Tuesday, June 18, 2013

A Season of Scheffleras

All the Scheffleras in our garden are busy flushing and putting out new growth at the moment. Like with many plants this year the burst of new growth has been delayed, much later than usual and the Scheffleras were no exception. But their current, almost simultaneous flushing are quite a sight to behold whenever we catch glimpse of them as we walk around the garden. A delight to see and never fails to bring a smile especially to Schefflera lovers like us. You can see just how many of these have grown by looking back at this post about our Scheffleras from a couple of years ago.

Schefflera taiwaniana
As they currently flush and grow away, here's my personal celebration and a glimpse of just some of this wonderful group of plants growing in our garden.

Schefflera digitata
Schefflera aff. chapana
Schefflera aff. myriocarpa
Schefflera rhododendrifolia (syn. impressa, Needham/Kew Form)
Each species behaves differently when it  comes to flushing, branching, and generally putting out new growth. On years when the growing season is relatively long (but not necessarily that warm, it rarely gets sultry warm here anyway) some of the Scheffleras put out several flushes from spring till early autumn, up to four flushes on such rare years. Whilst some only flush once and that's it for the year, concentrating its energy afterwards into flowering and later on producing seed.

Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera alpina - this one has been kept in the pot it came in originally for over a year now and has grown since to a current height of 10' 
tall. Fortunately it is still thriving despite being on the neglected side. Must find it a permanent home soon.
Schefflera kornasii
Schefflera rhodendrifolia (syn. impressa, Garden House form)
Schefflera fantsipanensis
A resilient Schefflera taiwaniana - as we cut off large branches off the big tree near it a few months ago one of them fell directly on top of 
it, severely bending the main growing point. Fortunately we didn't cut it off as much to our surprise it just carried on growing from it, 
bendy at first but later straightening itself out.
Schefflera taiwaniana - from our biggest specimen
Schefflera delavayi
The growing season is still early, the season is still young. With its late appearance I am confused myself whether it is still spring or it is summer already. Whatever it may be, for me it is currently a season of Scheffleras.

Mark :-)

25 comments :

  1. I can only say WOWWWWWWWWWWW.

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  2. You have so many varieties! The first and last are my favs! Love the color and the shape of the leaves!

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    1. The new flush looks so distinct on those two :)

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  3. Ah, so YOU are the source of infectious sheffleritus that seems to be spreading like wildfire. Now I get it.

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    1. Are we? We enjoy promoting this fab group of plants :)

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  4. Such amazing plants! Walking your garden right now must be a delightful treat.

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    1. Thanks Alison! We enjoy spending time in the garden as much as we could.

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  5. Amazing variety. The stunning leaf form and silvery color of the S. tawianina is enough to send me in search of one for the tropical section of my garden.

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    1. A worthy addition to your garden Shirley, you'll love it!

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  6. OMG I must find a Schefflera fantsipanensis if only so that I can mispronounce it as Schefflrea fancipants!!!

    (Yes I am in awe of your collection)

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    1. Loree, we call that plant fancy pants too!

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  7. Beautiful post guys. We have a few Schefflera flushing away at the moment. I have never seen either of the S.rhodendrifolia forms, absolutely lovely silhouettes.

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    1. Thanks Paul! Hope you get hold of a rhododendrifolia soon, a worthy addition to your garden!

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  8. Which have you found to be the most hardy/evergreen/reliable in your garden over the years. I have read many reports of taiwaniana being the best, others say alpina whilst others seem to say good old rhodendrifolia and have seen pictures of it covered in snow.

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    1. Hi Allan, I'd say its a toss up between taiwaniana and rhodendrifolia when it comes to hardiness and overall performance in the garden.

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  9. OOOH! They're all gorgeous! Does your Schefflera macrophylla (sigh!) spend the winter inside or has it been hardy for you? Love these!

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    1. Nice aren't they Peter? S. macrophylla goes under cover during winter I'm afraid. It's not that hardy and we've tried planting it out twice already and both times it got cut back.

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  10. The new growth on these plants is fantastic. I am especially fascinated by Schefflera aff. chapana; it looks positively alien, as in from another world!

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    1. It does doesn't it Debs? Like purple little limbs reaching out...

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  11. Love the foliage on these, especially that first one. You have a lot of wonderful varieties. Very cool looking.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  12. What an appropriate name : Schefflera rhodendrifolia. It does a good impersonation of a rhododendron.

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  13. Nice post guys! If your Alpina is 10 feet, how tall is your taiwaniana?

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  14. Where can I buy a rhododendrifolia, They ary very hard to find here in Belgium.

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