Tuesday, September 04, 2007

A Dubious Proposition


Every year I allow myself to buy one small plant or bulb that is not likely to survive our climate, but has the potential to surprise me. Over the years, this has led to some nice additions to the garden, and a secret box full of old plastic labels that aren't needed anymore. My choice this year was Leucojum nicaeense, a tiny snowflake from southern France which blooms in late spring. The small sprig of wiry foliage rapidly went dormant with the heat of summer, and I suspected that was the last I would see of it... not exactly $4.50 worth of pleasure, but that's gardening.
Well, the good news is that it's back, and it's blooming... the bad news is that it's in the fall. I suspect what I've got is the commoner Leucojum autumnale, which blooms and puts up its foliage in late summer/fall. While very pretty, I think it is a much more dubious proposition in terms of survival; plants that put up their foliage in the fall do not often live to see the spring in Iowa.
Leucojum autumnale (which I read is now classified as Acis autumnale), hails from the Mediterranean basin, and likes it somewhat dry when dormant. I will be quite amazed if it makes it through our winter, but seeing it bloom this fall has probably been worth $4.50.
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// posted by IBOY @ 6:39 AM
Comments:
The good news???
You know the difference between the two!!
# posted by Blogger Sissy : September 04, 2007
 
Do you have a special nursery bed for these unique species you purchase annually? A fun idea.
# posted by Blogger Shady Gardener : September 04, 2007
 
That is a great idea. And a very pretty little bloom - I'd say it was worth it too. :)
# posted by Blogger olivia : September 06, 2007
 
Sissy... well, um...

Shady... oh boy, a list: Arrowhead Alpines, Asiatica, Plant Delights, Evermay Nursery, Collector's Nursery, Seneca Hills... and about ten I can't remember offhand.

Olivia... I just hope it comes back in the spring. I guess the biggest thing is keeping it dry. We'll see.

Don
# posted by Blogger IBOY : September 06, 2007
 
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