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Viburnum trilobum, Highbush Cranberry
by Justin Aikins, Sales/Customer Service, Portland, OR
To Feed a Mockingbird; Robin,Cardinal, as well as many others the Viburnum trilobum tops the list.Imagine 100 gray, black-masked,
yellow-belly and yellow-tail tipped Cedar WaxWing birds swooping into your yard for a feast, hovering around the bright red berries of Viburnum
trilobum bushes and taking to the sky again in a swirling mass of colors. You look back, and the bright red berries that stood above
the white snow have disappeared, along with the birds. And you catch yourself thinking, “I should have planted more of those.”
Well those were my thoughts as I watched the memorable spectacle this past winter; which got me thinking that Viburnum trilobum, Highbush
Cranberry needs a moment in the spotlight.
When planted, this North American native will give you 3, even 4 seasons of changing interest. Beginning in the spring, you will see snow-white blooms radiating in a pinwheel fashion around an inner circle of a tiny fuzz of cream, similar to the lesser hardy big leaf hydrangeas that northern
and mountainous region folks plant in their dreams. The three-lobedleaves are the focus for Viburnum’strademark species (trilobum). The fall color is second to none and longlasting; the color palette ranges from yellow, scarlet red, to a royal purple.This specimen is virtually maintenance
free and never outgrows its bounds,although thinning out olderwood proves beneficial. |
This plant is valuable in the residential landscape as well as in
masses, there is a great value in the use of berry plants as hedges orfences. What better way to seclude yourself from the outside world than
with a fruiting ornamental? The various birds you will see sharing have been seen acting a little tipsy after eating some fermented berries. |
Mocking birds, grouse, pheasants,and even Cedar Waxwings, as well as a variety of other songbirds all will make use of this fine food source.
Not only will the Viburnum trilobum fruit attract a multitude of
animals, humans have also found the Highbush Cranberry for edible and medicinal purposes. The berries are best consumed after a hard frost; they
are dark red, juicy, and rich with Vitamin C. If you make a strong tea of cranberry bush bark and drink a 1/3 of a cup, it will stop stomach cramps
in 20 minutes.
The berries are best collected in late August and are an excellent substitute for cranberries inpreserves, sauces, jams, and juices. A
jam made from the trilobum fruit has a pleasant flavor that goes well in oatmealor on venison or steak. Overall the berries from Viburnum trilobum
are a remarkable collection of flavors and colors, and they are high in nutrition and fiber and low in fat. Recent evidence suggests they have high
levels of numerous antioxidants and anti-tumor compounds.
The Viburnum trilobum or Highbush Cranberry, has beautiful springtime white blooms, a spectacle off all leaf colors and a multi-purposeberry, all while attracting an array of animals for your own wildlife television channel in your back yard. Ifthere is a plant with a functionality,
this is it. |
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Lifting Season in Olympia, Washington
by Bob Buzzo, Nursery Manager, Olympia, Washington
The Olympia Nursery's lifting
season is currently in full swing.
With over 300,000 bed feet to lift
this year, it is one of the biggest
crops in recent years. We have
two 8-10 person crews dedicated to
getting our crop out of the ground
and into cold storage. The winter
weather in Olympia can put our
guys to the test. Prior to the start
of the lifting season, we endured
the second rainiest ovember on
record in Olympia, Washington; we
received just shy of 20 inches of
rain. In December we had a severe
windstorm the week before Christmas
that knocked power out to overone million homes and businesses
in Western Washington. The Olympia
Nursery was fortunate in that
our power was out for less than 24
hours. We are hoping that the worst
of the winter weather is behind us,
but we are prepared for whatever is
on the way.
In this issue...
Nursery Stock Listings ~ Cornus serica ~Energy Consumption
Variety - The Spice of Life
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| Cornus serica (Red Osier Dogwood): Verified Durability and Ornamental Class |
by Mendy Estill, Sales/Customer Service, Plains, MT
 July, 6th 2006. On a lazy, molasses-slow
summer afternoon, an ambush hit. The serene,
clear day darkened, transforming the
sky swiftly into a mass of menacing clouds.
The pressure plummeted, humidity amplified.
Heavy with a secret arsenal and a palpable
rage, the enemy would have laughed at the
later weather report listed as simply “a summer
storm”.
Rolling fields were to become the battleground.
Enlisting surprise as its captain to
reign with a sudden onslaught, the storm
dared our soldiers to withstand the incoming
barrage. The battle began.
The soldiers were Cornus sericea and
other seedlings. The battle was a rare 20
minute tirade of hail unleashed by Mother
Nature.
The war, however, is ongoing between
Nursery Industry and Mother Nature.Any
grower will honor her beauty and power; as
well as attest to her peace …and fury.
In that summer afternoon battle, however,
our troops won . . .
Beaten, bruised and scarred, the dogwoods
never faltered in their vigor and development.
Their foliage remained lush; form remained
dense and quality remained consistent. In
industry reference materials, Cornus sericea, by offering four season appeal where other
cold hardy, ornamental competitors can only
offer three.
  With each fresh start in spring,Red Osier Dogwood presents clean-white
blooms in flat-topped clusters (1-2” across)
that persist May – July. Mature specimens
of this fast growing species will reach 7-10’ by 7-10’ depending on water availability but,
please note this plant will thrive even on drier
locations. The transition from spring through
summer yields consistently dense foliage.
Thus, since the size of this plant will not
overwhelm any landscape, its value includes
either specimen or hedge.
Specimen ranking is also designated by
striking color.
Fall is heralded by popular
purple-red foliage that offers contrast to the
traditional yellows of northern egions. That
contrast, coupled with high density foliage
provides variation, interest and depth. In the
solid mass of a dogwood specimen, each leaf
can develop to 5” in length and over 2” in
width to create a vivid intensity.
Again, similar shrubs offer fall color
as well as spring blooms and dense form.
However, the fourth season appeal is rare and
captured by the plant in its common name.
The brilliant stems of Red Osier (“Red Twig”)
Dogwood offer radiance against the bleakness
of winter. In northern climates, January and
February are to be endured. The body and the
landscape can suffer bitter cold and stark conditions
while awaiting the renewal of spring.
But the Zone 2 Red Osier Dogwood ignites the
senses with vibrant flame-red stems and nourishes
the pang of deprivation from the dormant
scenery. Thus, four seasons…four reasons.
Cornus sericea, a rebel and a beauty.
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| Plants provide a solution to energy consumption |
Globally, our dependency on fossil fuels
has gotten us into a bind. It is now considered
certain that the question
is not will our oil supplies run
out, but when.
Currently, the world consumes
80 million barrels of
oil per day. By the year 2025,
many predict that the number
will increase to 120 million
barrels per day. Some Saudi
Arabia oil insiders say that estimates
for available petroleum
reserves made by the United States are simply too high and that Saudi oil fields will reach peak oil production
much sooner than thought.
According
to the EIA (Energy Information
Administration),
the U.S. currently relies on
imports of 9.7 million barrels
per day of crude oil and
domestic roduction of 5.7
million barrels per day. As new alternative energy
sources are sought out,
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methods to reduce
dependency on foreign oil
supplies will also include a
greater reliance on conservation. Conserving energy means decidedly
consuming less energy.
Besides actions like driving less or urning
down the thermostat, planting trees is a
proven way to reduce energy consumption.
Trees can actually reduce heating and cooling
costs by blocking cold winds, shading
from the hot sun or by evaporating cooling
water on their leaves.
A well planned landscape can reduce
home energy consumption by 30% and reduce
surrounding air temperatures by as
much as 25ºF. This can equate to a single
family household annual energy savings of
up to $600 per year. |
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Variety – The Spice of Life
by Sandy Smith, Sales/Customer Service, Boise, ID
Variety is called “the spice of life”. At Lawyer Nursery we know that variety allows you, our customer, to select the right plant material. The type, the size and the species are all important factors we consider in providing the plant material that is right for your production methods and the end use of that plant material.
Our production has focused on seedling production of both native and exotic trees and shrubs. Lawyer Nursery’s seed department has nadled thousands of species; this has benefited our production efforts. In recent years we have greatly expanded our clonal production of varieties of trees and shrubs to provide even more selection to you. The inventory for this season includes over five hundred species and varieties.
Native Species
In horticultural use, in restoration of natural ecosystems or for wildlife habitat enhancement, the use of native plants is an established and increasing component of our industry.
Native plants are adapted to the local environmental conditions. When cold or drought limits the plant pallet, Acer negundo, Maclura pomifera, and Prunus americana are trees suited to conditions. Adaptability of natives can even extend beyond naturally existing conditions. Native Quercus macrocarpa is very tolerant of urban conditions.
Many natives are ornamental for general landscape use. Philadelphus lewisii brings lush flowering and delightful fragrance to early summer. Amelanchier canadensis and Hamamelis virginiana thrive in shady woodlands while providing flowers at opposite ends of the season. Few trees can compete with our native Cercis canadensis for spring flowering beauty and pest resistance. Liriodendron tulipifera combines fast growth, attractive form and golden fall color for a native that is used well beyond its native range. Picea pungens glauca, Abies concolor, or Pinus strobus can be used in a landscape as blue-green counter points while providing food and winter cover for local wildlife.
Many species can be used for wildlife habitat enhancement, but some are outstanding as wildlife food sources. Look at the native nut or fruit trees and shrubs and the wildlife symbol b after the name. Juglans, Corlyus, Quercus, Malus, Prunus, Viburnum, and most of the conifers are just a few of the possibilities. To find North American natives in our listings,look for the flag symbol after it’s name.
Exotic Species
In horticultural terms “exotic” means not native to the locale. In recent years the term has at times been linked to invasive which is most unfortunate. While increased awareness and caution is needed to prevent introduction or proliferation of invasive plants or pests, exotic plants can and have been a great benefit to horticulture. Mankind has been moving species with excellent results for milleniums. After all tomatoes and potatoes were exotic species in Europe brought from Central and South America. By extending our plant selections to non-native species many more choices are available for placing the right plant in the right place. Our native Acer saccharum is a glorious tree, but placed incorrectly in the home landscape it can be overpowering.
Some of the Asian maples,such as Acer buergerianum, Acer ginnala, and the beloved Acer palmatum have mature sizes much more compatible with the urban or suburban lot size. Another maple that combines smaller size with suitability to warm, dry climates is the European native Acer monspessulanum. Resistance to pests can also be provided by some exotic species. Castanea mollissima resists the blight that decimated the native chestnut population. Zelkova has the vase shaped crown so prized in American elm, but is resistant to Dutch Elm disease. Species that exhibit outstanding color, bloom, fruit or hardiness, regardless of exotic or native origins, have a place in our horticultural plans. Clonally Produced The same characteristics we look for in seed produced horticultural species, such as outstanding color,  bloom, fruit, or hardiness, are the characteristics used for selection of plants to be clonally reproduced. Cutting, budding, tissue culture, grafting are methods to consistently reproduce the desired characteristics.
In recent years, Lawyer Nursery has dramatically increased the amount of clonal plant material we offer. Our greenhouse facility in Olympia has been an excellent addition to our production plan. Shrub liners grown from rooted cutting (shown as “RC” in listings) dependably provide the selected
characteristics, such as form, foliage color,bloom. Roses, lilacs, and spireas may head the list,but look for the Potentillas, Hydrangeas, Viburnums,Weigelas and others.The number of trees produced by rooting cuttings or budding scion wood has also increased in our inventory.
For shade or fruit these selections have been developed to give us some of the best fall color, spring bloom, hardiness, and flavor. Shipping season has started Let us help you spice up this season from the variety of plant material available. Many new items and old favorites are ready for you and your customers. The spring season is just around the corner so order soon for the best availability. pdf available here |
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