Comments on: A Virginia bluebell with a funny blossom

By: Olivia54984

Olivia54984 — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:33:52 +0000

What you are describing seems to be similar to the poly-tepalism and poly-sepalism that is seen in daylilies.

There are a couple breeders out there working with daylilies that are actually trying to breed for this trait. The problem as you noticed, is often the poly blooms are sterile. They tend to be more sterile as pod parents but sometimes have viable pollen. In daylilies, there can be both poly blooms and non-poly blooms on the same plant.

As I am always looking for something to mess around with, I guess I would attempt hand pollinating the unusual blooms and also pollinating the unusual blooms back with the regular ones on the same plants, collect and grow on the seeds, etc.; and see what develops.

I think it is decidedly a desirable trait.

By: Annie in Austin

Annie in Austin — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 03:03:40 +0000

Kathy, the ‘odd’ Virginia Bluebell really is quite pretty. Wouldn’t it be fun if it does turn out to be a new hybrid?

Back in Illinois I also let large-leaved Hostas cover the shriveling Mertensia. They made good border partners.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

By: marci

marci — Thu, 31 May 2007 16:14:00 +0000

They’re really quite nice. Definitely worth
trying to continue

By: Kathy Purdy

Kathy Purdy — Wed, 30 May 2007 22:57:48 +0000

ruralway–I have noticed dandelions like that in other years–or, rather, my kids notice them and bring them to me.

firefly–if they are happy there they will self-sow, gradually filling in the nooks and crannies. For looking so delicate, they are actually pretty easy.

Dave and Brigitte–glad you could stop by. Check out my blog directory for more Canadian garden blogs.

By: rualway

rualway — Wed, 30 May 2007 21:40:10 +0000

I have noticed some very odd looking dandelions this year. Fused stems, oddly shaped flowers, larger than usual blossoms . We have at least 5 million of them here, and to notice some that were odd or different in such a sea of them didn’t take much effort-they really called my attention.

By: firefly

firefly — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:07:34 +0000

Thank you for that tip on Virginia bluebells — I just got some as bareroot plants a couple weeks ago and was wondering where they would do best. I have a spot where there are three hostas and it has looked quite bare until now when they are finally starting to fill out. Spring bulbs don’t do well there because they don’t get enough sun through the summer to recharge.

By: Dave & Brigitte

Dave & Brigitte — Tue, 29 May 2007 14:22:22 +0000

Kathy, we found your site from the Cutline review article. We live up in Toronto so your site is great. We do have a small somewhat warmer micro climate in our yard but your site is great for us Northern gardening souls.

By: Ki

Ki — Mon, 28 May 2007 01:02:09 +0000

Quite a beautiful mutation if indeed that’s what it is. I’ll have to look more closely at our Virginia Bluebells but I don’t think I’ve seen anything out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, I think most of our VBs aren’t blooming anymore especially since this warm spell arrived.

By: Kathy Purdy

Kathy Purdy — Sun, 27 May 2007 00:40:21 +0000

Virginia bluebells are good companions to plant with hostas. They bloom before the hostas really get going, and are completely dormant by the time the hostas are fully leafed out. Everyone (in the north, at least) that grows hostas should grow these plants as well.

By: Carol

Carol — Sat, 26 May 2007 23:59:49 +0000

Kathy, maybe this is some kind of new variety or hybrid? I don’t know as I don’t have any Virginia Bluebells (and I should) to observe if this happens a lot or not. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful