Last Saturday we took down the walls on the shade pavilion greenhouse, an annual milestone for sure. From here on out it's happy outdoor living! (okay for 6 months...) Of course before the deconstruction could get underway we had to remove all the plants. As we did I saw many things I wanted to stop and note, or take care of, but there wasn't time (the husband runs a tight crew, no lollygagging). However there was one plant so amazing in it's spring growth that I had to record what I was seeing and that's my Banksia blechnifolia...
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This is the second Banksia blechnifolia I've grown, as the first died an untimely death last spring when allowed to dry out on an unusually hot May day while I was away on Jury duty. It was so fabulous I bought a replacement last September when I visited The Desert Northwest up in Sequim, WA.
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This is what made me want to try to grow it again. The undersides of the leaves...
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But look at this combination of the underside of an older leaf with the coppery fuzz of a new one. Pretty darn fabulous.
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But wait! Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, there is fuchsia fuzz too! Seriously. Is this plant amazing our what?
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The only thing that could take it to the next level, well it's this...a crazy ground level bloom! What if? Well I would be thrilled (photo borrowed from The Desert Northwest)...
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Description from The Desert Northwest: "Fascinating! This is one of several Banksia species that actually creeps along the ground, producing large leaves that stick straight up while the stems are completely prostrate. In the case of this species, the leaves recall with remarkable resemblance those of some species of the fern genus Blechnum, though they are much tougher, and may exceed 12" long. Cylindrical orange or orange-red flower spikes are produced on quite young plants: these arise directly from ground level resulting in a very curious looking plant! And to top it all off, it has brilliant pink new growth! Being from summer-dry Western Australia, it will appreciate a hot site, perhaps with reflected heat, and NO summer water. Although we're not sure how hardy this is yet, it's certainly hardier than might be expected. So far it has survived temperatures in the upper teens F unharmed. It can also be grown in a container in a sandy soil mix, where it is sure to make an interesting conversation piece, and yes, it does bloom in a pot!"
Bonus: if you're in the Portland, Oregon, area I've just learned The Desert Northwest will be at the Spring Garden Fair in Canby this weekend. May 3&4, 2014. If you contact them today (Thursday) you might be in time to get Ian to bring down a requested plant. Sadly he has no Banksia blechnifolia stock at the moment.
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So...that's my story, now I want to hear about what's looking good in your garden this week...
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
This is the second Banksia blechnifolia I've grown, as the first died an untimely death last spring when allowed to dry out on an unusually hot May day while I was away on Jury duty. It was so fabulous I bought a replacement last September when I visited The Desert Northwest up in Sequim, WA.
This is what made me want to try to grow it again. The undersides of the leaves...
But look at this combination of the underside of an older leaf with the coppery fuzz of a new one. Pretty darn fabulous.
But wait! Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, there is fuchsia fuzz too! Seriously. Is this plant amazing our what?
The only thing that could take it to the next level, well it's this...a crazy ground level bloom! What if? Well I would be thrilled (photo borrowed from The Desert Northwest)...
Description from The Desert Northwest: "Fascinating! This is one of several Banksia species that actually creeps along the ground, producing large leaves that stick straight up while the stems are completely prostrate. In the case of this species, the leaves recall with remarkable resemblance those of some species of the fern genus Blechnum, though they are much tougher, and may exceed 12" long. Cylindrical orange or orange-red flower spikes are produced on quite young plants: these arise directly from ground level resulting in a very curious looking plant! And to top it all off, it has brilliant pink new growth! Being from summer-dry Western Australia, it will appreciate a hot site, perhaps with reflected heat, and NO summer water. Although we're not sure how hardy this is yet, it's certainly hardier than might be expected. So far it has survived temperatures in the upper teens F unharmed. It can also be grown in a container in a sandy soil mix, where it is sure to make an interesting conversation piece, and yes, it does bloom in a pot!"
Bonus: if you're in the Portland, Oregon, area I've just learned The Desert Northwest will be at the Spring Garden Fair in Canby this weekend. May 3&4, 2014. If you contact them today (Thursday) you might be in time to get Ian to bring down a requested plant. Sadly he has no Banksia blechnifolia stock at the moment.
So...that's my story, now I want to hear about what's looking good in your garden this week...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.