misidentified plant purchased

17 years ago

I'm trying to stay mostly native for my permanent plantings. When a local farmer's nursery had an open house in May, we went to see what they had. A pretty little thing, the sign said Alaska Cedar. Not expensive, I bought on impulse. We got it home and planted right away.

Then I did the research. The professionally printed card on the plant reads "'filicoides' Chamaecyparis Obtusa Alaska Cedar". (The nursery was just a retailer, not the grower)

My books and the internet agree: The above classification is impossible. Obtusa 'filicoides' is a Hinoki cypress "Fernspray". Not native at all, but Asian. Pretty, my wife and I like it, but I'm pretty irritated at the willful ignorance out there. Alaska Cedar is "Chamaecyparis Nootkatensis" although most botanists classify it outside of chamaecyparis. It bares no resemblance at all to hinoki cypress "fernspray"! What have you bought that was not as advertised?

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Comments (5)

Mike Larkin
17 years ago
The nursery should know what they have purchased (from the grower)and what they are also responsible to know what they are selling. The tag is wrong.
Either plant is worth keeping, you just need to know which one you have so you know how big it gets.....or take it back!
ladyslppr
17 years ago
It is very common to find mis-labeled plants in nurseries, even reputable ones. I have seen a number of mislabeled plants in the garden shops at botanic gardens, so nobody is exempt from mistakes. Of course, some places make more mistakes than others.
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CarolnWbg
17 years ago
Just had a little battle with a mail-order company over a rose. I ordered a Bonica rose to replace one I had for 17 years. I planted it and it grew well. When it bloomed the flowers were white and had few petals. The Bonica is pink to peach with a lot more petals and a nice scent. Took some persuading but I am getting a new rose in the mail in the fall.
They tried to tell me that the plant might just be immature and that would account for the lack of color. I didn't buy that explanation. Ever heard of such a thing?
They wanted to reimburse me for the price of the rose but I said I would only be happy with a full reimbursement including the shipping or a new plant. Why should I pay $7.95 for their mistake? It worked. Phew!
Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca
17 years ago
I got really excited about roses earlier this year when lowes had a buy one get one sale. I bought 8 "miniature roses" called pinata. the color was beautiful yellow/orange to red. I planted all 8, loved them to pieces, then i get around to googling to find they are CLIMBERS! and zone 7! What?!
They had placed a new name sticker on top of the old name (picture looked like what i bought), the back had all the miniature rose info. I am letting them grow but not expecting them to come back next year. and ive started saving reciepts!
PRO
Kestrel Shutters & Doors
17 years ago
I bought 6 of the Everlasting Hydrangeas last year. 4 of them, true to their type, have been blooming on both new and old wood. However, one has yet to bloom and another just bloomed but it is a completely different flower from the other Everlastings.

They are all thriving and all were bought from the same location. The thing is the pots are printed as being the everlasting. So these 2 are either flukes or someone actually uprooted and switched pots.

Jim