Blogs Me

New Years has passed and now its time to get back to work. For 2014, we here at Warming Trends have unveiled a new line of Crossfire Burners that are exclusively made of brass. This means we are able to offer a LIFETIME WARRANTY on all of our brass burning systems. The non-corrosive properties of brass will allow our burners to outlast all other burners on the market.

550K BTU 14 Linear Brass Crossfire Burner

The unique thing about our Crossfire Burners are that they mix a precise air-to-gas ratio to achieve a dancing, vortex flame that is twice as high as a traditional fire ring, all while consuming half the fuel. This means you are saving money by burning half the fuel. Available in LP or NG, we can custom build you any size and shape burner for your custom fire pit, fireplace or fire feature.

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When you are ready to take your custom fire pit to the next level, please visit us online or call today, 1-877-556-5255.

And why shouldn’t the green rule in June? For plants, June is the peak of the year. The horticultural year climaxes in the summer solstice. The long days and warm temperatures allow plants to ripen to their perfect potency. Just after the solstice, many plants start their preparations for winter, triggered by the shortening days to store energy in bulbs and tubers. While the rest of us blithely eat ice cream and watch fireworks, our green brothers and sisters are already preparing for the end.

This is perhaps why June makes me contemplate my own ending. If I could script my final act, what better way to expire than in a garden in June? There are so many good endings. Perhaps I would be reaching for a mulberry atop a ladder, after picking clean all the lower branches. Why is it that the branch just above your reach is always the most laden with fruit? They would find me tossed in the tall grass with purple-stained lips and fingertips. Or perhaps I could go at the hands of one of the highly poisonous horticultural oddities I decided to grow in the desperation of winter. I would be hunched over in the cutting garden with Felco pruners in one hand, and the thorny stem of Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) in the other.  [Mulberry Image on left from fruitcity.co.uk]

But these endings are enjoyable to me because they avoid a long demise of old age. The demise is inevitable, of course, and I suppose that a June garden is still the best setting for that as well. In this case, the thought that gives me comfort is not so much being in the garden when I decline, but actively cutting, potting, and digging. The act of gardening is the most human engagement I know, and I want to feel most fully like myself during the years that I lose myself. The green onslaught of June will ultimately come and erase any evidence of my garden, but my great hope is that I will be there at the end with trowel in hand to resist it.

Butia

* page under construction...completed Jan 6 2012

Butia capitata ( Jelly Palm )
A slow growing, hardy Palm, reaching around 25 feet, that is native to Uruguay and eastern Brazil.
Some records include: 20 years - 17 x 17 feet; largest on record - 40 x 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet. This Palm can make up to 10 inches in trunk growth a year though as much as 3 feet has been reported though extremely rare. In appearance it looks somewhat like a shorter Phoenix canariensis.
The dead frond bases remain attrached to the thick trunk.
The graceful, arching to recurved, feathery, pinnate leaves are blue-green and up to 6 ( 17 ) feet in length. The leaflets are up to 30 x 1 inches.
The short flowers clusters, up to 6 feet in length, are yellow or pinkish.
The flowers are followed by yellow to red, sweet, edible berries up to an inch that are borne in large, heavy clusters. The fruit taste somewhat like pineapple.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 ( zone 7 on very protected sites, tolerating as low as 0 F ) on a hot sunny site though also tolerant of partial shade.
Very vigorous in Cornwall, England and also grows in coastal Oregon and on protected sites in Washington, DC and Vancouver BC. It has been reported to survive -10 F with trunk wrapping. Unfortunately, the Pindo Palm will defoliate at temperatures less than 20 F. Very tolerant of heat and drought; too much water or high water table can cause disease. It is in fact the most drought tolerant of all the pinnate frond palms.
The Pindo Palm is also moderately salt tolerant and is also very easy to grow in large planters or containers outdoors.
It is generally sold in nurseries as a containerized plant.

* photo of unknown internet source



Butia eriospatha

Slow growing Palm making up to 13 inches trunk growth in a year. This Palm is hardy north to zone 7 and can tolorate 0 F

Butia frondosa
Reaches up to 40 feet.

Butia paraguayensis

Growing to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide; this Palm is hardy to 5 F

Butia yatay
A medium-sized Palm that is native to Argentina. Some records include: largest on record - 70 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet.
The pinnate fronds are up to 7 feet in length.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 ( tolerating as low as 10 F ).

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And finally, as the burning systems flames start kicking up, the steel logs heat up and disperse heat on top of the flames themselves.



So when you are in the market for a custom fire pit and the accessories that accompany them, keep in mind you will still need to cover your pan and burning system with some type of medium, fire glass or lava rock, as well as the fire logs. Fire logs themselves must rest on one of these mediums as they are not designed to rest directly on the pan and burning system. We here at Warming Trends will be happy to help you out with any questions you may have. Call us today for a quote! 1-877-556-5255.

Crape Myrtle Sioux

I just gazed out into my garden on this autumn day and had to share the spectacular array of color that was before me.  This is certainly one of the most beautiful fall displays we have had in a long time here in the Northeast. It is about to rain so the lighting is just right.  I had to run out with my camera in a timely fashion before the weather took a turn for the worse. It was one of those rare Canon moments that I could not resist and would probably not be able to capture again.   The Crape Myrtle Sioux is magnificent standing in all its fall glory displaying hues of orange to red and the grasses are displaying their showy plumes and golden color.  The flower caps on the Sedum Brilliant are now a fiery orange-red and the heuchera are showing off a brilliant  burgundy glow.  A blend of oranges, reds and gold playfully dance in the wind as displayed by Spirea Gold Flame.   Then onto the Coral Bark Maple that glows like golden rays of sunshine and this specimen will soon show off its spectacular fiery red bark in winter.   The Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Golden Oriental Spruce now against the oranges and gold of fall are absolutely vibrant.  This is just a brief moment captured in time that will change again tomorrow and the next day and the next until this show is over and winter sets in.  Then the gentle flakes of snow will settle on the garden and bring forth even more to gaze at in awe.  A garden really is forever changing and can be enjoyed throughout every season of the year. There is always something new to encounter and this fall display is a real crowd pleaser. Enjoy the photos! 


Dwarf Fountain Grass, Sedum and Juniperus Blue Star



Crape Myrtle in Background with Hinoki Cypress Aurea to left

Coral Bark Maple



Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (Back Left), Golden Oriental Spruce Skylands (Right), Barberry & Nepeta



Coral Bark Maple (Back Left), Golden Oriental Spruce Skylands (Right), Barberry(Front Center)

Crape Myrtle Sioux and Weeping Norway Spruce

Ziziphus jujuba ( Chinese Jujube )

Also called Chinese Date. A fast growing, spiny, stocky, dense, medium sized tree native to a wide range from southern Europe to China. With good pruning and training, this becomes a very attractive landscape tree reaching up to 40 feet or more. Records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 4 + feet; 3 years - 18 feet; largest on record - 62 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.5 feet.
The oval, serrate-edged leaves are up to 3 x 1.7 inches in size. The foliage is glossy deep green; turning to golden-yellow in autumn.
The tiny, creamy white flowers are borne in small axilliary clusters in late spring.
These are followed by plum like, deep red fruits up to an inch long, each with a single stone seed inside. The fruits are edible and can be candied, dried, preserved or eaten fresh. A single tree can bear up to 30 pounds of fruit in a year though up to 100 pounds have been reported on exceptional trees.
The bark is rough and light gray.
Hardy zones 5 to 10 ( tolerating as low as -25 F with no damage and surviving as low as -28 F ). It is tolerant of severe heat / drought and also clay and urban conditions.


* photos taken on 4th of July 2010 in Washington, D.C.












Insermis
a thornless clone with fruit up to 2 inches in length. Has excellent potential as a hardy urban tree.

Li
Self pollinating with fruits up to 2 inches in length.

Ziziphus lotus ( Lotus Fruit )
A small to medium size, deciduous shrub to 6 feet that is native to northern Africa. The largest on record is only 17 feet. It bears small, edible, dark yellow, round fruits up to 0.5 inches across on tangled, thorny branches. A drink can be made from the edible fruits. Hardy zones 10 to 12.

* photos of unknown source on internet


Ziziphus mauritanicus ( Indian Plum )
A fast growing, medium-sized tree reaching 40 feet or more. Some records include: fastest growth rate - trunk diameter increase of 0.5 inches; 4 years - 20 feet; largest on record - 66 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.5 feet.
The glossy, deep green, rounded leaves are up to 3.2 x 3.2 inches in size.
The foliage can be deciduous or evergreen depending on climate.
Trees bear 5,000 to 10,000 small fruits per year in India. Superior grafted trees may yield as many as 30,000 fruits. The best cultivar in India yields up to 175 lbs annually
This tree is extremely hardy, can tolerate extreme heat as well as soil PH up to 9.
Hardy zones 9 to 11. It has been known to survive on as little as 5 inches of rain in a single year with its deep taproot helping it survive drought.
A thornless variety has excellent potential as a dry climate urban shade tree.

* photos of unknown source on internet
* photo of unknown source on internet



Ziziphus mucronulata ( Buffalo Thorn )
A small tree to 20 feet with the largest ever recorded being only 40 x 45 feet. It is also fast growing, reaching as much as 20 feet in only 4 years. The leaves are up to 3 inches in length and the twigs are thorny. The fruits are deep red and while not very tasty, are very nutritious.
It has distinctive zigzag branchlets, and straight or hooked thorns.
The bark is a red-brown later becoming roughly mottled grey and cracked into small rectangular blocks.
Hardy north to zone 9; it is tolerant of intense heat and can survive on as little as 18 inches of yearly annual rainfall.
Thornless varieties exists and show excellent potential for urban shade in dry climates.






Ziziphus obtusifolia ( Texas Jujube )
Also called Graythorn or Condalia obtusifolia. A thorny, deciduous, large shrub or small tree ( if trained ) native from California to Oklahoma and central Texas. The largest on record is only 25 x 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 5 inches.
The narrow, oblong leaves, up to 1.3 inches in length, are gray-green.
The small, bright yellowish-green flowers are borne during late spring.
They are followed by showy, elliptical, bluish-black berries, up to 0.8 x 0.3 inches in size. The berries are great for attracting birds.
Hardy zones 7 to 11 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil, this extremely drought and heat tolerant tree shows much potential for use in dry climates.

Ziziphus spina-christi ( Crown of Thorns )
A small evergreeen tree to 25 feet or more that is native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean region. It is long lived and of moderate growth rate and the largest ever recorded is 66 x 31 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot. The trunk on this tree is commonly twisted.
Oval leaves up to 3 x 1.5 inches cover the upright, thorny branches.
The flowers are small and woolly but are borne in large axilliary clusters.
Small, shiny black fruits follow the flowers.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 tolerating as low as -15 F; this extremely drought tolerant tree thrives in regions with from 4 to 20 inches of yearly rainfall.

Feijoa sellowiana
Also called Acca sellowiana, it is the lone species of Feijoa within the Myrtaceae family. It is a rapid growing, small tree, reaching a maximum size of 33 x 33 feet, that is native to high elevations in South America ( from Columbia to southern Brazil; south to Uruguay to northern Argentina. In cooler climates, it is more often found as a shrub, especially used as a hedge or screen.
The attractive leaves, up to 3 x 1.6 inches, are glossy deep green above, white felted beneath.
The white to pink ( with deep red stamens ) flowers are up to 1.6 inches across.
The edible flowers are often added to fruit salads.
The flowers attract hummingbirds.
They are followed by aromatic, oval fruits, up to 4 inches in length, are reddish-green. The flesh is white on the edible fruits. While some varieties are self-fertile, others need multiple plants for pollination.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on light, well drained soil. It gains hardiness as it ages, older plants may
tolerate as low as 5 F ). It is known to grow in the British Isles as far north as western Scotland, however temperatures below 16 F will eliminate fruit production for that year. The Pineapple Guava requires hot summers for good fruit production.

* videos found on Youtube



Variegata
Foliage is edged in white.

Dwarf Fountain Grass (right) . Spirea (left) , Hosta (center)

The Fall garden can be beautiful in its own way. Seen here is a combination of grasses, spirea and hosta in all its’ fall glory. As the days become shorter and temperatures lower an array of oranges, yellows, reds and tans emerge in the garden. When I design I like to use plantings that show off their beauty in the later summer and fall as well as in the warmer temperatures. Just as other colors fade grasses just start to get their abundant plumes and spirea go into a color burst of oranges and yellows.

Sedum Brilliant

As I gaze into my garden an array of deep pink now steals the show. This autumn favorite is Sedum ‘Brilliant’. Sedum is just going into bloom now at the end of summer and it holds its color well into autumn. Sedum comes in a variety of sizes and colors including Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (18-24” orange blooms), Sedum ‘Brilliant’ (18 “ rose blooms), Sedum ‘Rose Glow ‘ (8-12” pink blooms) and Sedum ‘Fulda Glow’ (4” rose-red blooms). Other fall favorites include: Callicarpa (Beauty Bush) with its deep purple berries, Perovskia (Russian Sage), Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan), Agastache (Hyssop) and Hamamelis (Witch Hazel). Just as the other elements in the garden start their exit these beauties begin their vibrant display. 
 

Callicarpa

As far as maintenance is concerned it is good practice to prune back spent perennials to a few inches above the ground to prevent fungal diseases and to surround the area with a layer of mulch that will insulate the plants during winter. It is best to completely cut back perennials such as hosta, daylily, nepeta, salvia, coreopsis, and gallardia to prevent disease. Grasses on the other hand should be kept throughout the winter in order to protect the roots and cut back to about 4-6 inches off the ground in late March. If your grasses are a bit unruly at the end of the summer season you can take off a portion of the top but it is recommended that the majority of the cutting back be done after the harsh winter. Plants such as heuchera (coral bells) continue to show color throughout the winter and are prone to frost heaving so they are best cleaned up in the spring. Astilbe, Liatris, Lavender, Russian Sage and especially Lupine are sensitive to cold and are better being pruned back in early spring after the cold temperatures have ceased. Black Eyed Susan and Coneflowers even though not that attractive in winter serve an excellent food source for birds and can be cut back in early spring.

Fast rhizome spreaders; the Rodgersias form spectacular tropical looking groundcover and specimen plants for swampy landscapes and pond edges under the dappled shade of tall trees. They can be grown on more upland sites however they could very likely need some kind of supplemental water.
Preferring deep, moist, rich, cool soil on sheltered sites; in such ideal conditions the Rodgersias foliage often puts on an amazing show of intense orange-red in the fall. After the fall color fades, cut back to near ground level and mulch with chopped leaves. Rodgersias are not generally bothered by pests or diseases. They can be somewhat slow to fully establish after transplanted. Propagation can be from division during late winter or very early spring or seed sown during early spring.

* photo taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA


Rodgersia aesculifolia ( Fingerleaf Rodgersia )
Native to western China; this spectacular deciduous perennial forms a massive, fast growing clump that can reach as large as 7 x 7 feet while in bloom.
The leaves have brown-red stalks and divide into 7 large crinkled leaflets up to 12 x 5 inches in size. These leaflets are deep green with deeply impressed reddish veins. The entire leaf including the stalk can be up 40 x 24 inches in size. The foliage resembles that of the Horse Chestnut.
The abundant, small, white flowers are densely borne in airy infloresences up to 24 inches long on tall stalks up to 7 feet in height. The flowers are borne mid to late summer.
The seed heads are reddish.
Grows best on constantly moist, deep soil from zone 3 to 6 but grows as far south as zone 8 if kept very moist. It prefers partial to full shade, but can tolerate sun on moist sites as well.

* photos taken on May 6 2010 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD




* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum

* photo of unknown internet source

* photo taken on May 17 2013 in Baltimore Co., MD


Rodgersia Fireworks
Red edged deep green foliage

Rodgersia henrici
Similar to Rodgersia aescilifolia except for having red flowers from June to July and longer narrower bronze tinted leaflets up to 12 inches in length. Native from Tibet to China; it can form a large clump to 6 x 5 feet while in full bloom.
Hardy zones 4 to 7

Rodgersia pinnata ( Featherleaf Rodgersia )
Native to western China; this stately perennial forms a large clump reaching as large as 6 x 7 feet while in bloom. It makes a great architectural plant, especially next to water features.
The deciduous pinnate leaves are very large, up to 36 inches. They divided into 9 oppositely arranged, bronze tinted deep green elliptic leaflets, up to 8 or rarely 11 x 5 inches.
From June to July, white flowers are borne in inflorescenses up to 24 inches in length on tall clusters totalling 6 feet in height.
The flowers are followed by showy red seed heads.
Grows best on constantly moist, deep soil from zone 4 to 6 but grows as far south as zone 8 if kept very moist. It prefers partial to full shade, but can tolerate sun on moist sites as well.

* photo taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europes premier plant nursery


Elegans
Glossy deep green foliage. Intense hot pink flowers that are densely clustered on stems reaching up to 4 feet in height.

Hercules

* photo taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA


Irish Bronze
Foliage is shiny, bright reddish-bronze.
Creamy pink flowers.

Superba
Foliage is purplish in spring later turning to deep green.
The flowers are red-pink in infloresences up to 20 inches in length.

Rodgersia podophylla ( Bronze Rodgersia )
A spectacular specimen perennial native to Japan and Korea; it forms a large clump that can reach 5 x 6 feet in leaf and a maximum size in bloom of 7 x 7 feet.
The deciduous foliage is very large, up to 3 x 4 ( rarely over 2 x 3 ) feet and divides into intensely crinkled leaflets with 5 deep lobes up to 18 x 10 inches. They have the appearance of the Horse Chestnut. The foliage is shiny red-bronze in spring before turning to green then turning scarlet-red during autumn. When well grown; this plant is very dramatic with a bold textural effect!
From June to August; white flowers are borne clustered on tall stalks up to 7 feet in height. The flower clusters reach up to 18 inches in length.
Very easy to grow but prefers deep soil that is always moist in partial to full shade. It can however tolerate sun on swampy sites that never dry out. Prefers zones 4 to 6 however can grow as far south as zone 8.


* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum


* photos taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.






* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD






* photo taken on annual Horticultural Society of Maryland Garden Tour

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC


Emerald
Intense emerald green foliage and white flowers

Redleaf
Red-green new foliage turning green

Rotlaub
Foliage remains bronze in color much later into the season

Rubra
deep purple very glossy foliage.

Smaragd
deep green foliage

Rodgersia sambucifolia ( Elderberry Rodgersia )
Native to western China; this species is similar to R. pinnata except its smaller leaves resemble that of the Sambucus - Elderberry. It is smaller than the other species, reaching around 3 feet or rarely as much as 6 x 4 feet.
The pinnate leaves are up to 30 or rarely over 42 inches long and are divided into up to 11 dull deep green narrow leaflets, up to 13 x 5 inches in size.
The creamy-white flowers are borne on a tall flat topped inflorescence up to 7.3 feet in height.
Prefers moist shady sites and is hardy north to zone 3
Red Skin
Deep red new foliage in spring turning to deep green in summer.

Rodgersia tabularis ( Shieldleaf Rodgersia )
Also called Astilboides tabularis. Native to China and reaches up to 6 x 5 feet while in bloom. This spectacular plant looks great in the woodland garden mixed with Hostas and Ferns and also next to the water.
The giant tropical looking foliage is scalloped and nearly round. The deep green leaves, up to 40 inches across are borne on long stalks.
The creamy white flowers in large plumes borne on long stalks during early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in partial to full shade on moist, fertile, acidic soil.
Propagation is from division while dormant or seed.