Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Making the tough choices...Version 2.0

Last March I shared a tough choice I was about to make, to do away with a Magnolia laevifolia that was healthy, but just planted in the wrong place. It was a hard one carry out, but I did it and honestly never regretted it. New year, same choice...

My awesome (a word I rarely use, but seemed appropriate) Grevillea australis has had a tough go of it the last couple of years. Wet, heavy snow and equally heavy ice, have piled up and caused it to flop onto the containers at its side. Once the snow and ice melts it somewhat rights itself, but always with a slightly worse tilt. That's it, in the center, below. This is the most flattering angle to see it from.

Moving in closer you can see it definitely has a lean to it (which I notice is mirrored in the bare branches of the oak above it, hmmm....).

The poor suffering Nolina 'La Siberica' I planted too close would love a little more sun.

It's grown thick stems during its 4 years in the ground. I wish they were just stronger. I have repeatedly staked it up with rebar, and trimmed several branches off the plant in an attempt to lighten it's lopsided load.

Poor deformed thing.
I should back up and name the strangely hacked tall trunk to the left, in case you'd noticed it. That's my Paulownia tomentosa, an incredibly fast growing tree that I'm using to block an unwanted view, until the Loquat planted behind it can take over, which it's almost ready to do. The Paulownia is pollarded each year to keep it in check. Eventually it will be cut to the ground and a single trunk with huge leaves will shoot upward each summer.

Back to the Grevillea. Its "lean" means that I have about 5" to maneuver between the Agave ovatifolia spikes and the Grevillea's somewhat poky foliage. And this is a working pathway that I use to get to other areas of the garden, and the stock tank pond.

So what do I have hiding behind the Grevillea which will suddenly be exposed should I (oh the horror!) remove it? Well this Pittosporum illicioides.

And a currently dormant cut back) Melianthus villosus under-planted with Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop' — to the right of that, a variegated Ginkgo.

Then there's the Quercus dentata 'Pinnatifida’, but it's lower section is clear of branches.
And a lovely Podocarpus matudae.

And even further back a Lardizabala biternata.

Which has yet to bloom, but when it does!

So what would I put in its place, should I remove the flopping Gevillea? Well of course there are any number of sexy plants that will thrive in that full sun exposure. I'm also thinking of this hunk-a-metal trellis (Passion Flower!) the Mardi Gras Gardener gave me last summer.

And honestly I will simply appreciate being able to walk through here again, easily.

Of course in an ideal world I would be able to cut the Grevillea back to rejuvenate it, and keep it. But I don't think that's gonna work.

What are your thoughts?

Weather Diary, March 19: Hi 58, Low 35/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

26 comments:

  1. The Grevillea has to go. Not only because it hides so many wonderful plants (Lardizabala biternata, what a name!) but because it has grown to annoy you. As difficult as it is to pull out a beloved plant, I think you'll love the new space even more.

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    1. Did you click through to see the flowers on the Lardizabala? They're so cool!!!

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    2. I did click and I was IMPRESSED! I hope you get to show off your own blooms soon.

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  2. I agree with the above comment. You've watched it suffer through two bad winters and will constantly fret about it in the future. Plus ,once we begin to see the downside of a plant, it becomes hard to see anything positive. I have created beds with no path through and it is a huge problem that I need to deal with, so having an accessible path and losing something that mostly bothers you seem like two good reasons to end it all.

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    1. "once we begin to see the downside of a plant, it becomes hard to see anything positive"... so true! I started thinking this way last spring but had so much other stuff to tend to (after a very destructive winter) that it fell off my plate, until now.

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  3. Well, I was kind of with you right up until you said, what should I put in its place? Won't that defeat the purpose of pulling it out? You know I hate throwing away plants, but that Nolina is definitely going to appreciate having more room, not to mention all the other plants that will like having their moment to shine. I guess it's kind of like exercise, or pulling a tooth, or a bandaid -- just do it. But leave the space empty for a while.

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    1. You and Evan are both so reasonable! I was actually thinking of something low, and and maybe herbaceous. Or maybe even an annual.

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  4. Ugh. I always agonize over those decisions too. I usually delay, delay, delay but, when I finally go ahead, I'm glad I did. I'm facing a similar decision with one of my 2 Grevillea 'Penola' but, as that plant hasn't been looking so great, it's a bit easier to face.

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    1. Ugh, I am sorry to hear you're in the same boat. I wonder which one of us will act first?

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  5. I agree with the previous comments. It's not working in the space. Time for it to go. Before you put anything else in the resulting empty space, I think you should take a walk through the McMenamins Kennedy School garden to give yourself a reality check on how big that Nolina will get. It will likely pick up speed with the grevillea removed. If you absolutely can't stand the empty space waiting for the Nolina and other plants to fill it, I would go with the metal trellis idea. It will fill the space and a vine growing up that will hopefully be easier to remove than a shrub when the time comes to make room for the Nolina and other plants.

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    1. Back on March 2nd I shared a photo of that huge Nolina at KS on Instagram and wrote "I am in awe, and a little intimidated, by this Nolina ‘La Siberica’ at McMenamins Kennedy School. It’s got to be close to 6ft tall now, and nearly as wide. I have 3 planted in my small garden."... so ya, I know.

      Also I should have qualified my "what should I plant" statement to say a low grower, or fun annuals. Something to work well with the others who all ready call that area home. Oh and even a vine would likely be an annual...

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  6. If it were me I'd remove it, but probably do something stupid like cut it way back, dig it up, and put it in a pot. I have more nooks to hide ugly experiments in than you do though.

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    1. Ya I'm pretty short on nooks, plus (and this is the biggest reason) Grevileas aren't really down with that kind of treatment.

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  7. I think it is not working well and covering a lot of great plants. It can become compost and nurture the other plants!

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  8. Well, you know me, I just keep stuffing more in until something dies. However, I'm with the others, it's time for Ilene to go if she bugs you!

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    1. Nah, nothing ever dies in your garden...

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  9. Yes, time to remove. Other plants will like the opening.
    Love that Podocarpus. How long have you been growing it?
    Thanks! Ted.

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    1. If I remember correctly the Podocarpus went in during the spring of 2014. It's a good one! From Cistus Nursery.

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  10. A gardener with the strength of resolve to remove a Magnolia laevigata can say goodbye to a Grevillea. I'm with Alison; only something small, if anything, in its place, to give the Nolinia and the other plants in the sector space to strut their stuff.

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    1. Well I did (and still do) have another Magnolia laevifolia, so that wasn't a complete loss. And yes, definitely small. And maybe movable, like a container.

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  11. Grevillea - "Off with it's head!"

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    1. Wow, harsh! (I appreciate that kind of talk, it motivates me)

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  12. I agree with everyone above--mainly because it's what you want to do. I'm terrible about ditching plants, but like you, once I make the decision, I don't regret it. Sometimes it's just a matter of moving the plant or putting it in a pot, but I don't know if those options will work in this situation...

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    1. Ya, unfortunately Grevilleas aren't fond of being messed with much. But it will fill a few vases, if only temporarily.

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  13. remove but take plenty of cuttings and root them! My grevillea victoriae root like no ones business just sitting in vases.

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