If you're a gardener or landscape enthusiast, you've likely heard of the American Pillar, a captivating shrub that has been gaining popularity in recent years. This versatile plant offers a unique and eye-catching addition to any outdoor space, and today, we'll delve into its history, characteristics, and why it's becoming a must-have for many homeowners and gardeners.
The American Pillar, also known as the Arborvitae 'American Pillar', is a cultivar of the common Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), a coniferous evergreen native to eastern North America. What sets the American Pillar apart is its distinctive columnar or pillar-like growth habit, which can reach up to 20 feet in height but only 3-4 feet in width, making it an ideal choice for tight spaces or as a focal point in the landscape.
The plant's foliage is a rich, deep green, with scale-like leaves that create a lush, textured appearance. As the name suggests, the American Pillar's growth pattern is remarkably upright and uniform, giving it a stately and elegant presence in the garden. This unique form also makes it a popular choice for hedges, screens, and even as a standalone specimen plant.
One of the key advantages of the American Pillar is its adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and can tolerate a variety of soil types, from well-drained to moist. This hardy shrub is also relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional pruning to maintain its shape and size.
In terms of uses, the American Pillar is a versatile plant that can serve multiple purposes in the landscape. Its columnar form makes it an excellent choice for creating vertical interest and adding structure to gardens, while its dense foliage makes it an effective privacy screen or windbreak. Additionally, the plant's compact size makes it suitable for small gardens, container plantings, or as a focal point in larger landscapes.
If you're interested in adding the American Pillar to your garden, you'll be pleased to know that it is widely available through nurseries, garden centers, and online retailers. Many specialty growers and nurseries, such as A.J.'s Evergreen Nursery in Westminster, MA, have made this shrub a specialty, offering a wide selection of sizes and cultivars to choose from.
In conclusion, the American Pillar is a remarkable shrub that combines striking visual appeal with practical benefits. Whether you're looking to add vertical interest, create privacy, or simply enjoy the beauty of a unique and well-behaved plant, the American Pillar is definitely worth considering for your outdoor space. So why not explore this captivating addition to the world of gardening and see how it can transform your landscape?
The History and Origin of the American Pillar
The American Pillar, a cultivar of the common Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), has a fascinating history that dates back to the early 20th century. The original plant was discovered in the 1920s by a nurseryman in the United States, who recognized its unique and desirable growth habit.
The American Pillar's distinctive columnar form is believed to have arisen as a natural mutation within the Arborvitae species. This chance occurrence was then carefully selected and propagated by horticulturists, who recognized the plant's potential for use in landscaping and gardens.
Over the decades, the American Pillar has become increasingly popular, particularly in regions where space is at a premium. Its compact size and upright growth pattern make it an ideal choice for urban and suburban settings, where traditional large-growing shrubs and trees may not be suitable.
Today, the American Pillar is widely cultivated and available through nurseries and garden centers across North America. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its versatility, hardiness, and the unique visual interest it brings to any landscape.
Characteristics of the American Pillar
The American Pillar is a striking and distinctive shrub that stands out in the garden. Its key characteristics include:
Growth Habit
The American Pillar is known for its remarkably upright and columnar growth pattern, reaching up to 25 feet in height but only 3-4 feet in width. This compact and uniform shape makes it an excellent choice for tight spaces or as a focal point in the landscape.
Foliage
The plant's foliage is a rich, deep green, with scale-like leaves that create a lush, textured appearance. The dense, evergreen foliage provides year-round interest and visual appeal.
Adaptability
The American Pillar is a hardy and adaptable plant, thriving in full sun to partial shade and a variety of soil types, from well-drained to moist. This versatility makes it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners.
Versatility
The American Pillar's compact size and columnar form make it suitable for a wide range of landscape applications, including hedges, screens, foundation plantings, and even container gardens.
Cultivating and Caring for the American Pillar
Growing the American Pillar is relatively straightforward, as it is a hardy and adaptable plant. Here are some tips for successfully cultivating and caring for this versatile shrub:
Planting
Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade, and ensure the soil is well-drained. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage if necessary. Plant the American Pillar at the same depth it was growing in the container or nursery.
Watering
Newly planted American Pillars will need regular watering to establish a strong root system. Once established, the plant is relatively drought-tolerant, but it will benefit from occasional deep watering during dry spells.
Pruning
Regular pruning is recommended to maintain the American Pillar's distinctive columnar shape. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing any wayward or crossing branches to keep the plant's form tidy and uniform.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to provide the American Pillar with the nutrients it needs for healthy growth and development.
By following these simple guidelines, gardeners can enjoy the beauty and versatility of the American Pillar for years to come.
Discovering the Many Uses of the American Pillar
The American Pillar's unique characteristics make it a versatile plant with a wide range of applications in the landscape. Here are some of the ways this captivating shrub can be utilized:
Hedges and Screens
The American Pillar's compact, columnar form and dense foliage make it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, or formal hedges. Its uniform growth habit allows for a cohesive and visually striking border.
Foundation Plantings
The American Pillar's upright growth pattern and relatively small size make it an ideal choice for foundation plantings, where it can add structure and visual interest to the front of a home or building.
Specimen Plantings
As a standalone specimen plant, the American Pillar's striking silhouette and year-round foliage can serve as a focal point in the garden, drawing the eye and adding a sense of elegance and formality.
Container Gardening
The American Pillar's compact size and adaptability make it a great choice for container gardening, allowing gardeners to incorporate this unique shrub into small spaces or urban settings.
Landscaping Accents
The American Pillar's versatility extends to its use as an accent plant, where it can be strategically placed to add vertical interest, balance, and visual contrast to a larger landscape design.
No matter how you choose to incorporate the American Pillar into your outdoor space, its distinctive form, hardy nature, and year-round appeal are sure to make it a standout addition to your garden.
Sourcing the American Pillar
If you're interested in adding the American Pillar to your landscape, you'll be pleased to know that it is widely available through a variety of sources. Many nurseries and garden centers, such as A.J.'s Evergreen Nursery in Westminster, MA, specialize in this unique shrub, offering a range of sizes and cultivars to choose from.
When shopping for the American Pillar, be sure to look for healthy, well-established plants that have been properly cared for. Pay attention to the plant's size, shape, and overall condition, as these factors will contribute to its successful establishment and long-term growth in your garden.
In addition to local nurseries, the American Pillar can also be purchased through online retailers and specialty growers. This can be a convenient option for gardeners who may not have access to a wide selection of plants in their immediate area.
Regardless of where you source your American Pillar, be sure to follow the recommended planting and care guidelines to ensure the plant thrives in its new home. With the right conditions and a little TLC, this captivating shrub will reward you with its striking appearance and year-round interest for many years to come.
So why not explore the world of the American Pillar and see how this versatile and stunning plant can transform your outdoor space? Whether you're looking to create a formal hedge, add vertical interest, or simply enjoy the beauty of a unique and well-behaved shrub, the American Pillar is definitely worth considering.