Can you believe that it is September? Our summer days are done and now it is time to get back into our busy routines! But routines include many wonderful activities, like Yorkton and District Horticultural Society meetings! The first fall meeting of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be on Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00 PM at SIGN on North Street. Our special guest speakers, Frank Woloschuk and Glen Tymiak, will be telling us about “How to store dahlias, glads, calla/canna lilies, geraniums and more” for the winter. You don’t have to be a member to attend, feel free to come and hear these wonderful gardeners share some valuable and timely pointers with us! New members are always welcome!
While you have your calendar out, be sure to circle Friday, September 23: that’s the date of the Fall Plant and Bulb sale beginning at 9:30 AM at the Parkland Mall. This is your chance to get some new plants as you re-landscape or refurbish your garden. The plants will still have time to get settled in before winter, so don’t miss this great sale!
A dear friend recently gave us a new plant; I did some homework on it, and found some surprising information! But as gardeners we like “gardening on the edge”, don’t we! So even though this plant is documented with warnings, it is a plant worth the extra attention needed.
The plant is Macleaya cordata, or plume poppy. To begin with, erase the image in your mind of regular garden poppies waving gently in the breeze. Though this plant belongs to the poppy genus, it is like the distant cousin who doesn’t look like anyone else in the family.
The plume poppy has beautiful broad leaves, with a leaf base that I read was described as “cordate”, or similar to a heart. So you get an idea of the general shape. The plant is a perennial, likes full sun in our zone, and seems happy to grow in average, well-drained soil.
Though it is lanky, growing up to six feet high, it does not spread a great deal. The flowers are unremarkable, long stems with frothy, delicate little blooms growing in a similar way to coral bells, above the leaves. But they are very striking when there is a bunch of them together, and more good news, they attract bees. From what I read, and from seeing the plant growing in our friend’s yard, I think we could call this a “specimen plant”, that is, a plant grown on its own for interesting ornamental effect.
By now you’re probably asking, so what’s wrong with this plant? To my surprise, the plant was tagged with the bad reputation of being invasive, propagating new plants either by seed or rhizome. But some good news: in zones like ours, the plant is not quite as aggressive as it is in warmer climes. We still have to keep an eye on it, but it is manageable.
Also, one article I read said that the plant is toxic. However, we should remember that so are other many other plants we are familiar with: lily of the valley, hydrangea, foxglove, and larkspur; all are considered toxic. The plume poppy would require our same care and attention as plants like the castor bean. Best to wear gloves when working with the plant where stems or leaves are broken, and follow by washing your hands well. Better to be careful!
Yes, even though the garden season may be over, we can still make exciting new additions to our gardens. If only we had more room! That’s always the thing, isn’t it!
Take a cup of tea with you and sit and enjoy your garden, even for just a few minutes! The fresh air and the colors will rejuvenate you! Have a good week!
