Kelly’s Prostrate Coast Redwood

This little treasure is a dwarf form of the tallest tree in the world – the Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens “Kelly’s Prostrate”).  They grow along the coast of northern California and a ways up into Oregon.  They can grow up to 380 feet tall and live for 1,200 to 1,800 years or more.  This dwarf cultivar is only 2′ tall and measures about 8′ long and 7′ wide.  I bought it in a 10 gallon pot and it was 3-4′ across then, but only 8″ tall. That was in June, 2010 so it’s been in the garden for exactly 8 years, and My how it has grown!  It loves the moist peaty soils we have here, and I spray it often because the leaves are used to getting much of their moisture from fog in their native habitats.  I paid more for it than any other plant I’ve ever purchased –  over $200!!  And, yes, I am a bit crazy, at least for this plant! 🙂

I’ve loved redwoods since I was a kid and we don’t have the room for the huge species so this is the perfect choice for us.  It’s covered with fresh new growth right now and looks incredibly attractive.  It even smells like redwoods!  We’ve had friends think it was a giant fern because of its soft aspect.  It’s one of several unusual dwarf conifers we have in our little Nature Sanctuary.  But this one is the prize for me.  I hope you find it as beautiful as I do.

Save the Redwoods!

Steve

6 responses to this post.

  1. Your garden is a Tardis Steve, containing incredible varieties of time’s efflorescence. It must be a treat for you and Louie to visit and care for all your trees and what they are doing through the year. Love from Jane

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    • You’re so right Jane! Traveling thru this garden is like visiting all the continents on the planet. At one point I had plants growing here from all of them, except Antarctica… I probably still do. We love hanging out in the garden and gently working in it, watching it grow season by season. The cycles of life are so clear in a garden. It’s very healing and helps greatly to keep me stable. The love circles back to you…

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  2. Wow that is amazing!

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