As I wrote at the beginning May, I had a surprise return of last year’s Belladonna plant. I’ve had mixed luck with Deadly Nightshade. Some have lived two or three years, while about half never made it beyond the first. This was a rather puny plant last year so I was surprised to see it come back.
At the end of last week I picked the blooms, about five or six. Four days later I have about ten more, with berries forming as well. All before the typical first Belladonna bloom of previous years.
There are two big differences this year. First is the amound shade being put off by a Mulberry tree. The barn behind also casts a shadow, and a couple of massive Monkhood plants shades it from the front, and so this part of the garden is truly resembling a forest floor, at least when it comes to light.
The second thing I’ve been doing is keeping it more weed free, and spraying with Neem oil every few weeks. So less nibbling on the leaves than in the past.
The result is also a much larger plant, with a spread of about three feet, and bit less tall. More shrubbish than some of the taller plants I’ve grown.
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