Re: low-maintenance plants
- Subject: Re: low-maintenance plants
- From: T* a* M* R*
- Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 20:51:56 +1200
Joe Seals wrote:
> So, let me challenge you all.
>
> Tell me what you think is the absolute "ultimate" in
> low maintenance in your garden. The creme d'la creme,
> the truly cast iron and neglectful, the plants that
> wuld thrive and look good even if you completely
> walked away for two years.
>
> Am I asking too much?
>
> Thanks,
Joe
Here is my list
Many Proteas. My magnificent old P. cyranoides has just passed on after
over 45years growing in a rock bank during which time literally all the
attention it ever got was an annual "haircut" to remove spent blooms
(and I am sure it could have done without that much for two years at any
time in its life without harm). P. aristata, a beauty which is still
with me, is equally low maintenance. I really mean Proteas though. Many
other members of the family I would place in the fussy category.
The NZ native shrub Pachystegia insignis, which in nature grows on rocky
seacliffs, is just as carefree. Many of our other native trees and
shrubs also come in the same category, especially species of Pittosporum
and Coprosma not forgetting the common cabbage tree, Cordyline
australis (though this has fussy relatives).
And among the tinies Cyclamen hederifolium, which naturalizes so easily
in my garden and spreads itself wherever it fancies. Several nice
buttercups and their relatives will grow in my garden with no attention
including the Winter Aconite (Eranthis) and three Ranunculus species,
the Lesser Celadine in four varieties (R ficaria). A big leaved tall
golden buttercup (R cortusoides) and the double one called Batchelor's
Buttons (I think this is a form of R.bulbosus) All these have come up
regularly year after year in early to late spring, done their growing
and blooming and then tidily died away with no help from me. The aconite
and the Celendine also spread themselves gently as well without help.
And I must also mention some monocots, especially any sort of
Agapanthus along with Soloman's Seal (Polygonatum), Scilla peruviana
and the many species of snowdrop (Galanthus). And finally one Tulip
(would you believe?) the rock tulip T.saxailis lives among the rocks by
the upper path and comes up faithfully every year with no attention at
all. I just saw the first of its shiny leaves peeping through today,
though it won't flower for a few months yet.
I am sure there are lots more easy plants that I grow, but I though it
would be interesting for the list to mention mostly things others had
not talked of.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata - at the Southern tip of North Island, NZ,
Lat 41°15'S, Long 174°58'E (Antipodes of Spain/Southern France)
