Can't Grow False Nettles?

9 years ago

Butterfly people are probably the only ones intentionally growing this plant, so I am posting here again about it. I think this will be the second year that my false nettles (Boehmeria cylindrica) have failed to overwinter. I see no signs of growth at all.

Supposedly this is one of those weedy aggressive plants that will take over everything! Maps show it is native throughout Illinois and all the way up into Canada, so I don't think cold is the issue. I am planting it in the ideal location based on what I have read. I'm putting it in the sunny rain garden where the sump pump and birdbath overflow to low areas. It is in with cardinal flower, buttonbush, blue flag iris, and white turtlehead that all require the same conditions. They are all thriving.

The soil stays moist to wet year round, but doesn't have standing water unless there is severe flooding. I have wintersown the seed with good germination. Last year I tried letting them get larger in the container before planting out in the early fall instead of in spring. Both years they were about two feet tall, bright green and healthy looking going into the winter. I also posted pictures on here to make sure they were the right plant.

This is the perfect host plant for multiple species since I don't have room for their host plant trees. New false nettle seedlings started in the spring don't grow fast enough to serve as host plants the same year. Why can't I grow this weed? Anyone else have issues?

Featured Answer

MissSherry

9 years ago

Mine aren't growing nearly like they have in the past, but then this has been the coldest spring we've had since I planted them. They may be able to withstand northern winters to the extent that they come back eventually, but it takes some warmth for them to get going, apparently.

My big group of false nettles is in a spot that was mostly shady when I planted them, but now only about half of them get any sun at all - there are nearby trees that have shaded out parts of the group completely. Red admirals have always favored this patch over the ones growing elsewhere. I assume it's because the leaves are more tender in this group, because they have always been in a mostly shady spot. There are some in my garden, but they get a lot of sun and their leaves are tougher - I rarely ever find RA nests on them. So, it appears that they like mostly shady spots, but not total, deep shade. As we all know about gardens, things change, trees grow and change the situation. There is another damp spot about ?25' from the original group where I'm transplanting those that aren't getting any sun. The 'no sun' plants are also being overrun by blackberries and other weeds. So, I plan to pull out (still more than I already have!) wild blackberries, but I think I'll wait until after I harvest the fruit.

By the way, I wouldn't describe the false nettles in my garden as growing in real wet spots - most grow at ground level in between the raised beds. They don't ever get completely dry, because, being in the garden and near the hose, when it gets dry out there, I water everything, including the false nettles.

The nettles in the colony that I haven't transplanted that still get some sun are growing fast, now that the temps are in the 80's every day. And the seedlings at their base are starting to grow, also.

Interestingly, there are some trees and shrubs that seem to have benefited from the cold winter, having made more new growth this spring than I've ever seen. But false nettles aren't in this group.

I only have ONE red admiral caterpillar, and it's a small one! By this time of year, I usually have released some RAs, while I'd still be feeding a dozen or so in my cages. 'Not a good year for FN or RAs.

In happier red admiral times -

Sherry

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Comments (7)

Leafhead
9 years ago
Beautiful Red Admiral, Sherry. I think I saw one fly rapidly thru yesterday :)

I could never get FN seed to germinate before June/July, well beyond the first Red Admiral flight. Plus the bunnies get them before they seed. I have better luck with Wood Nettle because it comes up a lot earlier and is more critter resistant. My WNs are about six inches high, and RAs usually start laying sometime in mid to late May when the WNs are over two feet tall.
Mine are a little behind this year. They grow both in my rain garden and in a shady low lying area in my side garden. I think after all this rain and a few warm sunny days, they're going to really put on some growth.

John
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molanic
Original Author
9 years ago
I had read that they can handle shade or sun, but will need pretty wet soil in full sun. So it sounds like maybe I should try a less wet and shadier location too based on your experience Sherry. If I recall the leaves on mine did seem kind of tough, but they looked healthy. I started more seed this year, but don't think there is any germination yet.

I may have to try that wood nettle as a back up plan for next year too. It looks like a good alternative since it hosts the red admiral, comma, and question mark just like the false nettles. I hope it isn't too stinging. In our small suburban yard there aren't really any wild areas or out of the way places where no one could rub up against it.

Thanks for the info.
KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
9 years ago
Don't like reading that Sherry is still low on RAs. My son has seen one and I've read that they have been seen as far north as Toledo but my nettles have zero folded leaves for the 2nd year in a row. I really expected a rebound this year. Hopefully, it still happens.

"Be Nice to Nettles" week is May 14th to 25th.

KC
docmom_gw
9 years ago
I saw a Red Admiral in Grand Rapids, Michigan two days ago. I haven't seen any more, and I've been outside quite a bit. Has there been a particular shortage of RAs, more so than butterflies in general? I got seed for Wood Nettles from John and they germinated very well. I haven't decided where to plant them, since I should keep them away from people. But, I want to have them where I can see them frequently.

Happy butterflying!

Martha
Leafhead
9 years ago
Hi Martha,
It's nice to hear your Nettle seeds have germinated :)
I saw a Red Admiral (I think it was) flying rapidly through my garden on Sunday. My Wood Nettles are 8" high now and growing fast now that they are past the bunny prone stage. I hope yours thrives and attracts lots of RAs and Commas.

Happy Butterflying

John
KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
9 years ago
Martha,
All the migrating butterflies I expect to see were in short supply last year. I raised infinitely more monarchs than red admirals/question marks (2 versus 0). Buckeyes, painted ladies, and cloudless sulphurs were absent too.

KC