Kosteletzkya virginica

I've been trying to grow this plant in Raleigh, NC where my soil is clay and acid. No luck in the last 4 years. They just wither away.

The plants grow wild at the beach in the sandy muck.

I've tried adding sand to the soil, but no luck.

Need advice.

 

Doesn't anyone grow Seashore Mallow????

 

Hi GRSJr,

If they are withering then it sounds like you are keeping them too dry. They grow in brackish marshes.

Newt

 

OK. Thanks.

I can supply the water, but what should I do about the "brackish"?

 

You are very welcome. Don't worry about the brackish, but the water will help keep it alive. They do grow in average garden soil. Maybe this will be helpful for you.
http://www.nichegardens.com/catalog/item.php?id=1559
http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/Detail/02178.html
http://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake/plant/296.htm

Newt

 

I know Tony and Kim, but thanks for the links.

I guess this is my question; could the acid clay soil be a problem. Do I need to add lime? Seashore locations are often full of lime bearing shells.

 

The links I gave you had some info on how they are grown and what seems to work. I did quite a bit of reading about these plants and not all bog areas are alkaline, many are acid. Hence peat! I used many terms when I was googling, one of which was:
Kosteletzkya virginica + pH

so, if you think your soil is too acid, and adding lime will bring it to a more neutral state, then I'd say go ahead and add a cup of lime and see if it helps. It seems the key to their success is the moisture. They seem to like it wet.

Newt

 

Thanks. I'll see to it they get lots of water.