Re: heather was: soil types and pH

Bonnie,
We probably aren't as humid as you are but our summers do have high
humidity. Most heaths and heathers don't do well here, but I suspect it's
the pH more than the humidity.    However, in the Conifer Garden at CES,
we've had very good results with a Scotch Heather, Calluna vulgaris
'Blazeaway'.  Yellow foliage in summer, orange and red in winter. Blooms are
light mauve flowers from August - September. Grows to 15" tall. 'Blazeaway'
is the correct spelling, but it is sometimes listed as 'Blazeway' or Blaze
Away'.
MOBOT says "The suitability of Scotch heather to Midwest conditions has yet
to be determined, especially summer hardiness. Plants may not do well in
heavy clay soils and high humidity."
Also found elsewhwere: " In high heat and humidity Calluna can be affected
by fungal disease, which manifests as browning on the tips."

Kitty

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bonnie Holmes" <holmesbm@usit.net>
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2003 10:00 AM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] heather was: soil types and pH


> What is it?  We are very humid here and many people try to grow
> heather...if there is one that will make it, I would love to know.
>
> Bonnie Zone 6+ ETN
>
>
>
>
> > [Original Message]
> > From: Marge Talt <mtalt@earthlink.net>
> > To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
> > Date: 10/09/2003 9:59:38 PM
> > Subject: Re: [CHAT] heather was:  soil types and pH
> >
> > > From: Aplfgcnys@aol.com
> > > Marge, I've grown Bergenia for years in a shady spot. It grows
> > pretty well,
> > > even spreads a bit, but rarely ever blooms - maybe only every other
> > year.  I
> > > keep it because the foliage is great for flower arrangements.  I
> > gave a piece to
> > > a friend who thought it wouldn't do for her because she had no
> > shade - her's
> > > blooms constantly.  Guess it needs sun.  Auralie
> > ----------
> >
> > Auralie, they grow well in sun or shade in the UK.  I am convinced
> > the problem here is the hot, humid summer night syndrome that many
> > plants who prefer cool nights - or at least nights that aren't jungle
> > humid - simply can't stand.  Some plants don't mind it; some love
> > humidity with heat and some simply smother to death in it.  Bergenia
> > seems to be one of the latter.  I know Tony Avent has said he's
> > killed hundreds of them for this reason and my observations (and
> > mortality) bear this out.  I have had bloom, but the plants just fade
> > away over a couple three seasons.  The one I have now came from Tony
> > and is supposed to be able to take the heat.  We shall see.  I would
> > not call this a robust specimen at this point, but it still lives,
> > which, in my garden, is something for this species.
> >
> > Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
> > mtalt@hort.net
> > Editor:  Gardening in Shade
> > -----------------------------------------------
> > Current Article: Variegation on the Green Theme - Part One
> > http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/shade_gardening
> > ------------------------------------------------
> > Complete Index of Articles by Category and Date
> > http://mtalt.hort.net/article-index.html
> > ------------------------------------------------
> > All Suite101.com garden topics :
> > http://www.suite101.com/topics.cfm/635
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
> > message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index