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Texas Gardening

What to plant.....?

14 years ago

Hi All

I know it's too hot to plant now, but I can't help but muse for the fall.

I have an area that is about 12 ft from the front of the house, comes up to the sidewalk, bordered on the west side by driveway and south by walkway.

Right now, I have 2 knockouts there that get really bushy and need to be cut back at least 2 times a year.

We have trees that block the sun at different times of the day, but the area gets hot west sun from about 3pm on. It get morning sun but not all morning, too.

Here's my fantasy....Lou in Midlothian are you out there?

I'm thinking about Red Dragon Shantung Maple. I know it won't grow quickly there. But I wonder if it will grow?

I'm also thinking about Sweet Olive, but wonder if it will get spindly with the irregular sun.

I am open to anything that might grow in these weird conditions....but I'm tired of thorns

Thanks all

hope you are keeping cool

c

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Comments (7)

lou_spicewood_tx
14 years ago
Cynthia,

I have shantung maple that is planted 8 feet from my house so 12 feet should be fine. You will have to wait until the fall when Fire Dragon becomes available. Everybody wants one these days and Metro Maples can't keep up with demands. They also has 2 more coming out in the fall called Skinny Dragon and Golden Dragon. Skinny Dragon looks more like Japanese Maple with yellow fall color and Golden Dragon has highest percentage of matching leaf shape (trust me they tend to vary after growing 30 plus shantung maples from seeds) but I think the owner said the bright yellow fall color was long lasting.
cynthianovak
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Lou
I've heard that Fire Dragon is really popular in other states too. Glad Metro Maples has had such a successful variety.

thanks again
c
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maden_theshade
14 years ago
ooh, now I want one! But I don't see any little maples listed in my grow green booklet for Central Texas. I need a little tree for my h@llstrip that is burnt up. But it has to be little b/c the powerline runs close by.

Anyone in Austin growing a little Shantung Maple? In full sun?
lou_spicewood_tx
14 years ago
Cynthia, I'm not sure about it being popular in other states considering Metro Maples owns Fire Dragon and you can only get it in very few places beside Metro Maples in DFW area. Out of state people used to be able to order them from MM in the past but they didn't do that last winter. They recently signed a contract with huge wholesale grower last winter to grow Fire Dragon. It probably will take several years before they are out.

Maden - It can be grown in full sun. The mature size may vary seedling to seedling but I suppose constricted area in the strip area may keep shantung maple from getting too large? The mature size varies from 25 to 35 feet tall and wide.
maden_theshade
14 years ago
I think this would be so pretty! I have to find one that will stay under 15'. Does MM still do online sales? I'll never get up to DFW.
lou_spicewood_tx
14 years ago
No MM doesn't do online sale. You'd have to drive there to get Fire Dragon. It is just a quick trip on I-35 to Ft Worth. The nursery is just south of the loop in south Ft Worth.

If you just want a regular shantung maple, you can get it at Natural Gardener nursery. They have a lot of others to look at beside shantung maple. Mexican redbud may work? It stays small I think.
hitexplanter
14 years ago
Lou:
I had my two fire dragon shipped to me in late spring 2008(south of Austin)(first week of April). Is Keith not offering this anymore? it cost me 100.00 for the two but it was worth it as opposed to the drive to Dallas. I did not do it online (used the website for info and pricing) but mailed a check and request and when they were ready to ship he emailed and told me they were on the way. Of course with the droughty weather ever since I planted they are strugggling and the deer had at them a couple of times and that didn't help matters. They are hanging in there and I am patient.

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