Description
Oenanthe – Water Dropwort –
There are about 30 species of moisture loving, hairless perennials in this genus. They occur from wet meadows, marshland, and shallow water in the Northern Hemisphere, South Africa, and Australia. Most have alternate, pinnate leaves and bear compound umbels of small, star shaped white flowers, each with 5 notched petals. They are suitable for damp soil in a bog garden, or for planting as a groundcover near a stream or pool. In some species, all parts are slightly toxic if ingested, some species are deadly. O. javanica is the exception, it is grown as a leafy vegetable in areas where it grows naturally.
Grow in any moderately fertile, preferably moist or wet soil, in full sun or partial shade, although quite dry soil is tolerate, especially in partial shade. Shelter from cold, dry winds. Where marginally hardy, provide a dry winter mulch. Divide in late spring
Prone to rust, aphids, slugs and snails.
O. javanica ‘Flamingo’ – O. japonica ‘Flamingo’ – This spreading perennial grows 8-16″ tall and 36″ wide. From horizontal, rooting stems it carries celery like, triangular, pinnate or 2 pinnate leaves, 3-6″ long, with narrowly ovate, toothed, variegated pink, cream and white foliage. In late summer it bears compound umbels of star shaped white flowers, 1/8″ long.
Zones 9-11
