I just received the plant this year at about 3.5' tall. It seems to be growing well already and is ready to flower in the next couple we...Read Moreeks. This cultivar is most likely to be grafted and is only in single stem form. The leaves are typical of the species being dark green with a silvery underside. I have to wait to see how it handles the winter. The longer it is in the ground the more likely it will remain evergreen but have heard of dieback in zone 5a near Chicago from a source. In northern zones plant early in the growing season to get better established. Dieback will occur if planted late in the season. This is a likely selection from Don Shadow according to Mike Dirr.
Late winter 2011 Update* The tree has gone through a long couple months of below normal cold for zone 5a though not getting the brunt of its worst. Cold snap came beforeThanksgiving and by the first few weeks of December the plant was already browning some of its leaves. Here in Late February the leaves are all brown, having been so since late December but it has retained all of the foliage. We had about 5 days with lows from -5 to -9 over this winter. Dieback was experienced in branches nearest the snow from sun reflection. It is recommended to spray antidesicant the first few winters until it is established in zone 5.
I just received the plant this year at about 3.5' tall. It seems to be growing well already and is ready to flower in the next couple we...Read More