ASIAN HIGHLANDS GARDEN TOUR

Asian Highlands was constructed in 1995-96. Instead of replicating the Siberian Tiger, Palis Cat, and Amur Leopard’s natural habitats, the landscape architect decided to focus on plants from Asia, Siberia, and the Amur region that had horticultural value. The initial idea was that a visitor could walk though a Larch forest, then into a Ginkgo forest and appreciate the beauty of these two species. Larix decidua, commonly called the European Larch, is hardy to zone 4. It is unique because the tree bears cones, yet loses its needles in the fall after they turn yellow. The Ginkgo biloba is also hardy to zone 4 and is best known as a herb with medicinal value good for depression, memory loss, headaches, and tinnitis. In Spring 2002, we planted two Amur Mackii, a small tree with silvery new foliage that boasts unique fragranced white blossoms in mid-summer. Several of these Maackii amurensis were also planted in the African Rift Valley project, so we will see if the trees perform differently in these two sites. Ulmus parvifolia, or Lacebark Elm, has been an interesting tree because it has struggled for the past several years but now is very lush. It was so late to leaf this spring that we almost removed it. Hopefully, it will grow to maturity so that the mottled and irregularly exfoliating bark will show. Metasequoia glyptostroboides, or Dawn Redwood, is a deciduous tree with evergreen-like leaves and a uniform conical habit. According to fossil records, the Dawn Redwood was originally native to North America but disappeared for 15 million years and was reintroduced in the 1940’s.

As the shrubs have matured, this garden has taken on a lush feel. For this reason, we have strayed from the original intent and added other lush, horticulturally interesting plants. The plant that has drawn the most attention is the Phyllostachys aureosulcata, or Yellow Groove Bamboo. Traditionally, bamboo hasn’t been considered a hardy plant, but recent breeding efforts have developed varieties that grow well in our conditions. In our garden, Yellow Groove reaches five to six feet tall and remains evergreen most of the year.

In March or April, the Magnolia stellata produce fragrant white blossoms that stand out against the gray bark of this zone 4 plant. Despite our irregular spring frosts, the Star Magnolia continues to bloom. Hamamelis virginia, commonly called Common Witchhazel, also has fragrant flowers but draws less attention because they are small, yellow, and open in November and December. This shrub has performed well despite being zone 5. Another plant of interest is Sibiraea laevigata, or Siberian Spirea. This five foot by five foot shrub was featured as a 2002 Denver Botanic Gardens/Colorado State University Plant Select plant and is suppose to be hardy to 7000 feet. This is our first attempt at this plant so we will soon discover if it withstands the winter on Cheyenne Mountain. Pink Dawn Viburnun, or Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn,’ has very fragrant pink flowers in early spring. This variety is less hardy than other Viburnum species like Nannyberry, Wayfaring Tree, Snowball Bush, American and European Cranberrry, which often have non-fragrant white flowers, wildlife-attracting red to black berries, and bright red fall color.
 

The Asian Highlands garden is primarily woody plants but there are a few perennials worth highlighting. Fire Tails recently underwent botanic reclassification and now is named Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Speciosa’. It also draws much favor in late summer as the red and pink flowers cover the plant. Caesar’s Brother Siberian Iris has performed well in Asian Highlands. This plant is hardy to 9000 feet and boasts large deep purple blooms in May and June. Other perennials in the area include Sweet Woodruff, Monarda, Partygirl Mini Hollyhock, and Hosta. Many of these will be discussed in greater detail in gardens where they are more prevalent.