Comments on: Three Neat Plants – Late May

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:30:29 +0000

Hi - I’m trying to find Axminster Gold’ Russian comfrey. I just started growing comfrey, and I love it, but I find that it’s hard to find. Any help with finding comfrey source with different varieties, or online retailer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all your help. Thanks ever so much - Bruce You could try Variegated Foliage Nursery. Good luck! -Nan

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:21:41 +0000

In 2005 I got Iris laevigata ‘Variegata’ from Seneca Hill, which originally came from Joe Eck of North Hill fame. It has yet to bloom for me, partly because it got swamped by another plant and I almost lost it. It is a white striped variegation. I have it situated near enough to a clump of variegated bulbous oat grass that you can see them in the same glance. As you say, similar in color, different in form.

Hi Kathy! Yep, the variegated laevigata is even showier than the white-variegated pallida. You know, I wasn’t even sure the variegated laevigata flowered, because it hasn’t for me. But at the place I’m working now, they have huge clumps of it that are loaded with buds, so I’ll get to see lots of it in a week or two. I like your idea of echoing it with the variegated bulbous oat grass.
-Nan

By: mss @ Zanthan Gardens

mss @ Zanthan Gardens — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:56:55 +0000

I have to second Anna’s comment. Every time I read your posts I get major plant lust; I definitely have a strong case of the “grass is greener” when I see what kinds of fantastic plants you gardeners in cooler climes can grow. Of course, it’s not just about the plants you have but the way you put them together.

I do grow one variegated plant that mild blend in with the iris and comfrey, I think, a variegated American agave. I’m not that fond of agave but it’s what survives here.

The feeling is mutual, mss: You have oodles of cool stuff that won’t thrive for us. But, at least we can enjoy them vicariously through each others’ blogs. You’re right that the yellow-variegated agave has a somewhat similar look to the iris. Come to think of it, I have a white-variegated American agave too, and that one is correspondingly kind of similar to the white-variegated sweet iris.
-Nan