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Chilean Fire Bush - a hidden jewel in our garden

It is heartbreaking that this beauty is hidden in our garden but at least the hummingbirds have found it. Hidden because it is planted behind a 7 feet tall rose. I planted it there because I was under the impression that it would become a tree. It can indeed become a tree and there is one growing about a mile from our house that is around 20 feet tall.  In our garden, it is taking its sweet time and is only 4 feet tall after being planted seven years ago (2017). It did not begin to bloom until its fifth year and this is the first year flowering has been so profuse. Whenever I think about this plant, I always remember what the Gosslers said in their book "The Gossler Guide to the Best Hardy Shrubs". I quote it here: "Since this plant comes from southern Chile, we begin with a word of warning: it will not grow anywhere in the United States outside western Washington, Oregon and northern California. People wanting to grow E. coccineum in the eastern part of the country will

Happy Plants & A Tiny Hortlandia Haul


Wet, wet, wet. This week another "atmospheric river" invaded us and it has been raining pretty much non-stop since Saturday. Today brought us a break but I think more rain is on the way. The good news is that the plants are happy.

Camellia 'Nuccio's Bella Rossa'

Camellia 'Magnoliaflora'

Euonymous albomarginatus


Fatsia 'Spider's Web'


Arctostaphylos 'Sunset' (Manzanita)


Pieris 'Little Heath'

Pieris 'Passion Frost'

Rhododendron 'PJM'

Rhododendron 'Taurus'

Saxifrage 'Touran White'

I only purchased 2 plants at Hortlandia and this was intentional. Knowing that my space is limited, I didn't want to be tempted. That, and the fact that I was mainly working the book sale, kept me in one spot. I did buy two plants -


The fern is a Japanese Painted Fern called 'Regal Red' (Athyrium niponicum). I got it for Michael, who has become rather fond of ferns.

And, lo and behold, there sat Hydrangea 'Fairytrail Bride'. I've been wanting this since seeing the photo (below) about two years ago. This is the first cascading hydrangea! Word is that we will be getting it at Yard n' Garden Land and I almost passed on it but thought I'd better grab it because if I didn't, we would wind up not receiving it at the nursery. Better safe than sorry!

Hydrangea 'Fairytrail Bride'



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Your garden is looking very colorful and springy, Phillip. The Hydrangea looks interesting (not that that's a good choice for my climate unfortunately).

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  2. The Hydrangea Fairytrail Bride is beautiful! I love how it cascades. Your garden is so lush, hopefully you get another nice break from the rain.

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  3. I also grow a small patch of the sweet anemone blanda. I was surprised when I saw a white bloom in a sea of blue, but now I see you got one of those curiosities too.
    Love that Hydrangea 'Fairytrail Bride'... I'll look for it in local nurseries (and worry about where to plant it later;).
    Your Camellia blooms are gorgeous, especially 'Magnoliaflora'. The rain usually turn them ugly quickly, so let's hope for a reprieve in the rain.
    Chavli

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  4. I hadn't heard about a cascading hydrangea. It is a beauty. You have lots of color in your garden now. I love those little windflowers.

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