Rank- In order of importance

[Paul Ont]

For hardy 'background plants' what traits do you think are most important and why? Obviously the ranking of these traits can vary according to the place, but, overall, which do you think is most important?

-Plant Foliage
-Plant growth form
-Flowers (display, colour, size, duration)
-Other features (bark, evergreen leaves, etc.)

To me, I'd say that the most important is foliage. Then I worry about the growth form, other features (exfolaiting bark), and then, lastly, the flowers.

Thoughts?

[TerdalFarm]

I agree with your rankings.
Now, back outside to plant Aucuba, Ficus carica, Euonymous "chollipo", Mandevilla, Musa basjoo, elephants ears, sweet potato vines....
--Erik

[hardyjim]

Recovery

[Paul Ont]

Recovery

Ah, but Jim recovery shouldn't matter for these hardy plants! They should be ready to go all the time!

Erik- Is Aucuba hardy in your area? It survives for me but is useless as an ornamental.

[TerdalFarm]

The one time I tried Aucuba, a decade ago, it died its first winter despite a good setting.
I've wanted to try them, and have seen a few growing in Tulsa that looked OK even after this winter. So I'm going to try again.
Debated buying very large specimens for a lot of money but maybe hardier vs. little ones I can think of as annuals if they die.
I bought two little ones. I'll protect them like I did the Indian Hawthorn, which made it.
None of those are for sale here. After this past winter, nurseries are going more conservative.
--Erik

[BILL MA]

To bad you guys don't live closer I just brought back 50 3 gallon aucubas. They do great here in the shade.

Bill

[hardyjim]

To bad you guys don't live closer I just brought back 50 3 gallon aucubas. They do great here in the shade.

Bill

It depends on what spot I am trying to fill Paul.
Sometimes it's foliage,sometimes growth speed,sometimes flowers.

The main thing is that it comes back but I also try to find plants that are unusual
or not commonly seen in my area.

[TerdalFarm]

Bill,
I'm hoping you give us a full inventory sometime.
On my lunch break I went to that nearby parking lot nursery where a couple brought a truck load of Florida plants for sale. I am curious if you are selling the same things.
As for Aucuba, I can buy potted ones up to 7 gallon size locally, of three varieties. The main reason I am worried is that my tropical-theme garden is in the worst possible microclimate.
I planted my two little Aucuba in what I think of as my "Trachy garden" as it gets afternoon shade from a gazebo. They are in the shadiest part of that. They'll be blasted by wind in the winter but I'll protect them.
Speaking of protection (and I promise Paul, we are still on your topic!), did you protect those oleander of yours?
Jim,
does Aucuba count as exotic where you live?
--Erik

[hardyjim]

Doesn't count at all


because until you guys mentioned it,I never heard of it!

[TerdalFarm]

Oh, sorry.
I grew up in Oregon where Aucuba was over-used to the point where serious gardeners wouldn't grow it. Kind of like Photinia here.
(Recall: my Photinia was killed by this winter. Says something about my gardening skills.)
When I moved to Oklahoma, I learned that Aucuba is a challenge here: our summers are too hot and our winters too cold.
When non-gardening folks have seen mine, what they say is, "Croton?"
--Erik

[BILL MA]

The list is huge Erik!
800-900 3 gallons alone! Plus tons of 1 & 7's.

Bill