Re: Comments please
Susan,
Callirhoe involucrata, poppy mallow, is one of my favorite plants; I have several of them in various beds. It has a large taproot like a parsnip from which the many rambling stems spread out 3-6'. The stems do not take root and are produced new each year. It's native to central North American prairies where the rambling stems weave amongst the grasses and other plants. This is also how
poppy mallow grows in the perennial bed, not unlike many of the cranesbills. The neon-fuchsia flowers randomly appear amidst other plants, often creating dazzling combinations. Apparently in nature, where I'm not there to put out sprinklers every day, poppy mallow only blooms July-August but all of mine are in bloom from mid-June until late November when the hard killing frosts arrive.
Although it will withstand drought conditions, as with any plants it's a good idea to provide regular watering until the plants are established. Another plus for poppy mallow is that, like many native prairie plants, it LIKES clay soils.
The only other plant on your list which I have is Chrysogonum virginianum, goldenstar. This is a plant native to eastern U.S. deciduous woodlands. It prefers light, or "high," shade and tolerates poor, dry soil. This is a good plant for that out-of-the-way spot where nothing else will grow. The flowers are nothing to write home about unless you really like little yellow flowers. In my
shade garden, where I use it -- along with lamiums -- as a groundcover around hostas, the goldenstar is evergreen although I'm not sure whether or not that is "normal."
Dean Sliger
Warren, MI, USA
Zone 6B
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