Polygonatum 2012

[Afloden]

Hard to say on the first one, but maybe trinerve if the inside of the flowers are correct. That whole complex needs work though.

The second is likely kansuense. The stems should be scabrous and the veins of the leaves beneath should have smaller little scabers as well at 10x.

 Aaron

[Afloden]

To all who have an interest,

 I have built up a small website that gives an overview of the genera Disporopsis, Heteropolygonatum, and Polygonatum. There are some images, maps, discussion, taxonomy, etc. There are numerous links embedded throughout. There will be frequent updates as things change.
 https://sites.google.com/site/polygonatae/

 I request that if anyone has collections of nearly any species with provenance of any of the above genera I am willing to buy or trade (Polygonatum or other items). Thanks to all who have sent material thus far.

 Aaron Floden
 University of Tennessee

[McDonough]

Awesome!  Thanks Aaron, you're certainly off to a great start with those pages.  Have only had a brief look around so far, will peruse it in greater detail over the weekend.  Who knew that such treasures as the tiny Disporopsis jinfushanensis existed, you've got me hooked on these wonderful plants.

The site is really well organized and cleanly presented, congratulations!

[Hoy]

Hi Aaron, seems it is quite a while since I visited this thread! Thank you for your suggestions.
The only Polygonatum I can provide with a known provenance is P. verticillatum. But surely you have lots of it?

[Afloden]

Mark,

 Thanks. Jinfushanensis is a superb looking little plant. I don't have it yet, but I did get a leaf from that population and have the DNA. I got a chromosome count off of the acuminatifolium from you to. It is as I expected. I'll be squashing Reineckea root tips tomorrow.

 Hoy, I do have several verticillatum from Europe. It is the Caucasus and eastwards material I want more of, especially NW India, Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan.....

 

[copperbeech]

I remember seeing "Double Stuff" Polygonatum last season (on-line) (I think it is a Terra Nova introduction). In any event I never saw it in a "mortar and bricks" nursery here in Canada and I am wondering if this plant really exists . Is there really much to distinguish it from other variegated Solomon's Seal?

[McDonough]

A local nurseryman, Leo Blanchette (Carlisle. MA) grows a great number of Polygonatum, including the many named forms of odoratum.  One that he selected as a nursery seedling, is named P. odoratum 'Carlisle'. In my opinion it is the best form out there, not only for the beautiful and ample variegation, but for its low stature (14-16").  For those who are fans of variegated Polygonatum, rate 'Carlisle' as good as, if not better than 'Double Stuff'.  Take a look at many desirable and unique Polygonatum odoratum forms at Plant Delights Nursery, including 'Double Stuff'.  This cultivar was only introduced commercially in 2011, thus probably still hard to come by.

Polygonatum at Plant Delights Nursery:
http://www.plantdelights.com/Polygonatum/products/299/

P. odoratum 'Carlisle' bed at Joe Pye Weed's Garden & nursery, run by breeders of extraordinary Siberian Iris, Marty Schafer, and Jan Sacks, nearby here in Massachusetts, http://www.jpwflowers.com/



P. odoratum 'Carlisle' in my garden 2011, has not spread yet.



P. odoratum 'Carlisle', autumn color:

[copperbeech]

A local nurseryman, Leo Blanchette (Carlisle. MA) grows a great number of Polygonatum,

I notice that Blanchette Gardens is closing this season.

One that he selected as a nursery seedling, is named P. odoratum 'Carlisle'. In my opinion it is the best form out there,

Very nice pics. Thank you. I would imagine that this variety might never see the light of day outside of the US?

Take a look at many desirable and unique Polygonatum odoratum forms at Plant Delights Nursery, including 'Double Stuff'.  This cultivar was only introduced commercially in 2011, thus probably still hard to come by.

I have yet to see it in Ontario Canada .

[copperbeech]

P. odoratum 'Carlisle', autumn color:

Thanks for including that picture...very nice.

[Hoy]

I am no fan of variegated plants in general but that 'Carlisle' looks very handsome though!

[Lis Allison]

Gorgeous!

Anybody have any tips on how to keep P. odoratum happy? I have it, the basic one of course, but it struggles. I moved it twice but neither change made any diff. The other Polygonatums I have all do very well. What does odoratum really want??

[Hoy]

Lis, I don't grow it in the garden as it is a native plant here (however I am planning to move it into the garden). It is abundant at my summerhouse where it seems to prefere growing in crevices in the rocks where it is abundant water in the spring but drier later i the summer. When some of the plants have their roots deep in the crevice they make huge mats on very shallow soil, like this:

[Lis Allison]

... When some of the plants have their roots deep in the crevice they make huge mats on very shallow soil, like this:

Well, that is good to know, thank you! I have been giving it shade and woodsy soil and water all summer long. I'm lucky it stayed alive!

[Hoy]

I forgot to say it takes some shade too like in an open wood.