{"product_id":"pseudopanax-crassifolius","title":"Pseudopanax crassifolius","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePseudopanax crassifolius\u003c\/em\u003e is a New Zealand native woodland shrub\/small tree that is one of the more icon plants from there (in my opinion)  I've been to New Zealand several times and have had 2 opportunities to collect small seedling \u003cem\u003ePseudopanax crassifolius\u003c\/em\u003e in the mountains on South Island that were being grown for native plant conservation plantings.  The forests in New Zealand are completely magical and there are basically no genera there than are native in the USA - its easy to feel lost and overwhelmed botanically (fortunately, I've had the opportunity to learn a fair number of native NZ genera and feel slightly at home there now).  The friend I was collecting with (he lives in the area there) had hundreds of small 2\" seedling collected and I hadn't found 1!  I could see big trees (about 20' tall) in the forest, but no babies.  I have pretty poor eyesight to begin with, but even when my friend had me crawling on my knees looking for them - I just couldn't see them.  Finally I spotted a few and then could see them easier - they are PERFECTLY camouflaged in the dead leaf debris on the ground.  The seedlings are brown, black, purple or rarely green and look like dead grass leaves.  Needless to say, I had a fantastic day on each collecting trip  and am now and forever in love with the awesome species.  Sadly we can't grow it outside here in NC but I can grow in in containers that we keep heated minimally during the winter.  A friend near Salem, Oregon has had a couple outside there for 2 years now.  Best in nearly frost free climates that don't get too hot in the summer.  Fun as a greenhouse plant for the 99% of the country that has ratty weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHARDINESS: zones 9-10\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEXPOSURE:  part shade to sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSIZE:  10'+\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSHIPPING SIZE: 1\/2 gallon container.  16-24\" plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Garden Treasures Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44375215571022,"sku":"2:8:11W:16","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0264\/8516\/2062\/files\/IMG_6208.jpg?v=1790093139","url":"https:\/\/www.garden-treasures.com\/products\/pseudopanax-crassifolius","provider":"Garden Treasures Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}