In memory of Chamaecyparis 'Ellwood's Pillar'
by Debbie Teashon
I was sad when I finally pulled a half scorched Chamaecyparis 'Ellwood's Pillar' out of the blue pot. After lying on the ground for a few days, it is now time to ready it for a decent compost burial.
The burn didn't show up for a few days, but the needles finally succombed to being burned and the branches on one side died.
During the late summer of last year (2019), the tree burned when a car parked next to it caught fire. The plants that burned next to the house almost caught the house on fire and trapped me inside my home — scary times.
Fortunately, the house did not catch fire, the firemen put the car out of its misery, and I only lost some plants. Never underestimate a plant's willingness to grow. Some that burnt to a crisp that I thought I lost, made a strong comeback this year. C. 'Ellwood's Pillar lost all its foliage on the fireside, and although the conifer lived, it could never recover the burnt branches it lost.
Over the years, I planted many different plants with the tree, but this planting I enjoyed with the blown glass.
The Recipe
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood's Pillar'
- Calibrachoa (not sure of its real botanical name but it is a double yellow and pink flower that turns pinker as it ages)
- Sutera cordata (Bacopa Snowtopia®)
- Two, blue, hand-blown glass pieces by Barbara Sanderson
Rest in peace, Ellwood's Pillar, an Acer is now growing in the pot in your honor.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Wendy Tweton and Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners)
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