“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.


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

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