Three Views on Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine’ presented by Hortense Hoelove, the garden fairies, and Dr. Hortfreud.
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| Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine’ |
Dear Hortense Hoelove,
What do you think of Helopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine’?
Signed
Loraine S.
Dear Loraine,
I think she’s a tramp of a flower who has been in every bed in my garden. Lovely flower, though, and outstanding leaves, too. I let her stay because her leaves are so pretty.
Yours in gardening,
Hortense
Garden fairies here! Carol asked us to comment on Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine’. Geez, do you know how long it takes us garden fairies to type Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine’ by jumping from key to key? Couldn’t she have asked us to comment on a plant with a shorter name, like Zea mays? Hey, did we ever tell you about the night we were partying in the corn patch when suddenly we were over run with raccoons? We don’t know who invited them to our party, but we have our suspicions. Oh, gosh, Carol sure was mad the next day when she saw what those raccoons did to the corn. Hey, what we were supposed to be commenting on? It wasn’t corn… oh right… Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine’. It sure is a pretty plant. We like the leaves, especially. Hey, did we tell you about the time the rabbits kept biting off the stems of Heliospis helanthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine’? Carol sure was mad…
Carol?
Yes, Dr. Hortfreud?
I’ve been thinking about why you don’t deadhead Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine’ more often to prevent self-sowing.
Why is that, Dr. Hortfreud?
I think it is because you want it to self-sow around the garden.
Why would I want it to self-sow all over?
Because, you have a tiny seed of doubt deep within you that maybe next spring some other plants won’t return, but by letting Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunsine’ self sow in the garden, you know you’ll at least have those seedlings, and though most will revert to the plain green of the species, some will have variegated leaves. But I wouldn’t be too concerned, Carol. Every gardener has that tiny seed of doubt.
Ox-eye daisies! You might be right, Dr. Hortfreud!
Just don’t give in to it, Carol. Before our next session, I want you to go out to your garden and deadhead the Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine’ and then we’ll discuss how that felt at our next session.
Okay, but can I leave just a few seed heads?
This post is part of Three for Thursday, sponsored by My Corner of Katy.
How funny! Oh those garden fairies, so hard to keep them on topic! I hope the good Doctor will allow for some seedheads to remain, that is one beautiful plant. Sometimes we need ones with stamina when the conditions are tough, like this dry year, right? 🙂
Frances
Loraine Sunshine looks like she needs some antibiotic. The only reason to leave a few seedheads is to hope for a new plants with strong, solid colored foliage.
Signed, 'The Fairies from L & G
p.s. We are sorry if that sounds a bit strong. We love other variegated plants but this one….not so much.
I love Hortense's description of the Helopsis's behavior. I won't be asking for some, even though it is a beauty.
Carol, I would so welcome a tramp ike this one in my garden! I wonder if she and the Susans could decide which corner of the garden was whose without mediation? gail
I thank God quite literally for the tramps in my garden who self sow. They make my world a bit brighter.
Loved this post.~~Dee
love this post! i would love to hear what this trio thinks of other perennials, a new series perhaps?
What Layanee said, Carol … Dr Hortfreud should be asking why anyone would want to grow a plant with foliage that looks as if it has already caught some hideous disease. That happens soon enough here ;-{
Full disclosure… even if the self-sown seedlings had solid green leaves I wouldn't want them. My dream is of soft, very pale Yellow daisies with light Green Eyes that will survive in Austin…
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
I think Dr. Hortfreud has hit the nail on the head, Carol. I know I let some plants go to seed, worried that they might not come back next year otherwise. I guess that's why my Butterfly Garden has turned into the Garden of Chaos this year:)
I tried to plant some bulbs yesterday, but the ground was so hard I gave up after only planting a few. Not only am I praying for rain with you, but I hope we have at least one week of good weather after the rains so I can get all those bulbs in the ground!
These are my favorite posts! So entertaining with all the play on words! Truly gives a whole new meaning to horticulture therapy!