Are there any lists of shrubs/small trees that are best viewed from below, such as Styrax or Halesia?
While there are no lists of shrubs/small trees best viewed from below, there is a list of trees with weeping habits in The Pacific Northwest Gardener’s Book of Lists (Ray and Jan McNeilan, 1997). Many genera of conifers – Cedrus (cedar), Chamaecyparis (cypress), Larix (larch), Picea (spruce), Pinus (pine), and Tsuga (hemlock) – have weeping forms, often indicated by a variety name ‘Pendula’ or ‘Pendulum’. There are weeping birches (Betula), beeches (Fagus), and cherries (Prunus), too.
You are correct about Styrax and Halesia. Additionally, I ran across a few individual species that may be of interest to you as I researched this question:
–Davidia involucrata
–Laburnum anagyroides
–flowering currants, Ribes spp.
–flowering cherry trees, particularly Prunus padus
–various plants in the Ericaceae family have bell-shaped flowers that hang on the underside of the stem.
I would add that any tree which has a naturally graceful branching pattern and/or delicately shaped foliage (such as Japanese maples) would be pleasant to view from below, as well as from other angles.
Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Boulevard’ is prone to foliage
browning towards the interior of the tree as it matures. What is the
cause of this and is there any remedy?
I consulted Pacific Northwest Landscape IPM Manual (WSU, 2002), which
mentions that lower branches tend to die in older Chamaecyparis pisifera.
This resource mentions cedar flagging as one of the cultural or
environmental problems which may affect this tree. It is normal for
evergreens to shed some old foliage every year, but this may be
intensified by stresses like drought, recent or poor planting, root
disturbance, or hot wind. Symptoms show up in the form of browned
foliage, usually most noticeable in the fall. The current year’s foliage
stays green at the tips. Remedies for excessive flagging would include
close attention to irrigation during periods of summer drought,
preventing root disturbance, make sure the tree was not planted too
deeply, and improve drainage if the soil tends to stay wet. (Replant onto
a berm or raised bed, for example).
Since the browning you have observed is on the interior, flagging would
be a likely possibility. Typically, the dead foliage gets blown out of
the plant and the plant returns to normal growth in the spring.
The following link, to a discussion on University of British Columbia’s
Botanical Garden Forums, may be of interest to you.
If you think something else might be going on, such as Phytophthora, you
might want to bring photos and samples to a Master Gardener Clinic for
diagnosis. Signs of Phytophthora begin at the small roots, progressing to
larger roots. The inner bark will show a brownish color. Eventually, the
foliage will turn color (yellowish to bronze and finally brown). This
doesn’t sound like your description, however.
I am looking for evergreen hedges that will tolerate a windy site. Do you have any suggestions?
Sunset Western Garden Book (2007 edition) has
a list of wind-resistant plants. From that list, there were a few plants
which meet some of your site’s needs (evergreen, fast-growing, about 7-10
feet tall). They are:
- Arbutus unedo (Strawberry tree)
- Arctostaphylos (Manzanita)
- Ceanothus
- Chamaecyparis
- Cotoneaster
- Escallonia
- Morella californica
- Pinus species (you would need a dwarf pine for your size limits)
- Pittosporum (many of these grow taller than 10 feet over time, but P.
tobira might work)
- Pyracantha
I don’t know if it is tolerant of winter winds, but Osmanthus delavayi
makes a nice, dense evergreen hedge with flowers, and reaches about 8
feet. It grows fairly quickly also.
Two good resources for finding more information on the plants above are
Oregon State University’s Landscape Plants and Great Plant Picks.
Also, I found an article (no longer available) on wind tolerance from Colorado State University Extension which may be of interest. Here is an excerpt about the physical characteristics of wind tolerant plants:
“When considering which trees and shrubs do well in windy conditions,
examine the shape and thickness of the leaves, stems and branches.
Wind-resistant trees usually have flexible, wide spreading, strong
branches and low centers of gravity. Wind tolerant shrubs often have
small, thick or waxy leaves or very narrow leaves (or needles), to help
control moisture loss. Plant species that have large, flat leaves “catch”
wind. These plants have a tendency for branch breakage when strong gusts
blow, or if laden with heavy, wet snow.
Evergreen (conifer) trees are an excellent choice, having needles and
being flexible in high winds.”