Aesculus Californica

Discussion in 'Members Gallery' started by pete, Jun 28, 2005.

  1. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Its a relative of the conker tree but I've not seen it growing anywhere in this country, thats not to say it dont, I just dont get around enough to know for sure.
    Has anyone seen it growing anywhere in the UK?
    I did post about this plant back in Jan or Feb but we didn't have many members then
    [​IMG]
    It flowers for about 4-5 weeks for me and is a large shrub about 15ft high by 10ft spread.
    [​IMG]
    Cant work out why its not grown more. Then perhaps it is, let me know.
     
    pete, Jun 28, 2005
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  2. Fran

    Fran Gardener

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    I've seen this around here - but I am durned if I can remember where - truly spectacular flowers, and I love the leaves. Betcha its a favourite with the bees. [​IMG]
     
    Fran, Jun 28, 2005
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  3. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Good so someone else thinks it worth growing.
    Yes the bees like it, got a bit of a scent aswell. The flowers always curve upwards, bit like a lupin thats been layed on its side for a day or so. [​IMG]
     
    pete, Jun 29, 2005
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  4. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] It is beautiful I have seen it growing California in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, it would probably need protection over here from severe frosts. The only draw back is that the fruits/seed pods are very poisonus. :(
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 4, 2005
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  5. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Marley, I've grown it outside since 1990, it comes into leaf in early march and the new foliage is never damaged by frost.
    Here's the best bit, it doesn't hardly set any seed over here, presumably the summers are not hot or long enough.
     
    pete, Jul 4, 2005
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  6. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] That's excellent pete. Funny how we can grow same species of a plant all over the world & at the different temperatures it behaves in such different ways. I visited a botanical garden on the CA coast last year & was amazed at some of the plants growing there,their size mainly :D It was a lovly place. Even had a train ride through the Redwoods, woweeeee :D :D
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 5, 2005
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  7. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    That would be the coast redwood sequoia sempervirens I presume, tallest tree.
    Twent years or so ago I went to sequoia national park to see the giant redwoods, sequoia giganteum, the largest tree.
    Would like to see the bristle cone pines, also in california, the oldest tree.
    Maybe one day.
     
    pete, Jul 5, 2005
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  8. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] You presume correctly about the redwoods. Yes we too have done the national parks. Was most enammered by the General Sherman tree & the Garberville Giant, sadly the latter has now fallen in a big storm back in about 92. Thought the avenue of the giants was good the first time, but as we drive through there on a regular basis you see it in a different light. They don't have a great long history out west but the logging is a facinating subject. We have family out there so are back & forth each year. I just love all the sunshine & the vastness of the place. Not into the cities though. :D
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 6, 2005
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  9. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Your pretty lucky to get out there on a regular basis. I havn't been for a while went on five or six trips a few years ago. I agree the cities are not the best of places, although interesting to see.
    Not seen the garberville giant, probably never will now :(
    Talking of sunshine, what about Death Valley, one of the most amazing places, that and the redwoods make you realise just how small and insignificant we are.
     
    pete, Jul 6, 2005
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  10. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] Haven't been to Death valley, but have driven accross the Mojave Desert from Pheonix enroute to Seattle Washington State. Any of the wild places in the usa make me think that very same thought, We are nothing in comparision. I would like to walk the grand canyon, but out of the question I think now, but have flown over it, FANTASTIC............ couldn't beleive it really, although looking at it, if you know what I mean :D :D
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 7, 2005
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  11. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Grand Canyon, Flown over it and been to the north and south rims. First time I saw it I couldn't stop taking photos, sunrise, sunset and every time in between. It doesn't look real, like a gigantic picture. Next time you get a chance take the mule ride to the bottom. [​IMG]
     
    pete, Jul 7, 2005
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  12. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] Pete, good idea, never really considered the mule ride, that may be an option. I know exactly what you mean about taking 100s of photos, thank goodness for the digital camera I say. :D :D
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 8, 2005
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  13. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I didn't have a digital camera then, cost me a small fortune in developing, then couldn't work out why I took most of them. [​IMG] You cant capture it in a photo, well I couldn't anyway.
     
    pete, Jul 8, 2005
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  14. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] And that of course is where the digi's win out no developing costs, but no you can't do it justice bcause it is so big, but all those shots when you took them were good for one reason or another. Even the digi's have their limitations though. Ahhhh well it is at least more fun with the digi's. [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 9, 2005
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