Planting New Hampshire: 



Some Trees and Shrubs for New Hampshire Gardens 



Ralph M WJHs/ou' jr. 



Despite living in a challenging plant-growing 

 climate, New Hampshire gardens could easily 

 reflect a greater variety of landscape plants 

 Granted, it can be difficult to garden in New 

 Hampshire. But perhaps it's this tenacity to cultivate 

 nature that fortifies our perseverance. As dependable 

 and useful as many of our old standards may be, the 

 quest for plants that are less known, underused, and of 

 ten not fully appreciated is a worthwhile pursuit, espe 

 cially in a region where plant selection can be limited. 



Today's modem landscape reflects a different way o 

 life than that of a more agrarian and industrial past 

 Contemporary families often have many demands that 

 compete for time with yard and garden work Nowa- 

 days, cultivating plants is not so much a critical surviva 

 practice as it is a relaxing and therapeutic pastime. The 

 home environment can be viewed as a place of refuge 

 and solace, a place to relieve stress and to renew one's 

 soul. Since many of us may be spending less time at 

 home, time spent there deserves to be maximized for 

 enjoyment. 



Since residential landscapes are often smaller than 

 the more pastoral ones of a century ago, it is especially 

 important to select landscape plants that offer numer- 

 ous ornamental qualities. The trees and shrubs de- 

 scribed below are grouped by landscape function and 

 are generally well-suited for many New Hampshire 

 sites. This listing was compiled for multiseason appeal, 

 reduced maintenance, minimal pest problems, and 

 good winter hardiness as based on this author's experi- 

 ence. Although no hardiness ratings are given, listings 

 can be readily found in numerous references. However, 

 hardiness ratings should be treated as a guide only, 

 and not as a guarantee of survival. 



Although some of the plants below may be unfamil- 

 iar, these choices are the beginning of a list of sugges- 

 tions that might help please your clientele. 



DECIDUOUS TREES 



Korean Mountainash {Sorbus alnifoUa). Generally superior 

 to its commonly planted European cousin, this medium- 

 sized, pyramidal-to-broad oval shade tree offers white 

 flowers and glossy green, beech-like foliage which turns 

 yellow, orange, and golden brown in the fall The per- 

 sistent brilliant red fruits offer food for birds and add 

 to the fall foliage display. A better park than street 

 tree, this plant is definitely one of the best 

 mountainash. 



Eastern Redbud {Cercis canadensis). An understory tree 

 native to areas south of New Hampshire, it is noted for 

 early, abundant rosy pink flowers and graceful, upright 

 habit. The large, heart-shaped leaves emerge as red- 

 dish purple and gradually change to a lustrous dark 

 green. Be sure to buy plants propagated from northern 

 seed sources and avoid the frequently less-hardy culti- 

 vars. 



Star Magnolia {Magnolia stellata). One of the hardiest 

 magnolias, the early, showy white flowers can occur on 

 even young plants. This trouble-free magnolia has effec- 

 tive summer foliage that turns to a nondescript leathery 

 brown in the fall. Winter exposes an attractive, smooth, 

 gray bark on this low-branched tree or large shrub. 



Sargent Cherry {Prunus sargentii). One of the largest and 

 hardiest of the cherries, this medium-sized shade tree 

 features showy pink blooms followed by lustrous green 

 foliage. The round-headed crown sports bronze-to-red- 

 dish fall foliage, and the trunk has a polished, chestnut 

 brown bark. One of the better Prunus species for New 

 Hampshire where the choice of cherries is often limited. 



Japanese Stewartia {Stewartia pseudocameUia). Not well- 

 known or widely available, this small-to-medium-sized, 

 upright, oval tree is possibly one of the best small 

 trees for the garden Surprisingly hardy, the showy 

 white flowers are accented by orange anthers and occur 

 over a three-week period in July. The dark green leaves 

 may turn yellow to dark reddish purple in the fall. The 

 bark is first-rate for winter effect, developing a mottled, 

 peeling character. 



Japanese Tree Lilac [Syringa reticulata). This tough, 

 adaptable small tree is noted for its large, showy, 

 creamy white flowers in June. The dark green foliage 

 may turn a translucent yellow in the fall — not over- 

 whelming, but generally superior to most lilacs. The 

 cherry-like, reddish brown bark is accented by promi- 

 nent horizontal lenticels. 



EVERGREEN TREES 



White Fir {Abies concolor). Resembling a Colorado blue 

 spruce, the look is softer and less stiff. For the more 

 discriminating client, this blue-to-grayish green-needled 

 fir is adapted to a variety of soil types and can tolerate 

 somewhat drier, hotter sites than many other A^ies species. 



Serbian Spruce {Picea omorika). A great choice for a lim- 



|U NE & JULY 



