Thursday, February 13, 2020

“So that thing’s dead right?”

I was working in the front garden, a bit of winter clean up, when a person walking by stopped to chat. We talked about the blooming Arctostaphylos x ‘Austin Griffiths', the fact that yes indeed you can grow agaves in Portland, Oregon, then she pointed at my Pittosporum divaricatum and said “so that thing’s dead right?”...

This fabulous plant!? Why ever would you think that?

No, it's still very much alive. Although it will look more alive in a month or so when the new leaves start to push out. Here's a little new growth on the same plant way back in 2011.
And here's a good shot of it's dark little leaves when I first brought it home from Cistus Nursery.

Truth be told I've been threatening to take it out, it's grown so big that it's infringing upon space that rightfully belongs to the Yucca rostrata next to it. But then again that dark tangle does provide an excellent backdrop for the yucca's sharp leaves.

Pittosporum divaricatum description from Cistus Nursery: This plant, on our lust list for years, is in many ways a typical New Zealand citizen, with tiny, 1/4 inch, narrow, toothed leaves of nearly jet black, providing difficult grazing for beaky animals….all this on a densely upright, divaricating shrub. Eventually to 8 ft or more, but easily kept at 3-4 ft, producing small, dark red flowers and, with age, larger leaves. Striking pot or garden specimen. We suggest planting with silver foliage plants so youngsters don’t get lost or stepped on. Prefers some summer water. Has proven hardy to 10F, USDA zone 8.

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Weather Diary, Feb 12: Hi 52, Low 34/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

13 comments:

  1. I know all about plants that get too big, although it feels unfair to yank out plants for being too successful, doesn't it? Such a dilemma... black leafs are so rare and they do make for a gorgeous backdrop, maybe pruning is an option? Are there fragrant white flowers on this shrub?

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    1. Yes I do plan to do a little judicious pruning. I meant to get to it last gardening season but the book took priority.

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  2. In it's dormant state it does indeed look like it has departed this world. Similarly, I find it difficult to recognize if dark leaved Carex's are dead or alive. Kept one in a pot for a couple of years before realizing that yes indeed it had died.

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    1. Oh yes! I used to have a couple of those carex and finally decided they were just to "dried" looking all the time.

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  3. Noooo, don't take it out. Chop it back if needed. I also love the way it provides a beautiful backdrop for the Yucca rostrata.

    I got one from Cistus last spring and it's grown quite a bit. I wouldn't want to be without it.

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    1. It's crazy to look back at photos of how small my plant used to be. And yes. I will try to do some tasteful pruning. It's too cool to let go without a fight.

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  4. The first time a non-gardening friend saw our weeping purple Beech, she asked the same thing. I love the color and textural contrast between your two plants. Can you do a little discrete pruning to keep it in bounds?

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    1. Seriously!? There's nothing dead looking about that tree...silly person!

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  5. A teachable moment! Here, neighbors tend to think anything that isn't evergreen may be dead. Black-leafed plants are valuable - I say prune it back but don't throw it out.

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    1. Ah yes...you've reminded me of an odd conversation with another gardener, a blogger, about evergreen vs. deciduous vs. non-woody plants. A head scratcher that one was.

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  6. I often forget that what feels like common knowledge to me isn't always on the average person's radar. Guess that's why they think we're 'experts' ;)

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  7. I hope that some pruning will let that beauty stay where it is... Such a gorgeous combo with the yucca!

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