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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Agonis flexuosa 'Jervis Bay Afterdark'

I really like this tree, it pushes all the right buttons for me, small, weeping, and purple. Discovered as a mutation in a nursery it is now way more popular than the species from which it was derived. Estimated height is a about 20' with a spread of 10'. Mature specimens are a bit more open and said to be less purple.



The new foliage comes out scarlet in the spring before darkening to a deep purple. Leaves are smaller than the species which adds to its soft weeping texture.



Flowers are white, with a pinkish purple center, five petals that are obovate allowing you to see though the flower.



Fruit is a small persistent capsule and should be like the species.

Misidentification:
Perhaps Leptospermum 'Dark Shadows'. Both have small white flowers, and short purple leaves. Agonis lacks the hairs on the leaves and is by far more weeping.

There is a new purple leaved Agonis 'Burgundy', but the foliage quickly becomes green and is no way close to the dark purple of this one.

There is a dwarf, 'Nana' that I would like to see.

Location:
Aptos
420 Clubhouse
6500 Soquel Dr Horticulture Department

Capitola
816 41st. Ave. in the alley between Verve Coffee and Penny Ice Cream are 3 nice recently planted specimens.

4690 Crystal (lots of other unique trees)

Next to Verve coffee shop on 41st are 3 nice specimens.

Santa Cruz
1313 Escalona Dr 5 in one yard.