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It's time for bad gardeners to get their comeuppance
By Tony Tomeo
'I'm madder than hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!" I have avoided discussing this issue because some may find it offensive. However, several friends have encouraged me to do so. I have also had too many frustrating experiences with my clients and even in my own garden. Besides, those who may find this topic offensive do not likely read this column or, for that matter, anything relevant to gardening. This controversial topic is bad gardeners.
Sometimes I think that real horticulturists have almost become extinct in the Santa Clara Valley. However, the "mow, blow and go" gardeners have become standard. Most are useful in commercial or industrial areas. They may also be practical for those who do not enjoy working in the garden, or even for the most avid garden enthusiasts who enjoy all but the less creative garden work, such as mowing, blowing or hedging.
One of the most important issues is the use of blowers. In my neighborhood, the gardeners blow everything into the street and down the sidewalk; half to the north and half to the south. Of course, the gardeners of the adjacent properties do the same, blowing half back and half the other direction. The debris never gets taken away--merely relocated.
I can determine algebraically that if leaf litter is divided approximately in half at each address, about one of every 32 leaves that falls from the gingko tree in the fifth garden to the south should eventually arrive here. That may not seem like much, but in conjunction with all the other debris in the neighborhood and leaves from trees I have never seen anywhere near here, it adds up.
It is imperative that gardeners dispose of debris properly. Tactful etiquette is also helpful. For example, dust should be blown from cars that happen to be parked in a blown area. One should also be observant of open windows. A gardener sure to impress his clients uses a modern, fuel-efficient blower that is quiet!
Although most gardeners know how to use a mower properly, other power tools may be as offensive as blowers. For example, the gardener next door nearly killed two mimosa trees I planted a few years ago by removing much of the bark and cambium with a weed-whip. The same whip eliminated alyssum growing at the base of an unsightly retaining wall. Now we have a wonderful view of the wall. (He gets paid for that?)
Hedge shears are likely the most abused of power tools. In fact, my colleague Brent Green and I have exchanged photographs of things we just could not believe were sheared, including pampas grass, bamboo and bird-of-paradise. Small trees sheared into shrubbery are among the most common victims. Hedge shears are great for hedges, but not everything else.
Those who use the services of gardeners should always be observant of what is being done in the garden. Even the best of gardeners make minor mistakes that can be easily tolerated. Improper maintenance procedures may be corrected with good communication. However, outright stupidity should not be tolerated. If your gardener gives you any trouble, tell him I am on my way and things might get ugly.
Tree of the Week: Italian cypress
The symmetry is what garden enthusiasts either like or dislike about the Italian cypress, Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'. It is too refined for most informal gardens, but excellent for formal landscapes. (I think they can add a bit of class to informality.) The strictly vertical form is ideal for bold symmetrical groups or rows that occupy minimal space. Strategically located, evenly spaced Italian cypress may be planted behind gardens and along walkways and driveways. Unless planted very closely together, they do not provide much shade. Pairs are common, but single trees are rarely seen and always seem to be lonely. Although they do not get very wide, they can grow up to 60 feet tall. The evergreen foliage is dense and deep green. Like all cypress, they tolerate drought when established.
The very rare straight species (Cupressus sempervirens) actually exhibits horizontal branching structure. This species is only seen as mature trees, but is no longer available in nurseries. Columnar Italian cypress (C.s. 'Stricta' a.k.a. C.s. 'Fastigiata') is the most common cultivar. Blue Italian cypress (C.s. 'Glauca') is also columnar, but is slightly blue-green. Swane's golden Italian cypress (C.s. 'Swane's Golden') exhibits gold, or brassy, new foliage and grows more slowly, to about 30 feet tall.
Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
The more popular cultivars of Italian cypress are easily recognized by their tall, columnar form. 
