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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The Pseudopanax Laetus That Jumped into my Car

I was on my way home from Puyallup and since Watson's Nursery is on my way (If I take a couple of different turns and a smaller road  and ... well you get the picture) so I thought it might be fun to stop in and see what there was to see.
 

This is a place that's always very clean and plants always look their best.  A crew of dedicated plant primpers sees to that!   Regal tree fern reigning over some lesser plants. Maybe I'll try one of these this year but not right now.
 
 
Watsons is a place that carries a lot of common plants, vegetable starts, etc. and they do it well.  There are also often a few new and exciting introductions. The parking lot is usually full of customer cars for most of the growing season which attests to the popularity of the place.  It's definitely become one of the popular and successful big men on campus in the South Sound Nursery league complete with espresso bar/cafe, high priced giftware and decorator items,  greeting cards, and on and on which is why I try not to like them.  However,  every time I go, something makes me love this place.  I hate myself for it. 

Rhododendron bloom.  A tempting color but the foliage was just nice, not outstanding so there it stayed.

One of the Itoh peonies strutting it's stuff.  Pretty but I don't need another peony.

One of the things that endears this nursery to me is their nice selection of succulents and cacti like this Aloe variegata which was very tempting.
Sansevieria masoniana from Fleet Foot and foul weather really tugged at my heart.  Those leaves can get 9" wide by 30" long...yum.  And I have a thing for these plants because they live through my neglect.  Maybe another time.  I just must not be in the mood to buy any more plants.  Having more than I know what to do with already might have something to do with that.
Oooh a new Hydrangea from Monrovia with a Dan Hinkley tag and great purple foliage:  Hydrangea aspera 'Plum Passion'  Alas, it's deciduous but still, look at that great foliage!  Nah, I don't really have space for anything more.

Meandering through the nursery, enjoying the lovely weather....
 
Enjoying the evergreens which are looking gorgeous as ever.
 
 
Hooray, I was strong and didn't cave in to any plant temptations and had almost made it to the car



when THIS happened!



A plant that I'd not seen in person before.  What could it be?  Definitely looks like it belongs to the Araliaceae...Look at those shiny tropical-looking leaves!  Is it me or do they look like schefflera leaves only held a little closer to the trunk? Did I mention that they're evergreen?   The tag read Psudopanax Laetus  but my heart said infatuation.

Wherever would I find space for such a thing?  There are only four of them....Yikes, what's an enamoured gardener to do?  What would you do in this situation?

 
Just now I was looking at pictures of them online and Tom, looking over my shoulder said, "That looks like an English Laurel."   I think I shall miss him. (So I'd better improve my aim.)  

25 comments:

  1. Hah! I guess it kind of looks like an English laurel on steroids, but it does also remind me of Schefflera macrophylla, but without the indumentum. I would have been sorely tempted by it too. I just mentioned in my own blog post today that I think I'm starting to suffer from new plant fatigue. Kind of like battle fatigue, but with plants getting thrown at me. I saw one of those red-leaved Hydrangeas at Windmill a couple of days ago, but they only had one and it wasn't in choice condition. I just might have to go to Watson's and get one from them...

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    1. See Alison, there's a glimmer of hope in the midst of your new plant fatigue. "I might have to go to Watson's and get one from them..."

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  2. Too bad about Tom...

    I can definitely see the schefflera comparison and think you made the right choice, but then again it's me talking and I can rationalize any plant purchase!

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    1. Yes, he's a very nice person and it was fun while it lasted.

      I love this plant but really don't know where I'll put it. I've been dragging it around the garden trying to find an appropriate place (you know that dance, right?) and wondering if I can keep it alive in a pot.

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  3. Poor Tom. Hey, at least he contributes to the conversation and accompanies on trips to a nursery! (Note, I'm not bitter or anything, teehee ;) I think big nurseries like this one are fantastic for the energy and spirit they provide. No, they don't often have the unique varieties that you would desire, but they do create a happy energy and I tend to get all jazzed up when I visit such a place. Cheers, Jenni

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    1. I'm glad you're not bitter;o) I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have an S.O. who was as crazed about gardening as I. Could be wonderful; could be a hassle. You are right about the big nurseries always providing energy and spirit! If I'm ever at a loss for a blog post, I know I count on finding something great at Watsons no matter the time of year!

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  4. You had me worried there...but then the title reassured me that you would not leave empty-handed. The Aloe and the Sanseveria have me drooling. Plant overload can be a form of self-protection, but obviously not bulletproof...aren't you glad?

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    1. The only thing that kept the Sanseveria and Aloe from my cart was the price. Not that they weren't worth 40 bucks each, just that I didn't want to spend that on plants that'll be making the semi-annual migration into and out of the house!

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  5. Great purchase Peter! Such a stunning pseudopanax and the leaves will only get bigger in time :)

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    1. I saw your question about this plant on an exotic plant website. Have you grown it & is it hardy for you? The tag says that it's hardy to zone 7 (-17.8 C.)

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  6. It does resemble a schefflera, pretty leaves who couldn't fall in love with this. You must stop visiting plant nurseries. Put a note on your fridge, I must stop visiting nurseries. Have a great day.

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    1. Stop visiting plant nurseries? Nah! I'll just shop with my camera instead and only take pictures of the things that appeal to me instead of buying everything.

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  7. Um, yeah. I doubt the other three will remain much longer. What a beauty. I love nursery posts. I already implored Alison and now I'll pester you: please oh prettyplease take gobs of photos of Heronswood, okay?

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    1. It'll be great fun to see Heronswood again as I've not been there since a week before they were closed down. There was a period of years between film and digital that I stopped taking pictures so I don't have any images of the original garden except for those in my mind. One of the joys of visiting the place was discovering new plants in a cool setting. The nursery part of the place, a whole lot of hoop houses, is probably not so much there. I stopped visiting on the garden open days, chosing instead to call at the nursery by appointment and be able to walk the garden alone; truly a wonderful experience. I'm imagining a cast of thousands will be in attendance this weekend but I'll do my best to get some pictures!

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  8. A stunning nursery. I'd love to visit it. You made a good choice. I hope you'll find a place for it... Happy gardening, Peter!

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    1. It's a wonderful nursery. Maybe you should come visit the Pacific Northwest; we've got lots of nurseries for you to enjoy! Happy Wednesday, Satu!

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  9. Peter, I would buy this Aloe variegata, I love it, is so beautiful!
    Nice chose and happy gardening!

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  10. That itoh peony is fabulous!

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  11. I have no idea what plant you bought but I don't blame you for buying it. That purple leaved hydrangea is amazing!! Despite not having anywhere to put it, it would have been hard to resist. I'm a sucker for little plants I can stick in a pot, which explains why I have 60 pots. Hello, I'm Tammy and I'm addicted to pots.

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    1. Hello Tammy and welcome to our support group (we support each others addidtion!) Love the plants and am also attracted to all of those shiny brightly glazed frost proof containers. Oh the colors!

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  12. I just bought one! Two years ago I bought the aspera Plum Passion as well..slow grower

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  13. I just bought one! Two years ago I bought the aspera Plum Passion as well..slow grower

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.