A couple that look good, one that doesn;t and an odd one

11 years ago

First of all - please pardon the weeds! I haven't gotten to that back corner because it has been bucketing rain for a week and this is the last bed I need to really get after.
Seedling on the left, turns parchment white by end of summer, the one on the right is a failing Alex Summers. Root competition from the maple.

BRIGHT LIGHTS some say it is slow and problematic, not here!

INNISWOOD coming into its own this year

Thanks for looking!

Alexa

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Comments (10)

leafwatcher
11 years ago
Bright lights is a great plant, I am surprised I don't see it posted that often..
User
11 years ago
The Inniswood is a florescent green! The closest I have to that color is a Dick Ward. Love it too. Might need to look for Inniswood.
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Steve Massachusetts
11 years ago
Alexa,

Does that seedling do the parchment thing in full shade or does it get sun that contributes to the change.

As for Alex Summers, it's a great Hosta. If you are going to keep it there, try it in a root control bag. That's what I've done with a few of mine planted directly underneath a Norway Maple. Here's Frances Williams in an agroliner bag.

Thanks for posting Bright Lights. I saw one on a tour last summer and it went to the top of my wish list. Here's the one I saw.

It was at Cochato Nursery, where I bought mine.

Steve
User
11 years ago
Alexa, the maple giving Alex Summers a hard time, is that a red maple or a Japanese maple?

I am taking delivery this Saturday of two Japanese maples which are the full moon maples, one the chartreuse green and the other the gold autumn colors. That will bring my count of Japanese maples to 5, not too many unless I have trouble with the roots.

Our problem here is not rocks and such, it is rampant tree and shrub roots. Like oak, pecan, sweet gum, camphor trees, and very large ligustrum, crape myrtle, dogwoods, camellias, and so on. The only maples anywhere around will be my fairly young Japanese trees.
caliloo
Original Author
11 years ago
It is a Japanese aple - Bloodgood - about 10 years old. I am moving Alex Summers this weekend over to a much sunnier spot with no roots to give it a fighting chance.

Steve - it is in full shade now, but did the same thing in partial sun. I may have to dig it when I get AS out and put pieces in different conditions to see how it does.

Thanks for looking!

Alexa
hosta_freak
11 years ago
Do Bloodgood maples give too much root competition? I was just looking at some nice ones at my local nursery to replace the one I lost,that I transplanted last year,and never came back this year. Bright Lights is growing well for me,and really looks good this year. Phil
User
11 years ago
Need to ask another question about Japanese maple, the Bloodgood. Will it take full sun if I plant it where it is not an understory tree? I really do not have a red-leafed maple, do not want to put it where the leaves will be burned on the tips all the time. Hmmm, I really am thinking it is time to expand the garden, maybe buy that totally vacant house and garden sort of behind us here.....I'm dreaming again.
caliloo
Original Author
11 years ago
Bloodgoods are terrible for root competition IMHO. They great an almost impenetrable mat of fine roots just below the surface of the soil. They can be buggers to plant underneath. As far as sun, mine is on the north side of my house so it is mostly shaded all day... Looking at the photo, it really isn't as close to the house as it looks, and I do tend to move stuff around under there before the roots become a major problem. And yes, I still need to crawl up under there to pull weeds! LOL!

Alexa
hosta_freak
11 years ago
Geez,having now seen that picture,I would say you have no trouble growing stuff under yours! I have good luck growing hostas under Maples,anyhow,so I'm willing to give it a try. Half of my new garden grows under a Red Maple,with no trouble at all. Thanks for the info! Phil
caliloo
Original Author
11 years ago
Phil - the operative phase in my post is I MOVE STUFF AROUND UNDER THERE OFTEN! Those Heuchera (except for the Palace Purple) were new last year, and the hostas in their 3rd year are smaller than last year. The stuff on the right is mostly tradescantia and it will grow anywhere. YMMV

Alexa