Friday, September 25, 2015

Favorite plants, at the end of September



When I realized this was the last Friday of the month I briefly considered calling an end to the “Fav’s of the Month” meme. It’s been a nice long ride but perhaps it was time to put it to bed. Then I went out for an early morning walk around the garden.

Wow, have to share that!
Oh the foliage…
Oh the color…

And so here are my favorite plants in the garden right now, on this, the last Friday of September. Each of these plants are looking especially grand at this moment in time...

Poncirus trifoliata in the background with Amsonia hubrichtii in the foreground.

We're concentrating on the Poncirus today because it's foliage is such a bright golden yellow that I can hardly stand it.

Add in a streak of pink at the base, and the always-present long green thorns, and WOW! This plant is screaming for attention.

Mine's been in the ground since the spring of 2011, I bought it with a strange bend to it's trunk which it's almost overcome (meaning I hardly notice it anymore). Hardy down to USDA Zone 5a this shrub/small tree is credited with a significant size difference in it's potential size: 8-29 ft tall, 6-15 ft wide. It prefers full sun and flowers in the spring. Mine had a couple of delicate white flowers this year but no fruit...

I'm not completely sure this Stapelia is getting monthly fav status, it is however fixing to put on another stinky (fabulous) bloom which is interesting. Especially because with the weather conditions ever-changing it might just open indoors. Yuck.

It's purple coloration has definitely gotten stronger as the nights have gotten cooler.

Oh Grevillea 'Ivanhoe' how beautiful you are, why can't you be perfectly hardy?

I happened upon several in 4" containers at a great price and I bought three. This was the week before my garden was open for a fund-raiser, so I thought they would make plants to squeeze in here and there as filler.

That's exactly what I've used them for, but I've also grown attached.

A local nursery is selling them as hardy in USDA Zone 8 but I'm not buying the idea.

Ian at The Desert Northwest wrote a long essay about cold hardy Grevillea in the Pacific NW, read it all here. This is what he had to say about G. 'Ivanhoe': "And finally, here are a few not to bother with, which I'll mention just because I used to be hopeful that they were hardier, and you may chance across one in a nursery. In the past I had suggested Grevillea aspleniifolia as a possibility for really sheltered gardens. I can't recommend it though because it just doesn't have what it takes to endure temperatures below about 22 - 24°F. Grevillea 'Ivanhoe' seems inclined to croak at about the same point."

So, while I love the foliage...

I'm not married to the idea they'll be here in the spring.

Okay, just one more...Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'...

I have several of this plant but this is the only one on fire, so to speak.

It's only hardy to USDA Zone 10 so it comes inside for the winter. Sun and water stress adds to the color.

These plants, plus the Bocconia frutescens I wrote about earlier in the month, are all standouts in my garden for September. What's looking especially fabulous in your garden right now?

38 comments:

  1. Great faves! That poncirus is spectacular! The few leaves the darn ants left on my teeny tiny one are coloring up, too. They seem to have more peachy orange tones. I hope you'll save at least one of those Grevillea 'Ivanhoe'. It's hard to bear the thought of leaving them out to winters mercy, or lack thereof. At least they're predicting a monster El Nino this winter.

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    1. My tiny one (it's a 'Flying Dragon') is still completely green, kind of odd. No doubt I'll probably end up digging one. Maybe two. It all depends on how much time I have before cold threatens.

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  2. Wow your plants look gorgeous! I especially love the pretty yellow leaves of the poncirus and your stick on fire. I have never ever seen this plant. I love succulents! And I love your blog! You always have such beautiful pictures.

    Greetings, Sofie
    http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be/

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  3. So, any plans on digging those Grevillea up and overwintering in the basement or wherever? Might not be as tricky as you think... Also, 'Sticks on Fire' is always a favorite once it is happy and colorful! Mine are actually small enough to easily bring indoors this year. :)

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    1. Indeed it would be pretty straightforward, I overwinter other Grevillea. I will probably dig up one, then I also have a possible source for buying another at a fall nursery sale. I want to leave at least one, maybe two, in place to see how they do.

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  4. I do like the Poncirus and Amonsia, such nice yellow tones, must see if I can find them here

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  5. None of my Sticks on Fire are on fire, really, not like yours. Maybe next year. They'll spend the winter inside the greenhouse and get put out again next spring. Surely you're going to save at least one of those 'Ivanhoe' Grevilleas? They have such fabulous foliage!

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    1. I have a tiny (like 2" container) Euphorbia inside the house that was a gorgeous shade of orange for months, then one day...green! Just like that. There seems to be very little rhyme or reason as to why they change colors, although sun and lack of water do seem to help.

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  6. I must remember to move Stapellia outside next summer so it will take on that interesting coloration. One of the benefits of a poorly functioning nose: I can enjoy those fab flowers with no down side. Here's my faves post: http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/5022

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    1. It's not so much the flower's smell that I'm worried about (it will be in the basement) as it's ability to attract flies, who lay eggs, and then the little maggots start squirming around. Not that our house is full of flies but one or two seem to make their way in ever so often.

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    2. Oh, ick! I never thought of that.

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  7. I love the poncirus, it is so wow! I have a sticks on fire in a pot on my front steps, it has never turned reddish, but it does survive with out cover down to 30 degrees in my zone 9a. Your garden is alive with color and contrast, I can see why you hate to see the days growing shorter and cooler!

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    1. 30 degrees, Zone 9a...oh how wonderful that would be! We're predicted to have a mild winter, but all it takes is that one cold snap...

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  8. When I water-stress my 'Sticks on Fire' it just gets kind of scabby looking. I don't think it's ever going to perform like yours, unfortunately. That Poncirus is gorgeous! My fave post is here: http://mulchmaid.blogspot.com/2015/09/mahonia-fortunei-dan-hinkley-is-my.html Thanks for the meme - don't give it up just yet!

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    1. I've went through a few sad (now gone) 'Sticks on Fire' somehow I seem to have ended up with a trio that are here for the long haul, hopefully. Oh and I can already tell I'm going to like your fav!

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    2. That gives me hope - I guess I'll try again with some new plants!

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  9. You found a Grevillea in a 4-inch pot! I'm ecstatic when I find one in a 1-gallon pot for less than $20. That Poncirus is undeniably gorgeous and I'm VERY tempted but I'm trying to ignore it as its mature size and water needs both present issues. I'm going to look for Amsonia, though, as it should work here even though I don't think I've ever seen it in our local garden centers. The favorites post caught me off-guard as well this month but I came up with a few selections, even if most of my garden is hot, dry and miserable: http://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2015/09/september-favorites.html

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    1. I did! Since they aren't hardy shrubs here I think they were meant to be sold more as accents. If you're intrigued by the Poncirus go for 'Flying Dragon' - it's a much smaller plant: http://plantlust.com/plants/poncirus-trifoliata-flying-dragon/

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  10. Love the combo of Poncirus and the Amsonia - absolutely masterful! I think you need to rescue at least one of your Ivanhoes to the great indoors so you can add it back to your border in spring. You are obviously having fun with it, and making gasp-worthy vignettes. That one with the Lupinus albifrons and the Seafoam is incredibly cool! I don't have much of a contribution, but please accept it for what it is. https://flutterandhum.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/last-friday-faves-for-fall-september/

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    1. Ha! Masterful makes it sound like I planned it, and I most assuredly did not. I will probably dig one, when cold weather threatens - I'm not very good at just letting things die. Glad you joined in and I'm heading over to see what made the cut!

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  11. And the location of the grevelia hording nursery is??? Did you leave one there for me?? ....since I accidentally killed mine :(. Saddest part of 2015!

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    1. I bought them at Shorty's up in Vancouver. I went up there to get a Fatsia japonica 'Variegata' they were holding for me and discovered a whole flat of the Grevillea grown by Little Prince. That was back in July? Early August? Call them...they might still have a few.

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  12. You're right, these photo-ready divas are too good to pass up. Especially like the Grevillea.

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    1. Thanks Marian. Any September fav's in your garden?

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  13. Ye gods, that poncirus. The shots of 'Ivanhoe' are just awesome, and the tirucalli looks great... whoa, love those agaves!

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  14. When it actually cools off enough to make it possible to go outside, I'll let you know. Not that I'm whining about heat again--okay well I am.

    The Grevillea is soooo lovely, any hope of enclosing it in warmth to get it through winter? Knit the little guys sweaters? Pendleton plaid shirts?

    Stapelia looks great.

    Here it is cooler weather that brings out the "fire".

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    1. Well El Nino is supposed to being us a warmer than avg winter, so maybe Ma Nature will take care of that for me?

      I'd suspect the cooler nights were the cause for the fire, except they've been blazing all summer.

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  15. The poncirus is amazing! I'm not familiar with it, I would love to grow one if we can grow them here. Here are my Southern Hemisphere favourites for September : http://absentgardener.com/2015/09/25/favourite-plants-at-the-end-of-september-angels-fishing-rod-and-mignonette/

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Cath, I'm thrilled to discover a new blog!

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  16. Those yellow leaves are stunning. It sounds like it might grow in my garden if I find a spot where the thorns won't get me. You create the most attractive plant groupings, just a joy to look it. Must be so delightful to walk out into your garden each morning.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words, and I do enjoy my garden strolls. I hope you can find a spot for your own Poncirus trifoliata.

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  17. Maybe the next time you're over, you'd consider looking at my basement "overwintering" situation. I swore I was going to try again, but you're such a dang inspiration. I also want to move the few Agaves I have to a better grouping. Your opinion on that as well, would be most welcome. I mean, since you have nothing else to do...

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    1. Why of course, I would love to!

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    2. I had a dream about having this conversation with you last night. Yay.

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  18. That yellow foliage on the Poncirus is amazing! So bright I had to reach for my sunglasses.

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