TOPGRAFTED
AND
TREEFORM
SHRUBS
Creating
topgrafted or treeform shrubs is a horticultural practice
that has been expanding in recent years and now offers many
more choices to the plant enthusiast. The process
of grafting involves attaching a twig (called a scion) of
the desired shrub to a different, but compatible, rootstock.
This method of reproducing plant is widely used because
the genetic characteristics
of
the parent plant are always present in all of the scionwood
collected from it; as the newly
grafted
plant grows, it will always reflect those same characteristics.
|
|
When topgrafts are produced
the
graft union is made several feet
up
on a compatible stem rather
than
on a rootstock at ground
level.
This basically produces the
desired
shrub into a small
tree.
|
| Topgrafted Korean
Lilac |
|
-----------------------------------------------------
|
Treeform
shrubs have the same
appearance
as topgrafts, but
their
production is simpler. While
the
shrub is small, all branches
except
one are removed. The
single
branch is staked vertically,
and
forced to grow up. Side
shoots
are removed until a desired
height
is achieved; then the shrub
is
allowed to branch out. |
 |
| |
Treeform Corylopsis |
_________________________________________
To
some gardeners, the lilac or pine 'up on the stick!' is
too contrived;
to
other gardeners, these are horticultural oddballs.
Regardless of the
differing
opinions, in today's landscape topgrafted and treeform shrubs
are
becoming more recognized as unusual specimans particularly
useful
in small space gardens to provide height and create focal
points.
Ambleside
is excited to offer many unusual plants grown either as
topgrafts
or as single stems. The following are some of these that
we
expect to carry this year.
Syringa
patula 'Miss Kim'---Miss Kim Lilac---topgraft
Syringa
meyeri 'Palibin'---Dwarf Korean Lilac---topgraft
Chamaecyparis
obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'---Dwarf Hinoki Cypress---topgraft
Pinus
strobus 'Minuta'---Dwarf White Pine---topgraft
Euonymous
alatus 'Compactus'---Burning Bush---topgraft
Enkianthus
campanulatus---Redvein Enkianthus---treeform
Viburnum
plicatum tomentosum---Doublefile Viburnum---treeform
Hamamelis
x intermedia 'Arnold Promise'---Arnold Promise Witch Hazel---treeform
Clethra
barbinervis---Japanese Clethra---treeform
Corylopsis
spicata---Spike Winterhazel---treeform
Picea
Pungens Globosa--Dwarf Blue Spruce--topgraft
Viburnum
Carlesi--Korean Spicebush--topgraft
Physocarpos
opulifolium 'Diablo'--Ninebark--treeform
Hydrangea
paniculata 'Limelight'--Hydrangea--treeform
Juniperus
squamata 'Blue Star'--Blue Star Juniper--topgraft
Juniperus
procumbens Nana--Dwarf Japanese Juniper--topgraft
i
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