Published by Daniel Mosquin on February 7, 2020
The overlapping leaves of Thuja plicata are small, only 3-6mm in length (and sometimes as small as 1mm). In quantity, though, they can sustain trees exceeding 70m (230 ft.) in height.
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Published by Daniel Mosquin on January 16, 2019
Calocedrus decurrens, or incense-cedar, has broad habitat requirements. Within its range from Oregon to Baja California, it is most often found in hot and dry sites with poor soils. However, the tallest individuals typically occur in “sunny, well-watered sites such as riparian areas in canyons or near subalpine lakeshores“.
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Published by Daniel Mosquin on January 30, 2006
Like Lantana camara, the native distribution of Chinese fir is not known; however, it is for a different reason. An important timber tree in southeast Asia, Cunninghamia lanceolata has been cultivated for its wood for over eight hundred years. It is now nigh impossible to determine where it is native and where it has been […]
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Published by Daniel Mosquin on January 22, 2006
Hiba arborvitae is native to Japan. According to the Great Plant Picks profile for Thujopsis dolabrata, it also has two other common names, both inspired by the shape of the scale-like leaves: deerhorn cedar and battle axe cedar.
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Published by Daniel Mosquin on December 25, 2005
In late afternoon winter sun with its heavy orange-yellow cast, ‘Blue Ice’ Arizona cypress doesn’t necessarily resemble its name. At other times, this cultivar is known for being particularly silvery-blue within a highly variable species.
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Published by Daniel Mosquin on December 17, 2005
Whenever you see the word nana or its variants as part of a plant name, you can be certain that you’ve encountered a dwarf type (think nanotechnology). ‘Nana Gracilis’ hinoki cypress is no exception–after thirty-one years, this individual in the Alpine Garden has only reached two meters (6ft.) or so in height, whereas a mature […]
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