Deeper in the Garden - "Amazing Aspidistra"

Presented by Tim Alderton, Research Technician, JC Raulston Arboretum on October 19, 2022
In the garden or indoors in a container, cast-iron plants have an amazing history and are aptly named for their tough constitution and ease of care however you grow them. Join Tim as he discusses this unique plant and shows off some of the more distinguished Aspidistra cultivars in our collection.
This program was originally presented live online. Tune into our midweek program live on Zoom, Wednesdays at 3:00pm eastern time. Here's the link: jcra.ncsu.edu/...

[@marilyngist6581]

I plant my Aspidistra in wire baskets sunk in the planting hole to keep voles from eating the roots. Sometimes you can find wire wastebaskets at dollar stores (for $1) that are great for this purpose, or you can make them yourself from 1/4" hardware cloth, or you can buy very fine steel mesh bags made for this purpose. Dig the hole, insert the wire basket, then place your root ball in it and fill with soil. Top the soil with an inch or two of sharp gravel or Perma-Till to keep the voles from digging down. Haven't lost an Aspidistra planted this way. You can also try spreading castor oil granules (sold as vole and mole repellent) on the soil surface, but that's probably best used as a temporary aid.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

I’m in zone 6a, Buffalo & I have Aspidistra ’Okame’ and Aspidistra eliator on my north and east foundations, which so far have been growing here fine, as long as they get enough shade. I also shovel snow over them when it gets below 5°F. They do require selective pruning in summer to cut the damaged fronds out.
I planted some on the south side of my parents house and when the musa basjoo gets cut back they get full sun, which isn’t a problem until April when the sun angle gets higher.
That spektacular is, well…

[@twinfin8571]

I just got an Aspidistra Milky Way. It’s very small and was not available at any nursery near me so I bought it online from California. I realize it grows slowly but when it’s bigger do you think I can propagate it and put some outside? Oklahoma 7b. Thanks

[@fyg37]

Forward to 5:46 if you don't care about it's genus and family.

[@GardeningNC]

Do you keep voles away from these plants using permatill? I have a big vole population.

[@jcraulstonarb]

Yes, permatill will certainly help deter voles.