Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Sequoiadendron giganteum

 Sequoiadendron giganteum in Volunteer Park April 2010

Sequoiadendron giganteum in Volunteer Park April 2010

 Sequoiadendron giganteum in Mt Baker April 2010
 
Sequoiadendron giganteum in the Cascadia Garden April 2010

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sierra Redwood) is my favorite tree.  I love the red spongy bark, the form of the mature tree & the colossal size.  If you think it is too large for a city garden, look around Seattle.  There are many that look stunning on average-sized lots.  The key is to plant the tree well away from the house.  I particularly admire a Sierra Redwood in my neighborhood that dwarfs the house.  The owners have wisely had the branches thinned, so that light comes through & it is beautiful to see from below.  You can see several very large & nicely pruned Sierra Redwoods in Volunteer Park.  I have Sequoiadendron giganteum in a pot on my patio.  It seems well-suited to container life.  Sierra Redwood is a xeric plant in Seattle.  After a few years in the ground, you never need to water it again.   

2 comments:

Karen said...

It is also so great because it reminds us of N. Cal, no? And they smell so nice, too! Nice that you have a baby one to keep you company and giants to visit in the park.

Jordan Jackson said...

Actually no, I've never seen the Sierra Redwoods in California. I've never even been to the Sierra Nevada. But that is definitely on my list of places to visit just to see the plants.