Whenever we highlight certain plants in our blog it's not always easy to predict what response they will elicit. Some will be hits while others will get a lukewarm response (not that it matters anyway, we highlight plants depending on our mood). One of the plants that surprised us by being a hit was the Stachyurus we featured on our bloom day post a few days ago. We received questions and queries about it (not counting the comments on the blog). To be honest I don't know why when we only showed two photos of it, both close-ups of its tassels of blooms too. A rather pleasant surprise.
Anyway, we got hold of this plant at one of the HPS meetings we attended last year. The one wherein the speaker was Colin Ward of Swines Meadow Farm Nursery with a consequent plant sales after his talk. We bought it for its large glossy leaves with the late winter blooms not even registering as a bonus for buying it.
When I did the bloom post I didn't have it's full name. I've since dug out its label from my 'label bin' and this surprise hit of a plant is Stachyurus praecox var.matsuzaki.
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| It's just leafing out for the spring, mature leaves will be much larger |
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| Stachyurus praecox var. matsuzaki |
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.
Oh that's a most intriguing plant. I presume more leaves will appear lower down where the flowers now occupy centre stage. Is is scented?
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, yes it will have leaves all throughout its stems :) no scent I can smell of
DeleteI also just bought a Stachyurus a couple of weeks ago, can't wait to get mine in the ground too.
ReplyDeleteNice foliage and fab plants for winter interest Alison :)
DeleteA very interesting plant with a very open habit. A new one to me so I will be interested to see how it performs for you
ReplyDeleteIt seems it doesn't get that big either, more like a shrubby habit which is good.
DeleteThe leaves are great but those delicate cascading flowers are lovely! What a wonderful addition to your garden! Happy spring!
ReplyDeleteHappy spring to you too Laurin :)
DeleteThe bench is a beautiful backdrop for a beautiful plant. I've fallen in love with this plant after seeing it and others in the same genus featured in recent posts. I was surprised to find that it can handle my climate. If only the plant's description didn't come with that buzz kill comment "needs regular water"!
ReplyDeleteMight be a challenge with the watering front especially with the restrictions there Kris but perhaps worth a try still? Might not be as water demanding when planted out :)
DeleteBeautiful plant...and it looks great with the backdrop of the bench :)
ReplyDeleteSurprised with how the bench came up on the photo Lisa, it looks newly varnished when it isn't :)
DeleteI love this plant which is often one of the first things to bloom in my garden in January or February.
ReplyDeleteAnd it hung on to its leaves till late winter too it seems, which is good :)
DeleteWhen mine blooms, little butterflies appear that are the same color as the blossoms. Both disappear at the same time.
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