Why I Oughta...

In the photo below you can see a number of 'crowns' or slightly different colored dots that are scattered around this bed.  What are those?  Ostrich Fern crowns.  They're filling up the bed behind the Oak tree - tree swing tree.  And, they've naturalized.  They're spreading and multiplying.  It feels like this is a moment:  keep or dig up and remove.   As I mentioned...they multiply.  So, this year there might be twenty.  Next year...there might be 40.    The issue:  I don't have anything to replace them.  But, despite falling in love with Ostrich Ferns, I've moved on to other ferns.  Autumn Ferns, in particular.  But, those don't naturalize.   This is where I've always envisioned a 'garden path'.  Perhaps I leave these now (don't do a "Fern Upgrade") and utilize non-woven cloth to smother out any Ostrich ferns in the way. 

Yesterday, I posted a couple photos of the Louie Pine tree - a gold-needled standout in the garden. Next to the Louies on the pallet in the parking lot of the orange big box nursery were a few Charlie-Brown-like pines.  They were tall, thin and...scraggly.   A closer look reveals they're Weeping Pine Trees.  See below for some photos - of the trees and the tag.  Retailing for $99.00, these are about 40" tall from the root flare.  These are true weeping trees - and need to be trained.  From Gertens : A weeping and trailing shrub or small tree, very unlike the species; features soft, blue needles, tends to crawl along the ground and over rocks or walls, or forms a small weeping accent plant if trained on a standard; beautiful if properly grown. Weeping White Pine is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its highly ornamental weeping form. It has attractive bluish-green evergreen foliage. The needles are highly ornamenta...

The conifers are starting to show up at the nurseries and big box stores.  There's one orange big box store that always orders in some unique trees - including conifers.  Over the weekend, I popped in there to see what is already in-stock and saw a pair of yellow pine trees.  Hmmm...those are interesting.   Here, below, is a photo showing these yellow pine trees.  They sure stand-out, don't they? What are they?  According to the tag, these are Louie White Pine trees for $99.00. Interesting, right?  Let's get to know the Louie White Pine.  From Conifer Kingdom : Gold decorates this outstanding Pinus strobus ‘Louie’ all year. In the cold of winter, the brilliant golden hue is brightest at the needle tips. In summer, needles change to a wonderful soft golden green, unlike other pines. Globose when young, the medium-sized tree develops a beautiful conical form. "Medium-sized" tree.  I like that.  Not a dwarf, but not going to be a giant...