I didn’t think I’d be posting for this Foliage Follow-up. The plan was to attend the preview of the Portland Yard Garden & Patio Show last night and then post fun pictures today to entice all of you locals out to the show this weekend.
But they unexpectedly cancelled the sneak-peek.
So…back to foliage follow up. What to post about? (thinking thinking thinking) Ah! The most exciting foliage in my garden at the moment isn’t foliage at all, but the promise of it…
Those tiny little leaf buds mean this stick is alive!
The stick is an
Embothrium coccineum 'Norquinco Valley' also known as Chilean Fire Bush. It was given to me last Fall by a
danger garden reader who had tracked down and purchased several seedlings, but feared that the ones he was holding as “insurance” in containers (in case the those he'd planted in his garden didn’t survive the winter) were dying. He wanted to get them in the ground and kindly offered one to me, of course I said yes!
That was back at the beginning of November. It immediately went in the ground and immediately lost what few leaves it had, I feared the worst. To see these little leaf buds made my day, it’s alive! And I have a chance of someday seeing blooms like this in my garden…
Photo taken in June of 2010 at the McMenamin’s Kennedy School, here’s what the whole tree looked like...
And here’s what the foliage looks like today.
A seed pod from last year’s blooms.
At the NWFG Show last week, during his talk on the “survivors” in his garden, Dan Hinkley sang the praises of Embothrium coccineum. As he was showing gorgeous pictures of his trees in bloom I was mentally picturing a mad rush to the
River Rock Nursery table where I had seen seedlings for only $12…
Happy healthy seedlings!
…And this is where I take this post back ‘round to where I started…you see the River Rock Nursery folks will be at the
YG&P Show this weekend…hopefully with more Embothrium coccineum seedlings! Those of you in the Portland area should go to the show, and to the River Rock Nursery booth, and buy one of these plants if they’ve got any left. I’m going to! (insurance you know...)
Need more foliage in your foliage follow-up? Visit
Digging, where Pam is sharing pictures of some of my favorite Agaves...
I love that Chilean Fire Bush. What an exciting plant! Great pictures! I like the way you showed the same plant from different perspectives. Fun Post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lucy!
DeletePlease don't post more garden show photos, as it makes me jealous. The St. Louis Home and Garden show is next week, but it's a big dose of "home" and not much "garden" -- at least it has been in past years. I think I'll go anyway -- always looking for inspiration for projects!
ReplyDeleteWe have one of those "lots of home, little bit of garden" shows too...I've never gone. I have to admit we're spoiled here...and I'm sorry but there will be more photos!
DeleteI saw those at the River Rock booth too, and was very tempted! Maybe next year...
ReplyDeleteThey do mail order...you know if you're overcome with plant lust!
DeleteBeautiful plant, I love it when a special plant makes a return.
ReplyDeleteEven better when they never go away...
DeleteI enjoy your show photos, but I like seeing what's happening in your garden even more, so thanks for joining in for Foliage Follow-Up. Ah, the promise of a leaf bud -- and the anticipation! That one looks like a beauty. Hope it thrives for you!
ReplyDeleteI do too, one of the cautions is to shelter it from wind. I planted it in one of the windiest spots in the garden.
DeleteThat Chilean Fire "Bush" is nice...the leaf is a bit madrone-like. But the bloom is WOW!
ReplyDeleteWow indeed...can you imagine a whole tree full?
DeleteI'm always amazed at how generous gardeners are (in general). I can't quite believe the YGP show is this weekend...time really flies!
ReplyDeleteYes they are, I strive to live up to the stereotype.
DeleteHope to see you at the YGP Show, are you going to a seminar this year?
How did I miss this one at the NWFGS? In a rare moment of self control, I did pass on many Zone 9 plants, so maybe it was one of those. So happy for you that yours is alive!
ReplyDelete