Bewley's Variegated Viburnum Question
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tommyb
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Mar-19-2005 at 2:55pm
On one of my Garden Center Gallops a couple years ago, I acquired some viburnums: a Doublefile Mariesii, some Davidii and a pair of Bewley's Variegated. The Mariesii and Davidii are growing nicely (Marie is gitting a bit humongous), but the Bewley's are barely surviving. All are in the same raised bed, so have similar conditions.
These were in gallon pots as I recall, and haven't grown in the time I've had them(in fact I have thinned dead branches), while their companions have doubled or tripled in size. They do appear to be considering blooming this year, but I'm contemplating pulling the plants out and washing the roots clean to see if they are hiding a root bound condition, then sticking them back in---with a bit better draining soil preparation(?).
Are the Bewley's just real slow growers? Any ideas would be helpful. Perchance I'm missing something.
TIA,
Tom
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-19-2005 at 7:45pm
Do they look healthy and just not growing? Sometimes some plants will take longer to settle in then others who bolt out of the growing box when they hit the soil. I haven't grown this one you ask about, but I have a Viburnum tinus 'Variegatum' that sat for 3 years before it finally took off. Now it is gaining some good size.
tommyb
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Mar-20-2005 at 8:22am
Thanks Deb, I was hoping for some "I got one of those, they're just slow bloomers" type of information. These two plants have looked sad and "frozen in time" for two full years, some tiny new growth but no "normal" progress. I will inform them that they have recieved a reprieve from on high.
I'm always amazed, though I shouldn't be, when individual plants behave individually. Guess that's the price we pay to work with organic lifeforms.
Now if I could find a definitive source for the size these plants will get---five or ten feet tall, five or ten feet wide, three by three, six by six---I'd feel they'll get to stay where they are.
Thanks again,
Tom
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-20-2005 at 12:12pm
viburnum tinus
~BakingBarb
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-20-2005 at 12:14pm
I thought this was interesting, it says they withstand alot. They have been grown in the Mediterranean region, so maybe that helps?
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/viti-i.htm
~BakingBarb
tommyb
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Mar-20-2005 at 4:56pm
Thanks for the web searching, BakingBarb, the two sites give a 20% difference in height---and another one says three feet by three feet. I think I just keep my clippers close to the surface in the garden shed.
On a separate issue I wandered off to the Homeless Despot, and failed miserably in finding my item. To console myself I stopped by a bookstore and updated my Rodale's Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening from 1977 to 1997 (the latest I think). And then, shame, shame, stopped at the garden center where I acquired the Bewley's varigated, figuring to squeeze some information out of the staff. For le$$ than I figured, it was recommended that a liquid feeding program might bring the plants into a growth cycle. And they tossed in a Rhaphiolepis, three Rhododendrons Patty Bee, three Flaming Silver Pieris-ii(?)and the recommended plant food.
Is there a 12 step program for plant shoppers??
Tom
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-23-2005 at 7:52pm
Oh gawd Tommy! Isn't it great when the experts don't agree, makes it kind of hard for those of us that play ones on TV!
HD is only good when you want plants at a lower price, Lowes too. But when the plants first come in, whew I had to buy a few. Shhhhhh but when you are the person unloading the plants you see them first, well you can buy too many plants. I had to get a different job just to keep some money for stuff like....food!
~BakingBarb
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-24-2005 at 10:19am
Originally posted by bakingbarb
makes it kind of hard for those of us that play ones on TV!
bakingbarb, are you on tv? your statement above implies you are. that would be cool.
Originally posted by bakingbarb
Shhhhhh but when you are the person unloading the plants you see them first, well you can buy too many plants.
oh, how well i remember the temptations presented when unloading plant orders at the nursery. our buyers got in the habit of ordering extra to satisfy the staff's plant lust or else there'd be none for the customers. lol
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-24-2005 at 10:52am
I imagine that the descrepancy in the heights may well be the climates they are growing in. So North Carolina is going to show some difference as opposed to our maritime climate.
Shouldn't we add 20-30% to how big our plants will get when we are looking at stats from another part of the country? Although if a plant isn't as well suited to our climate the reverse may be true.
tommyb
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Mar-24-2005 at 11:12am
"Honest Mom, the guy said that these beans would only get six feet high. We'll be able to pick and sell beans and get lots more money than we were getting for Bossie's milk!"
"Oh certianly, most honorable madam, Kudzu is a lovely, low growing ground cover. It will do very well in your shady area in Louisiana."
Repeat after me: "Nursery people tell no tales. Nursery people aren't trying to sell you plants. Nursery people tell no tales. Nursery people aren't trying to sell you plants." Ten repetitions, ten times per day should cure your feelings of foolishness as you unload your truck.
So the reason we can't find that special plant is because the nursery staff snatched them off the truck? I feel so much better. But how much chocolate actually arrives at Costco?
Still wondering how big the Bewleys is going to get, but I can wait to find out.
Tom
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton