-

-
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.

Friday, March 6, 2015

A Saturday In Portland: My Mystery Manzanita Meets it's Maker at Xera


At least six years ago, I bought an Arctostaphylos at Jungle Fever with a tag from Xera Plants that said something about color in the winter when we need it most.  The tag got lost and I'd no idea which Manzanita this was.


But since the first year it was planted, I've been grateful for the cream and pink leaves at the tops of many of the branches.

I've posted pictures of this one before and searched the web and couldn't find an Arctostaphylos like it.

During our visit to Portland on Saturday, I stopped by Xera's  two-year-old retail space and found some great plants.  (three new Hellebores: 'Cherry Blossom,' 'Apricot Blush', and 'Golden Sunrise' a Grevillea miqueliana 'Sunset' with the sweetest round, wavy, furry foliage and gorgeous blooms, and Cynara baetica ssp. moroccana.)  So interested in the plants was I that few pictures were taken.

Anyway, I decided to see if they had any more of these Manzanitas with the cool foliage.  Greg, one of the owners was a bit perplexed by my description but asked me to send pictures for identification.
Part of Greg's response follows:
Not sure if the bright coloration is viral-type variegation or cultural, but the plant looks like a selection of Arctostaphylos pajaroensis, likely 'Warren Roberts' or 'Lester Rowntree'.....we get more copper color on the new growth rather than the cream......but nature works wonders sometimes and gives us surprises!  Definitely distinct from the normal new growth on A. pajaroensis.

I'll be taking cuttings in the fall for Xera to propagate.  Won't it be cool if  the cuttings continue this trait after propagation?  This is plant coloration that I can get behind (unlike yesterday's painted succulents!)

Happy Weekend!

28 comments:

  1. Wonderful outcome for your persistence and acute observations! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm happy to have the plant but didn't do anything special - just planted it and enjoyed what it did.

      Delete
  2. Looks like a really beautiful Manzanita, and how cool is it that they want cuttings to propagate. I planted a Grevillea miqueliana in my front garden last spring, but I don't think it survived the winter. It lost all its leaves and looks dead. I'm going to plant my Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Akebono' in the space it left.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a pretty thing and the color hangs on for quite a long time. Sorry to hear that your Grevillea maiqueliana didn't make it as it love both foliage and flowers.

      Delete
  3. It looks like you're on to something potentially very special there Peter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cross fingers that it retains it's coloration after propagation.

      Delete
  4. Those are great colors to add a bit of light to your late winter gardener. No spray paint required. Will they name it 'Outlaw' in honor of your discovery?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has brought me much pleasure. We'll have to see if it turns out to be something more than a cultural or viral issue. It's progeny may revert to solid green.

      Delete
  5. Arctostaphylos 'Outlaw'...love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A fun thought but we don't know what will happen in propagation yet.

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Yes it is but then we gardeners are easily excited.

      Delete
  7. How exciting! Shirley beat me to it - Arctostaphylos 'Outlaw' - a phenomenal name indeed! I just came back from a quick stint to Xera, and came home with one of those Cynara baeticas too. (Along with some other goodies! Heading out to plant now! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely even for an Arctostaphylos, which is a lovely genus indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  9. this is a very interesting story - looking forward to the next exciting episode when we find out whether it reverts, whether it's a virus or ... drum roll ...that A. 'Outlaw' is launched!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Interesting plant and much prettier than the spray painted ones (IMO) have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I prefer this to the spray pained plants, too. Hope you're enjoying your thaw!

      Delete
  11. Much better then the artificial colors of the previous post.
    I immediately started thinking of names for this new verity. Its early in the process but one must be prepared. While outlaw is an obvious choice, I wonder if you thought of a different name you'd care to share.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hadn't thought of a name at all as it will be quite a while before we find out what happens.

      Delete
  12. That's exciting. Ditto what Sue (Catmint) said. I will watch and visit often to find out what happens with this plant!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I imagine that since cuttings will be taken in the fall, it will be at least a year after that before anyone knows if they will revert.

      Delete
  13. Taking your place alongside Lewis (lewissia) and Douglas (douglasi) is far more exciting than footprints in cement outside Grauman's Chinese.

    ReplyDelete
  14. And if they name the plant after you that will be so cool. That coloration is fantastic.

    ReplyDelete

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