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Re: [PRIMROSES] Companion plants

Diana Pederson wrote:
>
> Diana:
>
> I almost sent a similar message.  I've only seen pictures of Gunnera. How
> tall do these get?  I need some taller plants to mix with gooseneck
> loosestrife that would cover the foundation of a townehouse.  We aren't
> allowed to plant our own shrubs but can do all the annuals, perennials or
> bulbs we want.
>
Gunnera chiloensis grows to about 3 feet tall with leaves 4 to 6 feet
across.  It has hard spines on the leaf stalks.
Gunnera manicata grows 5 to 6 feet tall and the leaves on a perfectly
cultured speciman can reach 9 feet across. The spines on it's stalk are
soft.
Both are hardy to zone 7, although I cover the crowns at the nursery
during the winter while they are in containers. (We're Zone 8)
Both are suitable to bog gardens also.  I know one grower who grows them
in wading pools.
I have a G. manicata in the shady corner of my yard as a backdrop to my
primula collection; flanked on each side by ferns and dicentra.

> Some one else mentioned cordalyis (not sure I'm remembering the spelling
> right here).  Do you classify this as a perennial or a shrub?  I've seen it
> both ways in catalogs and wonder?  If it is woody, then it would be
> prohibited for me.
>
 Corydalis lutea is an evergreen to 20 inches.  It's considered bushy,
but you could argue the point of shrub vs perennial (which they really
are).  C. flexosa is the 'Blue Panda'.  Also a perennial.  Lutea is the
one I have on tentative schedule, that I could not recall during my
prior post.

the primrose society
 I've found
> only 2 types are generally available here and then primarily in the middle
> of winter when they are sold as "houseplants".  I don't find that they do
> well inside our heated houses.  I know someone with an older home and rather
> leaky windows--they do find for her.
Primroses like cool conditions.  They often bloom a second time in the
Pacific Northwest during the fall.
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