Viewing comments posted by lauriebasler

I have several Pony Tails, and after separating 3 in a pot, I found that one seemingly healthy plant got the droopy leaves some of these plants have. I prefer the ones that curl out roundly; they look healthier.. After being diligent at giving it the same conditions as the ones that were not drooping, for many months, with no change, I decided to cut my losses on it, and experiment. I took a rubber band, and pulled the leaves up like a pony tail, securing it loosely, and it did look strange. Then I let the plant get much drier than the others, for a month or so. To my surprise, it worked. The plants leaves are as bouncy and graceful as the others now. I am careful to let it get quite dry between waterings. Hope it works for others.

I adore this plant. Here in my Pacific Northwest garden, it seeds for me freely. I end up moving 20 or so seedlings each spring. With a gentle tug, they are removed, and sent to a part of the yard where I just let them grow to pass on to friends and family. If I did not want seedlings, I would just not allow the plants to flower, and there would be no volunteering. I like them, so I let them go.

This plant grows in full sun to part shade for me. It likes water and tolerates drought. It can be moved with ease at any time of year, and it pops so nicely with reds, and burgundies. It likes a bit of compost in spring. It looks best if given a haircut in the fall.

As I will have more again next spring, I hope some of you will consider trying a few of these in your gardens, completely on me, in hopes you will become as fond of them as I am. And, I just cannot throw these guys away. I will post what I have then.