I found a plant while driving yesterday. I stopped to take cuttings. After reading about it online, the berries are wonderful bird attractors, and they love to eat them. The berries are not harmful to humans or pets, and some people claim to make jam with them. You can rub the leaves between your hands, then rub your skin for a natural mosquito repellant!!!!! The plants are drought tolerant, and love nutrient poor soil!!!
In south Florida we basically have sand for soil, so this thing is a God send!!!!!
I am trying to get them rooted in water. I read that the seeds are hard to get going. Wish me luck.....I feel fairly determined at this point. Am also checking local plant nurseries who specialize in native plants.
I have this plant in my garden. I wonder if yours is the same one. One of mine has seeded itself. Maybe you can get it to grow from seed. If you weren't so far away I would send you this seedling. It is bigger than a seedling actually. It is two years old. It had a few berries this year.
ReplyDeleteLisa- Oh, I hope I can get mine gowing!!! I would like to see a picture of yours one day!!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't this a pretty plant. I am sure with your green fingers Julie you be successful.
ReplyDeleteFantastic color!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Thanks Carla!!!
DeleteOh my Gosh, That is one beautiful berry there. What a beautiful purple color. That is God sent and hope you can root it too. It really looks fake but I know its not. What a great find.
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
Bobbie Lynn
I have several of these and they are a "must-have" for anyone who gardens for the birds. Mockingbirds will spend all morning coming and going picking at the seeds. They are readily available up here (central FL) in any native nursery. I haven't tried growing from cuttings or seeds so I'm afraid I can't offer any advice there. But once established they are very hardy . . . and very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh, Julie, we were JUST talking about BB and what a wonderful plant it is. Mine likes the shade and the berries...just gorgeous. If you can find a silvery plant to put up next to it...pow! The birds will love you!
ReplyDeleteWe have these in Wisconsin also. I've only seen wild ones though. It is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Grow, roots, GROW!!! What beautiful purple berries! Good luck, Julie! xx
ReplyDeleteThose are cool! I think we had them someplace along the road... can't remember which place. LOL.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I have seen them here too at occasions and they nearly look like painted stereo foam bubbles :)Good luck with getting them to root!!
ReplyDelete♥M
Those berries are huge! And such a gorgeous purple colour. No wonder you want it in your yard. Good luck, Julie, but I'm sure you won't need it.
ReplyDeleteDebbie :)
Wow - I've never heard or seen this plant before. Looks so beautiful and what a wonderful colour!
ReplyDelete