Question: When is a golden larch not a Golden larch? The answer is, when it's a Dahurian larch in late autumn. The Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii) is an uncommon tree, rarely seen in cultivation outside of botanical gardens and arboreta. Native to Asia from Siberia into Mongolia, northeastern China, and North Korea, it is a deciduous conifer that sheds its needles every fall and regrows a new set the following spring.

The exact age of our specimen is unknown, as its planting predates by many decades the era of computerized plant record keeping, prior to which few written records remain. I would estimate it to be greater than 60 years of age. My impression is that it doesn’t seem to be significantly larger than when it first caught my eye in the early 1970’s. Our specimen is singularly noteworthy because larches are so rarely seen in this part of the Midwest. Most species are native to northern regions having cooler and wetter climates. It’s a healthy tree despite a sparse and open habit. It suffered collateral damage in a storm several years ago when falling limbs from a nearby tree broke some lower branches, but nonetheless its vigor remains unchanged.

Not to be confused with its cousin, the Golden larch (Pseudolarix amabilis), which sheds golden needles earlier in October. The Dahurian larch typically retains its needles several weeks longer every fall. In its autumn glory, it can be easily located in the Holly Fields, just south and west of the statue of Mother and Child, standing against an evergreen backdrop of tall American holly trees.

Pinus virginiana ‘Wate’s Golden’ is a fine example of the diversity of needle color within the plant group of evergreens. The needles turn a rich golden color for the winter months and dispel the assumption that all evergreens are just that- green.

The specimen in the Kemper Vegetable Garden (We have a test area in the northwest corner for new plants of all kinds) is about twenty feet high and has been with us since the opening of Kemper Gardens in 1995. This uncommon pine has been given a less than stately common name of scrub pine, attesting to the wide range of soils that it will thrive in. Clay or poor soils are not a problem.

The habit is loosely pyramidal with a fairly open habit. We prune our specimen to fit in a rather tight space. Some of us may have small gardens which can only accommodate trees that can be selectively pruned to maintain size such as this pine.

The nativity of the pine is at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. We positioned it against a north wall for protection. It has made it through every winter since planting and I am convinced that it will grow in our area as long as it is not planted in the middle of a windy field.

Visit our Kassabaum Dwarf Conifer Garden in front of the Climatron this winter. You will see a very large array of conifer colors as well as golden selections. Some turn a plumy color in the winter while others are blue all year. Green does not aptly describe all of the many hues of the green colors present. Evergreens come to center stage in the dormant winter season of other deciduous plants. They add to the ‘bones’ of the garden as well. Treat yourself to a winter visit. Maybe you have room for one or more of these beauties to enhance your garden all year long.

Starting January 19, check back here for a wonderful listing of new and favorite classes in horticulture, crafts, art, cooking and more including a new line up for the weekend Gardening Blitz on February 21 and 22.

Coralberry is a native Missouri deciduous shrub loved for its clusters of coral-red berries (drupes) which mature in autumn but persist into winter. It provides excellent color and interest to the winter landscape. Berry-laden winter stems may be cut for indoor floral arrangements. Also commonly called Indian currant. Add it to your list of shrubs to plant next year and you will be rewarded with many years of winter interest.

In 2009 the Missouri Garden celebrates its 150 anniversary - 150 years of being green. Here is a thoughtful essay by John Smelser on his personal thoughts on how to be "green" in the garden and work towards a sustainable environment. We hope it inspires you to be as green as you can in 2009.

A new addition to the 2008 Plants of Merit list includes this dwarf cultivar of the Norway spruce family. ‘Acrocona’ is a broad, upright-spreading shrub or small tree, growing 5 – 10 feet over the first 10 years. Mature size is 20 feet tall. It features dark green needles and is perhaps best know for producing showy immature red cones at the branch ends in spring. (Acro meaning at the end) I’ve also heard ‘flowering spruce’ used as a common name because of its prolific brown-magenta colored cones. Cones mature to tan by summer. Use as a small specimen tree or large shrub. Also works well for screening.

Looking for a local source for this tree? Go to: www.plantsofmerit.org, then click on ‘plant finder’ for garden centers stocking this plant. Be sure to call ahead and check for availability.

No sooner had Chip shared his image of a witches' broom he took and one turned up on the 16 foot balsam fir (Abies balsamea) we just put up in the Kemper Center for the holidays! This is certainly the first one we have seen on a Christmas tree in the Center and maybe even in the Garden. It is cause by a rust fungus, Melamposorella caryophyllacearum. Most rusts have an alternate host and this one is chickweed! We have decided to leave it on the tree for our patrons to see, but when they occur on fir trees in the landscape (not a problem in Missouri) they should be cut out and destroyed. Any chickweed growing in the area should also be removed. You can view it along with the collection of wonderful, animal-theme decorated gourds, which embellish this year's holiday tree in the Kemper Center through January 4.

Never let it be said that a Crape Myrtle stops being beautiful when it defoliates. Bark colors range from very subtle to very colorful… those colors are enhanced significantly by planting this shrub in front of a light colored wall or a dark green conifer. Either way… it will please you throughout the winter months. Even the bark against this concrete wall makes a stunning image!