheading. Species that can flower for a month or more include the following [includes suggestions from Big Sue Arnold, Lisa & Dan Burnham, Wendy Ford and Tess Park]

 

  • abelia

  • annuals (numerous)

  • asters (many, esp. aromatic)

  • black-eyed Susan

  • bloomerang lilac

  • blue-eyed grass

  • bush clover 'Gibraltar'

  • shrubby cinquefoil

  • clematis (some)

  • coneflowers

  • coreopsis

  • crapemyrtle (some)

  • day lilies (a select few)

  • false sunflower

  • garden phlox

  • geranium X  (esp. 'Rozanne' & 'Biokovo')

  • grasses (some)

  • hardy begonia

  • Himalayan lilac

  • hydrangeas

  • Indian pink (w/ deadheading)

  • Japanese anemone (esp. 'Bressingham Glow')

  • Joe Pye weed

  • lamb's ears

  • mallows

  • mints (many, incl. basil, catnip, hyssop)

  • mullein

  • rose campion

  • rose of Sharon

  • roses (many)

  • Russian sage​

  • seven sons (falsely so)

  • shasta daisy 'Becky' (w/ deadheading)

  • showy stonecrop

  • sneezeweed

  • spiderwort (esp. w/ deadheading)

  • sunflowers (many)

  • sweet bay magnolia

  • trumpet vine

  • vegetable garden (e.g., okra, tomatoes)

  • verbena (bonariensis & canadensis)

  • waterlilies

  • witchhazel

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LYING DOWN  (NEW Chapter)

 

A gardening matter that rarely if ever gets discussed is what I refer to as lying down. This condition, which is self-explanatory, is limited to herbaceous species. While this is the normal behavior or condition for some species, it can be disconcerting. One can see lying down with many native species that we try to grow as a stand-alone specimen or clump, i.e., without the surrounding and supporting associates found in its native haunts. The problem frequently is clearly a manifestation of how we garden (i.e., how we utilize the species or cultivar) rather than an inherent deficiency, at least for the species. How dare the plant behave in a manner with which we disapprove. Lying down is more common as the season progresses and as the potentially afflicted specimen starts to decline. Yet another fact that can cause or contribution to lying down for some plants is inadequate water, then usually also accompanied with some leaf browning. The wise and experienced gardener will learn how to avoid the problem, and by so doing potentially permitting that person to expand their palette. In some instances the condition creates an interesting spreading effect, but generally the condition is undesired. Species and cultivars prone to lying down include:

 

  • MANY prairie and riparian species

  • MANY graminoids

  • Chinese peony

  • Joe Pye weed

  • Silphium species

  • wild senna

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GLOSSARY (novum verba)

 

agriscape -- gardening characterized by rows and reliant on crop farming practices; classic farm look except for ornamentals rather than food crops; characteristic of places with extensive daylily holdings.

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brocculiform -- resembling broccoli; head-like mounding clusters of vegetation or buds, may also refer to the appearance of the whole specimen; e.g., terminal cluster seen on some gymnosperms or cockscombs; may be genetic or the result of an infection.

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descaping -- the removal of spent scapes (flowering stalks) either by cutting or pulling; e.g., daylilies.

 

garboretum -- a garden with lots of woody specimens but not quite an arboretum.

 

gemming -- the occurrence of drops of water associated with fog or rain; more obvious on pigmented taxa and more likely on specimens with small horizontal or downward inclined branches; the water drops happen at the low point, or at nodes; the droplet glisten like small lights or gems, thus the term.

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lawnscape -- (as I use it) refers to a landscape dominated by (too much) mown grass area as well as one populated by common and generally uninteresting colorful annuals isolated in beds of pigmented mulch; Gerould Wilhelm famously describes this type of sterile settings as one featuring "lollipop trees, a few meatball shrubs and a drug dependent rug".

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lignophagosis -- process whereby a woody plant produces callus tissue to insulate itself from the foreign object resting on or stuck in it with the vascular cambium subsequently produces new wood which slowly engulfs the object; literally "wood eating" and sometimes referred to as accidental arborsculpture. Most common with wire fences but can involve larger object; e.g.; a hand tool, bicycle or farm machinery leaning against or placed in a crotch.

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manscape -- (as I use it) refers to a landscape with a very unnatural (manmade) appearance (e.g., lots of lawn, plants in rows, poddle-trimmed shrubs, colored rocks and chintzy decoration); various degrees and few property do not exemplify.

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photodysmorphia -- misshaped development of a plant caused by unequal light source.

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phytofascism - the belief that "native" plants are all inherently good and belong and that nonnative plants (the foreigners) are not as good and do not belong; essentially, an intolerance of exotics unwittingly spawned and promoted by puritanical members of the native plant society. A form of nationalism dealing with vegetation.

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pseudopendulate -- an acquired condition (not genetic, thus not inheritable) that produces weeping branches of woody plants; caused by cicadas (especially prevalent post a mass emergence of periodic cicadas) subsequent to their ovipositing on the lower (adaxial) surface of branches causing them to bend down; the branches are structurally weakened and many die, but those that survive will have this false weeping or drooping, variable by degree depending on the number of ovipositing wounds.

 

shree -- intermediate between a shrub (<20 ft tall and multi trunked) and a tree (>20 ft tall and single trunked);some plants (e.g., American fringetree, blackhaw, hawthorn, witchhazel, et al) may not fit into the traditional form/size bifurcate definition; trub (tree + shrub) seems to be a less reasonable option.

 

yawnscape -- a lawn or property typically dominated by or populated with boring annual tropicals, and the usual suspects as regards woody species (e.g., sheared yews or boxwoods and red maples) and used in a fashion and often poorly maintained with an underwhelming effect -- perhaps then referable to yuckscape. Well more than 90% of properties. Perpetuated by laziness, lack of talent and the general absence of impressive or good examples in most communities.  See also manscape.

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