Within the checklist of “high vegetation which were round for too lengthy to not be in style,” Syneilesis aconitifolia or “shredded umbrella plant” (frequent title) needs to be close to the highest. I first got here throughout Syneilesis in 1998, rising extraordinarily properly in Raleigh, North Carolina. I noticed it once more in 2000 in Pennsylvania, rising like gang-busters. Now that I’m in Boothbay, Maine (USDA zone 6a), what is among the strongest rising vegetation? Syneilesis aconitifolia!
Any plant that may look superior from Maine to North Carolina (does it develop additional north and south?) definitely deserves extra respect in our gardens. As a matter of truth, possibly we should always rename this the “Rodney Dangerfield aster.” It definitely will get no respect, and though it’s arduous to imagine, it’s within the Aster household. Earlier than your thoughts goes astray with pictures of massive purple and pink flowers, cease proper there. The flowers on this plant are an acquired style. They’re small, and at 3′ excessive, they’re fairly good. Good, as in, “I actually such as you, however let’s be associates.”
The fantastic thing about the umbrella plant is its foliage curiosity. Rising within the spring like wooly mushrooms or mayapples, the leaves finally open up like umbrellas left within the crate with our Belgian shepherd pet, who chews something. However as soon as the unopened umbrella leaves open absolutely in late spring into early summer time, they’re two 2′ tall parasols of coolness. You may nonetheless stump folks with this plant in your backyard.
At CMBG, now we have one mass of umbrella vegetation in full solar and one other partly shade. They do properly in each places, however I believe the farther south you go, the extra shade these vegetation will take pleasure in. As soon as established, they will take dry shade, so they’re good so as to add underneath small timber.
–Rodney
One other Fascinating and associated plant is Syneilesis palmata – search for it in specialty nurseries as properly. The leaves are much less shredded and completely different varieties can have quite a lot of colorations and patterns on the leaves for much more wow think about your shade backyard.
Word – Syneilesis vegetation are usually not native to North America.
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