6/22/10 TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE FOG

FOGGY MORN
MULTIFLORA ROSE
FALSE SPIREA
GOAT'S BEARD
JAPANESE TREE LILAC

Tuesday, 7:15 AM. 61.5 degrees, wind N, calm. The city is immersed in dense fog, and the fog horns have been blowing. There is another 1.5” of rain in the gage. The barometer predicts partly cloudy skies but it will be a while.
The Japanese tree lilac (Syringia reticulata) and the Chinese tree lilac (Syringia x chinensis) are quite similar, the former more tree like and the latter more shrubby. Both make excellent landscape ornamental plants, and the Japanese tree lilac a very nice small ornamental street tree.
The goat’s beard, Aruncus dioica, is a handsome, hardy shrub native to the lower Midwest and should be used more in landscaping than it has been.
The Asian false Spirea, Sorbaria sorbifolia, is an attractive shrub but spreads greatly in the landscape and should be used with caution.
The Asian multiflora rose, Rosa multiflora, was formerly used much in conservation work but is very invasive and is now out of favor.
It is too wet for yard work so I will stay at my desk today.