Silver falls fails, go for the licorice…

Last April I shared my idea for filling in new (winter death caused) gaps in the front garden plantings. I needed something to bind the smaller plants together while I waited for the Blue Pacific Shore Junipers to grow and be the glue. My solution = annuals. I bought several Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls' (silver pony foot) and Helichrysum petiolare (licorice plant), 5 of each. Photo taken the day I planted…

I decided the silver sheen and smaller leaves of the dichondra would look best in the open area around the agaves, optunia and cylindropuntia. Which meant the larger “felty” leaves of the licorice plant were destined for the upper areas along the house and sidewalk.

I made the wrong decision. Can you even spot the dichondra?

‘Silver Falls’ has failed in a big way.

It’s just sitting there, not doing a thing.

Seemingly not changed a bit since the day I planted it 3 and a half months ago!

Whereas the licorice plant has gone a little crazy.

Growing up and out and canoodling with its neighbors.

Obviously a better choice for my situation. However the title of this post is a little misleading, because when planted correctly ‘Silver Falls’ is a huge success…

The key evidently is that it needs to fall, gravity helps, this plant is not a great creeper.

So I’m calling the hanging Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls' my favorite plant in the garden this week and sharing the stats:

• grown as a perennial in USDA Zones 9-11, a fast growing annual in the colder zones
• eventually reaches 6ft wide (long?) and 6-12" tall
• prefers well drained soil and doesn't need a lot of water
• likes the sun and is heat tolerant

Any annual successes or failures in your garden this summer?


All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.