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Mon, Aug 11, 08 at 11:06
| What are the main differences between Darmera and Petasites? Am thinking of adding some (contained, of course) to a shady spot, and can't decide which to get.
thanks. dan |
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| In our gardens, petasites (often referred to as pestasites) has been a true pest. We received a number of pieces about ten years ago, discovered its true nature and eradicated it. About 4-5 years ago, it turned up in an old compost pile. It's magnificently ugly, with great cauliflower-like flowers which appear suddenly, early in the spring, and look as if the earth is being conquered by strange, vegetable-like creatures from another planet. Flowers appear before the foliage. The leaves are large, pale green, but often look bedraggled by the middle to end of the summer. My sister-in-law grows it to her great joy in a small, city garden where it has colonized a dry, shady location. The dryness has curtailed its spread. There is a variegated version, which is quite beautiful, and apparently less vigorous than its parent. My own personal jury is still out on this one. I also planted Darmera in my shade garden at about the same time. Flowers appear before the foliage, are pink and do not appear over a long period. They are prettier than those of the petasites. The leaves are pleated, deep green, with an interesting texture and do not become bedgraggled by the end of the summer. We have moved the darmera to where we hope is a better location. I would not be surprised to see it attempt to overtake the area where it was previously planted. I do find many so-called invasive plants become much, much more vigorous if hoed, dug, etc. My choice would be for the darmera. I am also very fond of Astilboides tabularis - assuming you like big-leafed plants for moist, shady areas. |
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