| Author |
Message |
    
Formerly_ci
My Favorite Photo
My Garden Journal
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 12:54 am EST : |   
 |
I'm starting a new post rather then use the old one. Forgive me. 
Just wanted to share a picture because after 4 years I finally have flowers! I think we had enough snow cover so that my largest plant has two wonderful blooms.
Just imagine though if I had more how great that would look. Next winter I will mulch them heavily and see if that helps.
Such great plants!
The poor things are jammed in against some plants that grew much larger then I thought. An Aruncus, an Iris pseudocaris and a Vitex. None of which will be easy to move!
Kaveh, Back in New Jersey, zone 6 |
Gardenbug
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 01:12 am EST : |
|
I love them too, yet others complain they are invasive practically. I also love aruncus and wish mine grew better. Are they in too much shade perhaps? Vitex is gorgeous, but very iffy here.... Enjoy them all somehow!
Gardenbug Ontario zone 4b/5b |
Formerly_ci
My Favorite Photo
My Garden Journal
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 01:25 am EST : |
|
Mine are not at all invasive. I think only in milder climates on the west coast and then only if they get watered a lot.
They are the sort of thing that is propagated by root cuttings so I don't think I could ever be rid of them if I wanted too. Especially now that they have grown so large.
I don't think too much shade. They get a fairly good amount of sun. They will get more if I am able to remove my nearby spruce.
My Vitex is one of my favorite combos here. Summer blooms with Phlox David and white Veronicastrum. A great mix. Vitex can get to about 15 feet tall here but I cut mine back pretty hard so it usually gets aobut 8 feet. This year I was a little less tough on it as an experiment. Hopefully it won't get too out of hand!
Kaveh, Back in New Jersey, zone 6 |
Galanthophile
My Favorite Photo
My Garden
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 05:49 am EST : |
|
They certainly are impressive plants - I've seen them in gardens in huge clumps.
Galanthophile
- Ann (Northern England),
Zone "8"
|
Gardenfiend
My Weather
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 08:10 am EST : |
|
Just repeating what I wrote before: Acanthus is very invasive. And I'm not in a Pacific Northwest climate. However, it takes new plants a few years to hit their stride. Mine didn't flower the first few years either. Now there's no stopping them, or their self-seeding. And you're right, once you've got them you can't get rid of them. I did actually manage to dig out a few last summer (I'm still recovering). The resulting deeply dug and loosened soil was an irresistible invitation to voles who then moved in and ate up every other plant that had been growing nearby. Gardening is such fun.
Gardenfiend
- Germany,
Zone "7a"
|
Mike_in_chicago
My Garden
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 11:26 am EST : |
|
Kaveh, congratulations on having these come through for you finally. It just goes to show you are 2+ weeks ahead of me, bloom-wise.
Mara, your story makes me shiver. Invasive plants love my sandy soil. Perhaps as they are marginally hardy here, the cold winters will beat them into submission.
Mike_in_chicago
- Chicago, IL,
Zone "5b"
|
Rainiergardnr
My Weather
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 11:54 am EST : |
|
I have an Acanthus mollis that hasn't done diddly in it's 3 years.......and I AM in the PNW!! LOL! This year it has a few more leaves and I have kept the slugs away a bit better - will see what happens.......
That is lovely ...... I saw them for the first time at Butchart Gardens and HAD to have them - - it has been a struggle so far.....but haven't shovel pruned yet!
Rainiergardnr
- Western WA State,
Zone "8"
|
Formerly_ci
My Favorite Photo
My Garden Journal
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 01:11 pm EST : |
|
well I guess for some things I am glad to live in a colder climate. You have to look for the good with the bad.
I don't have nearly the type of pest problems as warmer climates because the cold winters knock pests back.
I am most relieved that I don't have voles but I think that is just the luck of the draw.
Kaveh, Back in New Jersey, zone 6 |
