Perennials
Hi
In the grand colonial tradition of planting totally unsuitable plants for
any given environment, I am now in the process of dividing all my herbaceous
perennials. This always leads me to ponder the question of why do certain
lines, in the ground, never seem to pull through the winter, while my retail
stock in bags gives no trouble at all. ? Examples would be the bergamots,
french tarragon & Echinacea - & thats just in the herbs.
What is the limiting factor with herbaceous material at the top end of its
climate range ? I'm in the equivalent to USDA zone 10 with only the lightest
of frosting - it doesn't even knock the local flies.
When the winter fronts push through we can have a few days of continuous
cold & wet & this seems to be when things get lost. Drainage is definitely
not a problem. But I remember from my gardening days in NZ things being far
more prolonged in the cold & damp department with no appreciable problems.
And then why do the plants survive in containers. ?
Any thoughts out there ?
Glenn Breayley. Ragnarok & Valhalla Research.
POBox 26158, Hout Bay, 7872, Capetown, South Africa
Ph/Fax SA 021 7904253 E-mail valhalla@iafrica.com
Wholesale nurseryman & Tillandsia specialist wholesale & retail grower.
