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June 13, 2006
My Trees
This is a documentation post:
New Orleans is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, which means its mean annual low temperature was between -1 and -7 °C between July 1986 and March 2002.
In the front yard we planted three Centennial Spirit crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica). According to the tag on the tree, they require full sun, and should be spaced 10 feet apart. They bloom from summer to fall, prefer semi-moist soil and have a medium growth rate. Their average size is 15 feet tall by 12 feet wide. They can tolerate cold down to -23 °C. Damaged limbs should be pruned and fertilizer is best applied, if at all, in the spring and summer. Each of the three 5 gallon plants cost $10. According to the grower's tag (different from the retailer's tag), indicates these plants have a low pollen count. How something that is literally covered in flowers can have a low pollen count, I don't know. The grower was apparently associated with the Texas Department of Agriculture's Go Texan program
In the back we planted two species, a Little Gem magnolia and a Crimson Queen Japanese Maple. The magnolia (magnolia grandiflora) is best in semi-shade, which I guess means shade from a semi? Spacing is 10 feet, it blooms in spring and summer, and prefers semi-moist soil. It has a medium growth rate and it's average size is 20 feet high by 10 feet wide. It can tolerate temperatures down to -18 °C. Little pruning is required and, if fertilizer is used, it is best applied in the spring and summer.
And here's where we come to the one I was concerned about, the Crimson Queen Japanese Maple. My wife and I both like Japanese maples. They're beautiful trees. However, prior to this I've only seen them in Kansas, Maryland, and San Diego. All were mature trees under a canopy of much taller trees. According to Dave's Garden, they are only rated to go down to Hardiness Zone 8b (low temperature: -9 °C) . They also prefer acidic soil and sun to light shade. So, the big question is, do the hardiness zones provide any useful information about planting in the tropics? Surely we don't need to worry about the plant freezing, but could it get to hot? I still don't have the answer to that, but Dave's Garden contributors to provide one point for me: I've probably been overwatering the thing.
Posted by Niels Olson at June 13, 2006 10:17 PM
Comments
As a gardener, I know what you are referring to, and think you might find some good information at www.highcountrygardens.com (I edited their hardcopy catalog--its my hobby (writing), and I've had enough botany to choke a horse, or kill a lot of xeric plants!
One thing I did was put the USDA Temp Zone Map into a chart form, and its important when you pick out your Zone, you keep in mind wind, average rainfall, and soil type, as well as the local definition of "full sun." In the dessert areas that is obvious, but its not in other regions.
Crepe Myrtles--and your variety--can be rather adolescent in their 'nature.' Some grow just fine, but others if there's not full sun even West of Dallas/Fort Worth, they're fussy, and slow to take off. Most tree suppliers that are serious about their business carry a fertilizer for these "Myrts" that really brings out the blossoms, and helps them shoot upward.
Check out your Japanese Maple with your local Ag Agents because they really are on the ball in their own geographic areas. Like roses need to be planted in raised beds with lots of old hay and shredded paper beneath them, a little bit of Epsom Salts helps the roots grab nutrients (they hate their ankles wet, but not their feet), your Japanese Maple can be provided with sufficient acid soil in a similar way. There are a lot of organic options, so be on the lookout for them. Frankly, if you've seen at tree do well in Kansas, Maryland, and San Diego, I'd be hard put to discourage you from giving one a try, but start small, so you don't lose money if it fails to thrive (and sometimes, moving a plant will help it find a better 'home'). Be sure to give it the same amount of water as the container it came in once a week, after planting it in a hole double the diameter of the root ball--spread them out, too. Be safe...check with your local Ag Agents.
Posted by: Upsflyin at June 16, 2006 1:04 AM
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