Zantdeschia hardiness
Kelly O'Neill (Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:06:12 PDT)
On 14 Jun 2009 at 11:10, Jane McGary wrote:
This is news to me. Here in Oregon, Z.
aethiopica is dormant in winter and
emerges in mid-spring, going dormant by
late summer. It is in flower now.
Another odd thing is that although this
is widely regarded as a wetland plant,
clogging ditches when it escapes in mild
climates, here one sees it flourishing
in sites that become completely dry in
summer:
I'm a bit south of Jane. Here, the Z. a. types are trying to grow
all winter. Every significant frost turns any growth to mush and
so they can seem to be dormant. When frosts stop they recover
quickly and bloom in May-June. Flower vase trivia: To get much
longer cut-flower stems, carefully pull them rather than cut
them.
They do remain evergreen if watered in summer. They look
best in some shade. I like to extend the bloom season and
have them planted in all sorts of conditions. They do do ok in
full sun with no summer watering (and are summer dormant). I
have seen the advise to plant them in water. I have not had
luck planting them more than a few inches below the water line
in my fluctuating winter flooded areas. I will try some more
though. I'd guess they like summer wetland, winter dry
conditions? They do so well here, I am concerned they may
turn out to be invasive and difficult to control someday.
Kelly O'Neill
http://www.bigbubblers.com/ and
Big Bubble Magic(tm) at http://www.wetrock.com/
and Wet Rock Gardens Flower Farm
2877 N 19th Street - Springfield, Oregon 97477
U-Pick and more at the farm (open 9 to 6, Sun,
Wed and Fri - from March thru Halloween)
kellyo@wetrock.com - http://www.wetrock.com/