Any ideas?

[annafl]

I bought this croton at Palm Hammock Orchid Estates about two years ago. It was tiny (about 8-9 inches tall). It is now between 1 1/2 and 2 feet tall. I was enamored by the beautiful pink. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Bullwinkle]

I would say Raphael,although it has some differences from my Raphael.

 

[Marie Nock]

I would say Raphael too - a beautifully grown one also.

 

[annafl]

Thanks Mike and Marie!

I have a Raphael I bought 7 or 8 years ago on the other far corner of the yard and it looks a little different. I will have to take a picture of it today and see what you all think. There are a lot of similarities though so maybe they are the same plant. Thanks again.

 

[Moose]

My initial thought was a Rafael but not 100%. Could not rule out slight chance of a Polychrome. Rafael is a slowish cultivar, Polychrome much slower, at least in my garden.

 

[annafl]

Take a look to see what you all think. This is what I was told was Raphael 7-8 years ago at Jesse Durko's. It is now about 8 feet tall and was beautiful, but I made the mistake of severely pruning large firespikes right in front of it about a month ago. It got a lot more sun and has defoliated a lot, especially on the front side. Live and learn. Even this back side is a bit thinner, but you can still see the coloring and the leaf shape. I think this plant is a little more prominently semi-oak shaped, has more cream in it and the pink is lighter. Maybe all these are variations of location. I don't know.

 

[annafl]

Also, the veins on the first one are pink and yellow, the second plant has only dark green veins and the marbling seems different I think?

 

[Moose]

Take a look to see what you all think. This is what I was told was Raphael 7-8 years ago at Jesse Durko's. It is now about 8 feet tall and was beautiful, but I made the mistake of severely pruning large firespikes right in front of it about a month ago. It got a lot more sun and has defoliated a lot, especially on the front side. Live and learn. Even this back side is a bit thinner, but you can still see the coloring and the leaf shape. I think this plant is a little more prominently semi-oak shaped, has more cream in it and the pink is lighter. Maybe all these are variations of location. I don't know.

This looks like it may be a Claude Lorraine. A shade lover and and another slow cultivar.

 

[annafl]

Oh, yeah. Definitely a lot of similarities between Claude Lorraine and Raphael. Ron, the more I look at my plants, the more I think the first could be polychrome (as you mentioned) and the second I'm pretty sure is Raphael. They just look different to me. I never saw those two as the same plant, just something about living with them. Maybe there will be other opinions as well.

 

[koki]

I bought a plant at J. Durko's labeled Rapheal and it ended up the same as you have, a Claude Louraine. It's a very good grower, with lighter pinks than Rapheal. Rapheal is harder to find, but truly one of the nicest crotons. The first photo looks like Rapheal.

 

[Jeff Searle]

Andy,
The first one is Raphael and the second one is a Claude Lorraine. Both excellent crotons for the deep shade.

 

[annafl]

Thanks Koki and Jeff! I guess the consensus is 1)Raphael and 2)Claude Lorraine. Yay! 2 more with id's. Thanks so much everyone. A real team effort here.

 

[Moose]

Rafael at sunrise in da Moose Land

 

[Moose]

And then Claude Lorraine at sunrise in da Moose Land

 

[annafl]

My two favorites, Ron. Gotta love the pinks. So hard to find, though.