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By the end of April and into May, my Japanese black pines (Pinus thunbergii) are full of pollen and the little baby cones are waving around on the top. Some candles have only one or the other, some have both pollen and seed cones. The baby cones on top look like little snail antennae or extraterrestrial eyeballs.
Sometimes before the pollen is ready to fly I will gently roll off the pollen cones. Its not necessary but it gives me something to do when I am out looking at my trees.
In March I wrote about the delicate unfurling of deciduous leaves but the pines are much more direct in their display of spring growth. Some cultivars are even selected for their showy candles (new growth on pine trees) such as the Pinus thunbergii âThundercloudâ with huge candles coated in a bright white gauzy casing, or Pinus densifloria âGoldilocksâ with bright yellow candles that glow in the morning sun.
Conifers might not have dramatic flowers but the new cones can be saturated with color and texture, looking like jewels nestled among the needles. I will never forget the time when Doug Wilson snapped in half a fresh cone of Abies koreana âHorstmannâs Silberlocke. Inside was the most beautiful purple and green rosette. I felt like the universe had expanded.
I love a good visual so I made a short video. I hope you enjoy it and are inspired to go out and find your own conifer treasures this spring.
On My Mind...
The Oregon Garden
Many of my photos of are taken in the Conifer Collection at the Oregon Garden in Silverton Oregon. It is about an hour away from Portland and well worth the visit. I am fortunate enough to volunteer there occasionally.
Future Library Trust
futurelibrary.no has an amazing website and an incredible story to tell. If you love trees, books and art then check it out. Someday I hope to visit.
Going ons
The Maple Society of North America is co-hosting an event May 16th and 17th in Portland Oregon and surrounding areas. It is open to members and non-members. If you want to see amazing gardens and some of the fabulous conifers I mentioned above as well as incredible collections of maples then you should go! Register here and have an amazing weekend.
Save the date for the North America Japanese Garden Association 7th International Japanese Garden conference October 15-18, 2025 in St. Louis, MO. It will be hosted by the Missouri Botanic Garden. I have been to each conference since the first at the Denver Botanic garden in 2012. Each one has been full of unique presentations, beautiful gardens, and amazing people who are generous with their knowledge and enthusiasm.
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