Longleaf Pine

The Longleaf Pine is perhaps the most interesting tree in all the world. Longleaf Pine forests are one the most biologically diverse forests on Earth. A single Longleaf Pine forest can contains nearly 1000 species of plants, and over 300 animals endemic to Longleaf Pine Ecosystem, several of the animal species are endangered. It is the most diverse forests next to tropical rainforests. Many of the grass plants hold up the dead Pine needles from the ground, and makes for better fires, that can spread easier. Fires are essential to the survival of the Longleaf Pine forests. The pine cones won't open up to release their seeds until extreme heat by fire roles by. Even the grasses and hundreds of other plant species require fire in order to reproduce. The Longleaf Pine forests require wildfires every 2-5 years or so. Fires naturally would start by lightning stirkes in Spring and early summer thunderstorms. With logging that began in the mid-1800s and through the early 20th centrury brought the Longleaf Pine forests to a dwindle. The remaining forests were threatened by wildfire bans by the government. The remaining forests either didn't reproduce and died from lack of fire, or the forests lost plant life and were unhealthy for future generations. Before logging and fire supression began, there were over 90 million acres of Longleaf Pine forests. Now less than 5 million acres remain, and only a fraction of that is old growth forests. Now many people and are working hard to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. Millions of Longleaf Pine seedlings are germinated to be sold to people with private land and preserved forests to restore this once great ecosystem. Even the grass and plants that only exsist in a Longleaf Pine forest are being grown and planted in the new restoration areas. Every couple of years there are prescribed burns to keep the Longleaf Pine ecosystem healthy. Prescribed burns are done by the nature conservationists in the government, or by private land owners by getting burn permits.


                               Native Range

Longleaf Pine Ecosystem endemic plants

          Rare undisturbed Longleaf Pine forests

Photos from the 1800s of old growth Longleaf Pine Forests and Logging

Colorized

Longleaf Pine Plantations

Prescribed burns on Longleaf Pine Forests

Alternatives to Blue Spruce

The Colorado Blue Spruce has susceptibility to needlecast in portions of the the U.S. It can be deadly to millions of tree planted in the landscape. You still want that blue frosted look, but can't plant the Blue Spruce. Here are some trees that make a great substitute!

Concolor Fir (White Fir)

'Blue Cloak' This variety has been cultivated to be smaller than the traditional version, and to have a more silvery blue color. 

Mature size: 25'-30' tall by 10'-15' wide

'Candicans' This variety is known to have the bluest of any White Fir. At a distance it may appear to be a Blue Spruce due to its deep blue color. Smaller than the traditional White Fir.

Mature size: 25'-30' tall by 15'-20' wide

USDA Growing Zones: 3-7

'Paul's Select' Norway Spruce

This variety of Norway Spruce is the only Norway Spruce to have Blue needles. A dwarf compared to the traditional Norway Spruce. 

Mature Size: 15'-20' tall by 5'-10' wide

USDA Growing Zones: 3-7

Blue Atlas Cedar

Has deep silver blue needles. Doesn't form the traditional pyramid Christmas tree shape. Varieties include weeping, dwarf, fastigiate, and the traditional one has outward growth to add a unique look to the landscape. It is less hardy than all the others listed and the Blue Spruce. 

Mature Size: 35'-50' tall by 25'-50' wide (traditional form)

USDA Growing Zones: 6-9 (can be successfully grown in Zone 5 in a sheltered area away from windy sites)

 'Boulevard' False Cypress 

Deep blue silvery foliage. Needles are bent and twisted, adds unique texture to the landscape. This is a dwarf tree/shrub. Matures to 10'-12' tall by 2'-4' wide.

USDA Growing Zones: 4-8

'Pacific Blue' Macedonian Pine

Outstanding blue Pine. Perhaps the bluest Pine tree out there! Soft long needles stay strong through strong winds, and winter cold.
Matures to 20' tall by 15' wide.

USDA Growing Zones: 4-7

   

                         'Candicans' White Fir

                         'Blue Cloak' White Fir

'Paul's Select' Norway Spruce

Blue Atlas Cedar

 

Boulevard False Cypress

Pacific Blue Macedonian Pine

Needle Palm Winter Protection

I wrapped my Needle Palm to protect it from the cold wind before the January subzero cold arrives. It has endured highs in the 20s, and coldest temp of 10°F. Still alive and well, with minimal damage. The Needle Palm is extremely cold hardy. It can withstand temps down to -10°F possibly colder for brief periods. The problem is that in Indiana it is cold for prolonged periods. Highs below freezing for days on end, and several nights possible of near or subzero temps with lots of wind. This can damage or kill the Palm. So I wrapped it in 3 layers of burlap, then doubled wrapped a tarp over that. I will probably uncover it come February once the coldest of winter has past.

Indianapolis, IN

USDA Zone: 5b/6a


NatureMan

       
                  Taken first week of December

Most Cold Hardy Broadleaf Evergreen Shurbs

In this post I will show you the most cold hardy Broadleaf evergreen shrubs, all of which are hardy to USDA Zone 5. A couple varieties are hardy down to USDA Zone 4. There are several more species hardy to USDA Zone 6 or warmer. But for those who live in Zones 4-5, you can still grow these tropical like plants for your landscape!

1. 'Blue Princess' and 'Blue Prince' Holly

The Blue Princess is the female that produces the berries, but the male one ("Blue Prince") is needed to pollinate in order for the female to form the berries. Both of which are one of the most cold hardy Holly bushes available. They are hardy to -30°F (USDA Zone 4)

2. 'Honey Maid' Holly

For those wanting a variegated Holly, but the famous variegated English Holly is not hardy to your area. Worry no more! "Honey Maid" Holly is a great alternative! Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F). Have a "Blue Prince" nearby if you want berries on it come Christmas time.

3. Variegated English Boxwood

This outstanding plant is perfect for your landscape! With it's variegated leaves, it adds great contrast, and is for perfect Christmas decor! Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F)

4. Boxwood

All Boxwood's are hardy to at least USDA Zone 5 (-20°F). There are a few hardy to USDA Zone 4 (-30°F). I am not going to name all Boxwood's (since there are so many!). I will name some of the most popular. "Winter Gem" is a Boxwwod with a bigger thicker leaf than it's cousins. It forms a light bronze in the winter, but doesn't harm the plant. It is hardy to USDA Zone 4 (-30°F). The rest I will name are hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F). "Green Mountain" Dee Runk" "Green Tower" "Sprinter" "Green Velvet" "Graham Blandy"

5. 'Sky Pencil' Holly

Sky Pencil Holly is a variety of Japanese Holly. Very similar to the "Graham Blandy" Boxwood. It has an upright growth, more so than the "Green Tower" and "Dee Runk" Boxwood. It is like a pencil growing straight up. Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F).

6. 'Steed's' Japanese Holly

This Japanese Holly is an upright growing. It has a good spread to it, so it's nothing like the 'Sky Pencil' Holly or 'Graham Blandy' Boxwood. It can be formed into the perfect Christmas tree shape, or great to form tall hedges. Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20°F)

7. 'Castle Spire' Holly

USDA Zone 5 (-20°F) is too cold to grow the popular tall growing Hollies like 'Oakleaf' or 'Nellie Steven's' Hollies. They grow to 10'+ to make a nice tall Broadleaf evergreen hedge, or dwarf broadleaf evergreen tree for the landscape. For those in USDA Zone 5 (-20°F) wanting to grow that kind of Holly, fret no more! The 'Castle Spire' Holly grow over 8' tall and a good spread to make the perfect hedge or dwarf tree

8. Inkberry Holly

This plant is a great alternative to boxwood, just like the Japanese Holly is. This is more cold hardy than most other Zone 5 Boxwoods. The Inkberry Holly has been known to withstand temperatures down to -30°F USDA Zone 4 for good periods of time. A North American and US native Boxwood alternative! It is native across a good chunk of the eastern US. There are several varieties available, some newer varieties offer a more compact look, instead of it's original kind that would get leggy over time.

                            'Blue Princess' Holly

'Castle Spire' Holly

'Sky Pencil' Holly

'Steed's' Japanese Holly

Popular Boxwood Shrubs in the Landscape

''Green Tower' Boxwood

'Dee Runk' Boxwood

Variegated English Boxwood

'Honey Maid' Holly

Inkberry Holly

'Arp' Rosemary December 2018 Update

My 'Arp' Rosemary has survived temps down to 10°F so far this season. which is colder than traditional Rosemary can survive. Rosemary is hardy to about 20°F
 'Arp' Rosemary is the most cold hardy Rosemary. It is hardy to -10°F. I will update later this winter when I experience subzero temps
 So I don't risk killing it, I will cover it with burlap once temps get below freezing.

I planted this Rosemary back in the Spring. Look back at my earlier posts if you want to read that

Indianapolis, IN
USDA Zone: 5b/6a

NatureMan