Monday, November 8, 2010

Now that’s a happy Musa Basjoo!

Last November I posted a few pictures of this very same banana clump with its winter coat on (http://dangergarden.blogspot.com/2009/11/winter-protection-with-touch-of-class.html). Then in the dead of winter I noticed they had all fallen over, flat as a pancake. Sporting try but, so much for protecting the psuedostem.
But this is what it looked like just a few days ago. This very healthy clump stands testament to the amazing growth a happy banana can put on in a single season, starting from nothing.

The same property has this striking tree planted in the parking strip. Holding true to my tree-ignorance status I’ve no idea what it is.
But it’s gorgeous!
Lastly this Euphorbia caught my eye. It’s unusual for the so many of the brown leaves to hang on.
They reminded me of miniature palms, aloes or even yuccas with their skirt of dead leaves.

9 comments:

  1. The mystery tree is a sourwood, Oxydendron arboreum. One of the loveliest trees ever.

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  2. I'm going to try the tip from Joseph over at Greensparrow Gardens left in a comment on another post here. Trim the leaves off the stalk and bring it into the basement with most of the dirt shaken off. *fingers crossed*

    I think that tree is in the Hinkley Shrubs and Vines book and I think I know the genus, but I'm not going to guess without the book in front of me.

    I trim my Euphorbias back before they ever get that leggy. Normally they look pretty bad at that stage but this one has gotten so leggy that it's looks cool again. I guess it's like growing your hair out, it looks good short but if you want to grow it out you need to pass through a messy phase first. At least that's how my hair works.

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  3. The tree is Oxydendrum arboreum, or sourwood. We planted one as a memorial to our late, great cat. It is a very slow grower, but absolutely spectacular this time of year.
    Now 'Musa Basjoo' there's a name for you. Sounds like something straight from 'The Jungle Book'.

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  4. The street tree is Oxydendrum arboreum, a SE US native.

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  5. Well as I was writing my answer to your mystery tree, I see the answer popped up several different times in your comments. They do grow wild around here, but I have never seen one with such clean foliage so late in the season. I guess in our heat/humidity they get very spotty.

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  6. Oooh, great naners! I hope my ice cream banana can attain that stature at some point... I know they LOVE fertilizer!

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  7. That tree is a sourwood... Oops I'm not even close to being the first to say that...

    Here in the marginal subtropics I keep thinking I should try growing more of my food, and few fruits have to be transported as far as bananas. If people can grow bananas on the Oregon tundra, I should be able to in Southern California...

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  8. Banana Trees are very independent. What a lovely tree the Oxydendron arboreum--must locate one. Are those seeds?

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  9. Greensparrow, I'm glad this one is in my regular route of travel, I get to watch it through the seasons.

    Ryan, me too! For my Ensete's but the Musa Basjoo is to tough I'll just leave them in the ground. And having grown my hair out a few times I have to agree with your Euphorbia comparison...exactly!

    ricki, I hope this tree was planted at your "new" home? I would hate to see you having to leave that one behind.

    Josh, thank you!

    Les, wild! That sounds lovely...although I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

    RFG, I always think I'll be better with the banana fertilizer "next year" and I never am.

    James, the Oregon tundra huh? I like it. That's certainly what it feels like sometimes.

    Darla, not quite yet (seeds) but maybe someday soon...

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