Tag Archives: Chionanthus retusus

Occasional Daily Weather Report 12/3/11

Still very dry and breezy, but the violent Santa Ana winds have subsided. The Huntington Garden remains closed pending cleanup of fallen trees, and parts of Pasadena are still without power. The Los Angeles Times this morning has a photo … Continue reading

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Chionanthus retusus

The Chinese Fringe Tree. A deciduous tree beloved by both gardener and birds for clouds of bloom in spring. Followed by those indigo autumn berries. Now about 15 feet in height, at maturity reaching 20-25 feet. True story: The fringe … Continue reading

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Succulent Experiments

Crassula expansa subsp. fragilis was planted this past May in these car jack stands, using window screening to hold the soil in, first pictured here near the bottom of the post. Unlike my mossy experiments, this crassula is growing much … Continue reading

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Pelargonium tomentosum ‘Chocolate Mint’

Temps dropped into the high 30’s last night, not enough to damage tender pelargoniums, but cold enough to need a blanket for the couch (Hitchcock’s Foreign Correspondent in the queue. If only Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant had the lead … Continue reading

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Polygonum aubertii ‘Aureum’

The Silver Lace Vine. Or, as this one is called, the Golden Silver Lace Vine. The new growth in spring bears colors more often seen with Japanese maples. Shrimp-pink stems, lemony-tart leaves. Tangy. (Guess I’m still hung over from Sunday … Continue reading

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Fringe Tree in the Rain

Not a title to elicit amazement, you’re thinking. But I’ve never seen the fringe tree, Chionanthus retusus, in full bloom, branches and flowers weighted down by rain. It can be tricky to get good views of this tree in bloom, … Continue reading

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The Cat and the Fringe Tree

Joseph the cat in his current favorite spot, the grasslands, his personal Serengeti just outside the kitchen door. Comfort creature that he is, he prefers his grasslands have nice dry pavers to sit or lie on, or on which to … Continue reading

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Pelargonium ‘Chocolate Mint’

For eating, it’s dark chocolate, please, and hold the mint. For the 5×5 plot of ground under the Chinese Fringe tree, Chionanthus retusus, this Chocolate Mint will do. Thought to be a sport of P. tomentosum. The small white flowers … Continue reading

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