And a few S. brevipedunculata…
At Furney's I first happened upon a pair of S. taiwaniana…
And later a display of S. brevipedunculata.
I stopped at Yard ‘n Garden Land because I’d heard they had S. taiwaniana, I figured that was an accurate indicator of the nurseries “cool factor.”
They did indeed have S. taiwaniana, and even though they were the third nursery at which I’d seen them that day it was still a thrill.
As I was photographing the S. taiwaniana I noticed this, Daphniphyllum macropodum…
Looks a little like a Schefflera no? I was awe struck. I felt like I was seeing it for the first time but as it turns out I’ve seen it before in this garden.
According to the tag it gets big, 20 – 30 ft tall and wide. As I was standing there staring at it a friendly employee came up to talk to me, asking if I liked the “rare,” of course I had to admit that was the case. As we talked he seemed doubtful this one would prove hardy and let me know he was trailing it in his garden.
The Schefflera abundance continues. Just last week I stopped at Portland Nursery on Stark Street here in Portland. What should I see but an entire display of S. brevipedunculata.
I’m still enamored but realize for some the attraction is the rarity itself. What about you? Is it less desirable when it’s easily found? Does "the chase" make it all the sweeter when you find it?
All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Wow, still looking for my first schefflera down here (not counting the ones in the houseplant aisle).
ReplyDeleteThe chase is part of the game but when I find something I've always wanted, I'm happy no matter how rare it is. At least I think I am, LOL.
Perhaps that trip up to the PNW with a van is getting closer?
DeleteWonderful!!! That means they should slowly migrate north, right?!
ReplyDeleteThat would seem to be a safe assumption...
DeleteThat is a question I often ask myself. I do think the chase is half the reason plants are desirable, but I notice it more with plants that are lovely but common not being as popular, not rare plants being actually not that special when you do track them down.
ReplyDeleteGood point Spiky O.
DeleteThe chase and rarity factor makes for a fun game but if I really love something the relationship lasts. Unless of course it becomes huge and unruly, strangles out everything else in sight, and drops enough litter to start an industrial composting operation. The poor performance of a plant can make me fall out of love.
ReplyDelete"drops enough litter to start an industrial composting operation"...I feel like you've been watching me sweep the patio daily trying to keep the massive onslaught of male fir tree cones in check.
DeleteLove is love, although this is how it usually goes for me: 1st nursery I see the coveted plant for $$$ and think "I'll never find this anywhere -- I'll take it!". Then I stop at 2nd nursery and they have the same plant for $$. Then the third has a hundred of these plants (albeit smaller) and they're $. Rats.
ReplyDeleteI've fallen into that same trap! I guess one "nice" thing about these all being Monrovia plants is they seem to keep their prices within a dollar or two from nursery to nursery.
DeleteGlad to see that they have finally released those Scheffleras from their storage...
ReplyDeleteWe don't go for that thinking anymore, or try not to anyway. Some plants are rare for a reason, for they are poorly performing garden plants. And some are common for a reason, for they are great garden plants that are reliable.
Oh so true...I still love my Fatsia japonica even though it's as common as dirt.
DeleteHi. I'm Steve B., a frequent viewer but first-time poster. Just wanted to say that Daphniphyllum macropodum has done well for me here in zone 6b-7a New Jersey for years. Rock-hardy. I'm sure it'll have no problem in the mild climate of the PNW (in case you were considering a future purchase) ;-)
ReplyDeleteGood to know thank you Steve. Truth be told it has been nagging at me, we've got a project in the future that could open up some space...
DeleteAhhh...nice to see my local 'Y and G land .I couldn't afford the huge tree fern !
ReplyDeleteMe neither Linda, they were amazing though!
DeleteAlthough there definitely are gardeners for whom the rarity is "the thing", , I think most of us just love what we love :-) That being said, there is something special about NOT having a plant...it's like Christmas, 90% of the fun is in the anticipation!
ReplyDeleteYou're right of course, there has to always be that one (2?) you're hunting for...keeps things interesting!
DeleteThose schefflera with the pink stems are beautiful. I have only seen the green stem ones so it's interesting to see something different. I kind of want one now.
ReplyDeleteI know I can get caught up in the thrill of the hunt sometimes. Usually it's if a plant does well then I want to try related plants, especially to put them near one another to show off the similarities and differences. Or when I find out a plant is easier to grow but for some reason not common it makes me want it more.
I've been watching the stems on my S. delavayi go from green to red and now back to green. Seems to be a moving target, which is kind of fun!
Delete"I fall in love too easily, I fall in love too fast."...but unrequited love sometimes turns into the real thing: happily ever-after time!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking from experience?
DeleteNope. It's not the rarity or lack thereof. It's the plant. I'm afraid the Schefflera hasn't made it's way south yet. Probably just as well since I lack the space for it. Dang. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Grace, that's not the spirit! There's always room...
DeleteFor me it goes both ways: sometimes it's the lust for a rare and unavailable beauty; sometimes it's the mature, solid love for a plant that has stood the test of time in my garden. Either way, ain't love grand?!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is Jane!
DeleteFor me is the rarity, but the rarity in the shape, colors, etc. of the plant, that makes it beautiful. It is difficult to find plants that are not common here in Spain so I can´t go for the new plants in the commerce.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you'll start a movement in Spain and someone will see the market for the plants you're growing and blogging about and start importing and selling them? It could happen!
DeleteIt's the fun of the hunt, for me anyway. But then it also makes me happy to see a plant I like becoming readily available. Fatsia japonica has been available since the early 1960's, proved to be hardy for the PNW. I still include it in my garden because it gives me the look I want. So I hope these Scheffleras follow suit.
ReplyDeleteBut the hunt still goes on, there are plenty of other species I lust for, S. alpina, S. chapana, S. macrophylla, S. hoi, to name a few. Kev Spence from Growing on the Edge forum said if you find a S. chapana, buy it, it is the hardest of all the Scheffleras he has grown in England.
BTW, Daphniphyllum macropodum is totally hardy for the PNW west of the Cascades. Washington Park Arboretum has some large trees of this species. It is dioecious so you will need both sexes to get the beautiful shiny blue berries in the winter. To my eye, a very attractive evergreen tree.
John (Aberdeen, WA)
Check, I see a S. chapana and I'll grab it! Living in Aberdeen I can't imagine there is much good plant shopping in your area. Do you do a lot of mail order or log a lot of miles on the road?
DeleteGood to hear that about the Daphniphyllum macropodum, and shiny blue berries sound magnificent!
There isn't any good plant shopping in Aberdeen, but since 1998 I have been living in Issaquah, just east of Seattle. There are a lot of good nurseries and great gardens to see around there as you know. Aberdeen is my home where I plan on retiring. I will be living there full time in about two years.
DeleteBut then I am also a road warrior so do drive far distances for a good nursery such as Cistus. Driving does get harder to do as one gets older, so I also mail order. Speaking of which, Far Reaches Farm has an unnamed Schefflera, that to me looked a little like S. brevipedunculata, for a good price. I planted two out last fall, their new growth does look different enough now to be unique enough to make them worth buying. If you want a possible third species or varity of Schefflera get it. They also have mail order Daphniphyllum macropodum.
John (Aberdeen, WA)
Hey Loree, I just bought my first Schefflera at PN yesterday! It was the one that starts with a "b". I think I prefer the look of the Schefflera "Taiwaniana", but it'll be nice to have both someday. Thanks for the blog!
ReplyDelete