I saw this oddity at a local target a couple of weeks ago, and have been thinking about it ever since. It has wavy, slightly lobed leaves as opposed to the usual deeply lobed ones, is a slightly darker, bluer color, and has bright white margins. Also, it's not as glossy as other selloums and if you look closely you can see each and every white vein.
After doing a bit of research it does bear a resemblance to philodendron 'evansii', a hybrid between p. bipinnatifidum and p. speciosum made in the 40's and used mostly in the 60's and 70's in South Floridian foundation plantings. From what I've seen it has even bigger leaves that either of its parents, is pretty hard to find, and is cold tolerant to zone 9a. I'm sure that some of you guys have seen it before so what do you think? It may even be a new accidental hybrid or selection for all I know, but ideally it would just be an unusual form of good ol' cold tolerant philodendron bipinnatifidum. I've placed it at the base of my evergreen yellow anise, which should provide some protection in winter just in case its not too cold tolerant. I suppose Ill definitely have a better idea when it flowers, since the spathe of 'evansii' is bright salmon pink! Here's a view of the whole plant.
Any help would be great!
Hey, RFG. I just recently stood right next to 'Evansii' and selloum, growing together in masses at Bok Sanctuary. (See my Bok II post for a photo.) 'Evansii' is nearly identical in size and shape to selloum. The leaves of both grow to three feet or larger. Even the trunk form is identical. The only differences are the less-cut leaf edges and more of a blue-green coloring. We call it heartleaf philodendron around here. I think it is a beautiful plant, though for some reason it is very rarely seen in gardens, and I have never seen one for sale at a nursery.
ReplyDeleteVery attractive. It's always nice to find something different in the nurseries since they usually carry the same varieties. Be sure to post a photo of the flower.
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting find. Every now and again I'll find something unusual at a big box store and snatch it up. I'll have to keep an eye out for those up here.
ReplyDeleteI really like it, but no nothing about it's cold tolerance. I'm always jealous when people can grow tropical looking plants outside all year. I have a Musa basjoo and two Yucca rostrata. I'll be moving to Vancouver where they should actually be hardy!
ReplyDeleteFloridagirl: OMG! I can't believe that I admired that photo when I read your post and then totally forgot about it in this whole ordeal! Do you know anything about their hardiness?
ReplyDeleteSusan: It is really fun to find unusual things at the garden centers. Many times the sellers have no idea that they're selling something rare!
Deborah: Definitely check them out! I have on occasion seen slightly different variations of selloum mixed in... I wish I bought that variegated one mixed in last year as they did turn out to be pretty rare.
Aerelonian: I'm so glad that you get to move to vancouver, since I'm sure you'll have an awesome garden there. I hear that really exotic looking fuschias grow really well there in the cool climate, and they languish here. Depending on what your microclimate is, even palms may be possible! I'll be sure to live vicariously and recommend some hardy stuff when you get an idea of your zone.
Ironically I haven't been able to find any Musa Basjoo here in Florida, probably since we're too set on the edible varieties here.
RFG...The heart-leaf seems to have same cold-hardiness as the split-leaf. Granted, I don't have a heart-leaf; this is just observation in other gardens. I have one selloum totally under tree cover, and it was completely undamaged this winter. My other phils were devastated, but returned quickly. Here, they are one of the last plants to get cold damage, and one of the first to recover.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen my 'unusual philodendron' ....please check it out at wwwchumleycycads.com It will blow your mind! Thanks, Robert Chumley chumleyrobert@hotmail.com
ReplyDelete