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Kalimeris yomena - Shogun - Variegated false aster
GLOBE AND MAIL. 2001
DIG THIS
by Marjorie Harris
What is it?
Kalimeris yomena 'Shogun' Variegated false aster
Why grow it?
Everyone needs lots of autumn colour and this family of plants is absolutely wonderful for showers of flowers and sturdy foliage. This one is special because it has variegated foliage. Pale green leaves have creamy yellow variegation at the edges and the pale lavender flowers are a real addition to the fall border. This form is from Japan and there's another with white flowers called. K. mongolica which has white flowerheads, plain foliage and grows to 90 cm tall.
How and when?
You can plant it now in fertile soil in either sun or shade. The upright shrubby plant reaches up to 45 cm with a stretch of about 30 cm. To keep it in even more trim for a small garden, you can pinch it back in July just the way you do asters and you'll end up with a graceful form. If you have a wild garden you can let it go and just enjoy the enchanting panicles of flowers in early autumn. It is likely to be tender in areas colder than Z6 so use it as a container plant and bring into a protected spot for the winter.
Where can I get it?
Try nurseries that like to look for interesting or unusual perennials.
Copyright Marjorie Harris, 2005
CONTACT MARJORIE HARRIS
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