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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...
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Seasonal oddity



Things that make you go hmmm?

Only one branch of our kousa dogwood has fall color - a deep burgundy and the rest of the tree is still green. Very odd, don't you think?

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  1. C. C.November 17, 2009 at 7:30 AM

    It's very striking. :)

    Do you like the kousas? We had more than a dozen plain dogwoods in our yard that died 5+ years ago from blight, I suppose. I'd like to replace some of them, but I'm concerned that the blight is in the soil now.

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  2. Phillip OliverNovember 17, 2009 at 7:47 AM

    C.C., I do love the kousa dogwood. They may not be as showy as the other but I think they are very elegant. The blooms sit on top of the leaves so if it is possible to have a view looking down on them, it would be an advantage. I know ours is spectacular from a top story bedroom window but of course no one is usually up there to see it.

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowNovember 17, 2009 at 8:08 AM

    We can see which limb of the family tree is quite lively during fall. ;) It is odd.

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  4. CarolNovember 17, 2009 at 8:53 AM

    Perhaps it is blushing in honor of your maiden. I have had this happen before but not so dramatically. Very beautiful Phillip. I just posted my Kousa too... all gone now and I have to say it was never so brilliant as yours! Carol

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  5. LesNovember 17, 2009 at 9:52 AM

    Not to jinx you, but that odd color pattern may indicate some kind of stress. Nevertheless it is beautiful.

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  6. C. C.November 17, 2009 at 10:32 AM

    The blooms sit on top of the leaves so if it is possible to have a view looking down on them, it would be an advantage.

    Then they would be perfect for us. We have a large picture window that overlooks the back yard. Thanks!

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  7. Phillip OliverNovember 17, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    Oh no Les, don't tell me that!

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  8. RandyNovember 17, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    Boy, you garden sure is in a lot better shape than mine is right now!

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  9. AnonymousNovember 17, 2009 at 11:03 AM

    Well, it sure is a beautiful red. The rest of the tree can't be far behind. Beautiful grounds, by the way.

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  10. Roses and LilacsNovember 17, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    Phillip, your garden is lovely, even this late in the season. Those paths that disappear round curves beckon us to follow;)
    Marnie

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  11. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressNovember 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM

    I had the opposite on my Japanese Maple. All of the tree was red except for one branch that stayed green.

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  12. AnonymousNovember 17, 2009 at 3:01 PM

    What a pretty color. Maybe a wave of cold air hit only it and not the rest of the tree. We have three blueberry bushes and only one is brilliant red, the other two are green. I believe it is colder in that spot. Your garden scene looks fabulous!

    Frances

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  13. maría ceciliaNovember 17, 2009 at 7:43 PM

    Hi Phillip, I think nature has still a lot to teach us. Here in Chile nature also has been very different.
    Cariños
    María Cecilia

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  14. GailNovember 18, 2009 at 3:50 AM

    They are the best trees for brilliant fall color and the fruit is awesome looking....It is odd that only that one branch is red. Your garden is lovely~~I love the curve and the material you've chosen for the paths. gail

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  15. Dave@The Home GardenNovember 18, 2009 at 5:59 AM

    I've seen quite a few odd foliage happenings this year. Red maples with yellow centers and red borders on the leaves. The weather is probably the culprit!

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  16. sweetbayNovember 18, 2009 at 6:37 AM

    I agree with Les but nevertheless it's very striking, and then again, may just be an oddity. These plants always keep you guessing!

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  17. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogNovember 18, 2009 at 8:55 AM

    Very odd! I think the weather has confused many plants.

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  18. Sarah LaurenceNovember 18, 2009 at 1:20 PM

    How odd! We sometimes have a few maple leaves turn early during a dry summer but never a whole section of the tree. I hope Les is wrong about the stress, but it looks that way. At least it is beautiful and you still have leaves.

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  19. Southern AspirationsNovember 21, 2009 at 7:11 AM

    Very interesting! This fall has been pretty interesting with the foliage- we get a little chill, the color turn starts, but then we get a warm spell that halts everything (and makes my daylillies start to sprout). Perhaps that is what happened here?

    In any event, a great study in contrast!

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