Eastern Redcedar "Cupressaceae Juniperus Virginiana" Recognized as Plants of CARE

Richmond, VA, January 16, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Across the Nation, climatic shifts occur. “Challenging,” says Glen Allen, VA based The Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright, founder of the Plants of Care plant recognition program and recipient of the Turning America from Eco-weak to Eco-chic award sponsored by Hines Horticulture, Project Evergreen and Today’s Garden Center magazine, “all to identify plants that enable eco sustainable urban suburban landscapes. As a result, Eastern Redcedar ‘Cupressaceae Juniperus virginiana’ is recognized as a ‘plants of CARE’ for its eco sustainable and people connections characteristics."

Eastern Redcedar ‘Cupressaceae Juniperus virginiana’ –
Identified as a sustainable evergreen tree with graceful pendulous branches, the Eastern Redcedar ‘Cupressaceae Juniperus virginiana’ provides nesting sites, cover and food for mammals and birds such as the woodpecker. Scale-like leaves are 1/16 inch long, dark green, with 4 sides held tightly to twig and longer (1/4 inch), dark blue-green needle-like leaves are more common on young trees and fast growing shoots. Berry-like cones, light green in spring, turn dark blue at maturity. A relatively small tree in relation to others, the cedar consists of a dense columnar shape which can reach up to 60 feet tall.

Landscape Gardens of CARE -
“Eco-sustainable spaces and the plants that inhabit these spaces,” says Wright, “are not simply a result of lifestyle choices but reflect how we feel about the environment. While keeping it simple (as in simple living) is the name of the game, there is a more important underlying factor – a commitment to ultimate greening: providing for the present without sacrificing the future." So, in addition to plant sustainability, what makes Eastern Redcedar ‘Cupressaceae Juniperus virginiana’ different? It is a plant identified to flourish in multiple climate zones, recognized as an eco sustainable habitat; and through its vibrant characteristics, has intrigued mankind for centuries. “It was,” says Wright, “during the restoration of our family cemetery that I became intrigued by this plant. We identified five trees which had marked for more than 150 years the grave site of family members. Through research, I learned cedar trees were used to build not only the temple of the Lord but also Solomon’s house and other public edifices in Jerusalem. Native Americans used cedar to make canoes and other boats as well as weapons, boxes, bowls and baskets; and, believed cedar to be inhabited by ancestral spirits. Viewed as a plant used to establish a ‘holy place’, Quakers installed cedar trees to mark grave sites; and during the Civil War, these trees were used to mark the site of fallen soldiers. So, it is not surprising, to honor the memory of those lost in the Virginia Tech shooting tragedy, the Washington State University community planted a large eastern red cedar in the Alumni Arboretum adjacent to the Lewis Alumni Centre on Wednesday, September 12th, 2007.”

Plants of Care, plant recognition program –
As a hands-on landscape gardener who participates in nation-wide regional plant testing, Wright gain familiarity with programs such as the ‘Southern Living Plant Collection’, ‘Proven Winners’, ‘Plants that Work’ and many more. Still, while plant material proven to enable landscape gardens of CARE could be identified by any one of these programs, it is spotlighted by Wright for its ability to inspire people to CARE – have an eco connection of conservation, accountability, recovery and eco-efficiency.

To ongoing encourage all to ‘dig in the dirt’, a ‘plants of CARE’ plant is recognized quarterly.

About Wright –
A graduate of the Virginia Natural Resource Leadership Institute program, the Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright urges all to become people who CARE - have a perspective of conservation, accountability, recovery and eco-efficiency. To inspire others, she offers one-on-one consulting, speeches and workshops and has published a series of eco books. For details, link to web site www.TheWrightScoop.com or contact Sylvia@TheWrightScoop.com or follow her activities through facebook group The Wright Scoop or twitter ID WrightScoop.

Side-bar: Eastern Redcedar ‘Cupressaceae Juniperus virginiana’: prefers zones 7-9 and full sun areas, tends to provide medium growth – 20-40 ft. wide and up to 70 ft. height, survives various soils, is evergreen; and, maintains a pyramid shape. The oldest known tree was reported from Missouri and was nearly 800 years old, so use of this tree as a ‘memorial’ has the potential to be a lasting tribute for many years to come.