Chief Joseph makes light of winter

Posted by Penny OSullivan in Featured Articles on 01 19th, 2012 | 8 comments

Want a plant that stands out in the winter landscape? ‘Chief Joseph’ lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ‘Chief Joseph’) does that with its stunning winter color. Typically described as squash yellow, ‘Chief Joseph” is pure gold–more specifically yellow with a slight orange tint and an ochre-ish undertone. In summer, the plant is green with not a hint of its dramatic winter look. The photo above shows a plant about 2 feet tall in my garden after a light snowfall. I feel happy on my garden walks when I visit this little lodgepole pine and other plants chosen for winter interest. After all, the next best thing to being outdoors on a warm sunny day is enjoying my plants on an icy cold one.

According to the folks at Washington State University, ‘Chief Joseph’ grows slowly (about 2 to 4 inches per year) to 6 feet high and 3 feet wide in 10 years. This lodgepole pine, discovered in northeastern Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains, is hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9.

Do you have a favorite winter tree or shrub?

8 Responses to “Chief Joseph makes light of winter”

  1. Carolyn Weston says:
    January 20, 2012 at 10:50 am

    Hi Penny! That’s a gorgeous tree! Looking forward to learning more at your lecture at the Boston Flower & Garden Show, “Four-Season Landscapes: Choosing Trees & Shrubs for Yearround Appeal” on Saturday, March 17 at 2:30pm!

    Reply
  2. Doug Morris says:
    January 20, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    Thanks for the winter color. I think I have the perfect place in the new garden out back. I am inclosing the back border of the property to form a new room. After wndering all the way back we felt there needed to be a place to rest and feel that you are alone and in your own world.

    Reply
  3. bob scherer says:
    January 20, 2012 at 8:13 pm

    Hi Penny,
    Know where I can get a nice-sized one? Jeni likes this plant too.

    I’m guessing that our gardens will be entirely snow covered before long. I’ve enjoyed looking at mine in the meantime. Soon succulents in the sun room will be my winter interest. Enjoy what comes.
    Bob

    Reply
    • Penny O'Sullivan says:
      January 23, 2012 at 3:21 pm

      I’d pre-order one from Rolling Green, which deals with Iseli Nursery in Oregon. Beth can find out if they have any at the moment. They’re a bit hard to come by. Penny

      Reply
      • bob scherer says:
        February 6, 2012 at 6:47 am

        Iseli might have a 20 gal size $$$$. Beth has contacted them & will get back to me.
        I’m starting to feel that maybe this isn’t such a good idea. The season of interest is winter & my garden normally gets lots of snow so how much of it will I be able to see? I would also have to site it as a focal point view from the house. That would mean removing existing mature plantings & relocating them.

        Reply
  4. Kelly Crowder says:
    May 5, 2012 at 3:34 am

    Try looking at Garden World north of Woodburn, OR. They always seem to have various sizes/prices of the Chief Joseph.

    Reply

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