Planting Blue Atlas Cedar and Ninebark in My Maze
My garden maze continues to evolve with each row of interesting plantings. It now includes a beautiful Blue Atlas Cedar and a row of Physocarpus opulifolius, known as common ninebark.
Earlier this month, I received a large delivery from First Editions Shrubs and Trees, a brand of evergreens and perennials from the fifth-generation, family and brand owner Bailey Nurseries in St. Paul, Minnesota. I knew some of the plants would make excellent additions to my growing maze, such as ninebark, the spring-flowering shrub with its unique exfoliating bark. The Blue Atlas Cedar was gifted to me by a longtime fan. This tree, with its silvery blue to green foliage will reach a height of about 60-feet when mature. Both will provide great color and interest to the vast array of plantings already thriving in the space.
Enjoy these photos.
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- While we are in big need of rain here in the Northeast, we’ve been lucky the weather has been so warm and pleasant. My gardeners and outdoor grounds crew have been able to get many plants in the ground including these Physocarpus opulifolius, known as ninebark.
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- My maze is drawn out on a map, so it is important to refer to it every time something new is added. The area is measured multiple times before the actual sod is cut and removed.
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- The sod strips are divided into sections, so it is easier to roll and lift. Here are pieces of sod neatly rolled up and ready to be repurposed in another area of the farm.
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- José rakes the stripped bed of any extra sod or debris.
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- And then Phurba follows with our Troy-Bilt Pony Rear-Tine Tiller. Rototilling is one method of turning up the soil before planting. All the plants and trees do very well here at the farm, in part because of the excellent soil. I have worked very hard to ensure my soil is constantly amended and rich with nutrients. If you are unsure of your soil’s quality, have it tested. Kits are available at garden shops, online, and through your area’s cooperative extensions.
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- Meanwhile, here is the Blue Atlas Cedar sent to me this week from one of my devotees. It is transported to the maze in the bucket of my Kubota M4-071 tractor.
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- Blue Atlas Cedar has a bold, pyramidal form with sparkling silvery blue foliage. It is among the most popular evergreen conifers.
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- I decided the tree would be planted at the end of a row. Now it’s time for the hole to be dug. Remember the rule of thumb for planting trees – dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the root ball, but only as deep as the height of the root ball.
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- All the burlap wrapping and any twine are removed from the tree’s root ball. Some leave them in the ground, but I prefer to remove them completely, so there is nothing blocking the growing roots.
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- José drops generous handfuls of fertilizer on bare soil. Use food that promotes faster establishment, deeper roots, and good soil structure.
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- I use an all-purpose granular water soluble food from Miracle-Gro.
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- The tree is placed into its designated hole and then turned so its best side faces the path.
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- Next, the hole is carefully backfilled. Another rule of thumb is “bare to the flare” meaning only plant up to the flare, where the tree meets the root system.
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- This tree is easy to care for, have a slow-to-moderate growth rate of about one to two feet per year.
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- The ninebark is a deciduous spring-flowering shrub often planted en masse. I have ninebark varieties surrounding my pool, in front of my pool house and in other areas of the farm. This variety is Little Devil Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Donna May.’
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- It has a compact upright habit with burgundy leaves. It features small pinkish-white spirea-like flowers in late spring followed by subtle reddish fruit, and interesting peeling papery bark.
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- Cesar measures the spacing – four feet in between these plants. Ninebark is fast-growing, so plan for its full width.
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- Each holly hole is dug with enough room for the plant’s root ball. Ninebark thrives best in an area that gets full sun partial shade and where it can live in well-draining soil.
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- Cesar scarifies every plant. I have the crew scarify all root balls, meaning make beneficial cuts, before planting to encourage new growth and make the plant more stable. This is even more important if the plant is root bound, meaning the roots have grown too large and too plentiful in its container.
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- The hole is dug as deep as the container it was grown in so that the crown will be even with the existing ground or slightly above the existing ground.
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- Cesar backfills, tamping the soil lightly at the end to ensure good contact.
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- Finally, José gives all the planted ninebarks a good, soaking drink. It’s been so very dry here at the farm. We’re watering all the gardens as if it’s mid-summer. Hope we get some rain soon.
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- Ninebark can grow 12 to 18 inches per year, but it can also tolerate hard pruning when needed. It will look perfect in this row. We’re still planting – stay tuned to see what’s next.
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