When we first moved here, we bought 100 tiny seedlings of giant sequoias. They were about the length of a new pencil, but much skinnier. Heeled into a long trench, over half of them did well, a rate of success somewhat higher than we had been led to expect. After a couple of years, they needed to be potted up to grow on for another two or three years. By then, they were looking more like they might amount to something. We gave some of them away, repotted a few to larger pots and scattered the rest around our place. Here is one of our seven-year-olds:
The idea is that one day the property will vaguely resemble the grounds of Reed College (minus the grand old buildings, of course).
Richard zeroed in on this Czothamnus ‘Sussex Silver’ on a trip to Cistus a couple of years ago. It is growing speedily, as predicted, but we have yet to see it bloom. Who cares? The silver, needle-like leaves are what create the soft texture. A correction, provided by the knowledgeable Loree of Danger Garden fame: it is Ozothamnus, with an O, still a fairly uncommon plant.
Here’s a close-up to show you what I mean. Who knows: it may soon become a candidate for a Bloom Day post if the white buttons that fade to terra cotta ever put in an appearance.
Sometimes a common plant can be just what is needed for color and texture. Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Lemon Thread’ is one of those.
A long-dead Acacia provisima is hosting a party of beautiful fungi cascading down the trunk like a diva’s boa.
We are lucky to have all of the fascinating foliage to distract us from the recalcitrant spring, and lucky that Pam at Digging has created a forum for us to share and enjoy.
I think this is my favorite foliage-follow up post ever! First of all I love your Sequoia story. My husband is always after me to buy the small plants, but I am (unfortunately) all about the instant impact. I need to remember to be more like Ricki.
Then the Ozothamnus ‘Sussex Silver’…wow! What a great close up shot, and it’s from Cistus! (more Cistus foliage-follow-up love).
And that fungi is gorgeous! Not to mention the fact that must have been one huge Acacia provisima!
The Czomanthus is a new one for me. I like the texture. I love the “boa.” Great job on your seedling Sequioas.
I agree with Loree. Great post. I especially love your evocative last line: “A long-dead Acacia provisima is hosting a party of beautiful fungi cascading down the trunk like a diva’s boa.” Good luck with your sequoia vision. It sounds sublime.
I adore the sequoia and the cistus both… but that fungi is AMAZING! 🙂
Loree~Thanks for the kudos! Tell your husband it is fun to watch the “kids” grow up, but instant gratification, it is not!
I think you solved a puzzle for me. The label on ‘Sussex Silver was kind of scratched up, so that I couldn’t tell if the first letter was an O or a C. Neither showed up in a search, so I just took a guess (wrong).
The Acacia got much bigger than I had expected, having never seen one bigger than about 40″. It was outgrowing its spot, but I still mourned its passing.
Grace~Change that C to an O (see Loree’s comment & my answer) and it’s still not one you have probably ever heard of.
Pam~Your appreciation means a lot to me. Thanks!
Kim~Welcome! I am now off to follow your trail to see what blackswampgirl is all about.