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Re: [SG] Cimicifuga

Hello Bobbi,
        When I posted the article to my web site I was primarily interested in the
classification of Cimicifuga and all the uncertainty involved. That was our
thread of discussion at the time. The author of the article gathered the
information and opinions and went to some 'experts'. The consensus, to me,
in the article was there is no final answer ( is there ever?) but lots of
opinions while we wait for a paper on the genus. My guess, and seemed to be
indicated in the article, is the new shifts in naming will be along these
lines. while they make up their minds I will go on growing the species and
cultivars that interest me. speaking of....
        To date my experience with cimicifuga seems to be pretty much the same
requirements for all of the species I grow. They enjoy moist, humus rich
soil with mulch and lots of light but not full sun. Like the edge of the
woods. If they get too dry the foliage will bet burned and be unsightly at
bloom time. I believe the trick is in the humus, humus, humus when
planting.
C. racemosa Bugbane, Black Snakeroot I have grown for years in my woodland
garden.
C. racemosa atropurpurea about 3 years.
C. simplex Whiter Pearl seems to be extra touchy about late frosts and lack
of water during  active growth period.
C. acerina I grew from seed and it is about 3 years old now. Showing buds
for the first time now in the garden. I like the compactness of the foliage
and the maple leaf shapes.
        The last three mentioned here are not in the best of places so they are
being tested. please notice I used the nomenclature I am familiar with.
        Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com

----------
> From: Roberta Diehl <diehlr@INDIANA.EDU>
> Subject: [SG] Cimicifuga
> Date: Saturday, July 18, 1998 12:48 PM
>
> I finally had a chance to read the article on these plants that Gene Bush
> kindly posted on his website, and wondered what conclusions others had
> drawn from it. I printed it out, read it, and unfortunately left it at
> work, but think I remember pretty well what it said. Did you notice where
> it said the flowers of ramosa and simplex are "flagrant"? Don't we wish.
>
> The bottom line is that the expert (forget his name) says (A) simplex and
> ramosa are one and the same and (B) in this part of the world (Lower
> Midwest and South) we shouldn't even try growing C.  ramosa/simplex
unless
> we can plant it next to a pond where it stays really moist, as it hates
> our hot summers. Europe, New England, and the Pacific Northwest will have
> more success with it. I believe several SGers in Indianapolis
successfully
> grow ramosa/simplex--I take that to mean that it blooms every fall and
> comes up every spring, year after year, but Ipls is a tad cooler than we
> are down here. Are any SGers south of Ipls having any success with it?
How
> about in the Far North--MN, MI, WI etc., or are the winters there too
cold
> for it?
>
> I am going to have to ask the nursery where I bought it if they are still
> as enthusiastic as they were a few years ago. I'll also ask them whether
> they are aware that ramosa might be simplex. Meanwhile, mine is alive,
> with two stems or stalks, and I'm trying to remember to throw extra H20
on
> it. We shall see if it shows any signs of wanting to bloom this fall.
>
> Meanwhile, I am learning to love our plain old native C. racemosa, which
> looks darn good in bloom and you don't notice the smell all that
> much--plus I guess it DOES repel bugs, hence Bugbane, one of its common
> names.
>
> Bobbi Diehl
> Bloomington, IN
> zone 5/6
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