Thank you RickR. I'm saving seed of Saruma henryi to send to the seed exchange. For the life of me, could not remember the name. It's a great woodland plant. Discovered I have to collect the seed while the seed capsules are still mostly green, otherwise they turn brown and snap open overnight. Then I lose the seed. Thanks!
I thought maybe the ants relocated the seed. I've never found seedlings in the shadier part of the garden, or anywhere nearby the mother plant. They always come up in the driest, sunniest part, 15-20ft away. Same with corydalis solida and jeffersonia dubia, although I also find seedlings near the mothers, too.
My original Saruma has enlarged over 10+ years and is now a beast of a plant. I've always been fond of it, both for it's subdued yellow flowers and for it's nice foliage which remains looking good most of the summer. Over the years, seedlings have popped up scattered throughout my wooded property, which I've felt is a bonus. But over the last few years, the seedlings near the original plant have become a nuisance, with truly a carpet of seedlings which have crowded out neighbors. I can't remove them fast enough. Just a word of caution.
Like most plants, both native and non-native, one should always be cautious with new introductions. If exotic plants spread into wild land unaided, that should automatically trigger an alarm. Eradication may or may not be the answer, but responsible monitoring is a must!
One way to keep a plant like Saruma henryi from seeding around too much, is to collect the seeds as Sue did - before they have a chance to scatter their seeds. Even if you don't collect all the seeds it will keep the plants from becoming a nuisance and you will have some to send in to the seed exchange.
One indicator that the Saruma seed are ready for collecting is the seed head starts to hang down, instead of facing upward. You then collect them just before the seed capsule turns brown, they will continue to ripen and open when ready to release their dark brown seeds.
As with most plants in my garden, I usually let some fall to ensure I don't lose the plant - they often find more suitable spots in the garden to grow than where I put the mother plant.
My Saruma henryi has never "seeded around". (famous last words). Sterile plant, too much shade or in heavily planted area? The plant is large, 3'H x 3'W.
It took about nine years for my first seedling to show up. But that was about the time I consciously changed my garden maintenance habit of (at least somewhat diligent) spring weeding. Now I weed sparingly until early summer and I get a lot more (desirable) volunteers that come up. (or maybe they are just at more identifiable stage?)
I hesitated to join this discussion as the only plant of Saruma we grew was in the Shade-house and was not looking great, presumably dying down for the winter. I was relieved to see it re-sprouting now as we head into spring,
Comments
Richard T. Rodich
That's Saruma henryi. And
Sat, 06/18/2016 - 6:18pmThat's Saruma henryi. And well grown, I might add. It is known as a shade plant, but can tolerate a lot of sun, at least here in Minnesota.
Mandeville (not verified)
Thank you RickR. I'm saving
Sun, 06/19/2016 - 6:54amThank you RickR. I'm saving seed of Saruma henryi to send to the seed exchange. For the life of me, could not remember the name. It's a great woodland plant. Discovered I have to collect the seed while the seed capsules are still mostly green, otherwise they turn brown and snap open overnight. Then I lose the seed. Thanks!
Richard T. Rodich
I thought maybe the ants
Mon, 06/20/2016 - 1:05pmI thought maybe the ants relocated the seed. I've never found seedlings in the shadier part of the garden, or anywhere nearby the mother plant. They always come up in the driest, sunniest part, 15-20ft away. Same with corydalis solida and jeffersonia dubia, although I also find seedlings near the mothers, too.
Scott Anderson
My original Saruma has
Mon, 07/04/2016 - 7:49amMy original Saruma has enlarged over 10+ years and is now a beast of a plant. I've always been fond of it, both for it's subdued yellow flowers and for it's nice foliage which remains looking good most of the summer. Over the years, seedlings have popped up scattered throughout my wooded property, which I've felt is a bonus. But over the last few years, the seedlings near the original plant have become a nuisance, with truly a carpet of seedlings which have crowded out neighbors. I can't remove them fast enough. Just a word of caution.
Scott
St Louis, Mo
Mandeville (not verified)
Hi Scott, Thanks for the
Mon, 07/04/2016 - 10:55amHi Scott, Thanks for the warning. Sue
Richard T. Rodich
Like most plants, both native
Tue, 07/05/2016 - 5:22amLike most plants, both native and non-native, one should always be cautious with new introductions. If exotic plants spread into wild land unaided, that should automatically trigger an alarm. Eradication may or may not be the answer, but responsible monitoring is a must!
Laura Serowicz
One way to keep a plant like
Sun, 07/31/2016 - 8:30amOne way to keep a plant like Saruma henryi from seeding around too much, is to collect the seeds as Sue did - before they have a chance to scatter their seeds. Even if you don't collect all the seeds it will keep the plants from becoming a nuisance and you will have some to send in to the seed exchange.
One indicator that the Saruma seed are ready for collecting is the seed head starts to hang down, instead of facing upward. You then collect them just before the seed capsule turns brown, they will continue to ripen and open when ready to release their dark brown seeds.
As with most plants in my garden, I usually let some fall to ensure I don't lose the plant - they often find more suitable spots in the garden to grow than where I put the mother plant.
Mandeville (not verified)
My Saruma henryi has never
Sun, 07/31/2016 - 8:52amMy Saruma henryi has never "seeded around". (famous last words). Sterile plant, too much shade or in heavily planted area? The plant is large, 3'H x 3'W.
Richard T. Rodich
It took about nine years for
Sun, 07/31/2016 - 3:59pmIt took about nine years for my first seedling to show up. But that was about the time I consciously changed my garden maintenance habit of (at least somewhat diligent) spring weeding. Now I weed sparingly until early summer and I get a lot more (desirable) volunteers that come up. (or maybe they are just at more identifiable stage?)
Fermi de Sousa
I hesitated to join this
Sat, 09/24/2016 - 9:15amI hesitated to join this discussion as the only plant of Saruma we grew was in the Shade-house and was not looking great, presumably dying down for the winter. I was relieved to see it re-sprouting now as we head into spring,
cheers
fermi