Shh! Don't Tell the Nursery Man!

In my last post I discussed a new-to-me variety of Ribes, Ribes laurifolium. In it, I mentioned that it was unlike those I have seen elsewhere. That is, I have since discovered is because it isn't a Ribes at all! It had been wrongly labelled in the nursery where I bought it. It isn't even related to the flowering currants for, despite its currant like flowers, it is part of the rose family. . Oemleria cerasiformis, also known as the Oso Berry or Oregon Plum comes, as the name suggests, from North America. It is fully hardy, deciduous, prefers semi shade (ideally planted by good luck in my garden) and grows to about 2.5m. The great scent is agreed upon but described as smelling of almonds. It also describes it as a 'mildly' suckering shrub and mine is already sending out a new growth about 30cms from the base of the plant. I am more than delighted for it to do this. . . Apparantly, the native Indians chew the twigs and leaves as an aphrodisiac which will make (when it grows bigger) pruning possibly less of a chore ;-). Being monoecious, berries are only formed if both male and female plants are grown together. . I'm delighted to find out its true name, if only to clear up the confusion of laurifolium. And it also proves one of the great delights of gardening - it is an adventure where, however much knowledge you might have, the potential for learning and discovery never end. . Grow it if you can find it ...... . . . . . Add to Technorati Favorites

Comments

  1. G'day Johnson

    What a beautiful part of the world you live in~!

    Sunny smiles

    Kimmie
    From Aus

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  2. For some reason all my paragraphs keep on disappearing! Will try to adjust it tomorrow in the hope that Blogger won't be so uncooperative. Anyone else having that problem?

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  3. Some of my photographs disappeared from the widget Linkwithin and and I redid it. My other images seem to be fine.

    very informative post.

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  4. What a nice mistake...lovely photos!

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  5. Thanks Janet and T & B for your comments. I'm delighted with my purchase error - it's a pretty flower and the shrub has a nice structure to it too!

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  6. But it is a GORGEOUS and graceful plant. I adore it and mislabeled or not (although that is awful) it is a find.


    Joys!

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  7. Stop by my blog. You are the recipient of the “Stylish Bloggers Award”. This high honor comes with much responsibility and a nifty emblem. jim

    ReplyDelete

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