Add to that its tolerance of deep shade (read: most of my front yard) and its feathery, floaty foliage that looks perfect in summer, and I have a winner in two pots on my front porch.
I had another workhorse, deep-shade-tolerant Carex morrowi, in these pots for years but I got just a little tired of them. Selaginella uncinata was their heir apparent.
Here's a little more about Peacock Spike Moss, from Plant Lust. First Xera's description:
"Peacock club moss is an extraordinary small foliage plant. Trailing branches are clad in surreal green blue as well as green-a great effect. In winter it takes on tints of maroon and orange. Perfect for shady locations with rich well drained soil that retains moisture. Excellent at the base of large Rhododendrons with ferns and Hosta. Regular water in part shade to shade."And from Plant Delights:
"Peacock moss (a prehistoric fern relative) is one of my favorite groundcovers for the woodland garden...I bet I say that to all the selaginellas. The low, spreading habit and the semi-evergreen metallic aquamarine foliage, overlaid on a green background, are sure to make visitors stop to admire this gem. The color is best after the new growth emerges in late spring."
The stats:
Zone: 7a-11
Water: Regular moisture during summer
Size: Xera says the plant will be about a foot across, but mine are bigger (those pots are a foot across). About 8" high.
Soil needs: Well-drained, rich
Foliage: Semi-evergreen. Tints of orange and bronze in Fall
These pots stayed out all winter - because of our cold periods the plants died right back and were slow to come back in spring. The iridescence takes warmth to develop in summer, too. But once that psychedelic color comes back they are fabulous.
The favorite plant meme is hosted by Loree at danger garden. See what favorites are happening in other gardens this week by checking the comments at the link.
I have selaginella, too, but mine is a bit different. It's more ferny and not psychedelic at all. About 8 years ago I became convinced my front garden was in the PNW while the rest of it was in VA and I added a bunch of ferns and rhodies. Did I mention that area gets full hot blasting sun til 2 pm? Of course not. Everything either died or begged me to kill it. Truly sad. I rescued one selaginella before it was too late and stuffed it in a moist spot next to my only astilbe. Out of sheer fear, it thrived, terrified I'd move it back out front if it didn't perform. It's now fat and happy. Lesson learned, at least for today.
ReplyDeleteThat's gardening, Tammy. I do admire your stern approach with the moss! My sister used to say no plant was safe in our garden until it had been moved at lest twice. ;-)
DeleteI bought two of these from Xera last fall, they never came back this spring. Now I'm even more bummed after seeing your photos! The iridescence is pretty fabulous isn't it? Nice fav! (maybe I need to head to Xera soon...)
ReplyDeleteAre you sure they didn't come back? They could easily be hiding under some big summer foliage by now!
DeleteThat looks like a good spiller or sprawler. And I almost always know when I cannot pronounce the plant name, like many of those in the PNW, it may be something I can't grow! But when I hear heat brings about the iridescence...
ReplyDeleteI doubt this moisture-loving beauty would like your conditions, David, but the foliage quality is pretty spectacular...
DeleteSo lucky to have this do well for you. We couldn't get this to establish in our garden.
ReplyDeleteIt WAS luck, as I did nothing except water it! Maybe try it in a pot, guys?
DeleteI love Selaginella uncinata! I've tried growing it in terrariums before, but they need a cool period in winter that I couldn't give them in the house. After I learned it was hardy I thought about trying it in one of the shady areas, but we don't do "regular watering" at our house. I didn't even think of trying it in containers. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI have found that mine are pretty tolerant of getting dry, so even a pot might not require intensive watering.
DeleteI'm going to need to add another page to my want list if I keep reading these fave plant posts. This one screams "buy me!"
ReplyDeleteNice! I like the idea of growing a prehistoric fern relative.
ReplyDeleteOh WOW. Very cool!
ReplyDelete