Re: perennials DIGEST V2 #673





perennials DIGEST wrote:

> Subject: What is this flower????
>
> I am hoping you folks can help me.  Everyday going to work I drive a farmers
> field.  In amongst the cabbages, pumpkins he has flowers growing.  There is
> one I do not know the name of, in spite of all my efforts and it is driving me
> bonkers.
>
> It is a tall plant about 3-4 feet high and is blooming now.  It is a deep red
> and from a distance looks like a humungus cockscomb, kind of brainy looking
> :~).

> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1998 15:04:11 -0500
> From: Windy <Saxmanbc@bellsouth.net>
> Subject: help me identify this
>
> A Fern like plant was growing in the middle of my lawn this spring so I
> moved it to a place near the house so I could keep an eye on it.
>  It kept growing and now looks similar to an evergreen shrub with a
> trunk and feathery branches. The ends of the branches are going to seed
> now and it looks similar to a grass seed.
>  I know it is something that grows wild here in northern Alabama as I
> see it in the fields nearby.Any ideas what it is and should I kill it or
> love it?
>  Rita
>
> ---------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1998 21:49:40 EDT
> From: dee.ann.scheller@juno.com (Dee Ann Scheller)
> Subject: Re:black bug with red spot
>
> James I know the bug you mentioned.  we had them here in southern
> Indiana( for one season only)  several years ago and haven't seen them
> since.  They seemed to love a trash tree we have here--we call box
> elder-I think iI saw a poster at the nearby farm bureau store  with
> pictures of different vanities of pests,and their common name had
> something to do with the tree's name.  I will call there tomorrow and see
> if they can tell me the proper name.
>

Answers for three recent question:

1)There is a variety of the Celosia cristata grown for the cut flower trade that is exactly like the 3' variety only taller
and with thicker stems-stands up without staking. I'll bet the farmer is growing it for a market crop.

2)The "fern-like plant" that now looks like an evergreen shrub in the lawn with scented foliage sounds like sweetfern,
Comptonia peregrina, to me. I don't know where Windy lives, but it is native to eastern North America and grows in "sandy,
peaty, infertile soils" here in Minnesota, particularly in areas that had been scrub or early succession forest. I bought
one for my yard because I like its foliage and smell. It has a persistent root system and that may be why it has come back
in the lawn of a new development. They are pretty hard to move successfully. It is recommended for a late winter project. I
failed with a 3" high transplant I tried late one summer. That's why I bought one.

3) The bug is called a Box Elder Bug for the tree like Dee Ann thought. They come in cycles, and last winter's mild temps
probably triggered this summer's outbreak.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index