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Jacarandas in the UK?
During the week we went to the Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust place at Barnes
for the look see and whilst there I notices a couple of small trees, about 15ft tall, that had erect racemes of large Penstemen like blue flowers. Now they looked like Jacaranda to me but I haven't yet had a reply from them about these trees. If anyone lives near Barnes and fancies taking a look, they are in the Americas bit if I remember correctly planted amongst other bushes etc. near one of the entrances/exits. It's a rather flat exposed site too. -- Regards Bob Some photos of my plants at..... |
#2
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Jacarandas in the UK?
On Sat, 15 May 2004 23:32:58 +0100, "Bob Hobden"
wrote: During the week we went to the Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust place at Barnes for the look see and whilst there I notices a couple of small trees, about 15ft tall, that had erect racemes of large Penstemen like blue flowers. Now they looked like Jacaranda to me but I haven't yet had a reply from them about these trees. Bob, they would be Paulownia tormentosa ('Empress tree', 'Princess tree', or Royal Paulownia) a Chinese native that is very widely grown in the SE of the US. Paulownia is in the same family as the Jacaranda (and Penstemon for that matter), but is quite winter hardy whereas Jacaranda can only tolerate winters in the far South. Flowering can be a bit if a hit and miss affair since flowers are formed in terminal buds during autumn. If there is a series of harsh frosts, or even searing winds during winter, the embryonic flower buds will be damaged or killed. The leaves can be massive - up to 80cms. or more across if the plant is hard pruned. For this reason, those who maintain exotic style gardens 'stool' their plants and feed heavily to encourage great platters of foliage on soaring stems to over 8 feet high in a single season. Left to their own devices, the rounded, rather velvety leaves are about 25cms. across and the growth is more moderate. Paulownia relishes summer heat and because its rather soft winter buds are easily damaged, it is best afforded a sheltered sunny site, protected from strong winds. Once well established, it can tolerate quite heavy soils, but the planting site needs to be very well prepared to give it a good start. On poor thin soils, you need to incorporate lots of organic material and mulch heavily every year. Don't skimp on additional watering either, it is a very thirsty tree. HTH. Dave Poole Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C. Growing season: March - November Drop 's' when mailing |
#3
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Jacarandas in the UK?
"Bob Hobden" wrote in message ...
During the week we went to the Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust place at Barnes for the look see and whilst there I notices a couple of small trees, about 15ft tall, that had erect racemes of large Penstemen like blue flowers. Now they looked like Jacaranda to me but I haven't yet had a reply from them about these trees. If anyone lives near Barnes and fancies taking a look, they are in the Americas bit if I remember correctly planted amongst other bushes etc. near one of the entrances/exits. It's a rather flat exposed site too. Could it have been a Paulownia? Ours is in full flower now. -- Sacha |
#4
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Jacarandas in the UK?
"Dave Poole" wrote in messagein reply to Bob Hobden During the week we went to the Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust place at Barnes for the look see and whilst there I notices a couple of small trees, about 15ft tall, that had erect racemes of large Penstemen like blue flowers. Now they looked like Jacaranda to me but I haven't yet had a reply from them about these trees. Bob, they would be Paulownia tormentosa ('Empress tree', 'Princess tree', or Royal Paulownia) a Chinese native that is very widely grown in the SE of the US. Paulownia is in the same family as the Jacaranda (and Penstemon for that matter), but is quite winter hardy whereas Jacaranda can only tolerate winters in the far South. Flowering can be a bit if a hit and miss affair since flowers are formed in terminal buds during autumn. If there is a series of harsh frosts, or even searing winds during winter, the embryonic flower buds will be damaged or killed. (snip) Thanks Dave and Sacha, I have no doubt you are both correct.The leaves would have been a giveaway had there been any. Didn't recognise them because I've only ever seen them coppiced for leaf effect so not seen the flowers before. The site they are in is flat and open to the Thames so they must therefor get strong winds and are altogether rather exposed, but then it is in London. -- Regards Bob Some photos of my plants at..... |
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