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Shortias are members of the diaspensiaceae family
and are among the elite of garden plants. Their foliage and
their exquisite, elegant flowers combine to give a plant of
outstanding quality. This surely is nature at its best.
There may be four species in all; Shortia
galacifolia is a native of southeastern U.S.A, while the others
are from northeastern Asia, mainly Japan.
They are mostly to be
found growing in moist alpine woodland. This would seem to give
a clue as to how to grow them in the garden. However in my
garden a plant of S. uniflora var grandiflora
has grown for many years, with
luxuriant foliage, but few flowers. |
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| Shortia uniflora var kantoensis grows in a
pot in an open frame, and gets what sunlight there may be, from
early morning until early afternoon, and as can be seen there is
an abundance of flowers. These plants are said to dislike root
disturbance, but I must now move the original plant from its
shady position to a spot more open, where it will receive more
sunlight.
The plant illustrated was acquired in February
2005 and is repotted annually. The growing medium is a typical
ericaceous mix of about 4 parts leaf mould and one part coarse
sand. In hot dry weather, care must be taken that the pot never
dries out.
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Shortia uniflora var kantoensis |
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| Var kantoensis is smaller than var
grandiflora, about 7 - 10 cm tall, with leaves slightly longer
than broad and borne on stalks twice as long as the leaves. The
conspicuous veining on the leaves, with wavy, red margins, plus
the pale pink flowers, 3 cm wide, all contribute to make Shortia
uniflora var kantoensis a very desirable plant. |
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