Well got this from pbtxlady at the RU and as all can see it spit a bloom out! It's like a grand orchid in miniature...
A Hairy Toad bloomed
Aren't they fun?
I have some from her too, and they are adorable, thank you Pattie.
That does it someday I am going to venture south to a RU in Texas..
I surely hope so, it is very rewarding.
I think I got mine from Pattie as well! It's nice to think of the person who gave me a plant when I see it.
I have one that just bloomed too. I got it from a friend but not a DG member. Plants from friends are special.
Yes crossing state lines is OK, lol. In years past I have crossed 4 and 5 state lines to get to a swap. There is a Brugs swap in Al right on the FL line that I will probably go to next year. We have had people come from MI, CA and TN, all to join in the fun. Plants remind me of people who gave them to me and places I have been. We got our Port Wine Banana Shrub in Al, if you have never smelled one you don't know what your missing. Just show up at our house in the Spring and find out, we have six.
kenboy, do you know of a source for the port wine bananna shrub ? It sounds like something I would like to have in my garden.
Bonnie
I have a toadlily from Pattie too. I am just trying to keep it alive. I think I may have a cursed black thumb when it comes to toadlilies. What are you guys doing?
Anna, I don't do anything at all special. But they don't do well in our heat, even in full shade, and by fall they look pretty ragged. Don't let that fool you. They'll come back from the tubers in the spring. If they don't, let me know; I will have plenty then.
For those who are growing the blue ones: I keep mine in bright but complete shade, and they burn less than the species or the other hybrids I've tried. They are also more vigorous. They get bigger (about 3 feet), spread faster, have bigger leaves, and will crowd out other types planted next to them. Mine usually start blooming sometime in August and keep going till first frost.
Patty, do you have a name for this Blue Toad, you say it is not Blue Wonder? We have several Toads and there is a couple that do well for us but most just do not do well in Texas heat. Samurai and T. macropoda both do well for us as well as the one from you. We got one from a friend and it does really well, growing over 4' high and blooming up and down the spikes, but do not know the name of it.
bobyrd, Port Wine is very hard to fine. We found one in AL and have not seen one since but any Banana Shrub worth having in your garden. They are in the Magnolia family and will grow in deep shade of full sun. We have six Banana Shrubs but only one is Port Wine. Banana Shrubs in general are hard to find, most people in nurseries have never heard of them.
Ken, I ordered two blue ones at the same time, Blue Wonder and Amethystina. This one was labeled Blue Wonder, but I believe they (or I) mixed up the tags and it's actually Amethystina. (The correct name is lasiocarpa.) Mine look more like the Plant File's lasiocarpa, anyway, and they are taller than Blue Wonder apparently grows. See if you agree.
lasiocarpa: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/126889/
Blue Wonder: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/107829/
Edited to add, I found a bud today on the baby Rosalla brug I got from you & Maggi in June. I hadn't even seen its new little Y. Can't wait to see it open!
This message was edited Oct 28, 2010 8:06 PM
I think mine is the Blue wonder, it has at least 20 flowers on it at this time.
It looks like this; what do you think?
I still think it's lasiocarpa. See how it has "smooth" areas of blue directly on the petals, without all the speckles? Blue Wonder has pretty heavy speckles all the way to the tips of the petals, and that's where it gets most of its blue.
It also only gets about 2 feet tall, while lasiocarpa grows about 6-12" taller. How tall do yours get?
There is a photo on the PF Blue Wonder page that I'm pretty sure is also a mis-identified lasiocarpa. I ordered mine from Wayside Gardens, before I knew what a bad rep they have now. I'll bet they mixed up tags on a whole batch of them. I wish I still had the other one, so I could compare them.
My species plants have buds on them the last couple of days. They've had a tough year, and I didn't think they were going to bloom.
My plant is in a pot and it is about 18 inches tall, but with lots of flowers.
If you think it is Lasiocarpa that is just fine with me, it is a very adorable plant.
When these die back in Winter are they dead in Spring or do they come back. Reason I am asking is I looked at mine or what was left of mine and see that something is coming up from the roots and right next to the stem. I will shoot a picture of it tomorrow and show all.
They grow back from the tubers that multiply underground. Sometimes they'll come up near an old stalk, but sometimes not. Here are some that are coming back for me.
Mine are coming back too.
I like the spotted leaves. Mine are coming back but they are different from the ones pictured here, smaller.
Stephanietx your pic looks exactly like what I saw. You guys are so awesome!
Cheryl, I have some smaller ones, too. I also have a white one that blooms later than the purple one. It's just now starting to poke through. These purple ones have been up a good two weeks.
Michael, they also set seed and if you don't collect them, they'll self-sow and you'll get more plants.
They are pretty, might need to check out the other types. They must have shade, correct?
I see a nubbins poking up!
I'll definitely have to catch the seed this season. Anyone know if rootbeer plant comes back?
Great! Thanks cocoa_lulu
I hardly ever remember to water mine, Lynnea. LOL They do need shade, though. One of these years I need to dig them up and move them to the back of the bed since they get kinda tall.
Here's my little toad?
Yes, Michael! That's a baby toad (tadpole)!
Yup and the stem is still there just to the left.
These are so gorgeous...I have one too...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/Piksi/Fall%202010/IMG_0474.jpg
What is it's name?
Betsy
They are toad lilies.