This Grass is So Popular, it's Sold Out Everywhere!!! Spotlight on Karl Foerster Ornamental Grass

Karl Foerster grass is a tall clumping feather reed grass with wheat like seed heads that turn golden in the autumn.  It is much sought after for its architectural impact in the garden, both residential and commercial. 

Photos in above collage were taken at the St. Albert Botanical Garden last fall.

The grass blades are upright and deep green.  In summer it sports seed heads which turn golden in the autumn and remain through the winter offering food and shelter to birds.  

Karl Foerster grass at the Legislature Grounds, Edmonton Alberta.  Photo taken during the fall.

Karl Foerster grass grows best in well-drained soil and is drought tolerant after established.  

Karl Foerster grass in a boulevard, Edmonton Alberta.

Photo above taken at Muttart Conservatory April 2013.

Stalks of seed heads remain upright, rising above the snow; providing winter interest.  In early spring, cut back to the ground. Clumps may be divided in spring. Amend soil with worm castings, sea soil or compost.

Photos in this collage were taken at a local boulevard during the winter.  The Karl Foerster grass is a popular landscape specimen in commercial applications.


Botanical name:  Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
Overall Height:150 cm/ 60 inches
Foliage height:  91-122 cm/36-48 inches
Spread/width:  60 cm/24 inches (clumping - not invasive)
Full sun or part shade
Zone Hardiness:  3-9
Flowers:  July-August.  Will bloom in light shade.  Flower heads become pink/purplish green then turn golden brown in autumn.
Soil:  medium - wet.  Drought tolerant once established
Good for moist low spots, narrow beds, pond or stream plantings
Deer resistant
Growth rate:  medium
Tolerates: air pollution, black walnut (where few things will grow), wet soil, clay soil, erosion, variety of soil moisture levels but prefers moist well-drained soil.
Soil ph:  neutral, alkaline or acidic
Maintenance:  low

Perennial plant of the year 2001


Additional sources:
http://www.perennials.com/plants/calamagrostis-acutiflora-karl-foerster.html
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/32703774/Common-Name-Karl-Foerster-Grass-Botanical-Name-_Calamagrostis-x-
http://www.herbs.mb.ca/en/retail-greenhouse/c378147488/c378154597/karl_foerster_grass.html
http://plants.salisburygreenhouse.com/11050015/Plant/2170/Karl_Foerster_Reed_Grass

In the Spotlight: Young's Twisted Birch

The above collage is a compilation of photos taken of our Young's Twisted Birch.  The peeling bark is an appealing feature as is the colour of the bark in contrast to the deep green shiny foliage.  I thought the black and white photo showed off the peeling effect to advantage.  This is one tree that I would plant again and totally recommend, particularly for a wet area of the garden.  It does love moisture, as all birches and willows do.

The Young's Twisted Birch does not grow with a curved trunk naturally, but rather it is trained while young using wires and stakes to create the effect.  Once it had reached the grower's desired height of just over six feet, it was allowed to trail down from there.  It will never grow taller but certainly will grow wider.

The above two photos were taken before I pruned the tree.  If you notice, it looks as though the birch has two arms and it is going to go for a walk just like the trees in Lord of the Rings.  (so my son said).

After pruning, it looks far better shaped.  It should stay put now.  ;)

Young's Weeping Birch (betula pendula 'Youngii')
Height: 20-30 feet  (determined through training)
Width:  15 - 20 feet (determined through training)
Fruit:  cone-like seed heads in fall
Flowers:  catkins (early spring)
Growth rate:  moderate to fast
Lifespan:  average
Fall foliage:  yellow
White peeling bark (may need protection from sun scald in the winter - wrap with a tree wrap)
Soil:  some sand to clay; moist and well-drained
Fertilizer:  while young, a birch should be fertilized with a higher phosphorus number (the second number listed) to encourage root development.  Trees should be fertilized every few years.  Do not fertilize after August 15 in zone 3/4 to ensure hardening off prior to winter.
Training to different shapes is possible
Also available in a twisted trunk form (as in photos above)
Excellent specimen

Zone 2 hardiness

As with all birches, those grown in lawns usually lack in water therefore extra care must be taken to provide water for this tree.  As with any birch, inadequate watering or a period of drought can cause the die back of the tree from the top down.  It isn't necessarily immediate, but may be seen a year or more after the drought period.  Once the tree is weakened and die back begins, problems with pests such as borers is potentially greater.  The key is prevention.  Plant birches in an area of the yard where the soil is the last to dry.  Water liberally to compensate for rainfall shortages.

Birches are also susceptible to warm soil temperatures.  They are somewhat shallow rooted trees, so I recommend mulching a few inches deep to keep soil cool and to help maintain a moist soil.  I use a shredded bark mulch around mine and it is planted in an area of the yard where it stays moist longer and receives shade in the late afternoon.  Warm soil temperatures can cause the outer leaves of the branches to turn yellow, also at the top of the tree, and then drop leaves, leaving the tree looking sparse.  The key is prevention, again.  Mulch and water.

Pruning is best done in July, when sap runs less heavily.  This is for aesthetic reasons, as earlier pruning can result in "bleeding" of sap, which will in turn attract insects.  It doesn't necessarily harm the tree to prune before July, nor after, but I always try to prune during July, unless I need to remove dead or broken branches.  Remember the rule of thumb:  no more than 1/3 of the overall tree is to be pruned during one year.  More results in a stressed tree.

Birch seeds are a good food source in fall and early winter, attracting birds such as: blue jays, chickadees, common redpolls, goldfinches, grosbeaks, pine siskins, and waxwings.  Note:  some people are allergic to the 'catkins' the birch produces early spring.

All in all, this is a beautiful specimen tree that I would highly recommend.

Knock-out Plants, Foliar Delights, Fun Names to Say and Some Behind the Scene Peeks

Ahh, yes.  Here we are at the Enjoy Centre.  The sweet scent of the greenhouse permeates the air as we meander through the aisles.  Every sense is on full alert.  The sights, the aromas, the soft humidity lingering in the air.....  And mingled in with that is the faint trace of baked bread scent in the air.  Tomorrow, I will show you the bakery with loaves so enormous you could have a cocktail party and have leftovers!

The sight of the intertwined trunks of these two trees drew me near.  

I've always had a penchant for the out-of-the-ordinary, especially in the garden.

When you visit the Enjoy Centre, and take a walk through Holes, be sure to take advantage of the public viewing area of the growing greenhouses.  

They are roped off, but you have a terrific view of the behind the scenes regardless.

What is so unique and mesmerizing is the watering system for the hanging baskets.  I am told the watering station is to the left in the photo, and the baskets are slowly conveyed along a track through the watering station.  It is something you just have to see.

Above is a close-up of the hanging strawberry planters.  

They too are watered using the same method as the previously shown flowering hanging baskets.

Are you ready for some foliar delight?  I can't decide which one(s) I want.  What would you choose?

I love the arrow shape of the foliage of these two 

Alocasia.  We found many "architectural" plants in this area that had me yearning to take them home.

 

Above, the houseplant greenhouse which we could view from the annual greenhouse.

If only I had the room!

Even when the leaf is dying, the Banana Maurelii is attractive with shades of red, yellow, bronze on the perimeter of the foliage.  I love that the underside of the leaves is wine/burgundy!  My favourite colours!

Wow!  I mean WOW!  This is a stunner!  A knock-out plant like this is perfect as the focal point, 

whether it be near the front door or to accent a feature in your garden,

 this Acalypha wilkesciana would be amazing!

Say this name a few times and you'll find yourself trying out other accents to accompany it!  It's catchy!  Consider yourself warned!  Both K and I had a few moments of fun with this one!

Some of the tomato plants already have fruit!  This year I am trying the yellow cherry tomatoes.  I forget their name at the moment, but I am definitely going back for them!  They are sweet and divine in salads and vegetable platters, or just for a snack.  K swears by them so of course I have to try them!!!

Until next time, when we visit the perennials, trees and shrubs area, 

take care and happy garden dreaming!

PS, despite my obvious love for all I have posted here, I am not in employ by the Enjoy Centre nor Holes.  I just love to showcase that which I enjoy, knowing you will love it too!!

Architectural Plants

 Tolleson Weeping Juniper

Plants of architectural value monopolize my back garden.  I love the topiaries and even sculpted a Mint Julep Juniper into a pom pom topiary.  Also in the landscape are two weeping Tolleson Junipers, two white pine topiaries, a juniperus chinensis trained with stakes to have four branches in topiary style, another juniper grown upright on a stake to a point of about five feet from where it cascades downwards in its spreading habit.

Clockwise from back left: topiaried white pine, groundcover juniper trained upright to a height of about 5 feet and left to cascade down, Mint Julep Juniper trained to topiary pom pom style

Young's Twisted Weeping Birch.  You see the twisted trunk best in winter.

Trost Dwarf Birch

Three-flowered Maple.  In front, Dwarf Chinese Juniper trained in topiary

 A rare specimen of Three-flowered Maple gracefully sweeps out over the pond.  I am trying to mimic the Japanese style of pruning a maple though it tends to grow faster than I can prune as you can see here.  Maybe I will just stop fighting nature on this one. 

I still wish I had added a Harry Lauder's Walking Stick to the mix.  I love the twisted, twirling branches!