Re: Cast Iron plant

Hi, Noreen. Down here the variegated cast iron plant is about the only alternative to variegated shell ginger for lightening up shady areas in a landscape--without creating a maintenance nightmare with marantas and calatheas.

Richard DuPont, incidentally, has a winter home here. He has a large koi pond in a shady location and it is pretty much circled with marantas and calatheas. The humidity generated by the pond seems to have prevented the plants from browning out--so far.

The house where the blooming one was picked is near here. Maybe I'll go see them tomorrow and take some pictures.


On Saturday, March 6, 2004, at 04:46 AM, TeichFlora@aol.com wrote:

Hi Jim, NO, I've never seen it bloom. Oh this is MOST interesting! This
plant is over used in landscaping here too for shade.....and considered "out".
Most "re-dos" call for ripping it all out. I have and use the Apidistra elator
variegata a lot. There are several varieties of this. I personally like a
bit of variegation in a shaded area, so this serves two purposes.....no-fuss
evergreen lush foliage in a shaded area, plus the added bonus of the white. To
know that it might actually bloom, and be even more attractive plus scent is
just amazing. I do so hope mine blooms. You mentioned you didn't know the
conditions for blooming??? Hm. 

Island Jim
Southwest Florida
Zone 10

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