RE: Phormium and Heuchera 'Amber Waves'

Hi Marge,
	I don't think you would be happy with your Phormium if you cut it back for
the winter.  Cut blades never regrow and look ugly.  You would have to cut
all the blades off at the crown.....a scary proposition!  I have a very
large Phormium 'Apricot Queen'
( http://www.thegardener.btinternet.co.uk/apricotqueen.html ) that started
from 2 blades with a single root.  It has been on my deck for 4 years
without needing winter protection.  My strategy for protecting it in case we
were to get a very cold winter is that it is planted in a very large pot
which is sunk into a 3x4x2.5 cedar box planter on the deck.  I can lift the
plastic pot that the Phormium is planted in and move the whole thing into
the GH for a few days if need be.  The good thing is that the "pot in pot"
also gives the roots some extra protection.  Or, you might want to start
with something petite like 'Jack Spratt' that is only 18" tall and would be
very easy to move inside for the winter.
I am going to attempt to divide Apricot Queen and pot the divisions for the
nursery.  I want to save a good sized piece to put back in the cedar box.
It is a beautiful focal point and would be worth the trouble of moving it in
winter if I had to.  I am also growing 'Flamingo' (outrageous pink with
orange/green/purple) and 'Platt's Black' (small narrow blade of darkest
purple) in mixed containers in part sun.  And yes, Platt's Black is
beautiful with Heuchera 'Amber Waves'.  :)

Marilyn Dube'
Natural Designs Nursery
Portland, Oregon


-----Original Message-----
From:	owner-perennials@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf
Of Marge Talt
Sent:	Monday, April 14, 2003 12:45 AM
To:	perennials@hort.net
Subject:	Re: Phormium and Heuchera 'Amber Waves'


Do you cut yours back for wintering over in the greenhouse?  I'm
thinking huge plant...where to put it?  Or, do they not get as large
when grown in containers?  Of course, I'm dreaming on here as mine
are all of half an inch tall:-)

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