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Re: [SG] Welcome & Zone 9 Hostas

Thanks for the welcome message.  I think I saw this list once before
when it was dedicated to Primula.  That is one plant I cannot grow
here, at least not through the summers.  I scanned the archives
for the past few months and saw several familiar names  - including
some of my best gardening friends on this list.

I'll introduce myself to the others on the list.  I garden in
Tallahassee, Florida, officially zone 8B.  I am in the city and the
winter lows here are usually about 8° warmer than the official lows,
so I probably should really be classed at zone 9.

My gardens are in part shade to high filtered shade under Oak trees.
 The sunniest parts get maybe 4 or 5 hours per day direct sun.  I am
interested in ferns, gingers (zingiberaceae), and many other shade
plants.  I have started collecting dwarf Curcumas and Hedychiums.
I test a lot of plants that are not really suited to the hot
(usually humid) climate here.  I try to give plants the optimal soil
conditions (drainage, pH, fertility) to see what can grow and thrive
here that is normally limited to the north and west.

My most recent project is a hyper-tufa mountain side on the steep
slope of my front yard.  I just planted it this spring with several
traditional rock garden plants, and we are now having the
hottest driest summer in over 50 years.  At least they are getting a
good test.

As for Hostas, most of them barely hang on here, but there are a few
that have done exceptionally well.  The best by far, of the ones I
have tried, is H. plantaginea 'Royal Standard'.  I get three or more
bloom periods from it per year and it has increased very well for me.
 Others that have done fairly well are H. fortunei 'Albo-Marginata',
H. 'Golden Tiara', H 'Allan P. McConnell' and H. 'Medio-Picta'.   I
have not had good luck with 'Krossa Regal' or H. sieboldiana
'Elegans'.


On  5 Jul 98, Sherryl Sandersfeld wrote regarding Welcome:

> Hi Dave,
>
> Welcome to the Shadegardens list! I hope you will jump right in and
> participate in the discussions of our favorite subject!  Our list is
> growing rapidly.  We have over 250 members at present.
>
> Shade plants are certainly my favorite, especially the hosta, which I've
> been growing from seed for the past two years. Variegation is the trait in
> which I'm most interested, and fragrance, as well.
> I've since obtained other more established plants from various sources.
> WILLIAM LACHMAN (Vaughn '81) is truly my favorite. It has an elegant
> quality I've not seen before. Other favorites are SWEET STANDARD (Zilis
> '84),  SO SWEET (Aden '86), SEA FIRE (Seaver '?), SWOOSH (Aden '78), SUMMER
> FRAGRANCE (Vaughn '83), FASCINATION (Aden '79), ROBERT FROST (Lachman '88),
> FRAGRANT BOUQUET (Aden '82), DONAHUE PIECRUST (Donahue) BETTE DAVIS EYES
> (Vaughn '87), BOLD RIBBONS (Aden '76), and YELLOW FLAME (Hawes '97). Just a
> few people have YeF. Jim plans to introduce it this coming year, I believe.
> These are all striking, beauties....all my favorites!
> Hostas do take a few years to become large established clumps, but the wait
> is truly worth it!  We'd love to hear about the plants you cherish most, as
> well.
>
> Another gardening love of mine is Daylilies!  I have about 100 different
> cultivars, both dips and tets.  Love these plants! SHADY LADY (Owen '62) (a
> yellow w/ red eye) an "oldie" that grows extremely well in the shade, as do
> most of the darker shades.  There are many Daylily "experts" on this robin,
> as well.  If you have questions, you will find answers here, I'm sure.
>
> Our list discussions are archived.  You may review past topics at this
> address:
>
> http://www.mallorn.com/lists/shadegardens/
>
> We would all appreciate hearing a short bio about you and your garden.
> Just jump right in and let us hear from you.
>
> Sherryl Sandersfeld (list owner)
> Norman, Oklahoma zone 7a
> http://www.lehnherr.com/shadegardens
> http://www.ionet.net/~shsande
>
>
>
Dave Skinner  --  Le Jardin Ombragé
                  Tallahassee, Florida (ZONE 8B)

http://www.nettally.com/skinnerd/ombrage.html
e-mail is skinnerd@nettally.com   or
          skinnerd@freenet.tlh.fl.us
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