Re: commelina
There are many species of Commelina, mostly from the subtropics and
tropics. Some are tuberous. You didn't say where the neglected
garden is - is it in a different climatic zone from you?
I bought Commelina dianthifolia, a tuberous-rooted plant related to
C. tuberosa, from Reflective Gardens in Poulsbo, Washington, near
Seattle. It had wonderful blue flowers during the summer,died down
in the fall, but did not emerge the following spring. It is listed,
in the RHS Index of Garden Plants, as being a zone 7 plant from the
SW U.S. and Mexico. That area of the continent has dry winters,
while winters here are very rainy. It may have rotted, although I am
able to overwinter many tuberous plants in my sandy garden: dahlias,
gladiolus, tigridias.
Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
zone 8, Sunset zone 5, cool mediterranean climate (mild dry summer,
mild rainy winter)
