Viewing comments posted by Maridell

Unfortunately the name of this plant may lead to some disappointment if you are expecting a pink bloom. Either a lot of these plants were mislabeled...or ground conditions are of utmost importance because this flower in my garden is definitely a peachy orange color.

Per Wikipedia: They are edible and have been used in salads (although they may become bitter by the time the plant blooms) and to make herbal tea. Pineapple weed has been used for medicinal purposes, including for relief of gastrointestinal upset, infected sores, fevers, and postpartum anemia.

Asiatic Dayflower Medicinal use: Tea relieves sore throat and cold symptoms. (from Pocket Tutor Guide - Waterford Press)

Cold Hardiness: -20 to -30 F. Fast growing but easy to prune and train.

I really like the flower on this columbine. Unfortunately, this is a flower that hangs its head, so its beauty is somewhat hidden.

Two of these bushes have been nice as a low lying accent plant for me in a bed at the front of the house. Depending on the amount of sun, this slow growing bush can be dappled with green and red (shady) or burgundy with full sun. Come Fall time the leaves are a brighter red.

It keeps it's nice small mound shape with minimal pruning. Pruning has been a bit of a trick because this bush is very thorny. If you need to handle the plant you will need special gloves. I have gotten advice to lay a tarp of some sort under the bush when pruning...this makes it easier to gather up the twigs without getting poked.

Do not mistake the name of this plant to necessarily be a positive. This plant will obediently re-seed, anchor its roots real deep, and drive you crazy. It can withstand abuse such as the stalks being bent over, and the flowers will still stay in tact; maybe a good attribute for floral arrangements but not so good for your flower bed. The plant is named "obedient" due to this ability to bend the stalks in any direction you like.

The first couple years this plant was manageable in my garden...this year (2011) I battled seedlings all summer long. This Fall I finally dug all of it up but know I will be still be cleaning fragments of this plant out of my garden next year.

It can be a lovely tall plant in the right spot and with care you can reduce the amount of re-seeding. I would suggest a good ground barrier and very careful deadheading.

Compact and uniform in habit and flowering. Flowers cover the foliage in summer. Tolerates a wide range of conditions. Long-lived.

Generous amounts of water in summer. Keep on dry side during autumn and winter. Remove faded blooms.

Great for pathway edgings, border fronts, and rock gardens.