Thursday, December 4, 2008

Signature Plants

I read an awful lot of blogs and have often found a certain plant identifies a certain blogger. You blogging friends know exactly what I am talking about. What would Clay and Limestone be without PPPP? Or Faire Garden without the muhly? These are just two of the plants that come to mind when I think of these bloggers, but just how and why does a plant become a signature plant and just what is a signature plant anyhow?

Well, being just an ordinary person who has strong opinions and a blog, I can only give you my take on the matter of signature plants; with a few resources thrown in for good measure. Let's try to figure out signature plants.

According to my trusty New Illustrated Webster's Dictionary/Thesaurus (1992) a signature is:

"1. The name of a person, or something representing his name, written, stamped or inscribed by himself or by deputy, as a sign of agreement or acknowledgement."

A plant, as defined by the exact same book, is:

"1. A living organism belonging to the vegetable, as distinguished from the animal kingdom, having typically rigid cell walls, promoting an indefinite growth of tissue, and characterized by growth from the synthesis of simple, usually inorganic food materials from soil, water, and air or, in some cases, from other organisms."

Would it be safe to assume a signature is as unique to the individual as their name is to them? And if we have a plant that grows in our gardens or one that we like very much, would it be okay to assume that it is a signature plant? One specific plant that is unique to the individual and which identifies him or her?

Looking further for information on signature plants, I find a great resource published by UCLA that is very interesting. Here we find the theory of signature plants was most advocated by Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, a Swiss citizen. (Disclaimer: signature plants looked at in this manner are as old as ancient civilizations, and the Doctrine of Signatures is NOT thought to be the oldest such record of looking at plants this way) But his signature plants bear a different type of signature than the type of signature plant I am talking about. The signature plants found in the literary theory Doctrine of Signatures talks about signs from God that relate to the similarity of plants to humans. For example, long lived plants were thought to be helpful in prolonging one's life. Plants with a yellow sap were said to be useful in curing jaundice. Do you see the signatures here? No, while this is interesting, it is not the signature plant I am looking for so I shall look further.

When I Google signature plants not only do I find the Doctrine of Signatures, but I find many botanical gardens and nurseries either have a signature plant or a signature plant program. Among them are: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Hills and Dales Estate, Jaycee Newman (a nursery), and tons more of nurseries and gardens. But all of these websites have one thing in common, they only talk of signature plants in general terms and do not identify what a signature plant means. Again, I ask you, is it common knowledge a signature plant represents a person? Is it safe for me to assume this?


In one of the forums at Dave's Gardens I found a neat little reference to a specific plant known as a signature plant, the Clusia rosea. This tree is actually known as a signature plant because you can write your name on the leaves and it will burn your name into the leaf. No, this is not the type of signature plant I am looking for.

Signature plants are really very interesting to me. Going back to me as a blogger, with little formal training and strong opinions, and a blog, let us not forget this! I am calling a signature plant a plant that both identifies a gardener, and one which the gardener identifies with. Just because a garden is filled with hydrangeas does not mean it is the gardeners signature plant. Perhaps that same garden is also filled with Japanese maples. What plant is the signature plant? Signature plants will by their very nature show some of the characteristics the gardener identifies with themselves. While hydrangeas are very beautiful in bloom, they are very needy. Perhaps the gardener identifies more with the colorful and strong Japanese maples? Surely no gardener would really want to be identified as perhaps a bit needy, though beautiful, and so the strong tree (albeit a small one) is the best choice for this gardener.

Typing the term 'signature plant' yields some references to it on Blotanical. Many of YOU garden bloggers have mentioned signature plants either in comments or on your blogs. But just what is a signature plant? Can we safely assume it identifies you or your garden?

The entire point of this post is to ask you what your signature plant is and why. My signature plant has taken me on a ride because I have found it really is not an easy thing for me to pick and identify. At first glance it would seem easy, but once you start to think about it, it is not so easy. I once identified all of my original commenters with plants, signature plants if you will. For some it was a difficult task, for others very easy. It will be interesting to see if I picked correctly once they take a look inside and determine for themselves their signature plant-the one they identify with. I will also be interested to see if Gail and Frances think of the PPPP and muhly (respectively) as their signature plants.

Go ahead, let us know your signature plant-there should be some interesting plants!

Note: I will NOT be responding to comments on this post; which is a big, big change for me and this blog. I have already added my input below, so I hope you all understand. Have fun.

in the garden....

My signature plant is the Japanese maple, it is strong, colorful, changes constantly, is self sufficient, can be a bit picky about its environment, and it is content to let others tower above and below while doing its OWN thing. This is me.

47 comments:

  1. Tina - What a very interesting post and I am so surprised that you won't be commenting. You must be away from your computer because I don't believe you could do that otherwise :)
    As to my signature plant, I will have to think hard on that because at this moment I haven't a clue :)
    But as for Gail, I always identify her with Black Eyed Susans as well as PPPP, so I am interested to read her response!

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  2. If you asked my friends and family, they would tell you that my signature plant is Spanish Lavender.

    WIth a new garden, I'm still figuring out what plant WANTS to be the signature plant. Right now, there's a tie between agastache and salvia.

    Cameron

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  3. Hmmm, I'll have to think about this one...

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  4. Tina, what an interesting and thought provoking post! As I read I immediately thought of Rudbeckia, but that is my FAVORITE plant which as I read on, doesn't make it my signature plant. Hum...I will think about this one all day at work! :)

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  5. I'm not sure I have one - there are lots of plants I love but I'm not sure there is one particular plants people would associate with me.

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  6. Tina,

    Good morning! I would tend to agree with you on the PPPP (Practically Perfect Pink Phlox for folks who are new) and with Cindy, that The Susans are a summer signature plant....now for the other seasons!

    Btw, I think this is a fantastic post idea and I am very interested to see what others have to say! Thanks for the link love!

    Keep dry, our winter rains have arrived!

    Gail

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  7. I have to say mine is paper birch, even with all it's blemishes, it peels to help and heal others. Dreamy huh?

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  8. That's an interesting question. I think perhaps the salvias for me, or viburnums and red twig dogwoods for shrubs. Maples for trees for sure! I think those who look at what we talk about on our blogs are probably more apt to know what our signature plants are than we are ourselves.

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  9. That's an interesting idea Tina. I love roses but the combination of Japanese beetles and rose rosette disease has changed my mind about trying to grow them. I guess I signature-less for a while;)

    I notice you are using a word verification now. Are you getting spam?
    Marnie

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  10. Hi Tina, thanks for the mention and the link love. This is a fascinating topic that you have covered in an interesting and thorough manner. Good job, my friend! I can see why others might consider the muhly grass as my signature plant. If I were to choose though, it would be the deciduous azaleas, my favorite plant! The muhly is wonderful in fall and going into winter, but doesn't look like much in spring, my most favorite time of year. Maybe like Gail, I can have two?

    Frances

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  11. Well this was a deep post that makes one stop and think. The Japanese Maple is a good fit for you. Sure can't think of one for me. Easy to put a signature plant to a person because of their love of that plant (i.e....Anonymous and Lilacs) but I guess loving a plant would not always make it your signature plant. Therefore it could be a hard choice for a lot of people.

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  12. So true! An interesting concept too. For instance, when I think of a certain whale's tongue agave, I think of Pam over at Digging!
    Brenda

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  13. Tina, I do like Japanese maples and that suits you. I’m thinking mine must be our little wild blueberry bush. I’m not sure how it got in our woods, but it’s a recent transplant, like me, but still very Maine. It’s sweet in the summer, colorful in the fall, lies dormant in the winter and is still there in the spring. It doesn’t need much tending and grows wild. Kids enjoy the berris as do grownups, who take the time to slow down to find them.

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  14. Tina, interesting idea. I'm not sure about mine, this year it would have to be the 'Heavenly Blue' morning glory. Next year it may be something different. What fun it will be to read what others think are their signature plants.

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  15. Great question, Tina. Can I be granted an extension on my answer? I need another growing season to decide:-) I really hope people don't misunderstand my avatar and think it's daffodils, though!

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  16. I love your signature plant statement! Your timing couldn't be better for me. I'm redoing my website and had to choose a brand...when my site is opened, what did I want it to say about me? As such, I had to pick a flower. I chose the Gerber Daisy. Although it is not one I necessarily grow, it is one that always makes me smile when I see one. So here is my statement:

    My signature plant is a Gerber daisy, it is happy, colorful, flirty, and bold, and it doesn't like the cold weather.

    Helen Yoest

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  17. Oh wow, a deep question indeed. Hum, I dont think I could pick just one item in my garden. Maybe one item per garden bed... I love the J Maple in the front planter but I also love the Camellia in the front planter so then I dont think I could just pick one per bed.

    Hum, I reckon I would have the say I would pick the plant that gives me the most enjoyment. That would have to be the butterfly bushes. They bring Life to the garden with butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, bee, skippers and other fun stuff. So life in the garden in all forms is what keeps me smiling so Butterfly Bushes it is!

    Now wait a minute, the Lantana and Verbena also bring life into the garden. Oh gee, I can see this one will weigh on my mind for a while….

    How do you ask a child to pick their favorite in a Candy Store! :-)

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  18. Hi Tina ~ I thought about it and came back to report :) I think my signature plant would be the Pink Coneflower. Able to survive in a myriad of conditions, bright and cheery, and also a provider - to the bees and the birds!
    It's so interesting to read everyone's responses.

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  19. Hey Tina-
    A tough question to ask any keen garden. But I'll have to go with Macleya cordata, plume poppy, only because it has taken over my back bed on the hill. And it is a perennial that gives a big bang for the buck throughout the season. AND I love its airy, delicate structure, the shape of the leaves and its panicles. Is that enough of a reason to adore this plant??? Fran

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  20. I would have to go with the Hydrangea Limelight. It blooms for a long time in the garden which means it has stamina. That's me, look how much I got accomplished this year!

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  21. I am having trouble deciding whether I have a signature plant. I love different kinds of amsonias. They have lots of little blue flowers in the spring, but provide good looking foliage all season.

    Am I saying I am good looking in all seasons? I don't think so. LOL So, in what way do I identify with amsonias? I'm not sure.

    Also, I have day lilies all over the place. They grow in a wide range of conditions. Each flower blooms for only a day, but the plants have lots of blooms and keep opening up day after day. I love daylily bloom time.

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  22. Good Evening All,
    Tina, this is a deep subject, one of which I have no clue as to what my plant would be. I have several & am new at this even though I've always dabbled with flowers. I like the color of flowers but for some reason almost always wound up with the ones that was more just greenery. I'm trying to correct that now. It's almost like a flower that wants to bloom but is afraid that it won't measure up to the expectations of the other flowers. Will have to ponder this further.
    I hope all have a wonderful day tomorrow.

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  23. Tina, what a post! Food for thought...I'll have to think! Loved reading about YOUR signature plant!

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  24. ha, this reminds me of taking a test for what desperate housewife I was, It told me I was Brie. Not sure why I even did the test at the time but it was pretty funny.

    I'd say I am a rose. Masculine at the core and feminine at the edges. I smell nice and if you rub me the wrong way you will get pricked.

    Although this is the first plant that comes to mind I really don't like to grow them. Does that still count?

    Runner up number two would be a large weathered white pine to represent my artsy side and stubbornness.

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  25. Well, the little gadget on my blog says I'm a daffodil, and I suppose that makes sense given the parameters of the quiz (e.g., I'm the first to show up at parties)--but my signature plant is Pieris Japonica, another early partier, but one that sticks it out all year long. Kind of slow growing, too, but steady and reliable. I haven't showcased my pieris on my blog since I started blogging in late June--but I'm looking forward to Spring. Great idea, Tina, and I've loved reading everyone's responses. BTW, loved meeting Dawn, too--is she visiting you?

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  26. Orchids maybe or Anthuriums? That's what I have the most of in my garden .Hey, I do live in the tropics after all.
    Lovely, lovely post, Tina. You're really getting everyone thinking about this.

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  27. Bravo! I loved this post! I think my signature plant(S) is/are the plant I CAN'T be without; when I move, it moves with me; I plant it at a new home even before I unpack or arrange the furniture. It is the plant I can't get enough, have several places in the garden, and am always giving to friends. For me, is is more than one plant. For me, the plants are: 4 o'clocks, narcissus, and Mexican Bird of Paradise, and above all old fashioned petunias. If I could have only one, it would be the petunia, but fortunately, I am never without the others, either.

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  28. My signature plant would have to be the Japanese Anemone 'Andrea Atkinson.' It's the defining element of my woodland garden, but more than that it works because of its exuberance. It has consistently outgrown all expectations, survived deluge & drought & always manages to look good. Second runner up is the star of the late winter/entire spring seasons, the Lenten Rose (Helleborus hybridus). Tough, resilient, undemanding, long lasting, a constant presence in the garden & occasionally surprising.

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  29. hmmm, that's a hard one for me but because I love container gardening almost as much as regular gardening, I think it would have to be tropicals. I tend to fall for things that are in no way hardy in my zone 5 garden. That's why they started going into containers so I could save them. It's a pretty broad signature tho, isn't it? and interesting question too because what we may think is our signature, others may perceive differently....

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  30. You came up with an interesting question, Tina, and I like your own signature plant.

    As Brenda notes, we do think of that Whale's Tongue Agave with Pam/Digging, and I think of Oxblood lilies for MSS of Zanthan Gardens and the Night-blooming Cereus with MayDreams Carol...can't decide if mine is the Blue River II Hibiscus brought from Illinois and grown in both of my Texas gardens or the Mutabilis Rose, only grown at my present house.

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  31. Mine isn't very thought provoking, but I would have to say roses, especially hardy roses. That would make sense, since Carol named my garden Rosehaven. My signature soil is my red dirt. :) ~~Dee

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  32. Great question Tina - I'm going away to have a think and put an answer on my blog in a few days time (I have a few scheduled posts to work through first, including one for Gail), I'll link through to you when the post goes up :)

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  33. For me it would be Narcissus poeticus, though I think colchicums would be a close second.

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  34. Wonderful, thought-provoking post Tina!

    My signature plants are covered with snow today. Once the snow melts and I can photograph some of them, this will make a fun post!

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  35. It's the double pink poppies that show in my header for my signature. They come up when they want, where they want, and seed themselves with reckless abandon. They can always be counted on to come back every year. When my gardening friends visit its poppy seeds they ask for.

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  36. I guess when you go on incessantly about a particular plant, people remember. As Annie and Brenda have already commented, my signature plant must be the 'Whale's Tongue' agave that I'm obsessed with. I'd hate to think that I'm prickly and dangerous, like it is, though. ;-)

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  37. Great idea! Mine is a Sunflower, and I'm pretty sure that anyone who knows me for very long would agree. I planted a Japanese Maple in my yard yesterday...it's one of my favorite trees! I can see why you identify with it.

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  38. Gosh this is hard...as of this moment I'd have to say the green rose. But ask again in a couple weeks and I'll have another choice! (I do like your selection of the Japanese maple, a plant with so much to like...)

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  39. I saw this post just after I published my post on why catmint is my signature plant. Very interesting to read everyone's comments and different choices.

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  40. Hi Tina, I finally got a post together with a link to you about my signature plant. Hope you like it, I went all out!

    Frances :-)

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  41. What a great idea, Tina! I found this post by way of Frances@fairegarden, and as I slowly recuperate from my surgical adventures, I too will do a signature plant post. As soon as I figure out what my signature plant would be, of course.

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  42. Hey Tina,

    Late to the party but I've posted on my signature plant.

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  43. Chouette blog. Vraiment bien structuré. Je fais du copié-collé mais c'est dur !!!J'avais essayé un traducteur pour les visiteurs sur un de mes blogs (chez blogger) mais ça n'a pas marché. C'était affreux ... Pourtant ce serait une bonne idée...

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  44. Translation from Franceline:
    Great blog. Really structured well. I make of the copying - glued together but it is hard!!! I had tried a translator for the visitors on one of my blogs (to blogger) but this did not walk. It was ugly... However it would be a good idea...

    I will look for a good widget right away to translate. Thanks!

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  45. Hi Tina,
    Thanks for suggesting to Gail I may like to adopt the amsonias. I copied my comment here, and plan to post it soon.

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  46. Mi signature bush: Turnera ulmifolia/diffusa in certain contexts in the garden.

    Frangipani is the other. For simple reasons. They are not over used, are resistant to salt breeze, heat,
    drought.

    Attractive to bees/birds. The impressive lasting flowers, the beauty of the whole, a bonus..

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  47. I just read your post, interesting question. At first I wasn't sure. I love sedums, roses, and carnations, but none seemed quite right.

    Then I thought of love-in-a-mist. They self-seed easily, but, if not wanted, pull up in a second. They're soft and old-fashioned but yet a little quirky. Resembling yarrow and fennel as seedlings, they become distinctive once they flower, filling once empty spaces with a touch of whimsy, the perfect plant for the cottage gardener!

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