Re: Acanthus

Vavourakis wrote:
> 
> My experience with A. mollis is that it self seeds and by autumn  there are plenty
> of seedlings to start new plants.  I potted up several seedlings I found in the
> wild and planted them the following spring in my garden in Crete.  They flowered
> in the second year.  By the fourth year they did tend to pop up in other places in
> the garden.  I also noticed that wherever I planted them in shaded areas the
> foliage was darker and larger than the plants in full sun.  Also-they are great
> snail bait.  The snails go straight for them and ignore other plants, so that
> might be another reason to grow one!
> Karen V./Greece
Karen
In one garden in which I formerly worked A mollis naruralized with such
abandon under shady trees that we went out of our way to _prevent_
seeding, always going round and cutting of the stems as soon as the
flowers faded. They are good perennials and last for years, and I have
found them untouched by even 5 degrees C of frost provided they have the
shelter of trees or shrubs over their heads. As you suggest they are
definitely shade-lovers.

I am curious though Brigit should refer to its "tubers" as this species
in my experience simply has huge carroty roots up to as much  18" which
radiate out in all directions from the crown. I have on occasion
attempted to dig one out, but as they will regrow from bits left in the
ground (like several other deep-rooted perennials) this can be a pretty
thankless task with all but the young seedlings.

I have not had to do with the smaller species though so I am no help to
Einon I fear.

Moira
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
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