Would like to try some Gunnera to hide an icky corner of my yard.
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CLOSED: Want: Gunnera manicata aka Dinosaur Food
Xeramtheum, These would really grow in your Summerville yard! I had not heard about this plant before and would love one for my grandson who is entralled with anything Dinosaur related.
Gary/Louisville
Gunnera manicata, aka Giant Gunnera, aka Dinosaur Food ...
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cangard/msg080545424745.html
"The Plant That Ate Everything
There are some plants that can literally stop traffic, and Gunnera manicata, aka Giant Gunnera, aka Dinosaur Food, ranks high among them. A nearby town is known throughout the area as a terrible traffic bottleneck. Traffic is frequently backed up all the way through town and a mile beyond. At one edge of town, a pair of Giant Gunneras grow in a front lawn, clearly visable from the highway. Coincidence? I don't think so.
The older of the two plants has a large sign planted next to it, announcing "It's a Gunnera!" This is because the owner got tired of answering the door and answering the same question.
Gunnera manicata is native to the cloud forests of the Andes, manily places like Chile, Costa Rica, and Columbia. In its native habitat, individual leaves can be as much as 8 feet across, making this one of the world's largest herbaceous plants. Although these dimensions are seldom see in cultivation, 4' leaves and plants 8' high and 12' wide are not uncommon. Growth is fast if the plant is happy. The above plant is perhaps 3-4 years old, but dies back every year. In climates where they can grow continuously, this size would naturaIlly be achieve."
Gunnera tinctoria
This native of Chile is the species of Gunnera that we have as a large specimen by the office. Cold hardy in Sonoma County (it may rot in extremely cold and wet conditions), its leaves die back in winter and regrow each spring. Leaves on a mature plant are 4 ft. or more across on stems that reach 4 ft. (or slightly more) tall. Needs tons of water and rich soil. Protect from afternoon sun.
http://www.calfloranursery.com/images/pics/guntin.jpg
Please be careful when planting Gunnera. I have recently moved to Ireland (from London). In England it is considered a plant that can be stunning in its size - useful and beautiful.
But here in Ireland there are places that it has litterally gone wild. It has taken over an area on the west of Ireland in County Mayo called Achill Island. In these damp climes it has all that it needs to take over vast streatches of land.
It doesn't look stunning - hit by the wind off the Atlantic ocean it is a ripped and ragged mess. The deep green that it has in the garden centres is gone. Its tall flowers feel quite threatening once you realise how many seeds they contain!
We also have areas where rhodedendron has taken over - driving thru in the summer the only thing you can see for mile upon mile is pink trees!
Just thought you may like to know
Willow
try an alternative with the same look....petasites.