Did You Hear The Squeal?

I think I shattered eardrums within a one hundred mile radius, but man, it was so worth it! Those familiar will recognize the handkerchief like bloom as belonging to the somewhat rare and elusive Davidia involucrata – commonly referred to as either the ‘handkerchief’ or ‘dove’ tree. Native to China it was first stumbled upon by Irish physician and plant hunter Augustine Henry.

This particular cultivar is Davidia involucrata ‘Iseli’s Fastigiate’ a stunning release from Iseli Nursery in Oregon. I love the notion that it will remain relatively slim in stature. I literally backed into it on a recent nursery crawl to one of our suppliers at work. I had my eye set on securing a pair of Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’ specimens which, thanks to our stunning specimen that anchors the rare and unusual Arboretum styled display garden, has become somewhat of an overnight sensation!

 You know you’ve stumbled upon something rare and unusual when it comes with a ID tag but no price, and a quick scan through the catalogue turns up nothing! I went inside and asked the desk staff if they knew the price, and luckily Brent was within hearing distance. He knew that I knew exactly what I’d stumbled upon and a quick database inquiry reassured me that it would be coming back with us! As Mastercard so eloquently stated, ‘some things in life are priceless!’ Case in point! Luckily he will reside in a spot where he will be able to grow to his full and majestic height, and hopefully he will reward us with a jaw dropping display of his white bract handkerchief like flowers in coming years! I thought I was on cloud nine when we started the new display gardens, but now I’m confident that I’ve reached the moon! Is there anything new and exciting in your garden that you cannot keep to yourself a moment longer?