When we next saw Louis it was in January of this year and he wasn’t looking good. The cold temperatures of December were wreaking havoc with is beautiful fronds.
It just got worse from there. Louis was a goner, never particularly lively he seems to have been doomed from the very beginning (and I did purchase him for a rock-bottom price at a nursery of somewhat questionable means). It seems fitting this, his last photo in my garden, was taken in the sunshine...bye-bye Louis...
So, I am pleased to introduce Louis II...
A gift from Sean at Cistus this stately Trachycarpus wagnerianus already has a few feet on the old Louis and looks to be a fine addition to the family. Welcome Louis II, may you live long and prosper...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
New Louis is gorgeous! Welcome! Hope he thrives and has a much better fate than old Louis.
ReplyDeleteHe definitely had a better childhood than the old Louis, probably got all his vitamins and immunizations, ready for a healthy life ahead!
DeleteLouis II is quite handsome and I know you'll be very happy together for years to come! Happy new plant, happy sunshine!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of sunshine, have you seen what they're hinting at for your spring break week? (granted it's our forecast but yours can't be too different)
DeleteI just found your blog and I love it. Great job! - Susan
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan!
DeleteLouis II is handsome and looks perfect! May he love long, prosper, and grow taller and taller each year!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! The original Louis (and thus the replacement) was an attempt to increase that enclosed jungley feeling of your garden. Sadly I realized the other day that with the removal of the privet, death of the acacia and moving of the Fatsia polycarpa, I've taken several steps backwards in this effort. Hopefully the massive amounts of rain we've been getting will fuel a growth spurt.
DeleteGood luck with Louis II, I think my own T. wagnerianus bit this dust this winter!
ReplyDeleteJohn B. a.k.a. DC Tropics
I am so sorry John! You're out there fighting the good fight. Will you plant another?
DeleteLouis II looks healthy and happy. I hope your whole garden is recovering from the miserable winter you've had.
ReplyDeleteMany things are starting to show new growth and signs of recovery, many others have gone off to the great garden in the sky (aka the City of Portland composting program).
DeleteAWESOME!!! I love louis 2. Trachycarpus wagnerianus is the best palm for the PNW. Feed him lots of fish fertilizer, Louis' love their seafood! I am sincerely honoured to have a palm named after me in your garden! Maybe this year I'll plant a trunking yucca rostrata named Loree!!!?
ReplyDeleteLouis II is so much healthier than the original, much more fitting of his name! Good to know about the seafood diet, I am such a slacker when it comes to fertilizing.
Delete(and I would be honored)
Is Louis II the same as the larger palm in the bed behind him? That one seems to be thriving.
ReplyDeleteNo the one behind is a Trachycarpus fortunei. After a couple of misguided years in a container it was planted in the ground the spring of 2010 and has been very happy ever since.
DeleteI covet a hardy palm, but is Trachycarpus wagnerianus going to have a long life? I have a new large pot and want to put a palm in it - but I can't handle anymore loss (I'm a broken person!). Is that the hardiest one out there for the PNW?
ReplyDeleteOh Lisa do it! There were very few palms that suffered the effects of last winter, I think the original Louis was doomed from the beginning. You would be safe with either a Trachycarpus wagnerianus or Trachycarpus fortunei, although I am tending to favor the leaves on the T. wag. It seems to be a little fast growing too. I've got another that I've never protected and it's been fine.
DeleteI love T. wagnerianus. Hope Louis II does well. Do you have a name for the Trachycarpus in background, against your garage wall?
ReplyDeleteNo, while I love that palm it's never really announced it's personality in such a way that it needs a name. Out of all my plants only six have names.
DeleteWhat is the dark perennial in the foreground? Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIn which photo? Second to last? That's black mondo grass - Ophiopogon planiscapus.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteWell, I´m sorry for Louis I. We will remember him...
ReplyDeleteLouis II looks soooo nice and healthy that I think it will be alright in your garden for many more years!!
And grow big and tall!
DeleteLouis II will be so proud of his namesake! I had the same sad experience with a young T. wagnerianus (and mine WAS from a very reputable nursery) but the T. fortunei that replaced him a year later is doing beautifully. May Louis II have a long and prosperous reign!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to know I'm not the only one. Most trachy's are so tough!
DeleteAwww, sad about Louis, but his replacement looks strong and healthy--and right at home in that spot! I love the way you name your plants. They do, indeed, have personalities and unique stories!
ReplyDeleteHopefully I've not gone so far over the top that I can be considered crazy...
DeleteWhere the plant hails from can make a huge difference. Louis II comes from the best, so his future seems secure. He is certainly a handsome fella starting out.
ReplyDeleteI thought about pulling out the old and planting the new without saying anything to Andrew, waiting to see if he noticed a short palm had suddenly put on significant growth. But then I realized there was no way he would notice and I'd just be waiting and waiting for nothing.
DeleteHow lucky are you? Sweet gift.
ReplyDeleteI am very lucky!
DeleteLouis II looks to be well worthy of a good spot in your garden. Very nice gift!
ReplyDeleteI had a vision the other day of walking into the back garden with tall palms, it was fabulous.
DeleteI love waggies. They are so much tidier than fortunei, and every bit as lush and tropical, to my eye. Louis II looks happy and healthy! May he grace your garden for many years to come.
ReplyDeleteI have another "waggie" and it's interesting to see the differences in their leaf form.
DeleteNice to meet you Louis II! Your black mondo grass is incredible! Do you keep dividing it or is it spreading on its own?
ReplyDeleteIt's spreading on its own. That patch I actually started with divisions from other plants. It's the perfect spot for it evidently.
DeleteI can see from the left side of the wide shot with lawn that your garden has changed significantly since I was last there. More open along the fence line, new fence, expanded geometric bed behind the house. I can't wait to see it again during the Fling.
ReplyDelete