There is a vicious circle of supply and demand. The nurseries are loath to expend space, time, and materials on a plant that very few people are asking for. And no one is going to ask for a plant that they are not able to see in all of its glory in their neighbor's yards, in the garden centers, or in that new commercial landscape in the middle of town.

A plant with little or no recognition factor for the general public is not likely to be snapped up at the big box stores where there is no one to extol its virtues.

And unless a plant does very well for a long period of time in a container, in a garden center environment, it is not likely to decorate our urban landscapes.

Sad, but true.

rhizo,

You are so right, "sad, but true", which is why I go out of my way to compliment nursery owners who dare to go out on a "financial limb" by bringing in the new & unusual. It is also why more and more of my plant dollars are being spent on-line.

I want my local nurseries to thrive, but my loyalty only goes so far ;-)

Nelson

Rhizo,
You are right but I wasn't talking about nurseries. It's the media that creates interest in plants. I have a friend that ownes a large nursery. He said that as soon as Southern Living features a plant then everybody is dying to get it. So what I am saying is, why hasn't this plant gotten any attention?

Hey, Hortman. Email me off forum, when you get a chance. I've got a proposition for you.

I agree about the wonderful ornamental charateristics of V. rufidulum! Even in midsummer it has the glossiest leaves imaginable which remain so through fall coloration. I witnessed a wild growing plant in full fall color once and it was a beautiful SHINY red! This same plant is now gone due to the developement of a gaudy subdivision. It is truly a shame to think people are filling their gardens with Bradford Pears and Forsythia when plants like Rusty Blackhaw are out there!

This is where botanical gardens can be a true help. They not only test how well a plant will grow in an area's climate, but serve to display that plant and may also serve as a distribution point!

BTW I will be planting 4 kinds of Viburnum seeds this spring!