Re: Plants that don't do too well for me
- Subject: Re: Plants that don't do too well for me
- From: C* P* L*
- Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2001 09:30:58 -0500
> Well, Chris, I, too, have failed time and again with Polemonium. I
> have finally (knock on wood) gotten one plant to seem fairly happy
> and bloom - and return for two years running. It's planted in a
> raised bed filled with rotted woodchips on the east side of my deck
> where it gets strong light all day and direct sun in morning, sort of
> partly under an evergreen azalea. The bed dries quickly with no
> rain, so I water it as the azaleas don't like to be dry.
So it sounds like it wants lots of organic matter and water... I'll
try moving what's left of mine this year and see how they do...
> Begonia grandis is borderline in your zone.
Hopefully that's the only problem. I'll try protecting it this
year and see if that makes a difference.
> it in z. 6 or warmer, tho' I know it has survived in Scranton, PA.
Sorry, had to grin. Every time I hear Scranton I think of 30,000
Pounds of Bananas...
> Eupatorium maculatum 'Chocolate' wants to be a weed for me. I've had
> it in open shade for only two years and this year it presented me
> with dozens of seedlings in the driveway. ... I'd say yours
> needs more water...this genus generally likes moist sites. Would not
> say more shade unless it's getting broiling afternoon sun where you
> have it.
Water is probably the key for me. Last year I noticed that it was
wilting quite a bit. I'll try moving it to the front bed where I
have irrigation set up.
> Of the other three you mention, I only have - I think - Gentiana
> septemfida, but mine bloomed a month or so ago. It's not a large
> plant; low and maybe 6" or so in width and fairly close to the
> ground. Mine is in a raised bed made of spent potting soil; highly
> organic and drains fast. Gets maybe 4 hours of late mid-day to early
> afternoon sun and gets regularly watered because of the other things
> in that bed. This is only its second year and I keep thinking I
> ought to move it, but have not. Did read on Alpine-L that this plant
> prefers it on the dry side. Last year was the first year I had it, I
> think, and I only had one or two flowers - this year it flowered very
> nicely. Maybe you need to give yours some time?
The plant is only two years old, so hopefully you're right -- it just
requires patience on my part. :) Mine is in a gravel bed that gets
between 4-6 hours of sun each day. It's growing along side Ruellia
humilis and Liatris microcephala, both of which are doing quite well.
Thanks for the tips! It helps!
Chris
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