New plants - Porterweed, and Cat Whiskers

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Author Message   Cahenry  My Favorite Photo My Weather My Garden Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 09:40 am EST :    I went to Lowe's today - not looking for plants...but I can't stay out of the plant section. And look what they had: white cat whiskers (Orthosiphon stamineus) ...to go with my lavender one which is now quite large. Also: Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) 'Course they're selling them as perennials...yeah...if you live in zone 9-10 or higher. They're hardy down to 40 and we get 15 degrees pretty much every year and often colder (0 - 10 degrees F is not that uncommon}. I can winter them over in the greenhouse. But it seems a bit deceptive to me - most Lowe's shoppers have never seen these and won't bother to check the cold hardiness since they are in a section marked perennials. Seems like they need a section for 'perennials not hardy in your area'. cahenry (Cathy) GA Zone 7   Plantynut  My Favorite Photo My Weather My Time Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 02:26 pm EST :    Don't ya just hate when they do that. I learned the hard way my first year in my home. I bought a whole lot of verbena in huge containers. I justified the expense because they were "perennials." Not! Those are pretty Cathy. Arlene Zone 7 Long Island, NY   Euphorbphreak  My Weather My Time Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 03:19 pm EST :    You just never know with Lowe's...I found a Finestraria there the other week..blew me away...while the rest of their selection was definitely "box store". These are beautiful! I was quite taken with the Orthosiphon til I read it needs constant moisture, but the Stachytarpheta would be great for me. I have so few good reds. Great finds! David, the other CA, 9b/17   Gardenbug  My Favorite Photo My Weather Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 04:58 pm EST :    Those "cat whiskers" of yours tug at my heart strings every time you post them. And now a white one....Definitely not for zone 4!!!! gardenbug Ontario, Canada 5b, USDA 4   Clary  My Favorite Photo Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 10:36 pm EST :    Cathy I watch people when I'm in the garden section picking up plants and I just want to run over and tell them to read the hardiness...Makes me crazy that they sell things that absolutely won't make it in your zone. Soooo....yes I agree they should have a section as you suggest. Now those cat whiskers would probably be very happy at my house. Those really are unique. Clary - California Zone 9   Fbonsailady  My Favorite Photo My Weather My Garden My Time Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 10:42 pm EST :    Absolutely beautiful Cathy, I've never seen Cat Whiskers here. Lovely little red flowers on the Porterweed Kath.zone 8b. UK.   Galanthophile  Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 11:05 pm EST :    Love those Cat's Whiskas - I've not come across this plant here either. Ann UK   Nibbs  My Favorite Photo My Weather My Time Posted on Wednesday, August 06, 2003 - 07:05 am EST :    Cat Whisker's are new to me and something I'll be putting on my 'want' list the next time I go to Victoria. Beautiful! Diane British Columbia Zone 7b

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