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Re: plant snobs

>My plant "snobism" seems directly tied to what plants I grew up with 

Me too, but of course after several years away from home, it's shifted.  
When I first moved out to Seattle from Iowa City, Iowa, everything was 
exotic.  I thought Hypericum (the invasive thing that they use here to 
cover parkng strips) was the most amazing flower.  I probably would have 
bought some if I'd had room.  The common orange montbretias I was also 
in love with.  For some reason, the Rhododendrons didn't get me but 
still.  Now, do you know what I'd give my eyeteeth to be able to really 
grow well?  A big trellis covered with "Heavenly Blue" morning glory.  
Never mind that I can (and do) grow Meconopsis out the kazoo here, I 
want morning glories!

But there are also plenty of plants that I loved and then grew to hate 
here because they are so common, and finally got over my snobbery and 
started to appreciate again, if more cautiously.  Some of the shrubby 
Hypericums are truly beautiful plants.  Buddleias, which come up in 
median strips unbidden - I actually have three in my garden.  Though I 
admit none are the common lavender one.  Daphne odora and Sarcococca, 
which I never actually hated but started getting tired of when they 
caught on a few years back and got planted in masses everywhere, even in 
full sun where they scorch miserably.  I still love mine in my miniscule 
shade garden.  I might have gotten tired of my Passiflora caerulea but 
well...it's too late now as it is eating my back porch and a pair of 
rosy finches have built a nest in it, right up against the side window.  
Wild Kingdom, right in our kitchen. :)

Bob Beer
Zone 8, Seattle WA
http://weber.u.washington.edu/~bbeer/gardening.html


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