RE: Disporum and Maianthemum advice please

Karen,
 
I've no experience with the Disporum, but the Maianthemum (Smilacina) species are native here where I live in Missouri and they tend to be in the moist but not waterlogged (i.e. floodplain) parts of the woodlands. Also the climate is practically the opposite of Mediterranean: cold dryish winters and hot humid summers. Thinking about what does grow in flood plain woodland, you might try Mertensia virginica, which simply won't do well at all in dry conditions; also it goes dormant after flowering so a dry summer may not be a problem. Other suggestions: Erythronium spp., Trillium spp., Dicentra spp., possibly also Stylophorum (celandine poppy): there's a North American sp. (S. diphyllum) and a Chinese one (S. lasiocarpum). They are certainly tolerant of winter moisture but stay green and flowering on and off even after their main spring blooming.
 
Thinking about what I've seen in Mediterranean winter-waterlogged conditions, maybe try Arum and Arisarum spp. and, if you want some shrubs, Nerium oleander, Styrax officinalis, and Vitex agnus-castus. I've seen cyclamen doing well in such places, and you've already had success with them. You might try various Viola spp. too.
 
Good luck!  Nick Turland, St. Louis, Missouri (USDA Zone 6)
-----Original Message-----
From: Trevorshighclass@aol.com [mailto:Trevorshighclass@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 15 October, 2003 3:27 AM
To: medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Disporum and Maianthemum advice please

I have an area which is soggy clay for six months of the year during winter and spring (fed by a winter creek)  and relatively dry for the remainder and is shaded in our very hot summer by deciduous trees.  Most plants I have tried turn up their toes in the winter wet.  Successes have been Hellebores lividus, Anthriscus Ravens Wing (summer dormant here), cyclamen and Tellima.  I was wondering about the suitability of Disporum sessile veriegatum  and Maianthemum (previously smilacina) racemosa or stellata.

Thank you
Karen Roberts
Perth Hills, Western Australia
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