Bob ’s unadulterated plant
We are all everlastingly perched on a learning curve in the gardening line . There ’s always way of life more to teach than any of us will ever dominate – and always more elbow room to light than we will ever know .
Which brings me , of course , to the endless quest for the Perfect Plant to deal with all that .
Bob’s perfect plant
It ’s a merriment aspect run out almost day by day in the nursery business , where all level of expert and neophytes come through the doors .
For the most part they are all other garden romance and no inquiry . Their Friend are come over for a garden party next week . They need clamant results . A garden in seven days . With just the perfect plant – or plants .
In many cases such client are likable , uncoerced to check and know just enough to be serious to even marigolds , baptisia and Joe Pye Weed .
Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’
Maybe they have realize a movie of their perfect plant life in a mag ad . Its name was something like “ The Amazing Yukon Yew . ” The copy was in hunky-dory print . The accompany photo was a tribute to bald - faced lies that get along with calculator sweetening . Three Eskimos and a frump squad are perch under a 30 - pes coniferous tree . The customer ’s cost is only $ 3.95 for each “ Amazing Yukon Yew ” plus $ 11.95 shipping and handling .
As we talk , the client ’s final finish becomes clear . What ’s in reality postulate is a plant that will mature at maybe three feet improbable and three feet wide – and it would be all the dear if it come that size of it to start with . Yes , three feet by three feet would be perfect . No bigger . It would conform to very nicely right there between the Knock Out Roses and the aluminum deck of cards chairs .
We babble . The customer feels the need to garden – but does n’t have much detached sentence . As a result , their gross plant must take full sun or shade , be disease- and pest - gratuitous , rarely need watering and remain a trustworthy vibrant light-green from April to October .
Acer triflorum
And what ’s all this about pruning ?
But short and goodish is not always staring . Other customers will seek a monastic - like plant for the corners of the house . Yes , precisely six feet tall is fine – but no taller . Bring it on with fragrant white flower in leap and promising crimson berries in the fall . No pruning . No lacrimation . No cedar wax - wing . keen fall color .
I sting my knife at those marketing moments . The enticement is to ask the customer if the plant must also be trusty , loyal , helpful , friendly , nice , kind , obedient , upbeat , careful , brave and clean in thought process and Word of God and deed . A little redolence would be nice , too .
Bob’s perfect plant – Parrotia persica
Many of these Perfect Plant - Seekers are well aware of their shortcoming , and not the least scrap ego - conscious about it . They are willing to discover , but just to the point where their garden must learn to take care of itself .
The truth has risen : The client want a garden . He or she just do n’t require to have to garden all that much to get one . Bring in the lawn services and mourning band whackers .
Aronia arbutifolia ‘ Brilliantissima ’
And yet , there are those who find themselves trapped in this voyage of garden find and sail through to victory . They purchased anAronia arbutifolia‘Brilliantissima ’ and found themselves enchanted by the pinkish - white spring flowers , the late reddened fall Charles Edward Berry and the scream red autumnal leaf .
And what do you know , it will check nicely in some sunny box and can be kept about six feet tall . Not quite perfect , but three good seasons out of four ai n’t defective .
Acer triflorum
If it ’s all four season they need , they should consider theAcer triflorum‘Three - flower maple ’ with its 365 days of awe-inspiring exfoliating barque and striking fall colors .
Bob ’s perfect plant – Parrotia persica
More flawlessness for me is the Parrotia persica , or ‘ Persian Ironwood ’ which is utterly incapable of having a single bad day all year . Its leaves come out blood-red - purpleness in the spring , go glossy green all summer and finish with a yellow , orange and cerise flourish in the declination .
Oh yeah , the greyish bark exfoliates over time , add interest all winter , and its uprising limbs are so thick and stout no one could possible fall from one while climbing .
Totally , utterly , wonderfully perfect .
Photo credit : Aronia , Acer triflorum . Parrotia persica foliage . Other Parrotia photos by the author .
