Friday, May 24, 2013

Echium x wildpretii 'Rocket' is my favorite plant in the garden, this week…


It’s time has come; the monster must be celebrated...

This Echium x wildpretii 'Rocket' is remaining one of a pair I bought at Xera Plants the summer of 2010. Here are the twins the day they came home from the hospital nursery (lower right hand corner).

One went in the front garden that year, this one stayed in a container over winter 2010/11 (insurance based on questionable hardiness).

Then planted in the ground in June of 2011, it was so small then (even smaller than the last photo having lost a few leaves due to transplanting shock). It grew like crazy that year and even developed a branch.

By the time spring 2012 rolled around it was obvious the largest arm was going to bloom. Here’s a photo from June of last year. Andrew (6ft 2in) for scale…

And after I removed the bloomed out arm here’s what was left…

Which has become what’s blooming now.

Andrew appears again this year for scale (with Lila as a bonus)…

This whole section is a long branch that comes off the stump of the original plant.

Stretching out across the ground a good couple of feet.

And that trunk is huge! I can’t get my hand even halfway around it, oh and it’s hairy too…

Isn’t it just incredible? That tiny little plant has produced two 12+ plus bloom spikes and lived for 3 years in my garden. Which brings me to the description from Xera...."Amazing biennial that is worth growing for the rosette of leaves alone. Silvery thin leaves form a rosette to 3' wide and curl up into a spherical shape as tall. VERY COOL. In the second year a 6' tower of scarlet flowers points straight up. Well drained soil in a very warm position with occasional summer water. Overwinters best with good drainage. Great w/ boulders and Cactus, maybe a giant sloth and an alien. Full hot sun."...Wait, did they say 6’ tower? Ha!

Here’s where things get sad. This is the end! There are no more arms pushing out of that stump. When this one is done it’s done. A better gardener than I would leave it in place as long as possible (seeds!). But I’ve already watched it lean in the heavy rain and wind and I don’t want what happened to its much shorter sister in the front garden last year…

…to happen to it, that would be catastrophic. Besides I must be honest, it’s taking up a good bit of real estate that I’ve got plans for. So I close this tribute with a couple more photos, it’s been a pleasure to have you grace my garden Mr E. W. x R….

All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

44 comments:

  1. Amazing! I think a tall husband and a small dog are the very best scale indicators.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Much better than the reverse for sure.

      Delete
  2. What an amazing sight! You should leave it as long as possible to collect some seed. That way you'd have more plants in a few years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I knew a few folks would feel that way but to be honest besides the space issue I'm over it. I loved it while it lasted but it's time to move on.

      Delete
    2. LOL. You are one ruthless gardener.

      BTW, if you ever come across small seedlings of 'Rocket' would you pick me up a couple? I think it's far more attractive than 'Mr Happy'.

      Delete
    3. I definitely will Gerhard, may I ask tho what you like better about it?

      Delete
  3. Wow! That's awesome. And you have such super models for your pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're such prima donna's too! You wouldn't believe the contract stipulations for such a shot. One wanted beer and the other one mini-carrots. You can probably guess which is which.

      Delete
  4. During that year Andrew's beard got longer and his hair got gone. Now that the Echium is history, how are we going to keep up with your husband's new looks? It takes some dramatic plant to dominate your garden of dramatic plants. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh the hair comes and goes throughout the year. I'm never sure if I'm going to be waking up to a bald guy or one with hair. The beard however just keeps on going...

      (I'll figure out a way to work him in now and again)

      Delete
  5. Awesome!

    it's like a pink Saturn V rocket taking off!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And as the rain poured down in sheets the other evening I was afraid it was going to be a pink Saturn V rocket crash landing...thankfully no.

      Delete
  6. So spectacular...at least it goes out in a blaze of glory!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Monster is right!!!! Beautiful!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It even makes noise like a monster (it hums...with bees moving all around it).

      Delete
  8. WOW! your echiums are inspiring! I looked at one the other day and put it down, but kind of regretting my decisions. Those are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My feeling on echiums is that if the price is right do it. While most of them are borderline hardy here you can have success and it's worth trying as long as your not spending a bundle.

      Delete
  9. I can't believe it's nearly over. I've so loved seeing your posts about these giants in your land! It'll be cool to see what you do with the space and to see if someday you decide to grow these again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those agaves that came from Sally via you figure large in how the space will be transformed. I am so excited about it!

      Delete
  10. That would be a favorite plant of the week in many gardens. Simply stunning! I never cease to be amazed by your success with plants.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It feels like it's been a while since you've given us a macro-shot of the back garden. That seventh photo is just such luscious eye-candy. I really enjoy the proportions and scale you were able to create.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has been awhile, been working on projects. The shot you admired (thank you) is actually from last year. I'll be sharing photos of what I've been working on soon!

      Delete
    2. Whoops! Can I blame skipping over the important print in favor of the pretty pictures? Looking forward to it!

      Delete
    3. Of course! I think we all do that...

      Delete
  12. That's quite a blooming odyssey for a gorgeous garden denizen. I've loved seeing your posts on this guy and every time you post, I try to think where I could put a young one in my garden!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It certainly needs just the right place, especially if it sticks around for 3 years and grows to mammoth proportions.

      Delete
  13. What an amazing plant! I can't get over the incredible amount of flowers on the stalk. So very pretty close up too. How fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Each one of those flowers has had bees enjoying them. This is not a plant for someone whose afraid of bees!

      Delete
  14. That is crazy amazing! I tried growing one of them. Made the mistake of putting it in a pot. It bloomed this year but I am too embarrassed to ever show a photo. Yours are glorious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Candice, it's pretty amazing the difference between the two plants. Would have like to see pictures of yours!

      Delete
  15. I can imagine how much the bee's have loved it! Clearly Xera needs to update their tags to 7'+ stalks..lol. Now, what will Loree put in place of this dramatic spike? Can't wait to see!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. More spikes to come, just shorter and less flower filled.

      Delete
  16. So exciting! thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  17. fifi la fontaineMay 26, 2013

    Whoa,that is such a spectacular plant. I'd be out in the yard with a measuring stick every week during growing season!

    By the way, what is that tree by your beautiful orange arbor with the huge leaves?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's my Magnolia macrophylla...love love love that tree. You probably need one.

      Delete
  18. Wow! That is amazing! Sad to see it go, but I'm sure something great will take it's place!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Something not nearly as tall but still pretty cool (I think).

      Delete
  19. An amazing plant! I bet the garden will look incredible with the new plants you will put in its place. Removing it must be tough as it has so many little hairs that act like spikes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know of these hairs, they're nasty aren't they? I think I'll have to wear 2 pairs of gloves.

      Delete
  20. Zonal DenialJune 12, 2013

    Gorgeous specimen. Let the seed ripen and collect it or let it fall into the bed. I've had luck with both. Volunteer seedlings are just coming up now (June/PDX) in my gardens, so don't mulch until they appear or you'll smother them. The monster shall live again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No can do...it's coming out! I have other things that I want to plant there...

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!