Re: Perennials
Hello Glenn
I can't offer much help on why containers survive,maybe its because by the
winter they are pot bound and do not have much wet soil around their
roots,whereas your garden may not be so well drained. BUT as you are a
nurseryman you may be interested to know of a robust, disease resistant
Monarda I came across when still in the trade in the UK. Monarda Gardenview
Scarlet, is strong growing, never seemed to get mildew, has thick bold
foliage and was a great commercial success for the couple of years I offered
it. It is one of those plants that sells on sight! You can find suppliers on
www.rhs.org.uk in the Plantfinder online. don't know if any will supply
South Africa, but you may find it listed elsewhere.
regards Janet
Richard & Janet Blenkinship
Crete
janetble@otenet.gr
----- Original Message -----
From: Glenn Breayley <valhalla@iafrica.com>
To: medit-plants <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Sent: Monday, September 20, 1999 2:15 PM
Subject: 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.
>
>
