13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials
I didn't see serviceberries mentioned. Not at all rare, but given the horrified looks I've been given when grabbing a couple off a shrub at the park and eating them, "average joe" doesn't know that contractor special is also edible! And I THINK I read somewhere that some hostas and peonies ( or parts of them?) are edible. Double check of course, but if I am remembering that correctly, then joe would definitely not be likely to help himself to a hosta salad. Don't forget edible natives. Ramps are a lovely ground cover if your soil is right and fiddleheads are great when they mature into ferns.
river, thanks for the scoop on the Hosta Library, I will check the links out!
Thanks, Babs. We don't get super hot her in the PNW. I think I'm in your camp of the *half day sun* thing. I may have taken the shade suggestion too literally! I have lots of deep shade. We're remedying that as we're able.
mx and Sherry, do you cut the Bergenias to the ground? I've seen pics (UK)of them thriving in (seemingly) full sun and they are gorgeous, IMO. Anyone in GW UK gardeners grow them--in sun or shade? Got any pointers? Thanks for chiming in! Camp? Flora? Marlorena?
ken, what can I say, thanks for the awesome reply--it made a lot of sense to me! Good to hear from you.
tex, thanks for weighing in on this. Interesting that the sun lovers do well in your version of shade.
peren, thanks! Your garden is drop dead gorgeous! I have one Rodgersia that is being choked by Alchemilla--must move it and give it room! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hey rouge, I'm guilty of the too close thing, too. I have to laugh at myself when I see examples this in my garden, saying to myself *What was I thinking?* Mind if I ask if you're male or female? Not meant to offend, just curious.
purslane I appreciate your advice, thanks! It's apparent I need to more experimenting.
I just ordered some bees and a few supplies from Crown Bees. The bee house is from Gardeners Supply. The project set me back about $80 total, but I figure if I'm successful the bees will return every year for nesting, so it's just the initial layout (plus some new tubes every year). I've been thinking about doing this for a few years now, this thread finally jump-started my motivation! :0)
Actually I think coral is a good description for the poppy in Dave's photo too. It is a pretty color, especially combined with other deep blue flowers or deep purples. Photos can be deceiving, especially pale ones, but I see that poppy colour as having an orange undertone - like a drop of orange paint, perhaps half a drop of red, with lots of white added. For me pink can't have any orange undertone. Pink would be a drop of red paint with lots of white with no orange undertone. When it comes to calling anything mauve or purple or plum I think - a drop of red paint, 1 or more drops of blue and lots of white and / or some black for darker shades. Forgive me if I seem picky - I trained as a florist so I think in pure colours from the colour wheel.
In my experience (and I've only airlayered a few times), it takes much longer than just taking cuttings the traditional way. I'd only air layer on something that would NOT root the normal way. Hibiscus will root as traditional cutting.
Although Achillea certainly do like full sun, full sun in California zone 9 in front of a reflective stucco wall might be just too much. Though I'd think they'd burn up rather than flop.
It's kind of like people in the pacific northwest who talk about plants that can handle drought. "Drought" in pacific northwest terms is NOTHING like drought in most of the rest of the country.
In Central Texas , This is a wildflower where soil is relatively deep and with some water retention, (not where I live). It grows in full sun/ half day sun and sometimes with some protection,but It usually gets burnt out in Late spring/early summer. Maybe blooming can be extended with extra water in a garden situation.
David, the OP has added (8), but I'm not seeing anything that would make me assume PNW Z8...8 covers a few states.
And thank you for catching the 'Brecks'. I need to slow down here, too many distractions and I apologize. I've purchased from Brent and Becky's, never from Brecks and that was a slip - I've edited now. I'll be more careful and try not to let my fingers get ahead of my thoughts ;)
I've actually bought some lovely things from Plant Delights after refusing for years to pay shipping from there. Nothing I've been sorry I've ordered and all has turned out to be worth the cost when I can't find it closer.
Sorry, I goofed, too. Thought the OP was in the PNW for some reason. It seems like a more common plant in the PNW (on the west coast, generally) although I've seen the tropical ones in New Orleans.
Big difference between Brent and Becky's and Brecks! I just placed an order with Brent and Becky's.
(notice how intellectually and emotionally mature adults like morz and I can admit we've made a mistake...)
Thanks to everyone for posting! It's been very helpful. I bought some seeds of the Red var. of it and will see how it grows in Washington DC.
PS: I am maple_man, (since 2003 i think) but houzz will not let me use it now, so had to change it to maple5man! also tried maple5man(maple_man) but it did not like that ether! Could not access my profile, was forced to make a new one. I am very unhappy!!! Definitely going to miss the old site.
Perhaps the same could be said of the mycorrhizae fad. Maybe it helps get a new plant off to a better start maybe not. I do know that any plant I've transplanted does already have micorrhizae colonized on their roots all on their own. The tougher the spot from which they were moved the more mycorrhizae they have.
container wise...unless you had to take an axe and shovel to chop up roots so you could remove the plant from the container. could not pull them out....you have not had a good dose of mycorrhiza on your plant...eggplant, pepper plant and tomato plant...you can capture your own from virgin forest soil...it cost very little this way....but takes a little time and studying, but simple...chemicals, kill the good stuff....keep your soil full of worms, then you are headed natures way....the forest knows how to grow giant trees....the indian