Re: [SG] astilbes/ now color in shade

Hello Nancy,
        Like most plants a mature stand shows off to best advantage. I have three
mature clumps in the garden that are now about 7 or 8 years old. Very nice,
indeed. Quite showy. There is probably a difference in color perception
between us. I happen to enjoy the quiter side of color. When planting I
usually go for the complimentary side of things rater than the contrasting.

        Have you tried some of the Penstemons that a re coming into bloom now?
many of the hybrids that are crossed with the more show western species do
not like our winters, but P. digitalis Huskers Red has nice foliage and
lavender-white flowers and is effective in mature clumps. My favorite,
however, is P. smallii. Reaches about two feet, can have up to 50 flowers
on a stem. Color is a peachy -rose-purple. Not an eye-popper, but effective
and nice. Digitalis are just coming into bloom here. Several perennial
species and hybrids to play with there.
        Yes, I carry the Spigelia and have a few divisions remaining.
        Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com

----------
> From: Nancy Stedman <stedman@INTERPORT.NET>
> Subject: Re: [SG] astilbes/ now color in shade
> Date: Wednesday, June 02, 1999 7:32 PM
>
> Gene: I saw this in a demonstration garden at the New York Botanical
Garden
> and was not terribly impressed. However, I think I saw a single plant and
> maybe this is something that does better en masse? I like that it's
blooming
> right now--I'm in the midst of a real dull period. Is this something you
carry?
> My latest attempt to bring strong color to the shade is using tropical
> bulbs. (Yeah I have corydalis lutea and yellow wax bells but they're not
> quite in the same league as peonies.) Right now a bright orange scadoxus
> multiflorus (from Brent and Becky's Bulbs) is close to blooming, so I'll
see
> if this theory works.
> Nancy
>
>
> >        Here is one for you. Do not see this one nearly enough in
gardens.
> One of
> >our natives, easy to grow and an eyepopper. coming into bloom right now
in
> >the garden ( about 2 weeks early like everything else this season).
> > Be sure and check out Spigelia marilandrica or Indian Pink/ Worm Root.
> >About 2 feet in height when mature, shade lover that enjoys plenty of
> >light, will take mostly sun with adequate moisture. The bloom stalk is
> >terminal, and blooms from the bottom up. Each large bloom is a scarlet
tube
> >with a waxy sheen. At the end of each tube is a firecracker explosion of
a
> >little yellow-green star. Bloom stem is about 6 inches long. Showy from
any
> >point in the garden when in bloom. Foliage is also a keeper and stays
> >around until heavy freeze. Does break dormancy late in the spring and is
a
> >slow grower. Therefore the expense in most catalogs... when you can find
> >it.
> >        Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
> >          around the woods - around the world
> >genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com
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