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lellie_gw

who loves devil's backbone?

18 years ago

I'd be interested in just how you've utilized this extremely interesting plant in your yards...pics, please??

Comments (14)

  • 18 years ago

    I do, I do! My grandmother always had a pot of it on her porch, and when I see it, I'm taken straight back in time. I don't have any in my garden right now...a terrible oversight! But my friend Gary has a lovely, tall art deco urn that is very sculptural, and he has a fine specimen planted in it. the soft greens and pinkish tones of the urn match the colors of the plant, and it is very pretty. AND it's on his porch, so I'm particularly fond of it. Next time I go out, I'll take a picture for you.

    Marcia

  • 18 years ago

    I do too. I have it growing as a small bush in the garden. One of my easiest plants to grow, plant it and forget it. When it gets too big I give it a hair cut. ;o) Sorry no photo's, I am camera shy.

  • 18 years ago

    I just got some supposedly from Edison's Home in Ft. Myers. I have my plumerias up against the house then these Devil's backbone and then some bromeliads. The Devils backbone is not very big yet and I don't have any pictures. I like the idea of putting in a pot with other plants.

  • 18 years ago

    I like your variegated mine are all green with little red flowers.HUGE monster!

  • 18 years ago

    The one Gary has is green, white and pink on the leaves. Very pretty.

    Marcia

  • 18 years ago

    Oh, I love the idea of putting it in a pot...in my opinion, it would be like a piece of sculpture in the garden...thanx for the idea! :)

    Miss Marcia...I dunno where Sanford is, but you're most welcome to a piece of mine, although they're everywhere for sale around here...are they hard to find in your area?

    I understand they're super easy to start from cuttings!

  • 18 years ago

    I actually hadn't looked for them specifically, but I don't recall seeing any lately. They didn't jump out at me while on my nursery wanderings, I suppose. You are so generous to offer me a cutting, Lellie, and I appreciate it. I do think Gary will give me one, though, so no need to go to the trouble of mailing one to me. THANKS, anyway! It was very sweet of you.

    Sanford is just north of Orlando, on Lake Monroe. A bit of a journey from you, I'm afraid.

    Marcia

  • 18 years ago

    Hi
    This plant is a small type bush and it will be fine in Florida all year long ?

    Thank you

  • 18 years ago

    I picked a varigated one up at Home Depot last fall. They do get pinkish at times. They seem almost maintenance free once established, but will NOT tolerate a hard freeze. That one night it dipped into the 20's in february hammered the poor thing. But the cool thing about them is that since they grow in little sectional pieces, they simply die back to the next section, and grow new branches from there. Now that I have several plants giving it a wind break it should do better this winter.

    Marcia, I'm in Lake Mary, so if you don't get a cutting from Gary you are welcome to a piece of mine.

  • 18 years ago

    Thank you, aloha! I'm actually just a few blocks from the Sanford/Lake Mary border. We'll have to do lunch sometime!

    Marcia

  • 18 years ago

    Marcia, I have a devil and if you would like a cutting there is nothing necessary but to say yes. Linda

  • 18 years ago

    Thank you, Linda. Honestly, as I say, I see my friend Gary all the time, and I know he will give me one, but I really appreciate the offer! Thanks so much!

    Marcia

  • 18 years ago

    It's also called "Jacob's Ladder". I have bunches in my white garden - the red flower is soooooo small it doesn't make a difference. Very, very easy to root and also easy to keep small.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I have been growing Devil's Backbone for the last 7 years and didn't even know I had it in my garden until about 2 years ago when one of my neighbors came by and told me what it was. I would like to know does anyone know how to make tea out of the seeds? My neighbor said it was good for cancer fighting and diabetes but I would have to make a tea out of the seeds and I do not know how to go about doing that....Humble, TX