Then the removal of several branches of my Spanish bayonet yucca left me in need of a plant that would grow tall among the remaining yucca stalks.
I didn't actively seek out the standing cypress but found their pretty rosettes of green feathery leaves in 4" pots in the fall. I bought 3 and planted them in the newly opened space. I wish I had been here a few weeks ago when all the spikes were in flower. Most have now gone to seed.
Among the stand of reds is one yellow spike. Apparently this is not unusual and in a field of reds there will always be a few yellows. Out of three plants I think I got lucky.
With all those seed heads I wonder what my chances are of them showing up again next year.....or will it be the year after that. In any event I think I will look for plants in the fall and may scatter some of the seed heads outside.
A flowering plant with height like that is certainly worth encouraging. Maybe you need someone to come in and take pictures of your garden when you're away on extended trips - or to get a time-action camera!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was going to be about a tree, but no, it's about a dramatic herbaceous plant. Stunning. Here in SoCal Ipomopsis is called scarlet gilia and I've never seen it used as a garden plant. Looks worth a try.
ReplyDeleteYes, the flowers re very like the scarlet gilia I have seen in Idaho, but the plant much larger.
DeleteI only grew this once from seed, and loved the tall spikes. I think the biennial nature made me stop trying this, although I should scatter some seeds and see what happens. I think my soil is too heavy for these to do really well though.
ReplyDeleteEvery now and then I see mention of a plant that my mother used to plant. Standing Cypress is one that she used to TALK about planting. I don't know if she ever did but I had no idea how they looked. Yours looks great among the yucca -- another plant that she had for years..
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I never planted this before. I think it was just seeing the young plants and remembering those ones I saw last year that got me planting it. Hopefully next year too.
DeleteWhat a pity you weren't there to see it in its full glory! It looks lovely there among the yucca.
ReplyDeleteI've seen alot of Standing Cypress this year, more than usual. I think they're so lovely, but like you, the biannual nature is a bit of a turn-off and I probably don't have the full sun requirement. Yours are so pretty-thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it was just a good year or if they were available in the store and that's why we are seeing it. Either way I will be looking next year too.
DeleteThat is remarkable that out of three pots you got a yellow. Will the seed from that particular plant yield plants with yellow flowers themselves do you think? It'd be fun to see... I'm tickled at the idea of getting someone to drop by to photograph your garden while you are away for extended periods. Even past their prime those cypress stalks are truly impressive - I can see why people seek it out. I tried growing some from seed without luck. I'm sure enough going to keep an eye out for some in pots, now!
ReplyDeleteWe shall have to wait and see Deb. If someone had come by to photograph they would have seen a lot of stuff not to their liking. I have been pulling stuff out by the trash can.
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