Seems like the taxonomists that were assigned to name a rare plant discovery from China were either bored, suffered a lack of imagination, were just plain lazy or had a brilliant sense of humor. Whatever the case may be and "A rose by any other yada yada yada", what we have here is a superb garden plant. I've enjoyed Saruma henryi in my garden for about 12 years now and season after season, it never fails to impress all who behold it.
I first saw Saruma henryi growing in Cole Burrell's ice cold Minnesota zone 4 garden in 1995. I knew if a plant could survive up there, it could survive just about anywhere. Cole, generous chap that he is, was kind enough to send me some seeds and I've been growing the plant ever since, sharing it with many friends and customers.
Saruma henryi was discovered on a Chinese plant collection expedition in the early part of the 1900's by plant explorer Augustine Henry and named in his honor. Who knows why it took so long to really get itself into cultivation?
Now....back to the taxonomists. Saruma is an anagram of the word Asarum and is a monotypic genus in the Aristolochiaceae family. The Aristolochiaceae family is home to the genus Asarum, the deciduous "Wild Gingers" and Hexastylis, the evergreen "Wild Gingers". Also, the genus Aristolochia, better known as the "Dutchman's Pipe". Our East Coast native, Aristolochia durior, can climb a hundred feet into the top of a tree and makes a really neat spiral around the branches. The flowers resemble little pipes. Check out a picture at - http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/502038078_48d4084174.jpg
If you'd like to know more about the fascinating Aristolochiaceae family you can go to the following link - http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/anthophyta/paleoherbs/aristolochiales.html
The best way that I can think of to describe Saruma henryi is a "Wild Ginger on steroids". The large, velvety, cordate foliage holds up well all the growing season long. For several weeks in mid Summer, it is brilliantly topped with one inch brilliant primrose yellow flowers. I grow it in partial shade and it attains a height of about 12" - 20". It seems to have NO insect, pest or disease problems and is 100% deerproof!
I've been building a good stock of plants to share with you and now is a good time to plant them.
What you'll receive are large, 2 year old bareroot plants in full, active growth. They'll come to you wrapped in long fibered, unmilled sphagnum moss. This material is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and a very useful material.
The prices shown below include FREE SHIPPING!!!
7 for $ 35.00 delivered ($5.00 ea)
10 for $ 45.00 delivered ($4.50 ea)
15 for $ 60.00 delivered ($4.00 ea)
20 for $ 70.00 delivered ($3.50 ea)
50 for $150.00 delivered ($3.00 ea)
Larger quantities at even lower prices upon request
Ordering couldn't be easier! Just fill out the order form at http://www.sunfarm.com/orderform.pdf
Most of our previous weekly specials are still available. Go to - http://sunfarm.com/specials/ to browse the archives.
By the way, if you haven't read the story in GQ magazine about me, you can read it on line at http://sunfarm.com/images/GVQ08-2.pdf
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