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Gardening

Sisyrinchium striatum (what a name!)

(10 Posts)
winterwhite Fri 28-Aug-20 18:33:12

Anyone grow this? I've just been given some because I admired the blue-grey iris-like leaves. Turns out it isn't problem free and fear I may be admitting an invader.
1. Seeds very freely. I suppose flowering stems can be cut back as soon as flowering over?
2. Worse, apparently leaves go black and look very unsightly. Is this immediately after flowering or in winter? And can it be remedied by chopping the leaves right down, as I do irises? I was told they have to be pulled out leaf by leaf 2 ??. Nowadays I garden with a dodgy knee and can't kneel so fear I might find that rather far down.
Now wondering whether I should give it space in a decent bed or relegate it to the bottom of the garden. Would rather do the former of course. Any advice? Thanks

jusnoneed Fri 28-Aug-20 18:39:27

I have some in a couple places around the garden. It's leaves do die back and go dark, I mainly leave them and just cut down the flower stems once the seeds are formed. Not had any problem with them spreading, one lot are by the pond and others in narrow boarder at side of house so they are in with other plants.

Chewbacca Fri 28-Aug-20 18:41:47

I found this winterwhite:

When the leaves die they go black and look very unslightly, especially in winter, but worse is the way it seeds. It is essential that you cut off the spent flower spikes as soon as the last flowers fade to prevent seeds being cast all over the garden.

kittylester Fri 28-Aug-20 19:18:38

I love it so, naturally, it wont grow in our garden. confused

Whitewavemark2 Fri 28-Aug-20 19:26:18

kitty I’m like that with lily of the valley I’d love to have enough to pick bowlfuls inthe spring just like my grandma used to have. But never one has survived.

J52 Fri 28-Aug-20 19:55:52

I’ve got some growing in semi shade, it’s the white albidium variety. Hasn’t spread so far. Lovely plant.

MadeInYorkshire Fri 28-Aug-20 20:00:58

I have one, it's a new one never had it before, it's a pretty lemon coloured one .... so no idea if it is an invader?

I am growing mine in a container as I have no ground at all, so we will see what happens!

Auntieflo Fri 28-Aug-20 20:18:15

We had/ have it in the garden, after seeing it growing in a sort of gravel garden.
It is very pretty when in flower, but does look unsightly when the leaves turn black.
I have been pulling it up now, and am trying to get rid of it all.

BlueBelle Fri 28-Aug-20 20:26:36

I have an area with about 100 lily of the valleys in it increases every year

kittylester Fri 28-Aug-20 20:47:40

Whitewavemark2

kitty I’m like that with lily of the valley I’d love to have enough to pick bowlfuls inthe spring just like my grandma used to have. But never one has survived.

I cant grow those either. sad