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Acanthus mollis

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Cathbeasle  Send Cathbeasle a private message!


Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 08:17 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I have added an acanthus mollis to a shady spot in my garden this spring. I live in zone 5 and would like some advice on protection/mulch for the winter.

Cathbeasle - Illinois, Zone "5"
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Ton_hannink  Send Ton_hannink a private message!




My Garden
Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 09:07 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

The plant needs a lot of sun!

Ton_hannink The Netherlands
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Gardenfiend  Send Gardenfiend a private message!




My Weather
Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:07 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Ton, that hasn't been my experience at all. I find it grows anywhere - and everywhere!!! I've got it in the sun, in partial shade and in almost complete shade. It runs rampant everywhere and I wish I knew how to kill it.

Cathy, I don't know about its hardiness in zone 5, but it is a plant I think people should be warned about. If it is hardy, it can be a terrible thug, and cannot be successfully dug out once it has dug itself in...

Gardenfiend - Germany, Zone "7a"
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Dahlianut  Send Dahlianut a private message!




My Weather
Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:59 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I'm with Mara, I have it everywhere. Sun , part sun, shade, part shade. I love it so I keep planting young ones in different places.
I love the way the rain drops stand on the leaves. I don't have a problem digging it out either. I'm in zone 8 so don't know what protection it needs in zone 5. Never looked up the hardiness as it grows great here.

Linda Washington State Zone 8
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Gardenbug  Send Gardenbug a private message!




Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 03:17 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

People here just love it. It does not spread but grows well and makes it through our winters usually. The blooms are long lasting. I just saw a lovely specimen last night at a nursery and people were discussing it.
I am curious to know why in Europe and western provinces and states it is considered invasive, whereas here it is a thrill to have.

Gardenbug - Ontario, Zone "4/5"
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Sunnyday2day  Send Sunnyday2day a private message!




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My Weather
Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 05:00 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I had one that did not make it through winter #2. It's listed (Dave's Garden) as zone 7 but I do think it's hardier than that. There is also one that IS hardier than that...I saw it yesterday called var. 'Spinosa.' It looked very much like Mollis. I'd like to try the hardier one in full sun. It is rated hardy to zone 5.

Sunnyday2day - Michigan, Zone "5"
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Mike_in_chicago  Send Mike_in_chicago a private message!


My Garden
Posted on Monday, July 03, 2006 - 07:05 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I can only grow A. spinosus in my zone, and need to mulch it well over the winter in order to get blooms. A. s. is a little hardier than A. m., from what I've heard and seen, but I would advise a thick, heavy mulch come winter.

Mike_in_chicago - Chicago, IL, Zone "5b"
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Sunnyday2day  Send Sunnyday2day a private message!




My Favorite Photo
My Weather
Posted on Tuesday, July 04, 2006 - 06:14 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Mike_in_chicago wrote on Monday, July 03, 2006 - 09:17 pm:

A. s. is a little hardier than A. m., from what I've heard and seen, but I would advise a thick, heavy mulch come winter.


Thanks for the tip Mike...I will keep that in mind. ;)

Sunnyday2day - Michigan, Zone "5"
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Gardenbug  Send Gardenbug a private message!




Posted on Tuesday, July 04, 2006 - 06:30 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

My two plants (diff varieties) both have large buds now!

Gardenbug - Ontario, Zone "4/5"

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