skip to main content

Cardiocrinum Giganteum Seed var. yunnanese

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada

8 years ago

The pods were nice and dry, had split open so this morning I harvested the seed. I sat with a big ziplock emptying the pods into the bag, even as careful as I was I ended up with a lot on the floor. This variety of Cardiocrinum I think is a little easier to get to a flowering size then the other Cardiocrinum I have, at least from the pups it throws, I had one bloom the very next year, surprised the heck out of me as they usually take 3 or 4 years.

CAMP, if you still want some seed, message me your address. If anyone else would like to try growing it from seed message me.

I cut the stock and brought it
inside to finish drying when the rain started. Not complaining though
our forests really need it, hoping for a good snow pack in the mountains
this year, last year there wasn't one and we dealt with drought for the
first time.

It is a big bagful of seed and there's probably a few duds but as you can see by the picture I'm not about to sort through
that lot, even shelling them into a zip lock bag I still ended up with
lots on the floor, time to get the vacuum out.

For the time being I'll store them in the fridge. I've never grown from seed
myself but I believe they need a couple of cold periods, Youtube has a
couple on sowing the seed.

If anyone has the time and patience and would like to grow this fragrant beauty message me your address and I'll pop a few in the mail. For those in colder climates this could be grown in a large tub and moved to a more protected location for the winter, I've seen some beauties in half barrels so a large tub would probably work.

Bag is 12x10 inches

The new foliage, it turns a dull-ish green later on

The flowers

Annette

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

User
8 years ago
Hiya either HOUZZ is being dimwitted or (much more likely)I am being totally thick but having difficulty sending email address so here you are:

suzangreenfingers@hotmail.com

send me your (address and I will do (surprise?) trade.

cheers, Suzy X
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author
8 years ago
Got it Camp will email you later this evening, you can delete your response if you want to to.

Annette
Related Discussions
Unusual Perennials
Q
Comments (22)
I am assuming you want plants that draw attention and comments/questions from onlookers due to their unusual characteristics or simply because they are not typical of what you usually see growing. These are plants that I call 'head-turners" and they make people slow down to gape and point at your garden while driving by. I think I can give you some suggestions guaranteed to different and not be duplicated anywhere else within miles. Personally I think its best to develop a theme and stay with it rather than having a lot of attention getters like a museum collection of unusual plants. This means not every plant needs to be a focal point but should fit into the scheme in a harmonious way. The use of appropriate fillers makes a scheme like this work. Big rocks strategically placed can add to the unusual and taking out a standard lawn and replacing it with gravel, pavers and/or very low growing native grass & small native forbs really makes it different not to mention low maintenance. It depends on how far you wish to take it or what your neighborhood will allow. If you decide to plant cactus, Cold Hardy Cactus online offers a very wide variety of them with differing pad textures/color, sizes and color of blooms in spring and bright pears in autumn for year round color and texture interest. You need good drainage and full sun, this is more important than temperature for success. I have dozens of varieties and they do quite well because I am on a slope. Native grasses and forbs are a good way to bring it all together and create a very unique, unusual landscape. Here are some focal point plants with descriptions that will grow in zone 6 that have not been listed in the above posts that would create a Southwest flavor. DESERT SPOON-- (Dasylirion wheeleri) 3 ft wide dome of stiff light blue ribbon like leaves with hooked thorns along the edges. Puts up a tall flowering spike 12 ft tall when mature. LEAD PLANT--( Amorpha canescens) 5' x 5' drought tolerant native prairie shrub with soft grey leaves running up stems in bean formation. Spikes of indigo flowers in fall. Considered one of the most ancient prairie species. Very pretty. YELLOW BIRD OF PARADISE-- (Caesalpinia gilliesii) Rows of small leaflets on an airy plant with big yellow flowers each with a long red sex filament. Blooms summer through early freezes. APACHE PLUME--(Fallugia paradoxa) White rose flowers cover plant while simultaneously forming abundant plumed silky pink seedheads. Tiny leaves, the whole plant looks feathery. Looks great with low growing evergreens or native/ornamental grasses. BEARGRASS--(Nolina microcarpa or N. texensis) 3 ft tall evergreen with multitude of thin long shiny leaves that curl on the tips. Puts out a bloom in summer, looks grasslike but its not, its in the lily plant group. BIG SACATON (Sacaton wrightii) an impressive no care ornamental grass that puts up golden feathery seed heads in mid summer to 7 ft tall. Very distinct and different from what you usually see in the nursery's for ornamental grasses. This grass glows yellow in afternoon sunlight. DEERGRASS (Muhlenbergia rigens) handsome commanding ornamental grass 4ft x 4ft with thin spikes that grow straight up and out like a large fireworks display. Gorgeous. MEXICAN FEATHERGRASS--- Delicate silky grass low growing that is golden and soft all spring and summer. Good to tie in plants together or for textural contrast. CHOLLA CACTUS--- many varieties available. Adds a strong sculptural element. Cold Hardy Cactus has one called 'Snow Leopard' that literally glows in sunlight or on a moonlit night from the dense white spines covering it. SPANISH BROOM--- A big leafless green plant that looks like thin pencils all season or you could say it resembles a big weird grass plant except in spring when it is smothered in yellow pea like flowers making everyone ask "What is that?". Otherwise, its sculptural JIMSONWEED (Datura wrightii) large shrublike native perennial 3-4 ft high with large soft blue leaves enormous 8" white trumpet flowers. Attracts bees like crazy. YUCCA ROSTRATA--Very blue leaves forming a perfectly round head and a short truck (eventually). Monrovia has a very nice one available to nursery's you could probably find online. A very user friendly yucca since it won't try to stab you. 'MISS HUFF' HARDY LANTANA. It is reported to be the most cold hardy lantana around. Some reports list it hardy to zone 6. The 'unusual' factor here would be to have a 6 ft wide lantana in your zone 6 yard blooming heavily all summer making you the envy of many as butterflies flock in massive numbers. Thats how big it gets in a single season and if you don't trim it until spring and mulch it in winter, you might just be able to do one successfully. Its worth a try. Almost Eden online carries it. Cuttings are easy to root if you want to winter one over indoors for insurance or make more of them easily. COLD HARDY AGAVE-- There are some that will grow well in zone 6. Parryii, Utahensis and others. Kelly Grummons at Cold Hardy Cactus carries them as well as some small barrel types that are also hardy. He also carried various Yucca plants that are hardy. Good source for seeds of the plants above is Plants of the Southwest. You won't find them locally, you will need to search online but then, thats what makes them unusual and why you won't see them growing locally in your city. Unusual is a relative thing. What is common in one place is unusual in another. I grow all of these successfully in the midwest in zone 7 with around 30" annual rainfall but they can take zone 6. You do need good drainage though for some and tweezers on hand for others. Cactus are not for everyone but nothing else can make such a statement.
...See More
Blooming this morning
Q
Comments (10)
A couple more pics, you can see more of the stem in this first pic. The next two pics are of the other Cardiocrinum I have, this one has bright green leaves, green stem, the flowers has wider petals, the color blotch is different and it grows much taller. I have to wait another year or two to see this one blooms again, if I kept more of the pups instead of giving them away I'd have one or two blooming every year. This last pic is of 'Sweet Kate' my camera doesn't do the colors justice but I think this Tradescantia is one of the best. GGG, the scent is very much like some of the orientals, sweet but not cloying. CMK, you could probably grow one in a tub and winter it a garage or shed. Mine has survived torrential rain and temps that actually dropped below 0 degrees F. Annette
...See More
NEW: 2nd annual Named/Rare/Unusual Seed swap!!
Q
Comments (43)
Wow -- is there still time for me to join in? I'm kind of a newbie but from your lists I see lots that I can send to fill wishes- so here goes. Any heuchera Coleus (black dragon or others) Columbine - single colored varieties- bright colors or an all white variety is better! Lobelias -- or other trailers for pots Black, rust or peach colored flowers for my peach garden Echinachea- other than white swan or the plain purple variety(Peach would be great) Daisies - have clara curtis, giant white, and white shasta-- my three little girls just love to cut and cut all season long and far be it from me to discourage future gardeners! Coreopsis of any variety I don't have (coreopsis I have include: pink, zagreb, seashell, mahogohny midget, moonbeam) Lavendar - Spanish Pink Forget me nots Black Eyed Susan Vine - all colors Gladiola Seeds Monarda Flowering Groundcovers -- nothing invasive like vinca or ajuga I would prefer not to get-- Daturas, Moonflowers, Four O'clocks -except for the variegated kind -would love those, Cactus, Succulents or shade lovers --other than what was listed above-- I have very little shade. Also not interested in herbs and have all my veggie seeds for next year allready.
...See More
Cardiocrinum Giganteum
Q
Comments (9)
Camp, do give them a shot it should be easy peasy for you, the var. 'yunnanese' the one with the bronzy new foliage blooms from pups in just a couple of years in fact I had one bloom this year it was separated from the mother bulb only last year. They really aren't that difficult, I think your climate is pretty similar to mine so you shouldn't have a problem. Mine are planted at the base of a mature Robinia tree, no special attention and they are thriving. Annette
...See More
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author
8 years ago
CAMP, did you get my email, if not check your junk mail.

Annette
garyz8bpnw
7 years ago
Did the seed work for anyone, especially after being stored awhile? I failed first few attempts then learned how to get some success, both with Cardiocrium giganteum v giganteum and v yunnanese. My seed looked just like yours with the std variety having lighter colored seed.

I recently posted some information on starting seed.

Both types bloomed the same year so I could directly compare. Mine were in quite shady locations. The leaf shapes differ and the Yunnan variety is a little smaller. It can get 12', whereas the std variety 14'. In lower light and a tub mine Yunnanese has been 9+' so far.

Cardiocrium giganteum v yunnanese

Cardiocrium giganteum v giganteum

Intenet photo I found below shows the potential of this fine species. Notice the plant location. It's a very sunny location. And there are deciduous leaf plants around it. Notice the leaf shadows. They are above and slightly to the rear towards the Lady.

This clever or very lucky gal planted both.this and the second clump on the right on the northeast side of the bush(es I bet). Thus, ot gets morning sun when it is cooler and afternoon shade when the day heats up. If one didn't notice this they would wrongly assume to grow this wonder in full sun to get this ~14' optimal result. You know she must have been really pushing fertilizer too!

Cardiocrinun bulbs sprout really early, for me mid Feb. So her clumps got full sun in cool weather. Then it was shaded by leaves as the summer approached. The way the plant is shaped, those upper stalk leaves get full sun and won't risk wind breakage as much as the lower leaf shape and size. So they might be more sun tolerant than the lower leaves. If nothing else the smaller size high location is where better air movement occurs to cool them.

With all that extra sun up there, bet those leaves drive the fuller height potential, with the big bulb helping feed energy and nutrients. And I bet those big fat bulbs really warm too when they sprout, like it has been shown a Shunk Cabbage does here in the PNW (by several degrees).

In nature this plant grows fast, in an early season, in a cool climate location, at a higher elevation. If the bulb didn't heat it's hard to explain its growth rate otherwise. Mine sprout and grow fast way before much else does in our yard. That big bulb obviously metabolizes (burns) a lot of stored carbohydrate and/or fat so it in fact must deal with potential heating. If such a bulb bolted to bloom in hot weather soil bet it would abort by overheating!

We moved in Feb 2016 and I took bulb clusters of both varieties with us. The same Yunnanese pictured here bloomed in the transfer tub a few months later! With the extra light energy in the new north wall side location it also had more flowers.

I didn't get it planted last fall. Surprizing the heck out of me, there's two large pineapple sized bulbs in the cluster showing in the tub. Looks like it is planning to bloom the 3rd year in a row, this time maybe with two stalks? Finally learning how to grow it well. I also casted the seed to make a patch.

My Yunnan variety's flowers are not as elegantly shaped as the standard variety. However, the flowers are highly fragrant, have more maroon color striping, and the cultivar is quite perky and reliable at blooming, as expected. It has the characteristic dark blackish flower stalk, which was darker in my sunnier location, as also expected. My clone doesn't had the red flushing in the leaves that some others have. Oughta swap a bulb with someone on year to two so that we have both.

Caution when growing in lower light. I actually started with two Yunnan bulbs. All three of my plants grew great and bloomed the same year due to a culture secret. One of the Yunnan plants gave alot of viable seed, but only a tiny offset bulb or two that didn't survive (slugs?). Marginally more sun in the others gave better response in offset bulb production.

I have not seperated them because I want to see what a natural clump does. All the pictures I see on the internet are show what looks like one bulb plants. With my two bulb plant, If not getting two flower stalks the same year, I expect to instead get a next year bloom, without lag year between.

My goal is a 6" x 15' "patch of heaven: in continuous yearly bloom. Have just the spot saved for it.
garyz8bpnw
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Today is March 4th. We are two weeks away from the last typical frost free morning. The Cardiocrinum giganteum v yunnanense clump that has bloomed 3 years in a row looks like is doing it again this year!

It is still on the large tub for spring planting within a week. The brown stem is the base of last year's 9' flower stalk.

--Click photo to view--

There are two nearly pineapple sized mature bulbs shown by my hand and seven offshoot baby bulbs already showing. I have a large hand and wear size men's XL gloves.

The two largest bulbs are offspring from the mother bulb that bloomed 2 years ago. Both bulb's outer scales are flairing out at the top and already have a longer stem than typical for an immature bulb, so they are poised to bolt upwards into bloom.

This growth pattern thus is as an expanding clump capable of producing flowering bulbs alternate years from opposite sides of the clump and eventually multiple flower stalks. Thus the patch might bloom every year!

These sure are dynamic powerful plants! They seem to be true dynamos of the lily/hosta world!

It lightly froze here last night, but the soil around them in tbe tub was not looking frozen at all. In contrast, the ground surface in our yard as a whole is lightly frozen down to 1/2" or more! Thus, the Cardiocrinum must be generating heat from active metabolism much like our native skunk cabbage does. Heat production helps explaining early rapid growth and resistance to near freezing temperatures for many early spring bulbs.

With skunk cabbage the heat is believed also helps drive odor from the plants perhaps attacting pollinators to their flowers and/or as a defense to help repel slugs, animals or insects from eating them!

0

Sponsored

More Discussions

A Year of Bulbs

83

Hellebore question and opinions

12

Winter Blooming Heath

16

Your first perennial(s) planted in 2024?

29

This may seem like a stupid question.

3