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Comment by Cindy on April 16, 2010 at 10:18am

Living in upstate New York Mountains, it's hard growing many things within a Zone 3. This year seems to differ with weather we've been somewhat lucky with. Yet "the rocks" should have lived here in the 70's and would have been a millionaire with the "pet rock's" (LOL). Here too, many of my bleadding hearts, hyacinths are starting to bloom with the end of my snowdrops and crocus's but looking forward to more to plant! Have had 12 years of trial and error; some good some not so good...many soil amendments to this old abandoned farm we've been working on but looking forward to meeting other's with the same!

Comment by Chris John on March 31, 2010 at 7:56pm

It's been there for at least 7 or 8 years. It started blooming the 2nd year. This spot faces north and does get some morning sun. The 'Burnette' is tough to find. To the left is another variety but you'll notice it is slightly smaller and not as dark. Both are treasures to me. I also get a few volunteers each year too. I have a new area in my woods where I'll start to move them. Used to sell them off before. The purple flowers in a row in front are Campanula Clips. They come in different colors too. Has been coming back faithfully for 6 years now, and from seed. But they are not deer or bunny resistant.

Comment by Jocelyn Heid on March 31, 2010 at 6:51pm

That is just beautiful! The dark foliage is very striking and a good foil for the other plants in that bed. Thank you for sharing the picture. Just one more question - how long have you had the plant in that location? Did it take a couple of growing seasons to get to that size?

Comment by Chris John on March 26, 2010 at 10:18pm

Neither deer or rabbit bother it, never, not even a taste. It gets cut down to the ground each year so it never sustains any winter kill or mice eating at the base as they do with shrubs. Here's a pic. It is on the left, the tall, dark leaved with tall stems above the foliage.

Comment by Jocelyn Heid on March 26, 2010 at 9:03pm

Regarding Cimicfuga "Burnette", have you had any problems with deer or rabbit damage for this plant? My garden is mostly shade, so this plant with its interesting foilage would be a good fit.

Comment by Chris John on March 23, 2010 at 8:39am

There is a wonderful plant for semi to full shade called Cimicifuga "Burnette". They are a perennial but have great looking sawtooth burgundy leaves. In late summer, it produces a strong scented bottle-brush white flower. When mature, it stands about 4 feet without flower. It likes it's moisture but it is hardy as all hell! You may even get a couple 'volunteers' out of the flower seeds. It is little known but I'm up in northern WI and I have it on the north side of my house. It's not well know and a bit more expensive but it is so well worth it. Your place sounds beautiful.

Comment by Barbara Landi on February 16, 2010 at 6:48pm

Alaska is a great place to garden, though the season is short. Even though our choices are limited, there are still plenty of beautiful things to grow. I shy away from the marginal plants and stick with things that are more reliable. Rugosa roses! sedums, lupines, poppies, irises, campanulas. lillies, daffodils...

Comment by Chris John on February 16, 2010 at 7:59am

That is so very true Barb. I have lost many things during a few rare Z4 winters for that reason. With the freeze/thaw and my gravel type soils, I remember very well my Echinacea's most dying that year. The plants were pushed up and without enough snow that year, they were toast. And then the opposite was true with Z4 plants getting hit with a Z3 winter. So where I'm at, if you want more insurance that the plants will survive, we stick with the Z3 plants unless we absolutely love it and wish to give it extra protection every year. And that's no guarantee either. I heard you Alaskan farmers/gardeners grow some awesome stuff up there with your extra long days in summer. Keep growing. How bout sharing some of your favorites?

Comment by glen ruska on February 16, 2010 at 7:48am

Thanks for the great information

Comment by Barbara Landi on February 16, 2010 at 1:11am

There are so many variables: just because something is good to -40 does not guarantee winter survival at 0. A warm winter with so many freezing/thawing periods can kill worse than -40. (I live in Homer, Alaska)

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