Re: [SG] acanthus

Marge (& Clyde): I have one Acanthus spinoissimus which, according to a lot
of sources, is not hardy here. I have treated it very, very badly. I stuck
it in an area of unamended clay that gets ravaged by the wind every winter.
This spring it became a glorious 2 1/2-foot-tall deep green specimen that's
as close as I get to having a hedge background. I'm sure it doesn't get
enough light to bloom but I'd like to think that it wouldn' flower even if
it got what it needed. I have this fantasy Mediterranean garden in my head
based on my wish to live some place that has at least one 10' spot of sun,
and this plant will be a star there.
Nancy
>
>Not Clyde, but do grow two species of Acanthus...A. balcanicus and A.
>mollis latifolius on east coast.  Have had both since about 1990.
>
>A. balcanicus is a faithful bloomer, but I have it in all the sun I can
>muster - probably close to 5 or 6 hours full sun a day which is a lot for
>my garden.
>
>A. mollis latifolius has never bloomed for me.  But, I grow this one in
>quite a bit of shade plus I have read that it is a shy bloomer under the
>best of circs.  It really wants to be evergreen and tries to put out new
>foliage during mild winter spells, only to have it frosted back - lovely
>soft huge green leaves whereas balcanicus leaves are a darker green and
>narrower.
>
>You are right, even without bloom, the foliage is marvelous.  Do you know
>which one yours is?
>
>Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
>mtalt@clark.net
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>----------
>> From: Nancy Stedman <stedman@INTERPORT.NET>
>> Date: Tuesday, June 01, 1999 11:47 PM
>>
>> Clyde: I'm interested in what you said about acanthuses. I have a big one
>> that's never bloomed, and I've heard that (for some reason) they usually
>> don't in the East Coast. Do yours? I've only seen them blooming in
>southern
>> France. Nice foliage, though.
>> Nancy S.
>
>
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