Re: [SG] Paul's zone 4 plants
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Paul's zone 4 plants
- From: P* H* <M*@AOL.COM>
- Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1999 04:35:15 EST
In a message dated 1/3/99 10:02:36 PM Central Standard Time, CCREDUX@AOL.COM
writes:
<< << Would you
possibly have zone 4 experience with Tiarella. >>
I am sure that most of the tiarellas(foamflowers) are hardy in Z4.I am in z5,
but they have survived sustained temps at -15 degrees F.
>>
Tiarella or the foam flowers are very hardy plants. I have grown up to this
fall about 12 different cultivars. (I have about 12 more to add this spring)
The oldest one that I have, I got in 1986 and it is planted in an area that
does not get much winter protection. (-F 35) many times over the years (I need
to move them this year because the Hosts Montana Aureo-marginata is getting to
big). I do not know the name of the plant. it was one of those mise named
plants that come from Europe. It is clump forming plant that blooms three or
four times during the year with white flowers and has reddish purple leaves in
the fall and spring.
This is such a great group of shade plants. The new cultivars are just
fantastic with different leaf shapes and markings on the leaves.
For the most part they are problem free except some times the deer will eat
them right to the ground in the fall or early spring. They recover well, just
growing thicker.
Sometimes they also suffer from a root eating grub, if this happen s, plants
can be planted again in the ground and they will root. They do well in shade
and semi shade.
They fall into two broad groups. Those that grow as clumps and stay in clumps
and those that spread out with stolens. both groups grow nice and thick.
I have one that spreads out about 5 feet in a season. They are not weedy, if
you do not like were it is just pick up the runners and move them.
When I get time I am going to do a page on these plants (I have information
collected on about 50 cultivars but time is short. May be in 3-5 weeks) I
highly recommend them as a shade ground cover or as an edging plant.
Zone 4 is no problem for them.
