gunnera, good idea or not?

My neighbour had one growing in a marshy area of her garden and it looked spectacular. She controlled it without too much trouble and my dog thought it was a sun shade made especially for her. It was always a talking point. I'd agree with sal73's comments.

 

How about one of these instead??

http://www.bigplantnursery.co.uk/Tetrapanax - papyrifer 'Rex'.html

 

been looking for a t-rex. i think thats a very good suggestion, thanks for the recommendation on that catztail

 

I have never been able to keep a Gunnera through one winter......let alone a big one.

 

If you're close to Derby al I can give you one. I have several that need homes but are too big to ship. They are nice plants to have in the garden!

 

oooh, thanks for the offer!!!!

i'm on the wirral, but we do have friends in derby

i might take you up on that the next time we visit, and tbh, it won't be long because we'll be going to see the new addition (little boy) to our friends family

 

Hi al, there is always this one if you still want a Gunnera, but don't have space for the monsters, might be ok for the front of your border?;

http://www.patagoniaplants.com/products/perennials/gunnera-magellanica/detailed-product-flyer.html

 

thanks Bilbo675, very interesting!

thanks for all the suggestions and help guys, very much appreciated

 

Or as well as the othe plants mentioned, have a look at this;

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=5700

I grew one in my old garden, stunning plant, would like the shelter in that back corner too..

 

there is a smaller gunnera species: Gunnera tinctoria (the big one is G. manicata)
they need constantly moist soil in the summer

 

I had one in a pot last year in preparation for a large planned pond and bog garden.Ill health has changed my grandiose plans for this. It grew to about 4' and wintered well under a chicken wire jacket stuffed with straw.
I have now selected another site for it without the pot and have buried a large 4'X3' plastic container under the plant to form a reservoir for the lower roots.I've dug in a load of well rotted manure and fertiliser and the recent rains have soaked the site well....this is the result after a couple of weeks.It's growing rapidly and certainly has the water it needs this last few days.

 

Just let me know al. Even if you go with something else for that particular spot the offer is still open.

 

I think I have a Gunnera-type thing (right kind of leave, prickly stems but quite small), but kept in quite a small pot, so perhaps just starved, by the pond. Will it grow in shade? I have just the right spot for it then - where the seepage from the septic tank goes, and where's it's wet anyhow. Under some oaks but not that dark. Something could certainly enjoy a bit of rich Devon clay and moisture.

 

Here's another one to consider;

http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/perennials/other-perennials/rheum-palmatum-/classid.3531/

I've also grown these in the past (from seed), lovely plants..

 

I like that one Bilbo! Thanks!!