Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Meet Louis II…

As regular readers know there are a few plants in my garden that have earned names. Those that come with big personality, or in the case of Louis, remind me of someone I know. Louis, the person, is a blogger up in British Columbia who shares my love of the sun and plants we “shouldn't” be growing here in the Pacific Northwest, his biggest love is for palms. Louis, the plant, a Trachycarpus fortunei, was purchased late in 2012, planted in early 2013 and formally introduced here.

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.

40 comments:

  1. New Louis is gorgeous! Welcome! Hope he thrives and has a much better fate than old Louis.

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    1. He definitely had a better childhood than the old Louis, probably got all his vitamins and immunizations, ready for a healthy life ahead!

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  2. Louis II is quite handsome and I know you'll be very happy together for years to come! Happy new plant, happy sunshine!

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    1. Speaking 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)

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  3. I just found your blog and I love it. Great job! - Susan

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  4. Louis II is handsome and looks perfect! May he love long, prosper, and grow taller and taller each year!

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    1. Thanks 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.

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  5. Good luck with Louis II, I think my own T. wagnerianus bit this dust this winter!

    John B. a.k.a. DC Tropics

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    1. I am so sorry John! You're out there fighting the good fight. Will you plant another?

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  6. Louis II looks healthy and happy. I hope your whole garden is recovering from the miserable winter you've had.

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    1. Many 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).

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  7. AWESOME!!! 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!!!?

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    1. Louis 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.

      (and I would be honored)

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  8. Is Louis II the same as the larger palm in the bed behind him? That one seems to be thriving.

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    1. No 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.

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  9. I 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?

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    1. Oh 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.

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  10. I love T. wagnerianus. Hope Louis II does well. Do you have a name for the Trachycarpus in background, against your garage wall?

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    1. No, 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.

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  11. What is the dark perennial in the foreground? Beautiful!

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    1. In which photo? Second to last? That's black mondo grass - Ophiopogon planiscapus.

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  12. Well, I´m sorry for Louis I. We will remember him...
    Louis II looks soooo nice and healthy that I think it will be alright in your garden for many more years!!

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  13. Louis 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!

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    1. Interesting to know I'm not the only one. Most trachy's are so tough!

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  14. Awww, 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!

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    1. Hopefully I've not gone so far over the top that I can be considered crazy...

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  15. Where 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.

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    1. I 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.

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  16. How lucky are you? Sweet gift.

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  17. Louis II looks to be well worthy of a good spot in your garden. Very nice gift!

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    1. I had a vision the other day of walking into the back garden with tall palms, it was fabulous.

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  18. I 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.

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    1. I have another "waggie" and it's interesting to see the differences in their leaf form.

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  19. Nice to meet you Louis II! Your black mondo grass is incredible! Do you keep dividing it or is it spreading on its own?

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    1. It's spreading on its own. That patch I actually started with divisions from other plants. It's the perfect spot for it evidently.

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  20. I 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.

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