On the edge - Rohdea

James Waddick jwaddick@kc.rr.com
Tue, 27 Nov 2007 05:49:53 PST
Dear friends,
	Almost every deciduous tree has dropped its foliage except 
for a single Staphylea, a Euonymus and the oaks and bamboos. What's 
left is frosted and rimed in silver. Now is the time when any green 
in the perennial beds makes me happy. The Hellebores are the stars of 
course, but a dozen clumps of Rohdea japonica almost qualify for this 
note.

	Many people still do not know or appreciate Rohdea fully. 
This is a mainly Japanese species in the Lily family that is 
essentially evergreen in even the harshest weather. The only time I 
had significant foliage damage and leaf loss was when the 
temperatures dropped to the  bad side of 20 below zero F.

	It is not bulbous, barely rhizomateous, but it has rich deep 
green leaves in a variety of forms from the typical clump of upright 
leaves about a foot long and a couple of inches wide to a narrow 
leaved form ('Galle' ?) with leaves about an inch wide and 15 inches 
long. Dwarf forms add to the variety as well as those edged in white 
or other variegations and some have bumps and ridges.

	None put on a floral show, but if happy Rohdea can produce a 
head of bright red berries in season. Japanese collectors have 
produced dozens (hundreds? ) of varieties and some are available from 
specialty nurseries including Tony Avent's 'Plant Delights' 
http://plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/…  and Barry 
Yinger's 'Asiatica' 
http://asiaticanursery.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/… 
.

	I have plants in front, back and all around. They blend in 
during summer, but are outstanding this time of year and for the next 
4 or 5 months. In this climate you have to appreciate the subtle 
beauty of green foliage.

		Best		Jim W. 
-- 
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph.    816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
	Summer 100F +


More information about the pbs mailing list