Hi Guys! Weerobin $18 is a great price on the double bloodroot. Cheapest I've seen was about $24. I'm going to look into those 2 plants you suggested.
You can't believe the buys I got yesterday. I went to Produce Junction, which is a chain produce store for some berries. On the way in I spied some perennials off to the far side of the parking lot. I came home with a pair of 3 gallon Heuchera Purple Palace for $6 each and a 5' tall Hydrangea Quickfire with about 15 stems for $12. Don't you just love a bargain????
RCN, Thanks for the tip about the Begonia, I'll look it up. Where's the photo of your Brigadoon???? The Eucomis sounds nice too, I'll look for a couple. Are you finding that all of the Pulmonarias revert?
Ronna, I hope that you have a lovely weekend with your son. Hold him close.
I'm off to a weekend In Atlantic City, NJ to see Elton John!
Deep Shade II
Oooo, have fun, Stormy! What a great concert that will be!
RCN, I really like that Eucomis. Does it multiply?
Cranesbill geranium from front wildflower garden
Wild geranium from my front wildflower garden
this is a lavender that I have had for many years. Can someone specifically identify it for me. It's flower is very different from most others
Thanks Weerobin! I might try some first in a pot and see how it does.
Lin
BirdieBlud, don't you just love the cranes bills? They are so vibrant in the spring to early summer. I have several. And keep spreading it around the yard. They are such nice companion plants. The way they spread out. You can see the flowers here and there. I like the wild geranims also. Very cute.
My son is on his way home. Should be here late tonight. Can't wait to see him! Ronna
BirdieBlue, I'm no lavender specialist, but it looks like a type of Spanish lavender to me.
There a lot of individual cultivars, so I'm not sure which one.
Unfortunately, it's not as hardy as the English lavenders, so I can't grow it in my zone.
It's beautiful!
And, Dancey, I'm not sure how well bloodroot would do in a pot.
I think I'd just stick it in the ground.
It loves our hot / humid summers.
Just checked Munchkin's website--they're sold out of the double bloodroot! Will keep checking.
Weerobin if/when I buy the bloodroot I will just plant it in the garden and see what happens. I bet it will be okay.
Lin
I just got some bloodroot from a daves gardener. Does it spread really fast??? Does it grow in morning sun? Or just shade? All this talk of makes me anxious to see it! LOL. Ronna
Ronna, most of my bloodroot isn't planted, just volunteers.
They tend to pop up in woodland settings with no direct sun at all.
When we first moved to our property, it was overgrown w/ invasive eurasian honeysuckle.
Once I removed all the honesuckle smothering the woodland, it was amazing to see that all the
underlying woodland perennials popped b back to life, including lots of bloodroot. It's everywhere.
It doesn't spread densely. And it goes dormant late summer. Thrives without any special care.
Weerobin, that's what I've been doing--removing japanese honeysuckle! It's choking this entire 30 acre hillside. Wanna come help, sinc you're experienced? lol
stormyla sounds like you'll be busy this weekend too, hope you enjoy the concert! I've been busy with my daughter and her husband who are visiting from Maine so haven't had time to get the photo of the Brigadoon and Eucomis combo but will try to get it posted soon. The Eucomis is slow to multiply but another DGer who I sent seeds to try last year has been successful and has new babies :) As for the Pulmonaria, I'm not sure they "all" revert but the Raspberry Ice had such unique variegation and was disappointed to lose it. Same thing with variegated Brunnera, tends to revert for me :(
I'll be watching to see if anyone finds the double bloodroot available - after seeing Weerobin's clump, I'd really like to get one! As for the $75 price tag on the one I saw, that was maybe 15 years ago and I think it had just been introduced plus I think he picked it up at an auction at a rock garden society meeting so it was a "charitable contribution" :)
I've always been fond of the Cranesbill geraniums, some do better for me than others but I really like the foliage of these - Geranium renardii http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54605/) This is an old picture from about 3 years ago of Terra Franche which has the same 'crinkled' foliage.
KyWoods, thanks for the offer! My heart always beats a little faster with the prospect of yanking another honeysuckle! I was MapQuesting the best route to Melbourne when the thought of clearing 30 acres popped into my brain ... it's a little sobering. I'm pretty exhausted after clearing just 2. Maybe I'll just cheer you on! The frustration is of course ongoing, as it continually reseeds and grows so fast - you can't turn your back for a second! But I really am continually amazed at the resurgence of beautiful woodland perennials lurking under the honeysuckle ready to emerge on their own. It makes all the hard work worthwhile. Good luck with it!
RCN, I also love the textured foliage of the renardii geraniums, but I haven't had much success with them. I always blamed it on our humidity, since fuzzy leafed plants in our humidity tend to mildew. Then you show off your beautiful plant which has ruined my theory. What's the secret?
Eminence Nurseries has the double bloodroot. They charge a flat $15 shipping for up to 5 plants. They also have a lot of Epimediums. Some I already have. They list the following. Any notion which are the best -- and vigorous too?
E. diphyllum 'Variegatum': z 5-8 8". A clump forming variegated form with lung-shaped, grey-green leaves, heavily speckled white and topped in early spring with clusters of tiny white bells. $15
E. grandiflorum 'Dark Beauty': 12". The new foliage which emerges chocolate-purple is topped with large purple and white bicolor flowers in the spring. $15
E. grandiflorum 'Lillafee': 12-14". A vigorous and floriferous cultivar with large, lillac-purple flowers. $15 This item is SOLD OUT, please check back.
E. grandiflorum 'Macranthum': 12". This clump forming fairywings produces silver brushed with pink colored flowers in late spring with slightly toothed foliage edged in red. $15
E. grandiflorm 'Purple Prince': 16". A deep, rich purple flowered variety that emerges with 8" heart shaped, rose colored leaves with a second flush of 16" tall foliage. $15
E. grandiflorum 'Red Queen': 14". Large, vividly rose-red colored flowers grow out from under the huge leaflets of this choice perennial. $15
E. grandiflorum 'Saxons Purple': 14". Exceptional beautiful with large lavender flowers held high above the foliage. Small new leaflets have a copper overlay on this select perennial plant. $15
E. grandiflorum var. higonese 'Bandit': 12". Exceptional and eye-catching with a striking 1/2" dark purple margin around the edge of each leaf and clusters of large white flowers held above. $20
E. grandiflorum 'Yubae': 18". A very attractive and vigorous tight-clumping form with cranberry-red flowers that have a darker cranberry cup and tiny white-tipped spurs held above the bronze colored emerging new foliage. $15
E. x rubrum 'Sweetheart': 16". Beautiful and evergreen, the new leaves are flushed red and topped with clusters of beautiful bright-pink flowers. $15
X Perralchicum 'Frohnleiten': 15". Spiney, evergreen leaves with a reddish tinge, robust species that tolerates dry conditions. $9
pubigerum 'Orange King': 18". Beautiful orange and yellow flowers are held above mid-green foliage that has a thin red edge in the spring. $12
youngianum 'Niveum': 6". Clear white flowers in May are held above serrated foliage suffused with crimson in spring and fall. $15 This item is SOLD OUT, please check back.
youngianum 'Roseum': 6". A beautiful groundcover with light green foliage and lovely lavender-pink flowers. $15
Happy, epimediums have been my addiction for the past couple years.
I have almost every one on the above list, except the variegated diphyllum.
I suspect the variegated diphyllum won't be as vigorous as the others.
But all the others listed are reliable growers.
And most do well in dry shade, which can help fill a difficult spot.
Among the distinguishing features is that some are clump-forming and some spread,
so the latter may be better for groundcover situations.
The grandiflorum cultivars and youngianum cultivars are all clump-forming.
X rubrum and x perralchicum cultivars are spreading.
X versicolor cultivars are also commonly available and are very vigorous and spread well also.
Flowers can be very beautiful, but I love the foliage also.
Many of them have beautifully mottled foliage in spring.
I have many on-line sources for more exotic varieties, if anyone is interested.
(One nursery is offering an epimedium for $500! Better get yours quick, before they run out!!)
Weerobin -- thanks!
No way, 500 bucks for a plant? Sheesh, you'd better buy life insurance for it!
Weerobin, I can use all the cheering on I can get, lol. The honeysuckles that are too big to yank, I saw off at the ground, then use a small paintbrush to cover the stump with brushkiller. It's a tedious process, but at least I've got some nice trails cut!
I love to go hiking here, and it's great exercise, since it's a hillside. I have certain large, flat rocks here and there that make good resting places, too. This is my exercise and weight loss program, see--only thing is, I gotta get rid of the late night snacking habit!
If you pay $500 for a plant you better be able to smoke it!!!
KyWoods I am going back to Munchkin Nursery this fall for another tour so I'll keep an eye out for the double bloodroot for you! If you are ever up this way they are only about 40 minutes north of Louisville and well worth the visit. Gene is a very entertaining host.
Doug
Thanks, Doug, I appreciate it!
Renee
Renee, I did most of my honeysuckle clearing 3-4 years ago.
I also had to cut the big ones at the base. I didn't bother painting w/ brush killer.
The stumps of course resprout vigorously, but I just kept clipping them back to the base.
Within just a year or two, they quit putting out new shoots and victory is at hand.
But it really is astonishing how quickly a neglected corner of the yard becomes colonized again.
I'm always on guard! But the effort was well worth it!
My suburb of St Louis (Kirkwood) launches a volunteer honeysuckle clearing effort periodically.
All of our green spaces are overwhelmed w/ honeysuckle.
It can be a little disheartening. So I have to be content with my 2-acre victory. Ever vigilant!
That's a great idea, a community honeysuckle removal! I don't know that it would work in a rural area like this, though, as so many have several acres. It would take a whole team working full time to clear such parcels. Sheesh, if only I could hit the lottery, I could hire a team. LOL
Just thought that I'd mention that Naylor Creek has a good selection of epimedium and they are a great nursery with good customer service..
http://www.naylorcreek.com/main/per4.html
I have also had excellent experience w/ Naylor Creek.
Primarily Hostas and epimediums.
Happy, I couldn't find Eminence. Do you have a URL?
Doss, thanks, their selection is great and I thought the prices were reasonable.
KY, you're right about the life insurance!! I only had one honeysuckle. I hacked it up and dug the roots out with an ax. So far, it hasn't come back in 2 years. Wish I could say the same for the wild grapes and poison ivy!!!
Stormyla: Here you go: http://www.eminencemeadows.com/peren.htm#Sanguinaria
Oh its so hard not to look at the links to these great nursuries.... Please stop it!!! LOL> I want to buy, buy, buy!!!! I have a dughter getting married next sept.... I have to save, save, save!!! Wow beautiful plants . Love Naylors site.
Happy, Thanks for the link. They must have sold out, because I couldn't find any bloodroot listed.
Ronna, I can't buy anymore before I plant the ones I already have!!!!
Its just so hard to resist... You know we want to peek. and wish.
I transplanted some Dwarf Crested Iris from a huge patch in my woods to my front woodland wildflower shade garden. They came up for a couple years and gradually decreased in # until this spring, I didnt see a single bloom. I think the leaves are still coming up, just no blooms.
My Trillium, May apple,Maltese cross, lily of the valley, Valerian, Soloman's seal, lemon blm (@ afar corner), Viburnum Bush, etc all bloom, so I am a little baffled. Coral bells are not blooming much either
Any ideas??
I dunno, is it hotter than usual for this time of year there?
Birdie, Do you have voles? They eat bulbs. My cristata increase in size so much they need to be divided. Mine are planted in sun, part shade & deep shade. Dig & see if you have any bulbs. They also could have rotted if they were too wet.
One of my giant Heuchera Brownies just collapsed. Guess I should have divided it sooner.
I have voles in my back yard, but have not seen any sign of them in front. **Last week, Elvis (my 12 yo, going blind min Poodle) was jumping around like a puppy in one area in the back yd...I heard a high pitched screaming (quuiet type)...he caught a vole!! LOL he was so proud of that thing carried it around for about 15 munutes...I had to trick him into dropping it so i could discard...ugh
Ky - Heck yes it's hotter - got up to 97 today - that's like august heat ....whew!!
I think maybe the iris' are not getting enough sun to bloom, cause they are growing well, just not blooming
ANY ideas about my SOIL issue??
My shade garden is starting to fill out. BEV
It looks wonderful, Bev! Is the entire garden a raised bed? What is the vine in the center? It must be so nice to sit at your bench and enjoy the fruits of such loving labor.
Thankyou stormyla. No just the strip with the hostas is raised. I don't have time to sit on the bench grrrr! That is a Fall Clematis. On the other side of it is the fish ponds and then across the drive is the home. Bev
I want to take about a three week vacation and visit everone's shady gardens!!! Currently accepting donations for gas money....
Doug