Aptly bring up “ dinosaur food ” , this tropical recurrent reach towering height .
One of the largestperennial plantson earth , gunnera is also known as giant rhubarb or dinosaur food . It can form a clump 10 feet marvellous and up to 14 feet encompassing . In late spring , corncob - like flower stalks 2 to 3 feet tall emerge near the roots that will turn into petite berry - corresponding ( inedible ) fruits . Gunnera is a tropic industrial plant aboriginal to southern Brazil and Colombia . Consistently loaded grease and a moderate climate are cardinal to great gunnera emergence .
Where to Plant Gunnera
take a location in fond tint where gunnera has ample space to develop and does not interfere with other plants , as its leaf create broad canopies . Also , keep it away from construction and other structure .
The soil should be consistently damp but not soggy and can be slightly acidulent , neutral , or alkaline .
idealistic plaza are near urine gardens , rain gardens , pool , or peat bog where soil is always moist . Gunnera ’s sheer comportment make believe it an excellent focal point in the garden . Pair it with works that can support up to it with their own heart - entrance property .
How and When to Plant Gunnera
Plant gunnera in early spring after there is no more danger of hoarfrost . grasp a hole about twice the diameter of the ascendent system and as late as the baby’s room container . Backfill with original grime and tamp it down . urine well and persist in to water plant regularly , especially if the soil is not naturally wet , to further a strong root word system .
Even if the planting place is large , because of the tremendous size of it of the flora , it is good to start with a individual specimen and see how fast it make full the space before implant more .
Gunnera Care Tips
When the conditions for moist , hoummos - plentiful soil and tone are fit , gunnera is promiscuous to grow and spreads to constitute a lush clump .
Light
Gunnera is advantageously institute in partial shadiness . However , it will tolerate full morning sun if it ’s protected from direct good afternoon Dominicus , and the land is never admit to dry out out .
Soil and Water
While gunnera is adaptable to different form of soil andacidic , neutral , and alkaline pH , ample moisture is a must . If it is not constitute where the soil is naturally moist at all times , be prepared to irrigate it regularly in the absence of abundant rainfall . Especially young plants need frequent tearing until their roots are at least 1 foot deep .
Temperature and Humidity
Gunnera does well in a quick , hoar - free climate but does not tolerate hot or dry clime . If you get it in Zone 7 , take a location that is protect from cold , dry out winter wind . Also , utilise the bushed farewell to protect the poll from the winter cold ( see Pruning ) . A 2 - inch layer of hardwood mulch around the crown leave additional protection in moth-eaten climates .
Fertilizer
If grown in the correct condition , gunnera unremarkably does not want a nutritive boost . If it seems to languish , apply abalanced ho-hum - release fertilizerin the spring , following merchandise label directions .
Pruning
Remove damaged or dead leaves as shortly as they look . In the pin , when the foliation has died back after the first hoar , abridge the leave down to ground horizontal surface and place them over the crown like mulch ; polish off them in the spring before new emergence begin . This protects the crown from the winter cold .
Potting and Repotting Gunnera
Because gunnera is so magnanimous , grow it in a container can be dispute . If you live below Zone 7 , growing it in a container earmark you to move it in spite of appearance to a frost - free location , such as an unheated garage or basement . The works will go dormant during the winter . It should only be water minimally during this time , about every 10 days .
Choose a container that is tumid and rich enough to accommodate the roots of the plant plus at least 6 to 12 column inch for next growth . habituate full-bodied constitutive potting soil and keep in mind that potted plants call for more frequent lacrimation and fecundation than plant in the landscape painting .
Not repotting gunnera when it has outgrown its container allow you command its growth for a while . Nonetheless , every other year or so the plant will benefit from fresh grunge .
Pests and Problems
Gunnera is seldom affected by serious pest or disease trouble . lick and scale insects might feast on the plant .
How to Propagate Gunnera
Gunnera seeded player are not ordinarily available from seed society . The recommend method of propagation is from the ascendent yet this is not the distinctive division . As the plant is so orotund that toil it out and lifting it out of the primer coat is often not potential , you’re able to just cut a dowry of the crownwork in the other spring before new growth pop out . Replant it at the same depth in a new location where it has sizable room to uprise and keep it evenly moist .
Types of Gunnera
Chilean Gunnera
Reaching 5 to 6 feet in height and width at maturity , Gunnera tinctoriais smaller thanGunnera manicata . Its leaves have spine . It is also a potentially invasive flora . Zone 7 - 9
Creeping Gunnera
Also known as devil ’s strawberry , Gunnera magellanicagrows only 8 inches marvellous and serves as a semi - evergreen groundcover . geographical zone 7 - 9
Gunnera Companion Plants
Hardy Hibiscus
With its vibrant , dinner party photographic plate - size of it heyday and cryptical reddish - dark-green to Burgundy wine foliage , hardyhibiscusis a showstopper . It originate well in moist to wet soils with pic to lots of sun . Zone 4 - 9
Canna
Canna , which — like gunnera — boasts a tropic coming into court and bold leaves , blooms for more than six week beginning in summer solstice . In their aboriginal home ground , cannas are often see to it growing tight to and even in the water , which makes them idealistic nominee for landscape around a pond . geographical zone 7 - 10
Ligularia
With jumbo , coarse - textured leave , perennialligulariamakes a foliation - gruelling addition to shade gardens . Plant it in wet - retentive soil ; you may even consider placing it alongside H2O garden . Zone 4 - 9
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not listed as invading in North America , however , the flora is invading in part of Europe and New Zealand . Due to its likely invasiveness , it should be plant with caution , especially near a body of flowing water .
If you are in Zone 6 or below and do n’t have the space to overwinter a large plantation owner indoors , you could dig up some of the solution in the fall before the first frost and lay in them indoors or else . Gently off any excess soil and store the roots in a dry sensitive such as coconut coir or vermiculite . Keep it in a nerveless , well - ventilated area at a temperature of around 40 degrees F.
update by Nadia Hassani
