This week’s favorite is a tree I bought last fall, at that time it had only a handful of crispy copper leaves still attached. Watching it bust out with new growth this spring has been amazing…
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The tiny pink leaves and the green catkins were such a wonderful combination.
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As the leaves got larger they took on a darker hue.
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And finally they turned green, a wonder shade silhouetted against a blue sky.
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Details on the eventual height of Quercus dentata 'Pinnatifida' (aka Cutleaf Emperor Oak) are somewhat difficult to find. Everyone seems to stress how slow growing it is and offers up statistics like “8' tall x 3' wide in 10 years” (via Buchholz and Buchholz Nursery, where I bought my tree). Their full description: “An amazing, upright deciduous tree with large, green and deeply cut leaves. Truly unlike any other oak. Like something wild from a rainforest. Prefers full sun in well-drained soil. 8' tall x 3' wide in 10 years. Hardy to -30 degrees. USDA zone 4.” My tree is just over 6 ft tall...
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Plantlust.com lists it as eventually reaching 15ft tall, JC Raulston Arboretum says 20ft. The foliage is long and lean and just starting to look lush.
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15ft, 20ft, either sounds good to me.
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The stats:
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With this post I'm also joining Foliage Follow-Up on Digging, because foliage is why I had to have this tree in my garden. So, what's looking really good in your garden this week? Bonus points if it's all about the foliage...
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
The tiny pink leaves and the green catkins were such a wonderful combination.
As the leaves got larger they took on a darker hue.
And finally they turned green, a wonder shade silhouetted against a blue sky.
Details on the eventual height of Quercus dentata 'Pinnatifida' (aka Cutleaf Emperor Oak) are somewhat difficult to find. Everyone seems to stress how slow growing it is and offers up statistics like “8' tall x 3' wide in 10 years” (via Buchholz and Buchholz Nursery, where I bought my tree). Their full description: “An amazing, upright deciduous tree with large, green and deeply cut leaves. Truly unlike any other oak. Like something wild from a rainforest. Prefers full sun in well-drained soil. 8' tall x 3' wide in 10 years. Hardy to -30 degrees. USDA zone 4.” My tree is just over 6 ft tall...
Plantlust.com lists it as eventually reaching 15ft tall, JC Raulston Arboretum says 20ft. The foliage is long and lean and just starting to look lush.
15ft, 20ft, either sounds good to me.
The stats:
- hardy to at least USDA Zone 5, maybe 4
- upright deciduous tree
- prefers full sun in well-drained soil
- growth is so slow that this is a frustrating plant if you don't have glacial patience (which is why I bought the largest specimen I could find)
With this post I'm also joining Foliage Follow-Up on Digging, because foliage is why I had to have this tree in my garden. So, what's looking really good in your garden this week? Bonus points if it's all about the foliage...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.