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Gunnera
Guernsey Donkey2
Posts: 6,713
in Plants
Is there a miniature Gunnera - I love those plants and we often see these huge plants near damp areas, but my bog area isn't very big and it catches the wind and I wondered if there was a small version say up to a metre in height. Does anyone know, and can you supply pictures if possible please.
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Gunneras tend to get bigger as they age and develop stronger root systems. Tinctoria doesn't get as big as the manicata but will still get up to about 2 m over time. It looks very similar.
Here's what the RHS says - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/23456/Gunnera-tinctoria/Details?returnurl=%2Fplants%2Fsearch-results%3Fform-mode%3Dtrue%26context%3Dl%253den%2526q%253dgunnera%2526sl%253dplantForm%26query%3Dgunnera%26aliaspath%3D%252fplants%252fsearch-results and
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/8136/Gunnera-manicata/Details
I have a manicata which I have been nurturing in ever bigger pots for 3 years and that also controls size but now I'm in teh land of warmer winters I'm looking forward to planting it out and letting it spread to its hearts content.
Last edited: 07 April 2017 12:44:28
G.magellinica is certainly smaller.
I grow Darmera peltata, which is not a Gunnera, but is similar and smaller.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
rheum palmatum might give the effect you want. The flower spike is certainly tall, but easily removed if you wanted to.
Or, plant the gunnera in an old bin or some such thing to restrict the roots?
Last edited: 07 April 2017 14:38:51
I have had a gunnera tinctoria for over 10 years now. It was only in the last 2 years that it has reached its full height. It was about 5 feet on one of the leaves. So fairly slow growing.
Thank you for all your helpful suggestions. I will have to see what is available at the GC, but I think I will try for the tinctoria first.