Friday, March 31, 2017

Month-end Fav's, new plants!

Decisions decisions! I thought about doing this month's "favorites" post about the plants that have surprised me, ones hanging-on, despite our horrid winter and early spring. But some of them are so pathetic looking, really they could still go either way. So instead...you get a look at the new plants I've brought home recently, as I realized there are quite a few I haven't shared here yet...

First off, this group came from a spur of the moment (as in "hey...I really should go buy some plants") trip to Portland Nursery. If it looks familiar that's because I previously posted this picture on Facebook. Clockwise starting with the big silver fern: Cheilanthes tomentosa (wooly lip fern), Aeonium 'Kiwi'Foeniculum vulgare 'Nigra' (bronze fennel), Raoulia australis, Leptinella squalida ‘Platt's Black’ and Athyrium filix-femina 'Limelight Lady' (plus yes, a second Raoulia australis)...

If you're curious to learn more about any of the plants in this post, click on the link in their name. I'm feeling too lazy to work the cultural info in here.

Another day, another trip to Portland Nursery (albeit a different location). This Calluna vulgaris 'Multicolor' became mine. I like how it looks a little like it's whirling.

The bright green of the foliage made me happy too, plus it will eventually turn gold and later orange and red. A plant of many colors.

I mentioned these little guys in this post, but I don't think I admitted that I bought a pair (that Podophyllum tucked in the stock tank was a NWFG Show purchase).

Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Gracilis'

I'd purchased one of these Agave utahensis v. eborispina at 'Digs on Alberta' awhile back, but thanks to their 50%-off sale last weekend, I now have two more.

I made a trip to Cistus a few weeks ago, specifically to get this vine, Akebia longeracemosa 'Victor's Secret'.

Completely ridiculous name, but check out the flowers - here. And aren't the new leaves the cutest? Like a little koala-bear paw.

Because, you know, I have so much experience with koala-bear paws.

I also grabbed another Astelia nivicola 'Red Devil', because the two I have did marvelously over the winter.

And a 4" container with two Dasylirion wheeleri in it. Beacause I LOVE THEM.

It's already doing that curl at the end of the leaf thing!

The same trip to Cistus had me nabbing this Protea cynaroides (aka King Protea). Why? Well for no other reason than I am still sad about my winter loses and felt like buying something extremely ridiculous and decadent. So there.

Yes it will spend life in a (big) container. No it probably won't ever bloom. Que sera, sera.

Of course there are more spikes, Opuntia ennacea 'Browse Cherry'.

Andrew and I made a return trip to Cistus last weekend to be part of a work party, helping to clean-up winter's destruction in their display gardens. All who helped out were all gifted a couple of plants and this blurry stick is my biggest prize of the day. I am SO EXCITED.

Why? Well because it will become this, Manihot grahamii. I took this photo on a Cistus visit in 2010. I should have grabbed it then, because this plant has eluded my grasp ever since. I can't believe I've finally got it!
We'll end with Euphorbia stygiana (becasue those leaves!!!), I grew one a few years back, which I lost to a harsh winter, I felt like having it again. I also bought a Yucca linearifolia at Cistus that day, but neglected to take a photo of it. Oh well. Now hopefully it will stop raining every single day, so I can start planting...

So what have you bought this gardening season? Or...maybe you're holding off, not yet buying, simply admiring what you've already got? Either way, tell us about it!

Weather Diary, March 30: Hi 57, Low 43/ Precip trace

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

29 comments:

  1. I was recently tempted by an Akebia but the "regular water" requirement put me off. However, the Astelia is another matter...I'm celebrating the glory of our spring before hot, dry weather becomes a daily challenge: https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2017/03/too-many-favorites.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I grow this one and never water it during our hot summer. I know your climate is way more demanding than ours but this one is pretty darn tough.

      Delete
    2. Well if Heather's comment temps you Kris I bet you could mail order it from Cistus!

      Delete
  2. I really enjoyed seeing your new purchases. Not being on Facebook any more, it was all new to me! I might get a couple more Dasylirion wheeleri too, they did really well in my garden over the winter. I've been considering the Astelia 'Red Devil' too. My last Astelia purchase, I don't remember what variety it was, it didn't winter over well in the garden. I have started buying. I should do a post about my new plants, but I fear none are quite as interesting as yours. Hooray on getting that Manihot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So how is the "no Facebook" life treating you? Are you happy with your choice to step away? I hope you do post about your new plants...and I bet they're plenty exciting!

      Delete
  3. So many great things. And you certainly need some treats after the weather you have been having. I am going to go back and click on the ferns because they are beauties. Maybe Jessica at Rusty Duck can tell you if you are correct about the Koala paws, having just returned from Australia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've really enjoyed reading about her trip! And thanks for agreeing about my need for new!

      Delete
  4. Yowsa, you've been busy shopping! Talk about living dangerously, once you invite akebia and fennel into your garden, they'll never leave. I haven't bought anything as exciting as you but will remedy that this weekend when I go to the Heronswood sale and Far Reaches.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That Akebia is supposed to be less aggressive than most (so says the tag), and I am hoping to not let the fennel get out of hand. We shall see. Can't wait to see what you find at Heronswood!

      Delete
  5. Love the "50% off so I got two" mindset. :) Also, wish I hadn't clicked on the link to see that vine's blooms, because it's not cold-hardy enough for me and it looks amazing. :(
    I'm still not sure where you're going to be putting all of these...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey...wouldn't you have done the same?

      As for the where, winter was harsh.

      Delete
  6. Great purchases! I'd gladly have all of them in my garden!

    Manihot grahamii is a fast grower once it warms up. I got a small seedling a few years ago and now it's a 10 ft. tree. It does lose its leaves in the winter but comes back strong every spring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sadly I my Manihot will be in a container, not able to reach the heights of your gorgeous plant.

      Delete
  7. All very nice selections, and joy on the Manihot. The Opuntia is frightening. Protea?!? Good luck!

    I've not bought much (yet) this year--working hard on what is already here. A couple new Leucadendrons and Leucospermums, some big-box Dahlias, finally got one of those white-edged Agave attenuatas 'Ray of Light'. I held out for a good one--took years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ya the Protea will probably be a one season treat...and I'm fine with that. Glad you found your 'Ray of Light'...

      Delete
  8. Awesome choices. I hope your Yucca linearifolia thrives for you. In the past I've not liked the Agave utahensis v. eborispina photos I've seen. Recently I've seen some great specimens and love it; yours look awesome.
    The mail orders are starting to arrive-although one package due Wednesday from Joy Creek is mysteriously somewhere tied up in the local postal system....
    My most exciting find (that is waiting for me in a box at home as I type from work) is Saxifraga 'Tumbling Waters'. Finally found a place to mail order in the states. Let's hope it lives. (Ok, so I bought three to hedge my bets!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh!!! I hope you have much success with that Saxifraga, it's fab! Congrats on finding it, and smart to get more than one.

      Delete
  9. I have my eye on that Akebia too because HELLO GORGEOUS, right?! Also, I have that wooly fern in a relatively small container (meaning it regularly dries out) in the full, baking, summer sun on our front porch and it's so happy. I think you'll love yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to know! (the fern)...and do it! Buy the Akebia!

      Delete
  10. Jeez, I've got seedlings to spare of the manihot -- didn't know you were looking for it! This weekend I plan to transplant a huge potted E. stygiana into the garden and am so nervous it's going to go sideways. And lastly, I've taken the protea plunge too, with 'Pink Ice,' though I note Hoov's skeptical comment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck with the transplanting. And I think Hoov's skeptical comment was directed at the choice for my climate. Yours is, of course, more suitable.

      Delete
  11. I've had a Manihot grahamii for years. It hasn't grown very much for me. I've given it up for dead several times and it always surprises me by hanging on just a little longer. It's frustrating cause it's such a gorgeous plant!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And to think, for people in the right climate it just cruises into a beautiful tree form!

      Delete
  12. Looks like you are ahead of the curve with fern purchases (pioneering spirit, and all) and other cool stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The O. ennacea looks like Mickey Mouse with a third ear. And the Agave utahensis looks positively menacing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "positively menacing!"...how nice of you to say!

      Delete
  14. I'm still assessing the damage from this endless winter. It's got me depressed and not ready to buy anything new. Your spirit is indomitable!
    I did pick up two big ferocacti at Mariscal's and Sunland Nurseries in Palm Springs with Gerhard though. They are wishing they could have stayed in Southern California I'm afraid!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've wondered how your garden fared, I'm sure you'll get your gardening spirit back in no time!

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!