Re: Aconitum

**"* D* I* <g*@enter.net>**

Nancy:

    I realize as I write this that this should be posted to the gardeners
list.  But I think there's also a green industry/political question wrapped
up in your praise of Aconitum.

    Aconitum takes pride of place as the most favored perennial that I have
ever put in the ground.  Pictures of it accompany every plant lecture I
give.  I have a great, tall stand of them at the top of a bank against the
back of my border.  The sun sets behind them.  It's backed by Rudbeckia
nitida 'Herbstsonne' and fronted by New England Asters and a great group of
annual salvia.  Before the frost it was framed with a large mass of 'Gay's
Delight' Coleus and the fall color of a large Chionanthus.  It is an
stunning fall collection.

    However, we seldom use it in any of the designs that leave this office.
When I've talked to other designers and garden center owners about the sad
neglect of this wondrous plant, the answer is always the same:  it blooms
too late.  There is some slight concern also about it's poisonous heritage.
In the spring, at the garden center, no one notices it just peaking out of
its pot.  By the time it's tall enough to be "showy" no one is shopping.  As
a designer's tool, it's either unknown or too difficult to find or keep in
the holding yard.  It's very difficult to hold in quarts--it gets leggy and
flops, or gallons--where it has a bit of a temperment with water and
nutrient requirements.  It wants to be planted quickly and that's not always
possible.  It's also very slow to acclimate.  I've had it in my church's
symbolic garden for three seasons in full sun and it still isn't big enough
in its clumps to stand upright throughout the entire season.

    I think a lot about all of the plants that are underutilized in our
industry.  I struggle constantly with the great "winners" in my garden and
recognize that with each of my passionate picks there are reasons why they
wouldn't be good for the clients or the garden centers.  Even with a sense
of strong commitment and dedication to communciation, is this a good plant
for everyone?  No.  It requires patience.  Most of our client's just can't
wait for the lust garden and instant gratification.  I think that the big
box shopper is of the same mentality.

Kirk R. Brown
Joanne Kostecky Garden Design, Inc
4905 Hamilton Boulevard
Allentown,  PA  18106
610-530-8752

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