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[PRIMROSES] Symphytum

I just recieved Mr. Hinckleys catalog yesterday and read that he says
Symphytum ibericum 'Hidcote Blue' will grow to show 24" spikes.  Perhaps
so, but these spikes are not erect.  My plant is fairly mature, and I
can not envision it getting 24" tall.
By the way, altho it is under the cedar tree, Spouse dug out my prior
plantings and lined the bed with commercial grade ground cloth that I
use at the nursery.  He then mounded a good soil mix over that and I put
in a dripper system that uses spot spitters (little oscillating
sprinklers with a 10 feet watering area).  Thus, this are is planted
rich with ferns, heucheras, penstemon x h. and a symphytum.  It doesn't
get dry under here, and the tree canopy doesn't begin for a good 10 feet
up the trunk.  I would think that if were going to be a bad boy, it
would have shown his devious ways by now.

Marge Talt wrote:
>
> Diana,
>
> I've got the plain Symphytum grandiflora, but in a spot that doesn't get
> really dry and it is a fairly aggressive spreader.  May be the dry
> conditions are holding S. 'Hidcote Blue' back a bit.  This species does
> make a nice groundcover for shade or part sun...may even like full sun in
> northerly climates.  I know that dry, rooty conditions will keep some
> "aggressive" plants in check.  I've got some Aegopodium (bishop's-weed)
> under severe competition with tree roots, ivy and what not that hasn't
> spread in years.  Forgot to mention that one, but since most people swear
> at it, it's probably not one to recommend.
>
> Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
> mtalt@clark.net
> Editor:  Gardening in Shade
> http://www.suite101.com/frontpage/frontpage.cfm?topicID=222
> Gardening Topic Index for Suite101:
> http://www.suite101.com/userfiles/79/gardening.html
>
> ----------
> > From: Diana L. Politika <diana@OLYMPUS.NET>
> > To: PRIMROSES@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
> > Subject: Re: [PRIMROSES] Planting under trees   was: New Member Bio
> > Date: Wednesday, December 31, 1997 9:45 AM
> >
> > I grew a particular plant due its ability to thrive in dry shade.  I
> > sold some to my sons' day care provider, as she needed something that
> > could handle the stomping of little feet.  Thus, I've had the
> > opportunity to watch this plant on a daily basis.
> > Symphytum 'Hidcote Blue'.  It stays low, 10-12 inches, the bloom period
> > is long.  Tubular flowers unroll from a fiddlehead-like flower stalk.
> > They emerge with a bright pink hue, and change to a beautiful blue and
> > white.
> > I planted one under my mature cedar and the leaves overlap like
> > shingles, making a perfect rounded mound.  It is doing much better than
> > the daycare providers, as hers is planted in very poor soil with round
> > wash-rock several inches deep.
> > I've read that these spread around, and I've noticed one seedling a few
> > feet from mine, tho Sharons' has not done so.
> >
> > The Greenhouse
> > 81 S. Bagley Creek Road & Hwy 101
> > Port Angeles, WA  98362
> > (360) 417-2664
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