|
Tue, Mar 19, 13 at 9:30
| Every spring i see seeds in the racks, but never plants in the nurseries (Minnesotan here). I've read up on aubrieta, seen no red flags, but am wondering why no one around here seems to grow it, or why it's not listed for sale in many places (I haven't seen any). Is this a difficult plant, fussy, not worth the trouble? Would appreciate hearing any views, experiences, etc. I have half a flat of Whitewell Gem (Burpee) growing under lights in my basement. TIA, Gary |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| I have Aubrieta, although this is my first year with it. It is a rock garden type of plant, fyi, although I have it just in a normal bed. I purchased it as a plant from our local nursery, so they are available out there. The variety that I have is Violet With Eye and it is showstopping gorgeous! Completely covered with blooms right now and they are flourescent purple, they look like they glow when dusk comes around. I am trialing it this year to see how it does. I did a ton of research before I purchased it and everything looked good about it. Of course, my research was for Zone 7, but this variety does list zone 4 as the lowest it will go. All I can say is that I have been very pleased with it, so far, but time will tell. |
|
| Here's a pic of mine. Gorgeous color! Pardon my leaves :) Still putting plants in, so haven't mulched for the spring, yet. |
|
- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Tue, Mar 19, 13 at 14:24
| Aubrieta is a very common spring plant in my area. We carry it in bulk at this time of year because it offers such a great strong color in the garden when a lot of other perennials are barely breaking the soil :-) It is usually considered a rock garden plant here as well (common name is rock cress), although it is frequently used as an edging or border plant. Because it flows and draps so well it is often used in the nooks and crannies or at the top of rock walls. And it is evergreen in this climate. 'Rokey's Purple' is the big seller here but it is also available in blue, lavender, raspberry and white forms. The other, related spring blooming plant is Arabis caucasica. Arabis may be a slightly hardier choice for you - otherwise, zone 4 is marginal. |
|
| I always watch some plants growing in my neighborhood. One manages to flower but looks horrible in autumn because it grows under a small ornamental tree and obviously doesn`t agree with leaf litter. another specimen is on my way to work, a seedling, judging by it growing out of some sunny old stone wall. It formed quite a mound, the foliage looks always nice, healthy and green and it starts flowering now. Doesnt get any TLC but thrives in that spot. I think that this plant tends to age very fast when planted in a regular border with good soil which probably is frustrating, as no amount of lifting/dividing will "cure" it. Well, just try it and watch closely, bye, Lin |
|
- Posted by SunnyBorders 5A (My Page) on Wed, Mar 20, 13 at 17:24
| Know what you mean Lin, but find that Aubrieta can be quite long lived if it likes the location. Below, one of a number of clumps I have, each grown from a single plant, planted five to ten years ago.
|
|
| In my experience, even the bluest aubretia is just pure violet, end you will not get ANY closer. It can be blue, but only on labels. |
|
| What attracted me originally to aubrieta was that it has a very bluish violet color on half of the flowers and very deep purple on the others. Absolutely beautiful contrast on the same plant. I guess technically it's not blue, but when you put blue violet up against real true purple, it very much looks blue! By the way, it takes frost well. Was a completely frozen plant this morning and is continuing to bloom beautifully today. |
|
| I haven't seen it for sale in my area of the Twin Cities either. I have some that I started from seed several years ago as an edging in one of my beds. Am starting more again this year. It has been neglected and is sparse. Would love to have a clump as lovely as Sunny's. |
|
| I haven't been particularly successful with it. Perhaps it doesn't like our weather or acid soil, but I've tried it 3 times over 20 years at 2 different houses, and it hasn't done particularly well in any of the locations, all sunny and reasonably well drained. |
|
| Hi Gary, i just managed to take a snap of the Aubrieta seedling, or rather seedlings, judging by the flower colors, I guess there are about 3 different plants. Probably still some time to wait untill yours start sprouting, well then, bye, Lin |
|
- Posted by lola-lemon 5b East WA (My Page) on Mon, Apr 22, 13 at 23:13
| Lowes has Aubrieta for sale around here right now. I have a sort of cascade (beds beside steps) of aubrieta about ready to bloom. I am ambivalent about this plant. It puts out an amazing bloom for a few weeks in spring that gets lots of compliments- then it looks bad ugly and needs a haircut to cut off all the flower stalks and seed pods. It is prone to some kind of VERY Thick white fungus that if you disturb the plant it billows like smoke. YuK! and I had a big section up and die this last winter so I am torn about regrowing it. The local park grows a wall of alternating colors (mine is a really nice bold violet color) with some other creepers and it looks great. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Perennials Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here
