Friday, March 8

It hasn't read the script

A couple of years ago we bought a hydrangea quercifolia.

The RHS describe this plant as "a spreading deciduous shrub with handsome, large, deeply lobed leaves turning red and purple in autumn".

For the two winters that we have had this plant it has refused to conform and the leaves have resolutely remained green throughout winter.
December
February

I was also warned not to expect any flowers for a few years until the plant settled in but ours flowered in its first year. 
Is our plant just being contrary or has anyone else noticed this deviation from the script in their garden? Or have you any other deviant plants?


Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett


12 comments:

  1. Sue, I like the way you titled your post! :)
    The seller probably sold you a different variety.

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    1. It's definitely the same plant, Dewberry as the nursery ordered it for me specially and whatever the variety the species should have the same habit.

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  2. I'm noticing many plants flowering out of season, but I'm putting that down to the strange weather we seem to get nowadays. I think your plant just wants to be different.

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    1. It isn't just this year, Jo it did the same thing over winter 2011/12

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  3. I'd be tempted to query the seller and see if they will provide you with the correct plant.

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    1. It is the correct plant Kelli. It had the right leaves and the right flowers - it couldn't really be anything else - it just has a mind of its own

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  4. No matter what it's supposed to do Sue...it still looks very pretty!!

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    1. It does Tanya and I suppose evergreen is in a way a bonus!

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  5. Unfortunately for many of us the script is not as happy. Mine seems to struggle. It came from a cutting from a very fine plant in our village. It's parent was growing in quite heavy shade but my friend kept it very well watered and his trees protected it well from winter cold. And oh yes, I now remember the rabbits had a good nibble at my own

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  6. Oh dear, that is a very familiar tale Sue, mine did the same, in fact it is the reason I haven't bought one for this garden. Mine flowered magnificently last year, for the first time, but the leaves stayed resolutely green and didn't even drop until late January. I have no idea why they aren't colouring, even in an Autumn when other things coloured beautifully.

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    1. I don't mind Janet as the leaves are still interesting. Maybe it will just turn colour some years to add to the sense of mystery

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