Re: giving plants what they want
- Subject: Re: giving plants what they want
- From: E*@aol.com
- Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 00:14:52 EST
In a message dated 1/7/03 4:48:48 PM Eastern Standard Time, lwallpe@juno.com
writes:
> A lot of the great plant hunters are introducing plants from China.
> Elevation is frequently mentioned in their descriptions of where the
> plants were collected. How do any of you use this information,
> compensate for it in your gardens? Anyone have a formula?>>>>>
No formula but some speculation. Rock garden or Alpine or montane plants are
often described with native country, elevation found, type of soil- gravel,
meadow, moraine, etc.
It would seem to tell you the latitude of the native country, the amount of
sun, light exposure as found and roughly the length of growing season
required from emergence to flowering. You would develop some expectations
from this information. You would not be able to produce a mountain in your
garden but would be, I think, on your own to decide if the plant might have a
chance in what you have to offer.
There is a small daisy like plant called Anacyclus depressus from the
mountains of Morocco. This, sold in the spring in three inch pots, quite
commonly now. For any part of the country that experiences a lot of humidity
in July and August, Anacyclus planted on a border edge will simply die,
quickly.
If planted between slates which are usually placed on sand and with
reasonable light, it will survive and often seed. It will also grow in a
rock pile or any other place with perfect drainage. Anacyclus is a creeping
plant with white petals, red backed and pretty lacy foliage.
I killed dozens of them, grown from seed, until I put them in the little
plaza Ed built for the benches. He did not want to move the benches to mow
so built this small flat rocked plaza. The little plaza will grown montane
plants and the benches are now back on the lawn.
It is not always true that exact conditions need to be copied. Some nepetas
are listed from high altitudes and I've yet to find one that will not grow
for me.
Moisture needed may be far more important. Some conditions as true moraine
are not duplicated easily at home. It is also the case that a newly
introduced plant will have almost no reference to guide you so a catalog
mention might help in that you can match your new plant to one you already
know from the same area.
I saw some mountains in Chile last winter and along the roadsides looking
down from the elderly, rickety old bus were dandelions and chicory and yuck,
plantains. We had to really hike around to find some plants that were not
weeds. Must be why these hunters are attracted to areas where the
populations are thin. Even the most horticulturally challenged on the bus
were disappointed with the dandelions.
Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
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