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Feeding the Imagination

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Feeding the Imagination Feeding the imagination Whenever I visit garden centers, Willamette Valley climate. These plants which is often, I like to look at the like, and need, plenty of moisture. various displays to see if I can dis- What I’m Usually, tap water is fine, but in areas cover some new plants or groupings Hearing that have hard water, or heavily chlori- of plants. I delight in seeing how even nated water, distilled water should be well-known plants can be displayed in used. Rain water is ideal. creative ways to inspire gardeners. Mike The proper soil is another key A red petunia is a red petunia, Darcy factor. Craig uses 50 percent Canadian but all of a sudden when it is grouped sphagnum peat moss and 50 percent with other plants or perhaps grown in of either sand, pumice or perlite. For a unique container, it becomes more Speed Press, 1998). The knowledge in planting in garden beds, he removes than just a red petunia. It becomes an this book made all the difference. Since the soil and places a pond liner across entirely new or different entity. then, Craig has successfully grown many the bottom, bringing it up to just Many gardeners have trouble imag- varieties of carnivorous plants. beneath the soil level so it is not visible. ining new ways to grow plants. The About 2 inches from the top, he makes reason is fear of failure. Keeping them happy slits in the liner so that if water reaches Without a doubt, gardening and For the purpose of this article, I will this level, it will drain. growing plants can be quite intimidat- focus on the three plants that Craig has The bed should be in full sun or ing. A plant, after all, is a life that must had exceptionally good success with: receive a minimum of a half-day of after- be nurtured. There is always uncer- American pitcher plant (Sarracenia), noon sunlight. Do not add any fertilizer tainty. The gardener doesn’t know cobra plant (Darlingtonia californica) to the soil and never fertilize the plants; whether it will grow in a new space. and Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). they obtain all the nutrients they need Considerations must be taken regarding He has found that, once certain from the insects they trap and consume. sun, shade, soil, wind and moisture. conditions are met, these carnivorous Craig has had some plantings of That’s why it’s important for garden plants are quite easy to grow in our carnivorous plants for four years, and centers to inspire and support their cus- tomers. It is also why most garden cen- ters are always looking for something new and innovative to display. A feast for the eyes Here’s an idea, and it may sound a little crazy, but bear with me. Ready? Carnivorous plants. I’ve thought back and I cannot remember ever seeing very many of them in garden centers. Occasionally, some may sell a few of them in 4-inch pots, but most retailers do not stock them. I think this is an untapped market that deserves to be explored. Growing them may sound intimidating, but it’s a fear that can be overcome. Take, for example, my friend Craig. At the age of 8, he bought a Venus flytrap, only to have it die. That child- hood experience curbed his interest in gardening for 40-plus years. Eventually, though, he decided to try again. This time, he did some research and discovered an excellent reference book Beautiful and easy to grow, American pitcher plants may be the most ravenous and underappreciated on cultivating carnivorous plants, “The plants in horticulture. The strange yet stately leaves can sometimes catch thousands of insects such as Savage Garden” by Peter D’Amato (Ten ants, flies and wasps. PHOTO BY RICH BAER OCTOBER 2013 ▲ DIGGER 13 ▲ FEEDING THE IMAGINATION he has never had any winter damage. many gardeners go to garden centers The cobra plant is evergreen. He treats not only for plants, but also for ideas. the American pitcher plant as a herba- Like Craig, many gardeners need a little ceous perennial, cutting it back in the help to take an idea and mold it into winter. The Venus flytrap disappears in their own gardens. winter when it goes dormant. Imagine the interest a display with In my own garden, I planted these carnivorous plants would create! I know three plants in a pot a year ago, and all that when I have been at an event in have survived. For a novice gardener, Craig’s garden, the cameras have been I would recommend American pitcher focused on the carnivorous displays more plants. They are easy to grow and have than anywhere else. survived the many young hands that Such excitement would be wel- want to lift the “lid” portion of the plant comed in all of our garden centers. and take a look at what is inside! Mike Darcy is the host of “In the Garden Independent inspiration with Mike Darcy,” a radio program air- Independent garden centers are ing at 9 a.m. Saturdays on KXL 101 FM unique in the fact that they can cre- in Portland. He can be reached at ate their own original displays. I think [email protected]. Ben Piper 503-710-1778 Ken Doubrava 503-866-6116 Jim McKay 503-710-1777 WILBUR-ELLIS Logo and Ideas to Grow With are registered trademarks of Wilbur-Ellis Company. K-1012-790 How can you not smile at seeing these plantings of carnivorous plants interspersed with B-movie action figures? PHOTO BY MIKE DARCY 14 OCTOBER 2013 ▲ DIGGER.
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