A Visit to Cistus Nursery
I rarely go to nurseries anymore since I work part-time at one and another reason being that I don't have much room for additional plants. When a garden fanatic runs out of room, the brain goes into overdrive, dreaming up ingenious ways to incorporate more plants. And another thing happens - a burning desire to obtain rare and unique plants. I've been moving plants around, a tricky process that has a domino effect. A plant is unhappy - it is getting too much shade or perhaps too much sun. There is a plant that did not get as large as you thought it would or it is just a slow grower and now it is hopelessly hidden behind a taller plant. Sometimes a plant is just a dud for reasons unknown (Rhododendron 'Golden Gate' anyone?). I find the plant in question a better home, but it means that another plant will have to be moved. And the merry-go-round continues to turn... However, for those plants that are to be discarded, a space opens up for a new one! I decided to move a Mou...
I also was lured by Home Depot two years ago to buy the same shrub. It seems to be growing slowly but steadily and is covered with buds, like yours is. I wonder if they are related, from the same grower's lot? Mine was purchased in Cleveland, TN.
ReplyDeleteGo figure. I am amazed at what will grow where.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your success with the lovely daphne, Phillip! Sometimes it's best not to read what "the books" have to say. Seems to me that I used to grow some plants perfectly well until I read that they weren't supposed to grow here.
ReplyDeleteWow, an evergreen Daphne, I'm so envious ! Even the deciduous ones are difficult to grow here.
ReplyDeleteWhy not try a xeriscape
( translation : dry scape ) in the area by your garage. There are native Alabama plants that are also drought tolerant. Here's a website with a full-list of recommended Alabama plants that are drought-tolerant : www.trussville.com/tu/spotlight_xeriscaping.htm
Daphnes prefer acid soil, right? I doubt they'd live here!
ReplyDeleteYour shrub looks so happy right where it is, Phillip... maybe you could use ground-layering or mound -layering techniques on your daphne to make one shrub into a group for that difficult spot.
Happy Blooming Day!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Daphne odora is indeed difficult. I had one at our last house, which I abandoned in bone dry complete shade under a huge live oak. It flourished--a beautiful tight hemisphere covered with scented flowers in January. It was always the scent that told me it was in flower. At our new place, with soil of the same pH, etc., I have killed 2 of them. I'm sure they like dry shade and almost neutral pH, but I haven't figured out what the x factor is.
ReplyDeleteI am truly envious. Does it have a strong scent? I have a small Carole Mackie but no flowers yet. I managed to kill a large Daphne a few years ago so have been reluctant to spend a lot of money again.
ReplyDeleteDoes it smell as good as they say? I remember reading that they don't live that long.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photo Philip. I have been looking at that little guy in the garden for weeks now trying to figure out what it was. I purchased it, like many others, at Home Depot Landscape center last year before a drought hit and it has done wonderfully. Last year was our first in the south after 20 years in zone 5 and snow, so I have a whole lot of new things to try, and most I bury the tags alongside - but this little fella must have lost its tag somewhere along the way!
ReplyDeleteThanks
This does indeed have an amazing scent!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite plants. They smell so amazing. On a cultural side the real trick with daphne is perfect drainage. Their root are very sensitive. At the nurseries that I have worked at I usually recommend to plant them high. About an inch or so higher than the soil line and then mulch the top. Yours looks really healthy. A testament to what a good gardener you are.
ReplyDelete