Re: Info on Cerinthe major
Barklem wrote:
>
> Al. Robert Krismer wrote:
> >
> > I am growing some Cerinthe major "Blue Kiwi". I am wondering what type of soil
> > and exposure it needs. The catalog lists it as a perennial which needs special
> > protection. Will it survive winters in Zone 6? mimimum -10 F or -23 C.
> >
> >
> I don't know "Blue Kiwi". Is it a selection of Cerinthe major? I have
> grown Cerinthe major purpurascens, which has been one of the hottest
> plants of the last two or three years in the UK. It was advertised (by
> Thompson & Morgan in their catalogue) as a hardy perennial in this
> country. It isn't. It certainly wouldn't survive in Zone 6.
>
> I grow it as an annual as it is so easy and quick from seed. It is
> possible to overwinter it here in a greenhouse, but it becomes very
> leggy and unwieldy, so it really isn't worth it as it grows to flowering
> size so quickly. I save seed during the summer and keep it for the next
> spring, but I also find that here I get seedlings germinating in the
> ground in the spring.
>
> I don't know whether it would like heavy clay, but it certainly likes my
> sandy soil and is also a great success in pots. I have a friend who
> opens her garden to the public one day each year and the last two years
> a pot of Cerinthe has been the most talked about plant in the garden. We
> got asked about it by so many people that we put a special label on with
> cultural details and where to get seed!
>
> Barbara Barklem
> Woking, Surrey, UK
> Equivalent to Zone 8/9
Just for what it's worth, I have several I've grown from seed for sale.
One was so sprawled out across the benches, that I whacked it back. And
as I gazed at that lovely irridescent foliage, I thought 'what the
heck....', and have struck the cuttings as stem propogation. It's been
a week....they are still green and turgid. I'll keep you posted!
The Greenhouse Nursery
81 S. Bagley Creek Road & Hwy 101
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 417-2664
Zone 8
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