Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Podocarpus alpinus ‘Orangeade’ is my favorite plant in the garden, this week…

I’m willing to bet this week’s favorite plant hasn’t been noticed by anyone who’s visited my garden. Heck I even forget it’s there most of the time. My I present Podocarpus alpinus ‘Orangeade'...

I went through a period where it bothered me that it was hidden, I thought it deserved better and I was going to move it. But then I could never decide where and besides, it’s kind of nice to have a little hidden gem, right? As you can see it’s tucked in behind the Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Harmony.'

It has been shown here on the blog a couple of times before, most recently after I’d trimmed the Arcto and was excited you could see this color combo (which was why I planted it there in the first place), photo taken in early March of this year when the foliage was still wearing it's winter colors...

So why is it my favorite this week? Because of these little cones…

Aren’t they marvelous? They’re less than an inch long (and hard to get a photo of that has them in focus!)…

I bought this one at Xera Plants a couple of years ago, and it’s no longer in production. Podocarpus alpinus 'Red Tip' and Podocarpus alpinus 'County Park Fire' seem to be good substitutes. Meanwhile here’s the description from the Xera tag: “Intense dark maroon foliage is handsome in winter and even more striking when new growth emerges orange for a bicolor effect. An evergreen shrub that is wonderful as a specimen or hedge. Moderate growth to 8’ tall and 6’ wide in 5 years. Full sun to light shade in a well drained soil with occasional deep watering in summer. Established plants tolerate drought. Plant 4’ apart for a hedge. Excellent appearance year round. Hardy to Zn 7a (0 – 5F)

Obviously I ignored that 8ft tall x 6ft wide part (what else is new), and maybe I'll be okay because Far Reaches Farm says it will only get to be 3ft x 3ft. Their description: "One of the fine hybrids (P. lawrencei x P. nivalis) from New Zealand's County Park Nursery. This hardy dwarf conifer has orange new growth maturing to green and a subtle bronzing to the foliage in winter. Trying hard to think if there is anything tricky about this or if it is just going to be a care-free easy plant.............nope - it's easy! Just don't let it get real dry."

I love this plant.

Last week I mentioned the possibility of “my favorite plant” becoming a garden bloggers meme. There were several comments affirming you all thought it a good idea, I am so excited!

Unlike Garden Bloggers Bloomday which always falls on the 15th, and Foliage Follow-up on the 16th, this meme will be a moving target...since I’m never sure what day of the week I’ll post on . However I'd still like to create a central place to collect links, so we can all find out what bloggers are participating and what plants they’re featuring. If you do a “fav” post (weekly, monthly, or whenever you feel like it!) please comment with a link to your blog on my most current “fav” post. Since I post one every week you’ll never have to go back more than a couple days, or hold on to it for more than a few. And of course I’d appreciate a link to the most recent “fav” post on danger garden in your post. To get things started here are some links to posts from last week, if I missed anyone please add your link in the comments!


22 comments:

  1. What a little sweetheart! I have a soft spot for a podocarpus of any kind. I kind of forget that they are considered conifers (see, you DO have some, Loree) so seeing those orange cones is a fun reminder.
    And thank you for formalizing the Favorite Plant meme a bit more. I like the idea of gathering them together so I can read some I might not find otherwise!

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    1. Actually Jane my conifer count is at 3! This one, the Blue Atlas Cedar and a 'Blue Pacific' Shore Juniper...crazy!

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  2. A girl could go broke taking inspiration from you--but what a way to go. I love your blog. (I just told the guy--self-identified as a plant nerd--at Yard & Garden Land in Vanc. about dangergarden.)

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    1. You must have been talking to the same guy I talked to at Y&G Land, he was definitely of plant nerd quality...and thanks for the PR!

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    2. He seemed to have an idea who you were--but he thought you'd bought the Daphniphyllum.

      I also gave you card to the woman I chased around at Xera insisting she buy this plant and that...

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    3. Sounds like I might need to get you more cards...

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  3. Cute little conifer! I agree with MuchMaid about formalizing the Favorite Plant meme. The moving target is also cool!

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  4. Cute little plant on its way to becoming a cute bigger plant. You have so many dramatic plants that it's nice to see you focus attention on one of the few shrinking violets. I'll join in the meme thingy, just not right now...planting weather won't last forever.

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    1. Indeed it won't...100 by next Wednesday!? That's insane.

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  5. I'm glad you highlighted a Podocarpus, was admiring some of them a few weeks ago, thinking how lovely a habit most of them have and how exotic they look.

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    1. There definitely are some cool ones that I wish I had space for. Do you guys have any in your garden?

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  6. Podocarpus is one of my favorite genus names to say. I don't grow anything in this genus (I don't think) but I'll be working in the garden and "Podocarpus" will pop into my head. I don't know why. :)

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  7. The green is almost neon - what a special plant. The cones are pretty sweet too!

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    1. It is a very clear crisp green, and I do love green...

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  8. I have been following your blog for some time now, but never comment as by the time I've read all the other comments I can't think if anything interesting to say! But I must say I do enjoy it & I do like your selection of plants, thanks for the Fav plant idea, here's mine at www.skybaxheadquarters.blogspot.com

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    1. Of course I am horribly jealous of your ability to grow Hakea francisiana, love those crazy blooms!

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  9. I also like this "favorite plant" idea of your's, now that you bring it up as something to do regularly. Might be a way to conquer my back-log of plant photos? Plus, it might help you PNW folks feel better about not overdosing on sun, and what *that* does to plants.

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    1. Just yesterday I was remembering last summers sky-rocket to 102F and all the burnt and bleached leaves I had as a result. Love the sun but understand it's not all fun and games!

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  10. OK, so I was out there pruning an unruly tree and about to get sunstroke. It drove me into my nice cool basement studio and what better form of recovery than to join in on your "favorites" party: http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/3156

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    1. Love your choice for your first fav meme post...I can't wait to learn more about your garden favs!

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