Darmera peltata
| Darmera peltata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 4' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Darmera peltata (common name: umbrella plant)
Propagation: Seed - surface sow as soon as it is ripe or in early spring in a cold frame[1]. Keep the soil very moist. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring[2]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation: Succeeds in sun or shade[2] in a wet soil or shallow water[3].
Although quite cold-hardy when dormant, the young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K].
There is at least one named form. 'Nana' is a dwarf form, growing only 30cm tall and so is more suited for the small garden[4]. It also makes a good ground cover[5].
The plant comes into flower before the leaves appear[1]. Individual leaves are up to 30cm across[6].
Range: South-western N. America - California to Oregon.
Habitat: By the banks of mountain streams below 1800 metres[7]. By or in cold mountain streams[3].
Edibility: Leafstalk - peeled and eaten raw, cooked like asparagus or added to soups and stews[8][9][10][11][12].
Usage: Can be grown as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[1]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[5].
Useful as a soil stabilizer for marshy land or muddy banks[4][6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Late Spring-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Peltiphyllum peltatum. (Torr.)Engl. Saxifraga peltata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.