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Dash
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 10:48 pm EST : |   
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Knowing Erodium is not Geranium, I must ask a question in this forum. How long does Erodium reichardii (or related variety) live ? In the past, I planted them in various places in Colorado but after fantastic 1st and sometimes 2nd year, they just disappeared. This spring, I planted it in my rock garden and it has been blooming non-stop like a typical annual. That's why I started to wonder this might be a short live plant. I know my zone is 5 (or getting 6) and this plant is much happier in warmer climate. Is this a short lived perennial even when the condition is right? If not, I want to keep such a prolific bloomer for a long time in my zone, what should I do to protect it in winter?
Dash
- Colorado,
Zone "5"
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Gardenfiend
 Supporting Member
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 10:04 am EST : |
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I wonder whether it isn't mainly a question of hardiness. The only Erodium (of the couple I've tried) that has survived more than two years in my garden has been E. manescavii. It also flowers all summer long (and is still going) but returns and even gets stronger from year to year.
Gardenfiend
- Germany,
Zone "7a"
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Bluethumb
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 12:24 pm EST : |
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Now I'm worried about my Erodium 'Bishop's Form' which is listed as a zone 4 - would I be better off trying to keep it alive indoors over winter? It's been blooming continuously since I got it, still is, and I'd hate to lose it as it's such a beautiful little plant.
Bluethumb
- Alberta,
Zone "3b"
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Gardenfiend
Supporting Member
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 03:27 pm EST : |
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My 'Bishop's Form' survived one winter with difficulty and died in the second. I think it may have been the wet more than the cold that did it in, however.
Gardenfiend
- Germany,
Zone "7a"
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Dash
| | Posted on Friday, October 12, 2007 - 10:02 am EST : |
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I think mine is also Erodium x variabile 'Bishop's Form'. OK, this plant sounds difficult to be alive more than 2 years without some protection. I think this is the zone 8 plant (hardiness 10-20F). http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=579 So, definitely you need winter protection if you live in zone 3. I don't know how though. Since the drainage is very important, some suggest that you cover with glass to avoid rain or snow. I was originally planning to cover with lots of mulch. But it seems to be an evergreen plant that needs light evidently during winter. So, I may try to cover with a piece of plastic. But in Colorado, the sun is so intense even in winter time and extremely dry. It conflicts with my winter watering regimen as well. Bring it in the room is so messy and tedious for a whole winter. But I may have to do that along side with my seedlings. I hope this plant is long lived if the condition is right. But my love for perennials is the care-free nature, I am not sure it is worth it.
Dash
- Colorado,
Zone "5"
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Dash
| | Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 04:59 pm EST : |
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Well, the plant did not survive the winter of Colorado. I did not cover it with a piece of glass or anything. So, that's my fault. But what a shame it is to lose such a pretty flower only after one season. I have to treat it as annual and may buy this spring if I find it.
Also, along with this Erodium, I lost 'Lysimachia congestiflora'. I was counting on this as well because it had an impressive showing of flowers in the first year.
Somehow, all the good things refuse to continue for me. Somebody please tell me what to do.
Dash
- Colorado,
Zone "5"
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Bluethumb
| | Posted on Thursday, June 05, 2008 - 10:43 pm EST : |
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It did not survive outdoors, luckily the rooted piece I brought indoors did and it bloomed all through the winter so I still have some to enjoy this year.
Bluethumb
- Alberta,
Zone "3b"
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