North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[nottke1 <nottke1@earthlink.net>]

Ginda,
I suggest Spicebush (Lindera benzoin).  It is hardy in zones 4-9.  Grows 8-12 
ft high and 3-4 ft wide in my front yard where they get east sun for 2-3 
hours first thing in the morning, then shaded by large oaks and hickories the 
rest of the day.  They are dioecious, with both male and female flowers 
appearing like miniature witchhazel blossoms before the leaves come out - 
mine are in full bloom now.  The shiny red berries on the female plants are 
delicious, like vanilla/nutmeg with a bit of pepper.  The plants can be 
trained to a single trunk or a multistem shrub.  Some years leaves turn 
bright yellow for a week or two before falling.  No diseases or pests.  Host 
for the Spicebush Swallowtail, whose caterpillar is as entertaining as they 
come.
There are a few named cultivars, but the ones I have seen aren't worth the 
upcharge (mine were free from the woods).
Jim Nottke
Z7 in NC

-----Original Message-----
>From: list@ginda.us
>Sent: Mar 17, 2007 10:53 AM
>To: NAFEX <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
>Subject: [NAFEX] Off topic - landscaping advice wanted
>
>Well, it's not completely off-topic, as it would be fun to get a  
>fruiting plant. . .
>
>I have a sort of built-in concrete planter between the driveway, the  
>house, and the staircase to the front door.  It's 3' by 3' wide, and  
>at least 4' deep - I doubt there's actually a "bottom" but there's  
>probably not great dirt lower down, since there's foundation and  
>stuff under there.  Right now it holds a large arborvita, which is  
>currently weighed down with snow and bent over the staircase.   
>There's a matching arborvita on the other side of the garage (at the  
>corner of the house) and a much nicer one at the other corner of the  
>house.
>
>The arborvita that blocks the staircase has to go.  I am looking for  
>a suitable replacement.  I might replace the one on the other side of  
>the driveway at the same time, for symmetry.  Whatever I get needs to
>
>*thrive in zone 6, with the protection of the house
>*do okay in shade from nearby white oaks
>*stay no more than 3' wide when mature
>*be satisfied with the 3'x3' pot
>*be at least 4' tall.  Anything up to 15' or 20' could be okay, and a  
>mature height of 8'-10' is probably optimal
>*look nice year round
>
>The house faces south east, and white oaks don't cast deep shade, so  
>there's enough light for many plants (the arborvita is pretty happy,  
>and I grow impatiens and yew and grass in slightly heavier shade  
>nearby.)  But maybe not enough light for fruit?    The soil is  
>probably somewhat acid, this being New England, and is otherwise  
>pretty good.  Sort of mixed loam and chunks of granite and rotting  
>oak leaves.  Actually, I wonder if the proximity of the concrete  
>changes the pH of the soil?
>
>Ultimately, I suppose I'll go to some nearby nurseries and see what's  
>available, but I'd like some ideas of what I ought to look for.    
>I've been experimenting with cold-hardy camellias, thinking that  
>might be fun, but they aren't reliable enough for such a prominent  
>position.  I've also considered an upright sort of blueberry - one  
>with red stems might be nice in the winter, but they grow awfully  
>slowly, and I'm not sure there's enough light there.
>
>Thanks,
>Ginda
>
>eastern Mass., zone 6, digging out slowly. . .
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