My darling St. Catherine won my heart with her fast growth and luscious gray-green leaves. However, I feel that she might be a tidge confused. I planted her around May, when things really started to heat up. She thrived and doubled and tripled in size (living up to her latin name, Eriogonum giganteum) and threw up a plethora of branching stems just waiting to flower. Sounds great, right? Well, this plant certainly takes its time to flower. Typically, the stems begin to grow in May and suspend anticipation by blooming around July. My Catherine started sending her branches skyward in July. The picture below is from around September.
By the end of December, I decided she should probably focus on next year's stems to save her energy, so I cut them back. While the branches were so lovely, I can't sacrifice next year's blooms! What do you think?
She looks very healthy, I think I would have done the same????
ReplyDeleteThis is just one weird plant. I planted some e. grande rubescens, which is about 1 foot tall. I assumed that e. giganteum would maybe get twice as big. Well, I've seen them at 8 feet and counting! Hack away at it, it won't be a problem. Then again, you might just encourage the beast...
ReplyDeleteOh dear, Town Mouse! 2' and 8' are vastly different in a city/suburb garden like ours! She's doubled in size since I took the photo of her with her flower branches, which is good since everything else is still pretty puny.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the moral support, Susie and TM!
what i think is i lust after e. giganteum.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Vanessa you'd love it! All sorts of native bees and flies hovering around into the Autumn. Small birds will rest on the branches, too.
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