Bonsai Ireland » trees http://www.bonsai.ie Take time to grow with us Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:04:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 The Crape Myrtle http://www.bonsai.ie/red-crape-myrtle/ http://www.bonsai.ie/red-crape-myrtle/#comments Sat, 24 Apr 2010 20:37:47 +0000 Alan http://www.bonsai.ie/?p=1247

crape-myrtleCrape Myrtles are a popular choice for gardeners because of their low maintenance, beautiful colors and extremely long bloom season, lasting nearly three and a half months.

Crape Myrtles are most popular in the south, gaining the nickname the lilac of the south, but are enjoyed by gardeners across the country. Their scientific term, Lagerstroemia, was coined in 1759 in order to honor Magnus von Lagerstroem, an avid naturalist. The common name in America, Crape Myrtle, is derived from the crape-like appearance of the flower and the resemblance of the foliage to the real myrtle, Myrtus Communis. This week we are featuring a hardy Crape Myrtle tree with incredible huge ruby red blooms without even a hint of pink- ‘Dynamite’ – - the truest red of any Crape Myrtle tree.

Developed by Oaklahoma’s Dr. Carl Whitcomb in 1998, ‘Dynamite’ produces abundant clusters of absolutely spectacular deep red flowers from crimson buds they will enliven your garden from mid summer until autumn. The blooms can reach 15 inches long and of course have the crape paper look that we love.

The foliage starts as a deep burgundy in the spring and changes into a dark green by the end of summer. The leaves are very large, semi-glossy very thick and mildew resistant. In the fall the foliage turns from orange to red. ‘Dynamite’ exfoliates it’s old gray bark to reveal the new light brown smooth bark underneath. Plant as a specimen tree; prune into a large multi-stemmed shrub, or plant several in a row to create a unique privacy hedge.

Planting and Care

‘Dynamite’ has a very expansive and upright growth habit and matures to a height of 20 feet. It prefers to be placed in full sun with well-drained soil and good air circulation. Dynamite requires little maintenance and does best when it is not pruned. It is also drought, disease and insect resistant once it is established.

  • Plant 15 feet apart in well-drained soil.
  • Prefers full sun in an area with good air circulation and good soil drainage.
  • Water regularly until established.
  • Hardy in Zones 6-9 (protect the first winter in Zone 6).
  • Fertilize with Plant-Tone and Kelp Meal in early spring.
  • When necessary, prune in spring just as the new leaves emerge

    • This post was written by Alan

    Alan Summers, president of Carroll Gardens, Inc., has over 30 years experience in gardening and landscape design. He has made Carroll Gardens one of America’s preeminent nurseries, having introduced more than 20 new perennials and woody shrubs over the years and reintroduced numerous “lost” cultivars back to American gardeners.


    ]]>     http://www.bonsai.ie/red-crape-myrtle/feed/ 1     Buttercups and Bonsai… http://www.bonsai.ie/buttercups-and-bonsai/ http://www.bonsai.ie/buttercups-and-bonsai/#comments Sat, 23 May 2009 17:12:53 +0000 Paul Masterson http://www.bonsai.ie/?p=93

    buttercupsI had an early morning walk this morning (9am is early to me) and noticed that this year must be the year of the Buttercup. Every year I watch the cycle of the weed invasion on the percolation area. Last year it was the Thistle and the nitrogen fixing Gorse the year before that.


    This area of land was originally meant to be the veggie patch. An area of natural compost that could have fed us all year.

    Did you know that in some countries they try to Bonsai potatoes. Myself I prefer Mutton stew with potatoes. (www.bonsaipotato.com)

    You have to say that a mass of Buttercups does look impressive. I remember as a kid picking a buttercup and placing it under someone’s chin to see if they like butter, if it reflected then they liked butter. (a good chat up line)

    As gardeners we like to have all plants looking well, we like plants to grow were we like it. When this changes we either go to war or embrace it. The same can be said for Bonsai.

    Over the years I have trained many trees. You normally start out by planting the seed, set the training in motion by shaping, analysing and shaping again. But then, you come across a species of tree that has its own ideas, a tree that can be impressive as a Bonsai or a garden specimen. In my case this was a Mimosa. The natural pattern of this tree is to grow upright and it did… it now stands at 12 foot tall with beautiful pink flowers. The birds love it as it sits beside the feeder and with its heavy growth and mass of stems it protects them from the Local Hawk and Buzzard.

    Mimosa

    When trees don’t make it as Bonsai, don’t discard them plant these natural beauties out in your garden. As for the Buttercup’s, you could train them as an ‘Accent Plant’ or use them as a chat up line!

    This post was written by Paul Masterson

    Paul is a collector of Bonsai, tropical plants and owner of Bonsai.ie.


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