What's that layered looking plant again on the third raised bed, the one with jiggedy-jaggedy leaves? A visitor asked us very recently, via email upon returning home.
It took me awhile to think about what that jiggedy jaggedy plant could be, and looking layered too for whatever that meant. But the clue was the third raised bed. There could only be one plant there that has 'jiggedy jaggedy' leaves and looking layered too - Schefflera delavayi.
The use of the term jiggedy jaggedy to describe the the leaves of this plant made me smile. This was the first time I've heard anyone refer to the shape of the leaves of this plant as such. But looking at the following photos (from the newest to the more mature ones), the leaves are indeed 'jiggedy jaggedy' to varying degrees....
Okay, 'jiggedy jaggedy' is certainly not a proper botanical term to describe the leaves of this plant. But now that we are on the subject of proper botanical terms, I actually don't know myself how to properly describe the shape of its leaves (or at least with full certainty).
Anyone out there with more advanced botanical knowledge knows?
Do let me know if you do. Otherwise I may have to use the term 'jiggedy jaggedy' myself from now on. It is very catchy after all...
Mark :-)
It took me awhile to think about what that jiggedy jaggedy plant could be, and looking layered too for whatever that meant. But the clue was the third raised bed. There could only be one plant there that has 'jiggedy jaggedy' leaves and looking layered too - Schefflera delavayi.
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| Schefflera delavayi |
Okay, 'jiggedy jaggedy' is certainly not a proper botanical term to describe the leaves of this plant. But now that we are on the subject of proper botanical terms, I actually don't know myself how to properly describe the shape of its leaves (or at least with full certainty).
Anyone out there with more advanced botanical knowledge knows?
Do let me know if you do. Otherwise I may have to use the term 'jiggedy jaggedy' myself from now on. It is very catchy after all...
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I wish my Schefflera delavayi were more jiggedy jaggedy, like yours! (not that I'm complaining...I mean I'm glad to have my Schefflera...)
ReplyDeleteThis one is especially pronounced. We love it :)
DeleteI probably would have said serrated or jagged, but having said that, I knew with the description used that it would look like it does. Heck the older I get the more I forget words anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Hi Cher, I'm more likely to use serrated myself to refer to the leaves of this plant. Or perhaps cut, or cut leaf, or...:)
DeleteAccording to the e-flora of china, the leaflets have a 'margin entire to sparsely and irregularly dentate (incised or usually pinnately lobed in young plants), apex abruptly acute to acuminate'.
ReplyDeleteSo the leaves are compound palmate with acutely lobed pinnatiform leaflets!
I think jiggedy jaggedy might work better.
Chad.
Ah thanks Chad! Fantastic to hear an accurate description of the leaves. But you're right, jiggedy jaggedy might just work better (and easier to remember).
DeleteI am envious of your Schefflera delavayi. I seek to acquire one for my garden but have turned up with no luck so far. When I find my plant I will call it Schefflera delavayi 'Jiggedy Jaggedy' in honor of your beautiful specimen. :)
ReplyDeleteBrian
Thanks Brian, that'll be nice :) I hope you get hold of one very soon. With luck more will be widely available next spring.
DeleteWhat a beautiful plant; the jiggedy-jaggedy leaves are very interesting. Is Schefflera delavayi completely hardy? It looks tropical!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely plant indeed Debs. It's not completely hardy though I'm afraid. We just about get away with it in our location but I think we're already on its upper limit of hardiness. It's still worth a try even as a potted specimen, which can be moved under cover during winter.
DeleteZig zag, or maybe ziggedy zaggedy? Although jiggedy jaggedy works for me too! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ngeun, jiggedy jaggedy is quite catchy isn't it? :)
DeleteI sure like that jiggity jaggity plant too! It's babies are as cool as the adults!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it Candy! The new leaves are more pronounced with its shape and is very attractive indeed.
DeleteMy money's on - spinose serrate although Chad seems to have it sussed...
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of that Stephanie, perhaps a condensed version of what Chad had said :)
DeleteOh you with all your fancy adjectives. In my ignorance, I'd call them something like those pretty leaves that look sort of snowflakey on that big ole plant there.
ReplyDeleteHi Outlawgardener, funny enough the leaves of this schefflera reminds of another plant called Snowflake Aralia (Trevesia palmata):)
DeleteJiggity jaggity is perfect! That describes it better than any long-winded botanical term!
ReplyDeleteHi Holley, yes I'll agree to that :)
DeleteHi Boys, very nice indeed. I've noticed you posting re Schefflera's before. They're not a plant I know but I'm very taken with them! Though personally speaking I think the leaves more jaggedy jiggedy. Actually. D
ReplyDeleteHI David, I think that way round works just as fine as well :) Perhaps try one or two scheffleras next year, see how you get on with them? Be careful, the scheffy bug might bite you and end up wanting more!
DeleteI have major plant envy!!! Would love to have this schefflera for my soon-to-be-redone tropical bed. Will definitely look for it.
ReplyDeleteHi Gerhard, this schefflera would make a great addition to your garden :) Loree got hold of one from Cistus so there might be one in a nursery near you
DeleteThe perfect description! I checked up on your post on scheffleras last week when I was day-dreaming about what to plant in the front garden...
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, glad that post came in handy when considering scheffleras for your garden. I'd say S. taiwaniana would probably the best one to go for and it's not that difficult to get hold of :)
DeleteLove the 'jiggedy jaggedy' plant! I have my first Schefflera to try in my Midlands garden - S. taiwanense - a friend is looking after it over winter as its still quite small but will try planting next spring.
ReplyDeleteHi Ian, glad to know you like this plant :) Scheffleras are a great group of plants and looks so exotic. Don't be surprised when you get a really good growth rate once you plant out the little plant your friend is taking care of, they love a free root run.
DeleteI smiled with this post. I am not a real botanist but just can relate to botanical terms, i think the margins are called serrate/serrated or dentate. Even if schefflera are tropical i haven't seen that species here!
ReplyDeleteSchefflera live in quite a range of habitats from very tropical to cooler mountain regions. The ones we grow are all from cooler places and have much more hardiness to the cold. The tropical ones would not like our weather.
Delete