Harbingers of Fall -- Part III -- Asters, Part I, Etc.

Top 5. Oct 14, 1997 5:52 AM

» Barb_Dorsett - Marge, I was so busy enjoying the combination that I *forgot*

Marge,

I was so busy enjoying the combination that I *forgot* posterity was possible. You're just going to have to take my word for the value of that combination. ~g~

Barb in Southern Indiana Midwest Gardener

-- posted by Barb_Dorsett

Top 6. Oct 14, 1997 6:17 AM

» Cottage_Garden - Judy -- I am thinking that Holbrook Nursery used to sell a numbe

Judy -- I am thinking that Holbrook Nursery used to sell a number of asters that were good in the southern states -- Fanny's Aster comes to mind as one of them, but of course none of this is of very much help since they aren't around anymore anyway.... maybe some of the nurseries in NC would have some good tips on different kinds to try?

Barbara Martin
Eco-Gardens Editor

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

Top 7. Oct 14, 1997 10:26 PM

» Marge_Talt - Barb, I believe, I believe! I got a good mental picture, but

Barb,

I believe, I believe! I got a good mental picture, but next year you've gotta take a photo....says she who always thinks about doing that *after* the fact :-)

Marge

Gardening in Shade

-- posted by Marge_Talt

Top 8. Oct 14, 1997 10:40 PM

» Marge_Talt - Barbara, I think you're right about Fanny's Aster...seem to r

Barbara,

I think you're right about Fanny's Aster...seem to remember it from the Montrose Nursery catalog (also, sadly defunct now).

I'd bet that Niche Gardens has some listed that would do well for Judy as they are in North Carolina.

I got my climbing aster from Montrose, BTW, and it really would prefer a warmer climate than mine.

I'd also imagine that if Plant Delights has any they'd do well in hotter climes, too.

Marge

Gardening in Shade

-- posted by Marge_Talt

Top 9. Jun 1, 1998 1:28 PM

» MaryS_10 - Mary Stamper How about a piece on Japanese Anemones? They are

Mary Stamper

How about a piece on Japanese Anemones? They are supposed to be good for shade and they bloom in the fall. I've had mixed luck. Can you say something about them?

-- posted by MaryS_10

Top 10. Jun 2, 1998 12:44 AM

» Marge_Talt - Hi Mary, I grow a couple and keep meaning to add more. W

Hi Mary,

I grow a couple and keep meaning to add more.

What happens with yours?

Good idea for an article! Thanks....I'll add it to my list. I'm not exactly sure *when* it will happen, but it will happen:-)

Marge

Gardening in
Shade

-- posted by Marge_Talt

Top 11. Jun 3, 1998 1:32 PM

» MaryS_10 - Mary Stamper I bought three anemones "Robustissima" (Grape-le

Mary Stamper

I bought three anemones "Robustissima" (Grape-leaved), "Prince Heinrich" and "Pamina".

They were placed within 2-3 feet of one another and get identical light and water. They are in a bed of asiatic and oriental lilies that bloom very well. They were planted in the fall. The first spring, all three returned. By fall, Robistissima and whichever of the other ones is deep pink and double, produced a few flowers. The other one died almost to the ground. This spring, they all returned, the two that did reasonably well are huge and climbing all over, perhaps hinting at the 24-36 inch plants that were supposed to be. The one that died back has two or three tiny leaves, and is totally reluctant to get beyond that. I have moved it to a damper, but slightly shadier location. It hasn't died yet, but isn't exactly turning itself around either.

My recollection of Prince Heinrich and Pamina is that one is double and one is not and they are both dark pink. I have seen them confused in catalogs. The one that is doing well is definitely double. Just wondering if anyone knows either of these to be particularly fussy. Also, in general, they are supposed to take some shade, but I wasn't exactly overwhelmed by the number of blossoms that I got last year. I'm wondering if they are simply slow to get going (the size of them this spring compared to last spring might suggest this), or if they need more light. Incidently, immediately behind them is a stand of 6ft tall Aconitum "Sparks Variety" that is covered with wonderful blue blooms from september until almost november. These things are supposed to be light to partial shade plants. I wouldn't have thought that based upon what I have read, that anemones wouldn't do well in this spot. Any secrets about them? I see lots of them in the nurseries here, but never seem to see them in anyone's gardens. Should that tell me something?

-- posted by MaryS_10

Top 12. Jun 4, 1998 10:01 PM

» Marge_Talt - Hi Mary, Well, since it seems from your description of the si

Hi Mary,

Well, since it seems from your description of the siting, that they should be happy as clams where you have them, I rather think your third guy may just not have been a robust specimen to start out with.

'Prinz Heinrich' has deep rose double flowers according to my sources. Sniffed the web a bit on 'Pamina' as I don't know it, and it wasn't listed in my reference books, and found that it has double rosy-red flowers according to one site, lavender-rose, semi-double according to another and large, semi-double rose-colored flowers according to a third. So, guess it's in the "pink" range :-) but this really doesn't sort out who is 'Pamina' and who is 'Prinz Heinrich'. I didn't find any cultivation information on it, only that it, too, is a x hybrida.

Your 'Robustissima' is a tomentosa, although it is (according to Clausen and Ekstrom) usually listed under A. vitifolia, and according to another source "formerly known as vitifolia", which is the species with the leaves that resemble grape leaves. They go on to say that this species is similar to A. x hybrida, but the stems and undersides of the leaves are covered in whitish hairs. If any of your contenders have this feature, it is likely the 'Robustissima'. Also, the flowers are supposedly mauve pink - could find no reference to being double, so assume they are singles.

As I recall, they do take a couple of years to hit their stride, so I think you should see more blooms as the years go by.
I am assuming that the soil is sufficiently deep and rich if the lilies are thriving.

They will take sun or part shade and in hot climates want afternoon shade to be really happy. I don't think they are going to thrive in really deep shade in any climate. But, if your lilies bloom well, then there should be enough light for your Anemones to bloom as well.

One that I grow is an A. x hybrida - 'September Charm', the same species as your 'Prinz Heinrich' and 'Pamina'. Mine has been seemingly happy (except when under a Blister beetle attack) right in front of a yew hedge for getting on for 15 years or so. Never have divided it or done much to it at all and it gets about 2.5 feet tall and blooms quite nicely. This is a pretty dry location since the yew roots are greedy. Part sun, but mostly shady area in clay soil that was double dug 15 years ago and since then has had assorted mulches on it when I remember.

The other one I grow is a tall (3 or 4 feet) white with no name that I got as a freebie from a nursery. I have this in another part of the garden in quite a bit of shade; no really direct sun, but bright light. It has not spread, but blooms for me at about the same time as my Cimicifuga - later than 'September Charm' which blooms in August for me.

Well, I doubt I've sorted your cultivars for you or really answered your question. But, since two are doing well and one is not, I don't really think it's a culture problem - more like a plant problem.

The only thing not seeing them in other people's gardens should tell you is that the other people haven't discovered what nice plants they are. The species that you've got have no reputation for pickiness as far as I know or have read.

Marge

Gardening in
Shade

-- posted by Marge_Talt

Top 13. Jun 4, 1998 10:39 PM

» Cottage_Garden - I have a white one that keeps on spreading. Not too much, but mo

I have a white one that keeps on spreading. Not too much, but moving along steadily. It is in less than an ideal spot and I have had students tell me it is invasive at home. So I think this is a tenacious plant if you provide it the right conditions. (I don't, and I am glad it is sturdy in that spot.)

Barbara Martin
The Cottage Garden Editor

-- posted by Cottage_Garden