Summer Containers Aren’t Just For Annuals

I would’ve never been able to get this angelica to bloom in the garden. Trust me, I’ve tried.

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Rich soil, consistent moisture, strategic sun exposure, these crucial conditions could only be offered in a container.

Angelica stricta ‘Purpurea’ was planted spring 2010 and, being biennial, is blooming this year.
Morning sun, afternoon shade here in zone 10, where no rain will fall until next winter. Ensuring this wondrous umbellifer’s survival was the ultimate goal, but the ruby stems, elegant compound leaves, the buds unfolding into a complicated pinwheel inflorescence — all are added reasons to grow this angelica in a pot, preferably close to a hose spigot, where it can be easily admired.

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8 Responses to Summer Containers Aren’t Just For Annuals

  1. Kathy says:

    I now have three of these , 2 in the ground , 1 in a pot. I am cautiously optimistic !

  2. Denise says:

    Kathy, very smart to hedge your bet.

  3. hb says:

    It is not emphasized enough how important it is to have the right plants by the hose spigot. Waiting for that watering can to fill up can either be pure tedium, or a joy. Hmmm…idea for a blog post… 🙂

  4. Denise says:

    Hoov, exactly. Go for it!

  5. Kaveh says:

    <3 this Angelica. Annie's got the seed for this from my friend Lily Ricardi the year I was an intern at MCBG. That same year I collected seed and sent it all over the US and Canada to different garden forum friends and brought some back to the NYBG.

  6. Denise says:

    Kaveh, who knew I had you to thank! I’ve never been able to bring gigas to bloom, so this is hugely exciting for me. Small world…

  7. Linda says:

    That is impressive, I couldn’t even get my seeds to germinate. I’ll have another go. Moisture and morning sun…moisture is no problem in the Pacific Northwest , sun could be tricky.

  8. Kaveh says:

    Wasn’t me. I learned about it from Lily Ricardi from Mendocino Coast BG who is one of the most amazing horticulturists I know. I think she got hers from Roger Raiche or Sean Hogan or someone like that. I have some amazing pictures of the ones that bloomed that year at MCBG and in particular an amazing specimen that we collected seed form.

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