Carol Dee
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Does anyone have one? DH wants one or two. I thought I might order him one (or 2) for our Anniversary. We are zone 5b. Who has best price and are trustworthy? What have your experiences with this shrub/tree been?
Harry Lauder's Walking Stick
- Thread starter Carol Dee
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TheSeedObsesser
Deeply Rooted
Never have grown them before but remember seeing them in either Park's catalog or Gurney's (although I couldn't find them at either's website - maybe it was a limited time offer?). Very cool plants.
thistlebloom
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I don't have any myself Carol Dee, but there are several that I foster. 
They don't seem to be fussy, they can be prone to aphids, but I haven't come across any other particular maladies that would eliminate them from the easy category.
The red foliaged ones are prettier than the plain green ones, but they need to be in full sun for the foliage to really look it's best.
Speaking of foliage, I prefer them naked. I think they're at their best appearance-wise in the winter. It's totally a matter of personal taste, but to me they always look like they have a severe aphid infestation with those wrinkly funky leaves.
Pruning is fun, and I like them for the pruning opportunities. I like to keep them semi open so you can see the branching structure and show off all those twists and curls. But it takes a few years to get them big enough to have a lot of character.
When they aren't gone through with the clippers regularly they start looking like somebody with a real bad perm.
Oh, and you can probably find some decorative uses for the prunings.
That's a bonus.
They don't seem to be fussy, they can be prone to aphids, but I haven't come across any other particular maladies that would eliminate them from the easy category.
The red foliaged ones are prettier than the plain green ones, but they need to be in full sun for the foliage to really look it's best.
Speaking of foliage, I prefer them naked. I think they're at their best appearance-wise in the winter. It's totally a matter of personal taste, but to me they always look like they have a severe aphid infestation with those wrinkly funky leaves.
Pruning is fun, and I like them for the pruning opportunities. I like to keep them semi open so you can see the branching structure and show off all those twists and curls. But it takes a few years to get them big enough to have a lot of character.
When they aren't gone through with the clippers regularly they start looking like somebody with a real bad perm.
Oh, and you can probably find some decorative uses for the prunings.
That's a bonus.
Smart Red
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I had one until a few years ago when it up and died. It grew far larger (and more beautiful) than it was purported to do. It also had somewhat of a problem with water sprouts when it was older. These would grow straight up while the normal branches were curving every which way so nicely. I would cut them out in the spring before leafing out.
Bees loved the bush/tree. Mine grew about 10 feet high and a bit more than that wide. The branches are extremely brittle and would often pieces would break off when raking or mowing around the plant. Not a big problem for me. I think mine must have been nearly 20 years old when it started getting small, wrinkled leaves and that side died out. We dug out the whole thing.
Three years later, DS bought his Dad another one for Father's Day. It is doing well these past 4 years. Japanese beetles will enjoy this plant -- not as much as a lot of others favorite plants -- but they often can be found on the Harry Lauder. I usually leave a few and keep it as a trap plant.
Bees loved the bush/tree. Mine grew about 10 feet high and a bit more than that wide. The branches are extremely brittle and would often pieces would break off when raking or mowing around the plant. Not a big problem for me. I think mine must have been nearly 20 years old when it started getting small, wrinkled leaves and that side died out. We dug out the whole thing.
Three years later, DS bought his Dad another one for Father's Day. It is doing well these past 4 years. Japanese beetles will enjoy this plant -- not as much as a lot of others favorite plants -- but they often can be found on the Harry Lauder. I usually leave a few and keep it as a trap plant.
PhilaGardener
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They are beautiful against the snow! And in the Spring when the catkins emerge!
I too have seen these plants go into decline after many years and don't know the cause. Perhaps they just aren't that long lived. I'd go with @thistlebloom 's recommendation of one with redder leaves (in Fall? haven't seen that yet) and try to layer a new start after a few years (they are difficult to propagate from cuttings).
Good luck!
I too have seen these plants go into decline after many years and don't know the cause. Perhaps they just aren't that long lived. I'd go with @thistlebloom 's recommendation of one with redder leaves (in Fall? haven't seen that yet) and try to layer a new start after a few years (they are difficult to propagate from cuttings).
Good luck!
thistlebloom
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The one I planted for a client is just tinged red because it only gets about 3 hours of sun, in the morning. But it's still pretty.
Smart Red
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Don't do pictures like that! Now I NEED a red one.
lesa
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I have the red one. It was doing great...until last year. I am not at all confident that it will make it through the winter. This was the centerpiece in my garden. I will be very sad, if it doesn't rally around. I gave the branches I cut off, to a friend who designs flower arrangements. She adored the curly things! I say it is worth trying- a very unique plant, with tons of winter appeal.
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Carol Dee
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Just what I thought @Smart Red now I think I need to order one of each! Thanks everyone for the thoughts and comments.
Smart Red
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I did that "upgrade" thing with my ninebark. I had a lovely green shrub and was happy. . . until I saw the dark-leaved "Diablo" ninebark. I bought one. They both did well and I was happy . . . until the copper ninebark popped up in garden catalogs. Now I have one of each and am hoping a blue or red ninebark is many, many years off in development.
