Couldn't find a name on this good looking guy.
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Monday, October 11, 2021
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden: visit part two
As a member of the Hardy Fern Foundation I receive complementary admission to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden (RSBG). If I lived closer I would take frequent advantage of this benefit, but since I'm 150 miles away it doesn't happen very often...
It's also rare I'm somewhere early enough to enjoy a freshly raked path (or it's equivalent).
Someone did a splendid job of placing this rhododendron, the coppery backside is what you see as you walk the entry path.
Here's the front, Rhododendron insigne.
Now we're at the entrance proper. I didn't take the time to check out the bonsai this visit, instead I spent several hours in the RSBG.
A closer look at the log shown above.
Inside the garden this planter was one of the first things that caught my eye. Sadly it's fabulousness doesn't show up well in a photo.
The lower plant was Rhododendron 'Ever Red'
And the tall guy was none other than Pseudopanax ferox, with it's striking juvenile leaves.
Moving on I had to stop and photograph this Rhododendron yuefengense. It was one of several I saw with a bright petiole and thick, rounded leaves.
If you saw Friday's post then you might appreciate this view Rutherford Conservatory. Next time I'm heading there first and exiting out the back of the building and into the garden.
Plantings outside the conservatory...
Similar, but different than, the containers I shared in Friday's post.
Perhaps Astrolepis sinuata (wavy cloak fern)?
Walking on... this combo was striking in person. On the right is Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta, a large-leaved magnolia.
On the left, Rhododendron 'Cinnamon Bear'.
I think these cone-like fruits are called follicles—but I'll never remember that and always end up calling them cones—and I thought they were from Magnolia obovata, but looking up that plant's fruit online the shape doesn't look right.
Dryopteris polylepis
Nice Schefflera delavayi...
Rhododendron macabeanum
And then my eyes settled on a planting of a rather columnar Schefflera taiwaniana and many Sinopanax formosanus.
So many! It will be interesting to watch them mature.
Another magnolia with fabulous fruiting cones...aka follicles.
And here is where I'll pause. We'll pick back up on Wednesday...
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Every time I see images from here, I regret that I did not know of its existence when we were in the area last. I would love to visit in person but it's unlikely to happen, so I am delirious with your visit.
ReplyDeleteNever say never! I hope you get the chance, in the mean time there are more photos coming...
DeleteIn my mind, Rhododendrons (which, with the possible exception of the vireya species, are impossible to grow here) were all about the flowers but you've given me a better appreciation for their interesting foliage. 'Cinnamon Bear' is wonderful! The Magnolia cones/follicles are very interesting too.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll plan a visit to the RSBG doing high bloom time next year. I've always visited in the off months and haven't missed the blooms one bit. It would be interesting to see the other side of things.
DeleteFabulous !
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed!
DeleteThis place is definitely on my bucket list. My BIL is moving to Seattle, so I might just see it one day. I love Rhododendron 'Cinnamon Bear'. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYay! Yes... definitely check it out if you can.
DeleteLove all those pink cones/fruit. Very striking amidst all the green. Grew up with the common rhododendrons, pretty when in flower but not much after. So many ones with great foliage especially Cinnamon Bear.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true, there are many rhododendrons to admire for their foliage alone.
DeleteBetween RSBG posts part and part two, I felt the garden's calling so I visited last Saturday. Two glorious hours of meditative, green soaking pleasure. Now its even more fun to read your post, seeing some things again and others that I missed. I noticed the raked paths... I don't remember it from previous visits.
ReplyDeleteInspired by your Pyrrosia collection, I bought one in their shop.
Lucky you! I'm glad you answered the call and got a pyrrosia too! Which one did you get?
DeleteThe tag reads: Pyrrosia sp. SEH#12547 (same as yours). I think I'll just call mine Steve.
DeletePerfect! And since they live in different cities perhaps I can get away with calling mine Stevie...
DeleteThose follicles are so ovarian. They look ready to burst!
ReplyDeleteHa, you're right!
DeleteI never knew they are called follicles. Such strange fruit!
ReplyDelete