The hardiest Zauschy

[Kelaidis]

If you are growing Z. garrettii, chances are the source could have been the same as these, on the Wyoming-Idaho border where I collected it almost 20 years ago. It's amusing to think the only really widespread common name for this is California fuchsia, and of course this is technically a "willowherb" nowadays, and here it comes from a near alpine locality where temperatures drop to -40F most winters (some fuchsia that!). It has opened its first flower in Colorado in late May one year, but always by the end of June--by far the earliest of the genus to bloom. And it is very moisture tolerant as well: I know it thrives in much of the east and midwest and is the one zauschneria they can grow in the Colorado ski towns, where it blooms at summer's end. Widely available in commerce thanks to Plant Select (q.v.)

[Lori S.]

It's even hardy here in zone 3, blooming from late August into October... sometimes cut short (as was the case last year) by the very sudden onset of winter!

[Todd Boland]

Looks like another I will have to track down...might be worth trying here.

[Hatchett]

This is a great plant here in Idaho(mine was collected in south eastern Idaho). I find that if given a chance it can become something on the invasive side. I have to kill it back where it has spread too much every spring. The glorious masses of red flowers seem to go all summer long and well into fall and are a favorite of hummingbirds. If you don't want it to pop up all over your yard it is best to cut it back when it sets seed as the seed is wind dispersed and will go quite a ways and germinate everywhere you don't want it.

[Hoy]

This is a great plant here in Idaho(mine was collected in south eastern Idaho). I find that if given a chance it can become something on the invasive side. I have to kill it back where it has spread too much every spring. The glorious masses of red flowers seem to go all summer long and well into fall and are a favorite of hummingbirds. If you don't want it to pop up all over your yard it is best to cut it back when it sets seed as the seed is wind dispersed and will go quite a ways and germinate everywhere you don't want it.

Kill it? Just send' em to me! I have tried to grow Zauschneria  twice but the plants die in a year or two. Maybe I haven't got the right one! (But I grow real Fuchsia in the garden as perennials).

[Peter George]

My Z. garrettii is just beginning to bloom, with it's peak around mid August, but it's been with me for over a decade and it gets better every year. I suspect that given it's robust appearance right now that this year will be a special one.

[James Mikkelsen]

This is indeed a great Zauschneria since it will send out a few volunteers into open spaces in the garden.  I have the joy of three; the original from Willard Bay Gardens which is 2' across, and two volunteers that will be transplanted or given away in the spring.

[McDonough]

Yes, it's been a good year for the Zauchnerias, they seem to like the hot dry weather and flowered better than ever this year.  I already posted a couple photos in the topic: Re: Don't forget the red ones!
http://nargs.org/smf/index.php?topic=296.msg4153#msg4153

But here are some updated photos of Z. garrettii (or Epilobium canum ssp. garrettii as now known)