Manfreda virginica
Dennis Kramb (Fri, 22 Apr 2005 14:06:31 PDT)

I'm on the fringes of its native range, but I've thought it such an oddity
that I've wanted to grow it ever since I first learned of this species. I
think I obtained seeds through NEWFS, and I planted them in my regular
garden bed where only a few germinated. One has survived but it languished
amongst the weeds. Last year I prepared a rock garden and transferred it
there. I watched it through the winter as it struggled to stay green,
losing almost all its leaves. This spring it appears extremely robust with
its leaves growing bigger & fatter than I've ever seen, and it has many
pups forming around its base with equally robust growth. I think it
appreciates its new home amongst the gravel & rocks, free from competition
from weeds, growing in nearly full sun. Surely it will reward me with some
blooms??

Dennis in Cincinnati