New friends, combined with old, make for a rich life; it’s the same in the garden. While there is an undeniable thrill in discovering a new must have plant, and eventually acquiring it, there is also nothing quite like discovering one from the past and realizing you’ll be spending another year together.
Yesterday my eyes came to rest on my Gunnera, or more accurately on the burlap and leaves piled on top to protect it from the cold. I realized the pile wasn’t a soft dome any longer, no; it had turned into a sort of pyramid. Something was definitely going on under there. I peeled back the layers and discovered this!
All of this spring type energy makes me think I should be unwrapping the Musa basjoo…I wonder what’s going on under that burlap????
So are you wondering if I have any new plant friends? Remember the Genista aetnensis I was lusting after at Garden Fever? Well I had the opportunity to visit Xera last week and was able to select one from their stock. I love this plant!
Mt. Etna Broom, from the lava covered slopes of Italy and for that matter Europe’s tallest volcano makes a wonderful “shade-less” tree for hot sun. Rush-like weeping stems actually have tiny leaves that are barely noticeable. In summer you will notice the clouds of golden yellow pea flowers that emit the powerful perfume of Jasmine. To 14’ tall, best in full hot sun and poor, well drained soil. Little summer water when established. A great small tree for a see-through vertical effect, without being oppressive. Grows quickly, and is best without extra encouragement.
Why do I love it? Well it’s a “shade-less” tree for hot sun (it’s going in the front garden, currently staged in a protective spot behind the garage) and it is probably the closest thing I’ll ever be able to grow to a Palo Verde (I know…it’s a poor substitute) but it’s from Italy!!! That earns a few bonus points in my book, I always need more friends from Italy!
It appears the burlap has worked very well for your plants this winter....congrats on your shadeless tree...
ReplyDeleteAnd it's fragrant!!! This alone would sell me on the the Genista. Great find! Your melianthus looks full of hope--way better than mine. No Gunnera or banana yet but I have lots of hope. Our winter hasn't been too bad, knock on wood.
ReplyDeleteI love the gnarly look of your emerging Gunnera leaves. It's so heartening to see these old friends return! As unexcited as I am about the broom family, your Genista sounds like one to have. A shadeless tree...hmmm: it's an interesting concept.
ReplyDeleteLove the Gunnera...so prehistoric looking...and you are just tempting me to break down and get a Melianthus...I've come so close so many times...this may be the year my resistance crumbles :-)
ReplyDeleteDarla, I like burlap because it blends into the landscape...there are usually leaves and/or bubble wrap involved too.
ReplyDeleteGrace, "knock on wood" indeed. I am trying to not get too carried away out there...especially with the weather folks getting all giddy talking about one more "snow event"...
MulchMaid, it's pretty cool huh? Yes I know the broom's are an evil group...but I hope this one will be ok...
scott, I can hear your resistance crumbling right now! I predict a purchase at the spring HPSO sale...
My surprise friend was indoors, actually, a top cut of of an alocasia cuculata that had begun rotting last year. I thought the top cut never rooted, but I just didn't get around to moving it until this week. I checked closely before tossing it for good, and sure enough there was a leaf beginning to sprout from deep in the center. Good times!
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken the bucket off my gunnera yet. I will give it a few more weeks.