Re: Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' was: Any colorful shade plants that last all summer?

Well, Marilyn, this one is said to grow in shallow water, so it just
might survive in a pot with no drainage holes, although the soil
would probably become pretty stagnant after a while. I do not think
it is an actual bog plant, but have seen it listed on various pond
and water plant sites as a shallow water plant.

From my observations in my garden, it spreads by fairly fat, white
either roots or underground rhizomes - dunno which.  It took mine
about three years in a relatively dry border of amended clay to start
investigating beyond its original site.  It now has infiltrated one
whole end of the border (after maybe 8 or 10 years) and is probably
thinking about moving south as well.  It is stopped by flagstone
walks on two sides and a concrete foundation on one, but I note it is
now exploring the spaces between the flags:-)

I would think that in a moist soil this plant would take off and take
over in fast time.

Since mine is in a fair amount of shade, the plants get easily 18"
tall, maybe more as they poke up inside of assorted azaleas, etc.  I
understand it is shorter in sun.

You can yank it out or whack it back to keep it in line, but if root
is left in the soil, it will sprout.

I have not tried to dig mine out as it is actually co-existing with
the other inhabitants fairly well - just a few yanks or whacks here
and there when it gets a bit exuberant.  So, I have no clue how far
down in the soil the roots/rhizomes go.  I know they are evident say
6" under the soil line as I have encountered them on planting other
things in that border.  Unlike mint, it does not seem to root in
where stems might touch ground - stems want to be vertical, any way,
not horizontal.

So, in a long answer to your question...really don't know whether it
would emerge out of the bottom of a large pot and infiltrate the
surrounding soil, but would not like to bet the farm that it
wouldn't:-)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: marilyn <marimuse@EARTHLINK.NET>
> Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2000 10:45 AM
>
> Hi, Marge and all....I have a question about the suggestion to
plant an
> invasive plant in a pot.....don't the roots come out through the
hole in
> the bottom?  and if there is no hole, wouldn't it rot?
>
> marilyn
>
> Marge Talt wrote:
>
> > Hmmm, Ginny, then I'll revert to what was, I think, the original
> > suggestion, Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'
> >
> > Does it look anything like this?
> >
> > http://em.ca/garden/per_houttuynia_cordata1.html
> >
> > Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
> > mtalt@clark.net
> > Editor:  Gardening in Shade
> > -----------------------------------------------
> > Current Article: Deciduous Flowering Shrubs - Part 3
> > http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/222
> > ------------------------------------------------
> > Complete Index of Articles by Category and Date
> > http://mtalt.hort.net/article-index.html
> > ------------------------------------------------
> > All Suite101.com garden topics :
> > http://www.suite101.com/category.cfm/gardening
> >
> > ----------
> > > From: virginia prins <inanda@BC.SYMPATICO.CA>
> > > Date: Monday, July 17, 2000 5:38 PM
> > >
> > > Hi Marg,
> > > No not painters Palette.  Finally got round to reading your
message
> > > while online.  Try again.  Far more yellow and red.
> > >
> > > Ginny in Victoria BC who meant to take a bit to Butchart
Gardesn
> > for ID
> > > yesterday, but forgot.
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