Summer Surprise number 1
>> Wednesday, July 4, 2018 –
natives
The first happy surprise I got this summer was actually discovered in the spring:
It's my Manfreda virginica, and for some reason the deer did not prune this one for me this year!
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Let's take a look at it back at the end of May...
...when the bloom stalk was just starting to emerge. Yes, it's blooming -- the deer didn't eat that either!
And then 10 days later (June 11):
Finally, just this week (July 2):
The bloom stalk is about 6' (1.8m) tall, which is probably the only thing it's got going for itself.
I would not call those flowers "showy". In fact, I would say that they're quite weird!
I never see bees at this. What's pollinating this native beauty? Hummingbirds? Nope, I just read that it's moths (and some bumblebees). I guess I have to watch this plant at dusk if I want to see some pollination happen!
I'm just so excited about this -- maybe I'll get some seeds?
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Lovely plant, the color and shape are an elegant addition for a garden.
Hardy Manfreda then!
Yay! And I keep meaning to tell you the one you sent me is doing great, in the ground! I was a little worried it would rot out over our wet winters but nope. Of course it's not as big as yours (only about 6" tall now), but it also hasn't gotten any water to speak of for months (we've had less than half an inch of rain since mid-April).
Mark/Gaz: yes, hardy to USDA z6, possibly even z5 with protection.
Loree: Good to know, in case we actually get some winter precip this year. I actually had two of these, and the second one just never took off and I accidentally pulled it out earlier this year. I'm hoping to get a couple more of these established now too.
An exciting, if not showy surprise!