Impulse Buy: Polygonatum odoratum 'Jeweled Dragon'

I figured I'd start a series where I'd profile a plant I purchase for me, myself, and I. So often times I visit nurseries to buy plants for clients and as tempted as I am to get something for myself while I'm there, I've learned to restrain myself. Even during plant sales lately, I keep getting asked, "WHERE'S YOUR BOX?"!!

I think I've just learned to be honest with myself and my current situation with my garden. Until I get the new driveway and redesign done, I really don't need anything new besides a few specimen trees and perhaps a few mature shrubs as "bones" in my new landscape, but after years of looking at plants and admiring the rare and unusual, I know something special when I see it and this past week, it was this gem:



I tried to find out more about this variegated Solomon's Seal, but, of course, many retail nurseries do not like to release where their material comes from. I know I saw a similar plant at Windcliff and a Japanese selection offered by Asiatica Nursery called 'Koryu'.



So, one may ask: What's so special about this plant?

Here's the run-down:

1)To most people, the subtle white streaks on the ridges of a rugose midvein might not seem all that significant, but the textural interest makes this plant unique and one of a kind.



2)I paid $20 for this small plant, while Asiatica wants $44.00 for a 3.5 inch pot. So yeah, if I can bulk it up, it could be quite profitable (if there's enough interest in it)

3)Not many people will want to spend that much on a small perennial like this so the likelihood of having something that very few gardeners have is a plus on my book. And if it proves to be as vigorous as the straight species, that's an added bonus!

What do you think? Worth it? Waste of hard-earned money? Find receipt and return it?


R