It's not even remotely related to a real willow, I think it's called desert willow because it has somewhat similar looking leaves if you use your imagination. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=chilopsis&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search
Suggestions for tropical look around hot Texas pool?
The desert willow is a member of bignoniaceae, which includes glory bowers, trumpet vines, cross vines, jacarandas, and catalpas. The flowers sound really nice. I note that according to plant files someone is growing one in a protected area in zone 5a, so I might have to shoehorn one in up here somewhere. :)
I AM RUNNING OUT OF YARD SPACE! :(((
-Joe
I found a trooper of a tropical plant for the hot Texas sun!
The Clerodendrum Panticulatum http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=27430
It likes it hot, doesn't mind it dry, in fact prefers the dryer side- and this guy has been blooming non stop since February. Interesting leaves, and even more interesting blooms. It will go dormant in the winter and come back at the first sign of warm sunny weather.
also Duranta http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=29071
and like Diehardsoutherner mention...bottle brush.. In fact alot of Australian (New South Wales and Victoria) plants seem to do well in Texas, probably more so here in Houston for Queensland.
If your entertaining some Texas native mix, which also look tropical in some respects, this is a nifty site to search for stuff http://www.npot.org/
I went to a Tropical workshop at Mercer Arboretum a couple of weeks ago, and learned something interesting about Texas Zones. Not originating from the state of Texas I was surprised to learn that in the past 20 years, the zones have changed 3 times...! You'll be in the banana belt before ya know it...
It has been so tropically rainy here this summer it seemed like the rainy season in a central american country.
Well..I blaaaahed on enough eh? I look forward to seeing your project complete..looks like it's going to be wonderful!
Rj
Rj where did you find the Clerodendrum Panticulatum? That is a cool looking plant!!
Actually I think that was a mail order plant from Topstropicals.com. It really is a cool plant. I actually thought I had lost it at one point when it lost all of it's leaves, and there was nothing but a stick left. I decided to pot it up and let it be..and sure enough a couple of months later I was startled to so see alot of new growth. It in fact has done this a few times now, so if you do get one, don't be fooled by the charlie brown christmas tree act it throws...It just goes dormant when adverse conditions affect it. It grows new shoots off the main trunk, and I find it challenging to propagate from stem cutting, although I haven't tried it for a couple of years.
I was on a Clerodendrum kick last year and collected as many as I could. they are so different from one another...this is another pleasing, but not too commonly found..not yet anyway...Clerodendrum Minnahasse. It blooms frequently, but the desert of it is, like the Hawaiin wood Rose, after the bloom is spent, the seed pod grows, and opens up into a vivid red wooden flower with a single seed in the center. I'm about to get my first seed pods anyday and will take a photo if you like.
This year I'm all about colocasias and alocasias, I don't know what prompts me on these little kicks, but it's fun finding out all the peculiar differences and requirements amongst the same family of plants. Minahasse needs alot of room! Like the size of plumerias.
http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=31595
Here's my whole diary on clerodendrums
http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/index.php?tabid=3078
Hello rjuddharrison...finally nice to meet up with you on a thread as I've been reading many posts you've made about Rangoon Creeper and you seem to be an expert. I purchased a Double Rangoon about 3 months ago in full beautiful bloom. I transplanted it on an Arbor in full sun and it really has grown a lot, but doesn't look the best because something like cutter bees are chomping it to death. It also needs to be fertilized as the leaves are fading. However, as depleted as it looks, it's blooming like crazy. What do you use to fertilize? When? A friend suggested a systemic rose treatment??? I would really appreciate anything that you could suggest as it's such a gorgeous plant.
I live very close to Top Tropicals and have never been there, but from what I see on their website, they have some really incredible and unusual plants. I need to make a trip out there as I'm on the search for a "Lipstick Palm".
I love your suggestion of Duranta...I have a few varieties in my Garden. I especially love my Duranta tree. It's the most delicate and interesting specimen...
If you get a chance, check out my Garden...I think you might like some of the unusual plants I've been fortunate to find around here.
http://katg.phanfare.com/album/363864
Kat
Guys: I misled you with my title "HOT" Texas pool. I meant to stress that I need things for our heat (sometimes 105, but not this summer!) but I have a watering sys, and it's on every other day. So...I guess no things that don't like water. I'm also a watering fool (yes, my DH gets on to me occasionally for the watering bill!!). It's the time when I "study" all my plants as I water them one at a time.
Going from the bottom:
Kat: Great to hear from ya again! I'm coming to see your wonderful gardens next summer when I'm in Florida!!! I love the Duranta also....have one in my back "kitchen garden" that is blooming like crazy now.
Randy: Don't know if you remember me....I'm the one who dropped off the 5 bottles of wine for the plant swap happy hour and then didn't get to make it back for the social hour as my daughter needed me. (pooh...I heard so much about all the fun!!!!) I can't open the link you sent about the clerodendrum. Is it the same plant I admired so much in your back area...looks like a reddish-orange Chinese pagoda??
Jessie: I have been thinking of planting some kind of rose (but it must be in the orange or purple range) to go with my 10-year color plan. I love the idea of the simple roses....have any suggestions for a color name, anyone? I think smelling the roses while in the spa would be mas cool!!!!
Ecraine: Thanks for the lesson. I think I got into plants Waaayyy to late for my 57 year old brain...so many names to remember...things to remember. I think I have down the names of all the things in my gardens, and then if I don't work with plants for about 6 months, I begin to forget names again! Pooh!!!
Today I went out after work and looked at the area again. The planting area that will be around the side of the pool and spa will be well draining. Part will get full sun and part dappled sun. I'll post pics of the areas as soon as all the junk is removed by the contractor (boards from framing the pool).
Another question: the fill dirt for the beds (I'm on the side of a hill) should be how deep before I allow them to put in some rocky fill? He mentioned 18 inches today....is that enough dirt?
Kat, your landscaping is stunning! So is your home. Thank you for the tour. :)
-Joe
LOL, Connie, I remember anyone who drops 5 bottles of wine in my arms. I thought that was very generous. Wine tasting was wonderful! Some of tasted earlier than others! Apparently a new thread is in progress for and "Octoberfest" Gathering so you may have another opportunity to visit those you missed. I bet you can't wait to complete the project..so wonderful..I'll know where to find you most of the time!
Yes, the Panticulatum is the one you loved...I just planted it in the front garden this week.
Hi KatG...nice to meet you too! I use the following Hibiscus Fertilzer on the Rangoon Creeper, that was passed on to me by an employee at Another Place in Time nursery, always had spectacular blooms..
HIBISCUS ANALYSIS 10-4-12
Total Nitrogen (N) ............................... 10.00%
Available Phosphate (P205) ................. 4.00%
Soluble Potash (K20) .......................... 12.00%
Magnesium (Mg) ................................ 3.10%
Sulfur (S) ............................................ 3.80%
Copper (Cu) ....................................... 0.05%
Iron (Fe) ............................................ 4.30%
Manganese (Mn) ................................ 0.13%
Zinc (Zn) ............................................ 0.13%
For Tropical and Perenial Hibiscus
Anaylsis guarenteed by:
NELSON PLANT FOOD COORP
BELLVILLE, TEXAS 77418
979-865 8596
http://www.nelsonplantfood.com/
Under the label Nutri-Star
This is my whole Diary on the Rangoons, that is listed under my Vines and Climbers Blog.
Scroll all the way to the bottom, and You'll find the Rangoon and all the tricks I've learned
plus some links.
http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/index.php?tabid=2950
If you can't open it, got to Gardening Blogs...click read other members blogs...search rjuddharrison and you'll find a lengthy list of blogs...look for Vines and Climbers..There is one on Rangoon Creeper, but it is linked up to the Vines and Climbers where the interesting info is.
How interesting that something is eating the rangoon...Nothing seems to be interested in it here...there probably are much more tastey thngs available!
Here's a picture of the rangoon this year using the Hibiscus fertilzer. Imagine this vine runs nearly the whole length of the house.
http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=29191
Hey we can do field trips to each others house...I live down the street from Zone9tropicals.com
I actually got my Panticulatum from Topstropicals...would love to visit there...I bought two Grandifloras there. ...Beaumontia and Murtonni...still waiting for Murtonni to send a bloom.
Rj
This message was edited Aug 24, 2007 8:04 PM
For orange - Tropicanna cannas - beautiful coloration on the leaves too, and very tropical looking.
In the dappled sun area - Macho fern (Nephrolepsis biserrata ‘Macho’). It looks like a Boston fern on steroids and spreads. Evergreen and no problems. I have it in my pool area and I love how neat it stays. It takes a lot more sun than other ferns.
I also have the huge philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum). Evergreen, unless we have a severe freeze.
Xanthosoma atrovirens ‘Albomarginatum Monstrosum’ (Micky Mouse elephant ear) very tropical looking. I love this plant!
Agapanthus (purple, of course)
For more orange color tuck in a few:
Zinnia elegans ‘Profusion Fire’ (deep orange - on fire - blooms all summer - no dead-heading - in neat mounds) - reseeding annual.
Zephyranthes x ‘Capricorn’ (an orange rainlily)
Uruguayan Firecracker Plant (Dicliptera suberecta) Soft gray/green leaves with orange flowers. Evergreen.
I also have Washington palm - to about 20 feet, and a couple of sago palms. Evergreen.
Have fun!
Randy,
Glad y'all enjoyed the wine. My DH is a wine connoisseur and has hundreds of bottles, so I figured he wouldn't miss a few! :-) I would love to do an October thing, if it fits with my school schedule (I teach high school), but since my daughter just moved from Houston to Temple I probably will be there more often now. She's my baby (at 24!!!). I definitely want a panticulatum!! I just LOVE yours...both the blooms AND the large platter-size leaves. I'll take care of it when it freezes here....perhaps 1/2 dozen times.
Ceejay....wow ...wonderful ideas. I just can't wait for them to finish so I can actually SEE the areas and play what to plant. In the meantime I"ll be looking up all the plants.
I did, matter of fact I have added one of those chardonays to my regular purchases...
Your welcome to stop by any time.
I have an extra Clerodendrum speciosissimum, Flaming Glory Bower, Pagoda Flower, Giant Salvia - it's quite similar. I haven't seen it bloom yet, want to be sure..I noticed I had a couple of them when I was moving plants around. I'll put your name on one and you can pick it up when ever your in town. Matter of fact I probably have enough things to landscape your whole project.. Bring a truck..I need to down size. I'm overwhelmed with plumerias ...well you've seen what's there.
Randy,
I do make it to Houston about every 3 months or so; perhaps by that time your baby plant might bloom and we can see if it is orange/red! Thanks so much...I definitely will come by, and your place is so central and easy to find!
BTW...what is the wine you liked so much? I really can't remember which ones I brought now!
I think it's called Pellegre something like that.
Yes the Pagoda's looke like they are getting active..I need to put them in the ground or a bigger pot. I've not been keeping up with things like they need to be...I went to a tropical workshop at the Mercer Arboretum a couple weeks ago that was interesting. Been picking up overtime at work, and when it came to projects this weekend...I ignored them and took several naps..!