Re: I. Virginica
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: I. Virginica
- From: H* <H*@aol.com>
- Date: Thu, 2 Apr 1998 21:29:23 -0700 (MST)
In a message dated 98-04-02 21:08:03 EST, you write:
<< I recently snagged one from a roadside ditch because the foliage was
purple/black from the base to about half way up the fan. That was a month
ago and the new foliage put up since then is purple as well. It may, or may
not, be an environmental reaction. Maybe this is common but I had never
noticed colored.. foliage before and thought it could be some sort of sport.
>>
I've grown I. virginica from seed that had the most spendid purple based
foliage. When the leaves emerged in spring they were deep violet and remained
entirely so until about a foot tall, at which point they began to loose the
violet --remaining purple at the base--as the plant attenuated. I got pretty
excited about it since my seed was out of a white form, which I thought would
be gorgeous with the purple, but, alas, when it bloomed it was the most
innocuous thing imaginable, a standard blue and of really mediocre form. Such
are the joys of growing your own sometimes.
In other words, violet foliage bases are not real unusual in I. virginica.
Anner Whitehead, Richmond, VA USDA Zone 7
Henry Hall Henryanner @aol.com
