Viewing comments posted by sheryl

I bought a "Chicago Hardy" in the spring of 2009. Although I've seen references to it dying to the ground in a cold winter and regrowing from its roots, after a very cold winter here in 6b/7a it wasn't even frostbitten.

This is a fast growing tree - from the 2' stick I purchased (2009) I now have a 10'+ tree (2011). I got a few figs off of it last summer, but this summer the amount more than doubled. The fruit is lightly sweet and can be picked when it is slightly (or very) soft - usually, the softer, the sweeter.

Popular houseplant as it survives in low light with infrequent water. Multiple thick stalks support shiny dark green leaves. An abundance of water can send it into bloom. The blooms are not showy and consist of a light green hood or spathe with a beige spadex, resembling a jack in the pulpit.

Native North American wildflower. Found throughout the eastern states (from Maine to Georgia) to the midwest and Texas.

This plant has been frost tender, but root hardy in 6b/7a. It does root where the stems touch the ground as well as underground. I've never noticed any blooms on it. Very easily propagated in moist soil.

Variegation is supposed to show in both spring and fall, but I've only seen it in spring. I've read that the color is better in shadier conditions. My own plant is in partial sun/ shade and thriving.

Lovely little flowers, blooming here in 6b/7a by early March. They are known to bloom through a late snow cover. The flowers only last for a day but it's not unusual to get multiple blooms per plant.

After blooming the foliage disappears until the following year.

I have had this plant in a partial shade with direct sun area and it has thrived, but not spread or self-seeded like the species S. lyrata. It grows in my awful clay soil, hasn't needed any supplemental water despite our high 90's heat and drought the past two summers.

The purple leaves are very pretty and nearly prostrate to the ground. Although it does bloom, I grow it mostly for the leaf color. A very easy plant here in Middle Tennessee.

Salvia lyrata grows wild in my area (Mid-Tennessee, zone 6b/7a). You can see the pale lavender spikes of blooms on the sides of roadways and working it's way into lawns. It self-seeds prolifically in garden situations as well in the wild and requires no care but the occasional prune of the bloom stalks if you wish to prevent seeding.

It is also grown as a medicinal herb.

Sheesh - I want this one just for the name!!!