From the curb

The other day I posted about plants growing out by my curb. This Verbascum bombyciferum isn't at the curb now but at one time it was. You see, I wanted to grow this plant so badly but the only place I ever saw it was growing as a weed along other people's curbs.

Finally, one afternoon when nobody was around I snuck across the street and rescued a plant from my neighbor's curb.


It only took one plant, once I got it here in my garden it happily seeded itself about, always surprising me in the locations it would choose to grow. It obviously likes cracks and crevices because it seeks out those locations and grow with merry abandonment in the most lean of soils.


Verbascum bombyciferum is a biennial so you have to let it sow about or you won't have any next year. One thing to remember is that if you want to move it into your gardens, do so early in the spring. The first one I grew here reminded me of the story of "Jack & the beanstalk" as it seemed to grow over night. I can't imagine moving this plant once it hits it's growing stride.

As a closing shot I just wanted to share one of the great photos my husband took yesterday. We spent the most glorious day in Allentown Pennsylvania along the Lehigh River. While Lafayette did not gain control of the river from Lehigh, we were still incredibly proud of our amazing crew team. That's our daughter Lauren in the front seat (on the right) in the black unitard.

Go Pards!