Getting my plant fix...

Going a little stir crazy last week I had to get out of the house. Since I hadn’t visited the Chinese Garden after the plant sale in March that was destination #1. I didn’t intend to take pictures but when I saw this Rhododendron I instinctively reached for the camera. Of course I couldn’t let this colony of Syneilesis go unappreciated. The same for the Lysimachia Paridiformis. And this pretty plant…and I’m sure somebody can tell me what it is? These next two images are each half of the whole. The much adored Impatiens omeiana. And now I get to correct a past error of ignorance. Last Bloomday I shared a picture of what I thought were flower buds appearing on my Poncirus trifoliata, well they were not. They were leaves! Here’s what a bloom looks like. And this entire glorious plant. I’ve looked at these odd black rhizomes/roots in the past, now I see what comes out of them! Is it a Rodgersia? Daphniphyllum humile. And new monster shoots from the bamboo! Joy Creek Nursery was also on my hit-list, I wanted more Saxifraga macnabiana and they are the only place I’ve seen them, the drive to get there sounded like a good thing. Once there I only took a couple of pictures, one of this wonderful Muscari macrocarpum ‘Golden Fragrance’ (identification from Ricki’s recent post on her trip to Joy Creek. It seems a few of the same things caught our eye). Rodgersia podophylla… Sexy! Paris quadrifolia… And it was a simple successful trip, as I returned home with three Saxifraga macnabiana…

Visiting the Columbia River Gorge

It’s time to get out-and-about for a little field trip…and guess what! We’re not visiting a nursery! Our first stop was at the Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery. The parking lot was full of wild Lupine…what a great foliage plant. Also in the parking lot was the best little nursery visiting vehicle ever. Isn’t it cute? That’s a regular sized soccer mom van parked next to it. Just think of the plants and friends I could fit in there! Here’s the best I could do for a Dam glamour shot. At the fish hatchery was this drastically pruned three trunked tree. And what looks like the reflection of branches of a tree in the pond are actually Sturgeon. Here’s the next generation being baked. The sign above the racks says: “6500 egss per tray x 2240 trays = almost 15 million fish” That could someday be this big… I think this one is Herman the Sturgeon; he’s an (approximately) 11 foot long, 500 pound, 70 year old sturgeon. In route to the Columbia Hills Petroglyphs (our ultimate destination) we stopped at a park to take in the view. Unfortunately when we reached the Petroglyphs the sun was in front of us and since you’re required to stay behind the fence (a good 15 or so feet away) taking decent pictures was virtually impossible. This was the only one I attempted. There was a place nearby where you could climb on the rocks next to the river, great views. And another area where you were high up above an inlet. Of course the wild flowers did not disappoint. This was my favorite ...

Acacia 'Cousin It'

I’m afraid I’ve become slightly obsessed by a plant I’ve never even seen. Never seen in person that is, I’ve seen several pictures. For the first time on the wonderful blog Piece of Eden (above and below). Then just a few days later this same plant shows up on the Martha Stewart Garden Blog when Tony Bielaczyc visited the Ball Horticulture Pack Trials. Here is the picture from Martha’s blog… Isn’t it hot!? Kind of like a Restio crossed with Hakonechloa. Here’s what MSGB had to say about it: “This is Acacia 'Cousin It'. The name is nearly as charming as the plant itself. It's a slow grower and perfect for containers, which is what Ball is working toward with many of their woodies, adapting them as container plants.”

Next I went to the San Marcos Growers website to learn more. Here are a couple of their pictures… And what they have to say: “Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' (Little River Wattle) - A low growing mounding form of the River Wattle, Acacia cognata, with tight growth to 2 to 3 feet tall by 3 to 6 feet wide with light green, sometimes red tinged, new growth that matures to a rich emerald green. This plant has not been noted in bloom but likely would have the very pale yellow flowers of the species. Plant in full sun to part shade in a well drained soil. Once established it will require only occasional irrigation. The literature lists it hardy to 15°F but we feel that the tips likely will freeze at 20-25° F as with the species but this likely will not be as damaging as it is to the tree form and serve as a light pruning on this shrub form. This plant was first released in Australia as Acacia cognata 'Mini Cog' but is making its debut in the US under the marketing name Cousin Itt by Ball Ornamental Plants” And going to the Ball Ornamental Plants site I learned this:

Scientific Name: Acacia cognata 'Mini Cog'
Common Name: Cousin Itt Acacia
Hardiness Degree: 15°F (-9.4°C)
Plant Habit: Spreading, Mounded
Spacing: 18 - 36" (46 - 91cm)
Height: 36" (91cm)
Width: 36" (91cm)
Exposure: Sun
Grower Information: A Ball Ornamentals Exclusive.
A Low-Water Needs Variety.
Evergreen shrub with compact, mounded, spreading habit and green, weeping foliage. Low water requirements make it great for dry Mediterranean landscapes or as a container plant for colder, wetter climates. It also features a high tolerance of heat in the southern United States. No flowers have been observed. Perfect for foundation plantings or large/mixed containers.

Naturally I’ve fallen for a plant that isn’t hardy here in Portland. But yet I imagine a thick border along the front of the house, choking out the Bishops Weed and looking fabulous!

Could you resist?

You’re visiting a nursery (no specific needs in mind, just driving by and thought you’d stop) and you happen upon these: Could you resist? Just look at them! So sinuous, beautiful bright color, and they promise a good 6-8 weeks of stunning bloom, a hummingbird magnet the entire time. Why would you resist? Hesperaloe parviflora with bloom tall spikes, if you’re local and you want to grab a couple they’re at Dennis’ 7 Dees, Cedar Hills, only $14.99. (In case you’re wondering if I could resist, yes. But only because I had already bought the one shown below elsewhere)