Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.
Issue link: https://wellesleywestonmagazine.epubxp.com/i/210435
DEREAMSTIME the green scene "a delightful addition to seasonal displays" phyllus 'Goshiki.' New leaves emerge pinky-bronze then turn green but with a mature size of just two feet by three are flecked with cream, yellowy greens, and gray greens for quite a feet and small cones liberally spread over the lovely effect. Hailing from Japan, its very name, 'Goshiki,' is Japanese for plant for added interest. The habit is irregu- five colors and the foliage is a delightful addition to seasonal displays or wreaths, lar, contributing to its charm as a unique adding quite a dash that always gets a "what's that?" from admirers. A slow grower, it evergreen that could do well in a container, reaches six to eight feet high by about seven feet wide with a nice compact habit. They mixed border, or an Asian-inspired design. do best in partial sun and are great in the mixed border or even in pots in their early years. While yews might conjure up a more Another holly worthy of consideration — with Ilex aquifolium, the English holly, in its somber image there are two I really must parentage — is Ilex x meserveae 'Honey Maid,' another Meserveae introduction. The variegated mention. The first was discovered by a local foliage is green with golden yellow markings. It makes a nice rounded form with dense foliage Massachusetts nursery (Weston Nurseries in and its bright red berries in winter will attract the birds or perk up your holiday decorations. Like Hopkinton) and is Taxus baccata 'Adpressa most of the Meserveae hollies it grows to eight to ten feet, but it can be pruned. It prefers full Fowle' or the Midget Boxleaf English Yew. sun and fits easily into any landscape situation, from foundation plantings to the mixed border. The needles are a stubby dark green with the A real cutie that works well in today's smaller gardens is a dwarf variety of the Japanese White horizontal branching typical of English yews Pine, Pinus parviflora 'Kinpo.' Twisted bluish-green needles densely cover this diminutive cultivar for an overall effect that is unusual but quite handsome. A compact plant growing to about eight feet and almost twice as wide, it will do well in either sun or shade. A more recent introduction, also from Japan, that provides a completely different look is Taxus cuspidata 'Monloo' Emerald Spreader. This Japanese yew has soft foliage with a low spreading habit and matures very slowly to two and a half feet high and about nine feet wide. It tolerates dry conditions and is content in sun or part shade. These are just a few of my favorites for We l l e s l e y We s t o n M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4 now, but I always have an eye out for more. Have a happy new evergreen year! RUTH FURMAN is a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist (MCH). She trained in horticulture in England and spent many happy years working and gardening there. To reach Ms. Furman, email her at: Ruth@wellesleywestonmagazine.com. 24