Unique plants that have been introduced by Lucas T. Dexter
415-816-9226
“A life long passion for plants has driven me to hunt out new selections, varieties and cultivars of sports and brooms. This site contains a list of my plant introductions” - L.T.D.
My Plant Introductions
Roadside Standouts
Acer macrophyllum ‘Tubbs Fire’
Found in the “burn-zone” of Calistoga. The chimeric coloring was showing on secondary growth from a stump, two years after the Tubbs Fire.
Status: 4 consecutive years of grafts by Mendocino Maples has netted a limited supply offered to the public. Reversion is common.
Sequoia sempervirens chimeric sport with cones
This one was found on the side of the highway in early 2019. I contacted the land owner and promised to name a successful cultivar after the her daughter.
over 3,000 seeds were propagated from chimera cones and I had one seedling with beautiful veriegation. This plant was grown on as the "Mother" plant of several years of cuttings.
Status: Being trialed by Devil Mountain Nurseries
Quercus lobata ‘Dexter’s Gold’
I spotted this sport about 18 feet in the air while driving on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley, CA.
Earlier in 2020, with help from Jake Schnider, we harvested and sent scion wood to Heritage Seedlings and Liners, where they had great grafting success.
Status: No longer grown for the industry due to leaf burn in late summer. Is now an ultra-rare collectors item.
Pinus sabiniana ‘Gandalf’
From a giant broom that greeted guests at a prestigious resort in Napa Valley. Sadly the tree and broom were removed just 2 months after the scions were sent for grafting.
Status: Grafted onto Pinus sylvestris, there are currently about 25 world wide. This cultivar has been registered with the American Conifer Society as well as RHS in the U.K.
Quercus douglasii ‘Dexter’s Blue’
One of my first roadside finds. A uniquely dense, slow growing Blue Oak selection.
Status: This has been selected by Devil Mountain Nurseries after an intial trial to continue production for potential, future marketing.
Toxicodendron diversilobum ‘Goldfinger’
A twinkle on the side of Hwy 12 in Sonoma, CA turned out to be beautiful Poison Oak with a gold mutation.
Surprisingly difficult to root cuttings from, I was successful on my 3rd try.
Status: Having trouble finding people interested in Poison Oak. LOL
Umbellularia californica 'Chimera Sport'
Found summer 2021 on the side of the road in Sonoma County, this basil sprout on a burned bay tree will be propagated via cuttings this year.
Status: Not being grown. Might do some in late 2025.
Quercus agrifolia 'Pink Lemonade'
A very exciting discovery at the base of a burned live oak in Angwin, CA.
Status: The genetics have been lost when the owner weed whacked the mutation. A major loss.
Quercus agrifolia 'Gold Sport 1'
A promising gold sport found in a live oak in Sonoma CA.
Satus: Grafting scheduled for 2025
Quercus agrifolia 'Chimera Sport'
A unique sport on a live oak found in Sonoma CA.
Status: Grafting scheduled for 2025
Aesculus californica 'Chimera'
Found on the side of the road in Glen Ellen, CA
Satus: Currently, no plans to propagate.
Quercus berberidifolia 'Chimera Sport 1'
Found on the side of the road on Spring Mountain in St. Helena CA.
Satus: Grafting scheduled for 2025