Comments on: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – May 2008

By: Linda Pastorino

Linda Pastorino — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:58:45 +0000

Dear Nancy,
I saw the expresso wild geranium first time this year at George Schoelkopt’s garden but he didn’t have it blooming last year. I tried to go on line to find it and so far could not but it was spectacular. I just reached your sight and am only on second blog list. the photos are fabulous as well as the variety. I lost my crambe cordifolia this spring. I planted it in July of last year, I got two of them and I think the soil was too rich for them where I planted, not sure but they did not work out. I love the foliage and would like to try them again. Where do you have yours planted?
I also saw for five minutes and did not buy( was with out of towners and didn’t want to hold them up) five red leafed and stemmed salvia cultivars I had never seen. When I went back to find out the name the local nursery was oblivous and they were sold. Do you know what it could be? It was a deep red color with pinkish violet flower. I have gone on line looking at places like Plant Delights, Sunny Border, called Oliver etc and no one knows what I’m talking about..?

thanks
Linda

Hi again! I’ve tried Crambe cordifolia a few times, but the flea beetles always demolish it, so I’ve given up for now. So far, so good with Crambe maritima, though. I have it planted in a totally inappropriate spot: right on the edge of a narrow path, with only morning sun, and it’s thriving. Go figure.

You have me salivating (or would that be salviating?) over the thought of a red-leaved salvia as you describe. The only ones I know of are the various dark-leaved selections of cancerweed or lyre-leaved sage (Salvia lyrata), such as ‘Purple Knockout’; their flowers are usually pale pink to white, though. Maybe another reader here will know the plant you’re seeking; I hope so!
-Nan

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:33:19 +0000

Could you tell me where you got the Espresso wild geranium? It does indeed grow wild around here (the common form) and I would like to get cultivars. I had a white form but it took ill and died.

I got my original plant from a friend probably 15 years ago, and it has seeded around since then. Let me know if you want me to try to catch some seed for you. Or, I could send you some seedlings this fall.
-Nan

By: ricki

ricki — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:05:04 +0000

Oh my! I try to be sooo careful about invasives, and yet this is the first I’ve heard about barberries. Perhaps they behave themselves in the Pacific NW. I think they must, because last summer I purchased two rarish ones, B. replicata and B. jamesian (which, when I fell for it, was festooned with pearly yellow clusters of hanging berries) from a highly reputable specialty nursery. I would hate to part with either of them.

I think you’re ok with them in your area, Ricki. Invasiveness is such a regional issue. We can enjoy growing blackberries without guilt here, for instance, though I believe they’re a big problem out your way.
-Nan