A GREEN MOTHER'S DAY
Plant a Tree with Mom
Camellia During the month of May, when longer days leaves us feeling revitalized, our calendars quickly fill with activities like strolls through the park and cookouts, making it understandable – yet not forgivable – that mom and her special day is left to the usual dinner, cut flowers or some other predictable celebration.
So this year why not try something new? How about a gift certificate to a nursery where mom can pick out a tree, bring it home and the two of you can plant it together? There are many trees and large shrubs that are wonderful for our Washington, DC, gardens. You will be giving mom a gift that will remind her of you for years to come, and you will also be scoring major bonus points for being a positive part of the green DC scene.
Picking the Right Tree
When picking the tree, make sure you ask the right questions at the nursery.
Exposure. This is important since some trees will thrive in sun and others in shade. If you can tell the garden center which way the sun crosses your home, then you will probably be able to pick the right tree. Should you need assistance in figuring out your exposure, take the time to see where the sun rises and sets in relation to your home. Also keep in mind that a south facing exposure tends to get baked in the summer sun. A northern exposure will be the coldest side of your home in winter. And east and west tend to give the greatest latitude when picking the spot for your trees.
Care. Make sure that the tree you pick fits into mom’s lifestyle. If mom travels a lot, a tree that requires minimal care once established will be a better pick than one that is high maintenance. Ask about water and soil requirements along with pruning and any special requirements.
Proper planting. The way we plant a tree has changed over the years, so if in doubt, ask. Here are a few important things to keep in mind.
- When digging the hole, do not dig any deeper than the root ball. You can still dig the hole several inches wider that the root ball, but don’t dig any deeper.
- If mixing in organic compost, make sure to mix it with the native soil. Roots tend to be lazy, so if they have a pure feast of compost placed around them, they have a chance of staying within the confines of the hole that you dug for them. The farther that roots travel in the first year, the greater chance of continued success they have in years to come.
- If the tree is container grown and the root ball is densely rooted along the outside, make a few cuts, and open the root ball up a bit to ensure the roots grow out of the confines of the root ball. If the tree is balled in burlap, make sure you cut any rope that has been used to hold the burlap in place. The rope usually takes long enough to deteriorate that by the time it does, you have done damage to the trunk of the tree. Also if balled and burlapped, make sure you lift by the underside of the root ball. Do not pick up the tree by the trunk; this places stress on the roots by the weight of the soil mass pulling downward.
- Water deeply the first year. That passing thunderstorm in summer is not enough to support proper growth. Take the time to water or get a gator bag, which soaks the tree by drip irrigation.
The Trees
The following are five of my favorite trees. I have chosen them for their overall appeal and endearing qualities.
Camellia (Camellia japonica)
Even though this plant is classified as a shrub, Camellia can grow quite large in our Washington gardens. They are one of the harbingers of spring with their wondrous rose-like blooms. The colors are pinks and reds and whites and yellow with a multitude of intermediated colors. The plants are compact evergreen and broad-leaved. The new foliage is coppery brownish green and quite beautiful. Plant your camellia in a sheltered location with east exposure for good results. Provide with well-drained slightly acidic soil, and mulch in the late fall to protect the roots.
Eastern Redbud
Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis)
This North American native is found from New England to the Southeast and Midwest.
If you travel to the suburbs, you will spot drifts of its distinctive pink/purple blooms along the highways in late April to early May. The foliage is beautiful and distinctively heart-shaped. Redbud is a member of the pea family and shows off in fall with its pea-pod seeds. The seeds will usually stay on the tree through most of winter adding additional interest once the leaves are shed for the season. This tree prefers moist, well-drained soil and full to part sun. It will adjust to many conditions but is quite at home in acidic soil and in part shade. Redbud is suspect to a stem canker and can be troubled by a leaf wilt. This is usually not a problem if the tree is situated in fertile soil with good drainage.
Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa)
This dogwood blooms about three weeks later than the native dogwood. The blooms are just as memorable and give quite a different show since they emerge after the tree’s leaves have opened. Both species are known for their showy flowers, colorful fall display and red berries. The Kousa has a habit of forming a more multi-bough, umbrella-shaped, medium canopy that is very attractive when planted as a specimen tree. The most striking aspect of the Kousa is its beautiful flaking bark that displays various shades of tan, gray and brown. The picture-perfect growth habit and beautiful flaking bark make the Kousa Dogwood a memorable addition to the landscape.
Crape Myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.)
Washington would not be Washington without its Crapes. The flowers are beautiful papery summer explosions of color. With a bloom time of upwards of one month, when most of our other trees are beginning to show signs of summer stress, it is no wonder why Crapes are so popular. They come in every size from miniature bush-like 2-foot shrubs to towering, peeling barked giants. Colors are pink, white, purple and many shades of red. They are very drought tolerant and will survive in the heavy clay soils of many Washington’s gardens. Fertilize and prune to encourage a strong show of summer blooms.
Kwanzan Cherry Kwanzan Cherry
Washington's’ tidal basin “Yoshino” cherries are but a memory when the Kwanzan cherry erupts with its beautiful pom-pom blooms. The blooms are longer lasting and start out a strong pink that fades to a delicate pale pink. Give this tree moist, well-drained, slightly acidic, fertile soil with regular addition of compost. Cherries are suspect to various diseases and insects, so patrol regularly to ensure health.
So this mother’s day skip the standard box of chocolates, and go green by taking mom to the nursery center – you will get many more merit points!
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