Re: [SG] dry shade---Bergenia

Thanks, Gene...that adds to the knowledge base here.  I believe I've read
in UK books that they are "good on chalk".  Now, I'm wondering if yours
were especially happy because they were on that limestone ridge.

The one time I had a bloom, I was astounded...usually they never have shown
any signs of thinking about it, late frost or no....too busy planning their
departure schedule, I think...that particular plant departed soon after.

Mine only look decent for about the first two months after planting, so
ratty leaves after no snow cover in winter hasn't been an issue.

Now that Claire has jogged my memory, I realize that I have also read they
come from Siberia.  This gives me pause because I have found that a number
of plants who originate in cold climates do poorly in mine....Cornus
canadensis comes to mind; just melts away come hot summer  as do Alchemilla
alpina and A. erythropoda, tho' I can grow regular old Lady's Mantle fairly
well if I can keep the soil moist.   I'm  really beginning to think that
the hot, *humid* summer nights may be part of my problem.

So far, nobody from south of the Mason-Dixon line, on the east coast or in
the south, has piped up to gloat about how well they are growing this
genera....maybe I should listen better to the silence.

I have seen Bergenia used extensively with grand effect in the UK and,
being a leaf lover, would like to be able to do the same in my
garden...irks me to have such lousy success......humph!

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
current article: Mailorder Nurseries - On and Off Line, Part 7, Underwood
Shade Nursery
http://suite101.com/welcome.cfm/222
All garden topics welcome page:
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/3425#top5

----------
> From: GeneBush <genebush@OTHERSIDE.COM>
> Date: Friday, February 26, 1999 9:07 AM
>
> Hello Marge,
>         I had Bergenia in the garden for a few years and finally gave up
on them.
> It was not they did not live and multiply... that they did. The large
> leaves look lovely in early winter or late fall when they turn color, but
> then they get beat up something terrible here without snow cover. In
early
> spring they come out of semi-dormancy too early and just as they are
about
> to bloom they get hit by freeze hard enough to kill the bloom stalk. I
saw
> blooms one year out of all the years they were in the garden. Just though
> there were too many other plants that performed much better at that time
of
> year.
>         Mine were in open shade with plenty of light and heavy clay soil
on a
> ridge. Some were in quite shallow soil over limestone rocks where a ledge
> was formed. I mulched with chopped leaves same as in the rest of the
> garden.
>         Only place I have really seen these babies perform as advertised
is in
> nursery pots and the greenhouse in early spring.
>         Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
>           around the woods - around the world
> genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com
>
> ----------
> > From: Marge Talt <mtalt@CLARK.NET>
>
> > Subject: Re: [SG] dry shade---Bergenia
> > Date: Friday, February 26, 1999 2:02 AM
> >
> > Thanks, Lillian...now, I'm wondering if humidity is a real factor here?
> > Any thoughts you successful growers out there?
> >
> > Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
> > mtalt@clark.net
> > Editor:  Gardening in Shade
> > current article: Mailorder Nurseries - On and Off Line, Part 7,
Underwood
> > Shade Nursery
> > http://suite101.com/welcome.cfm/222
> > All garden topics welcome page:
> > http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/3425#top5
> >
> > ----------
> > > From: Lillian Champion <Liliaceae4@AOL.COM>
> > > Date: Thursday, February 25, 1999 10:50 AM
> > >
> > >
> > > Marge, I tried one, but didn't grow much.  It was in full shade.  I
> moved
> > it
> > > to where it will get 2 or 3 hours sun a day, so will see this spring
if
> > it is
> > > doing more.  (I am in zone 7)
> > > In Redlands & San Bernardino (zone 9) where I see them going wild and
> > really
> > > spreading, it is semi-desert land.  I usually see them planted in
shade
> > > gardens along with other shade lovers, but where they get filtered
sun
> or
> > 1 or
> > > 2 hours sun a day.  The air is pretty dry and the summer temperatures
> > > frequently get to 110F.
> > > Hope this helps
> > > Lillian
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