Plant of the Week
Don’t you love the blue of this evergreen? Can’t you imagine snipping some to augment an actually green wreath? And the Arizona Cypress, or Hesperocyparis arizonica, complements fall foliage beautifully. When I was doing up fall or Christmas containers for clients, this little fellow was always one I fell for, but like many potted evergreens on sale in nurseries at this time of year just before the cut trees take over (Christmas is coming!) he will end up being 50’ tall and a slim-ish 20’ wide. I have 3 in my garden: one in a good spot with room to grow (and looking very intentional and color-coordinated with the blue bridge), and two wedged into quite small and silly spots. So the question is: do I move them, or let them age in place but never grow, under the care of my hand pruners?
Hmmmm, time will tell…
The Arizona Cypress makes a beautiful contrast with fresh green in spring, steps slightly into the background but still adds a layer of texture in summer, makes all the fall colors brighter in autumn, and is a joy in winter. Not locally native (its home is SW US and Mexico) but not at all invasive—maybe it’s one you should try if you live in zone 7-11. Sorry to my Yankee pals—maybe I will snip some for you at Christmas time.
One of my formerly pot-sized Hesperocyparis arizonica ‘Carolina Sapphire’ wedged into a spot it can’t stay, but I love the color for now.
This guy! From landscape architect to shopkeeper but a gardener the whole time.
Guest
Anthony Bellomo appreciates the years he put into designing large public spaces as a landscape architect and believes that experience serves him well when concentrating on smaller scale and more personal beauty in his new shop Orangerie in Millbrook, New York. He gets to sell the plants and aesthetic he really cares about, taking care that visitors get a visual delight and a shopping experience for deep pockets and conservative budgets alike.
From Orangerie, he runs a design studio that allows him to tap into his LA background, while the personal garden that he shares with Christopher Spitzmiller at Clove Brook Farm is a constantly creative oasis for both of them. And dogs. And chickens. And geese.
I’m convinced. Going to drive up from Greenwich with my daughter next week!
Above: Anthony’s design offerings via Orangerie Garden.
The Play List
Do we feed indoor plants over the winter? No, actually—just let them hunker down and get through it. They don’t grow that much in winter, and there’s no reason to encourage an activity that, cellularly speaking, they don’t instinctively take on. Thanks, Kim!
What’s the best way to avoid walking back to the shed for yet another tool? I find I can get almost all of what I want to get done by strapping on my hand pruners and soil knife. But I can’t seem to keep the shovel and shears strapped on, so it’s back to the shed I go for those. Thanks, Becky!
What’s the best bucket or trug to use? My go-to trug is the Red Gorilla trug. I have tried the standard 5 gallon bucket, but it’s too narrow—I like to toss from afar, and the handle isn’t comfy if you need it to carry water. I have tried imitation trugs, but they don’t last long. Red Gorilla makes the best one. And they don’t even sponsor me! Yet.
Stow your hoses and turn off the outdoor taps for winter
More bulb planting
Leaf patrol
And lastly, get ready for Christmas! Steph Green will be back to help us plan in episode 41.
Listen
Christy Wilhelmi takes 8 minutes to clearly and scientifically explain the difference between compost and fertilizer in this YouTube video. I took almost that long to make a hash of her explanation on this week’s pod, so maybe take your 8 minutes and go there instead.