There was a little sneak peek of this plant on last Sunday’s bloomday post, ever since taking that photo I’m obsessed with this plant and find myself trying to figure out where I can put another. This one is on the north-side of our house, someplace I rarely am.
In fact it’s right up against the neighbor’s garage and driveway. The now horizontal branches were tall and proud until the strong rain a couple of weeks ago knocked them over. Yes that's a car tire/wheel right next to them, danger!
The name I used above, Fatshedera 'Aureo Maculata,' is the name on my plant tag, but it seems better known as x Fatshedera lizei 'Annemieke.'
This description from Xera Plants seems to sum things up quite well: “This form is also known as 'Aureomaculata'- just to include a little confusion in your gardening day. This hybrid between Fatsia japonica and Hedera is even more bold in that it has leaves with a center of light yellow. The variegation is striking on this scandant vine/shrub and is excellent for lighting up dark corners. A curious plant that will be self clinging in areas with no wind or may be grown as a large scale mounding groundcover. Tip prune to encourage branching and a denser habit. Susceptible to winter damage if exposed to subfreezing winds, best sited in part shade to shade in protected locations. Ideal for a large trellis on shaded walls. Though leaves may be damaged by temperatures below 15 °F, established plants recover in spring with phenomenal speed. Takes dry shade VERY well. Has survived 0 °F. EVERGREEN.”
As you probably noticed my plant is mixed in with a clematis and perhaps a bit of Virginia Creeper too, just to make things really messy. I need to get in there and clean out some of that mess before the Fatshedera gets eaten up. It would be a shame to obscure any of those colorful leaves.
Oh and I can’t forget to share this random branch with pure white leaves. They get toasted whenever we have a really sunny and hot couple of days but always fight their way back.
The stats:
- hardy in zones 7b – 10b
- can reach 60” tall
- likes well drained soil with even moisture although can handle being on the drier side
- shade to part sun
One last look at it’s (almost) bloom…
What's your favorite plant in your garden this week?
All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.