Yellow Buttercups, Yellow Alder, Sage Rose

On Mar 9, 2016, Farvista from Flower Mound, TX wrote:

I live in Flower Mound, just a few miles NE of Dallas. I got a Turnera from the Dallas Arboretum plant sale and it was FANTASTIC, bushy and covered with flowers, but after its first season, it hadn't apparently reseeded and I couldn't find a source for it anywhere. (My husband was disappointed. It had become his favorite plant and he's not even interested in gardening!) It then returned the year after that (surprise!) hidden away under a sage bush. I lifted it, along with a substantial amount of soul, to keep from disturbing the taproot. (I found that out the hard way. It really does not like to be disturbed.) I'm really glad to hear that it'll root in water, as I didn't have that much luck with Rootone in soil pots. This plant does NOT like to be replanted if it gets very large at all, b... read moreut if you lift it with a good amount of the surrounding soil, it does better. I had another volunteer this year. At the end of the summer, I lifted and potted a seedling and put it into my little greenhouse over the winter and it has a couple of blooms on it now. I'll be watching them for seeds. I wish this plant WAS more invasive, but I'll keep working on it.

On Jun 12, 2013, chuck7701 from McKinney, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:

Bright yellow flowers and heavy green contrast makes for a wonderful plant as a summer filler and easy to grow.

Easily self seeds, the seedlings like consistent warmth to sprout, so a late starter in Zone 8. Can grow year round for you otherwise. Will freeze easily, transplanting them when large can cause fatal shock. However, seedlings (under 6 inches) transplant very easily.

As mentioned on one review - trim sides occasionally by 1/3 to keep bush structure.

On Sep 26, 2011, micki33040 from Big Coppitt Key, FL wrote:

This plant is also known as "Yellow Alder" and "Sage Rose." It is tenacious and grows just about anywhere: full sun, shade, dry or moist soil, acidic to alkaline; rich, average, or poor soil; and in the cracks of a sidewalk. It is very drought tolerant.

It does not appear to have many pests, or is not bothered by the ocassional nibble.

It can be grown from seeds and cuttings, but does not transplant well. It does not like having it's feet tickled. The most effective way to transplant is to start it in a peat pot and, if you are going to plant it into the ground, put it in the spot you want it in and leave it alone. I tried to transplant a 2' tall specimen keeping a generous amount of dirt around the root ball, but it went into transplant shock and died a... read morenyway.

I have learned it is very comfortable in containers and does not mind becoming root bound. In pots they can be moved around as they grow taller. My oldest Alder plant is about four years old and about 4 1/2 feet high and it has been moved around the garden as the seasons change.

They make beautiful background plants. They can get leggy and may require some staking, so trim the side growth by 1/3 to 1/2 to encourage it to get bushy.

On the down side, most nurseries in Florida do not offer them because they regard them to be weeds and crowd out other plants. I treat mine the same way as mints and ruella (Texas petunia): I pull volunteer plants and keep it contained.

On the up-side, this plant , according to Pub Med.gov, has the potential to treat MRSA.

I hope this information helped fellow gardners decide if they want this "gypsy" in their garden.

Micki33040

On Jun 17, 2009, Artistic1 from Dickinson, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:

Bought this plant at the Mercer Arboretum Sale in Houston,TX as Yellow Alder. Has been great. I have it in both pots and in beds. Have rooted it in water. Keep clippings which root in opaque vase on my desk at work and they keep blooming. Blooms all year in this climate.

On Apr 15, 2008, easter794 from Seffner, FL wrote:

This plant roots very easily. I saw this growing and had been admiring it for a while. I took a cutting and rooted it in water. It grew roots in a matter of days and I planted it in a pot.

On Aug 14, 2006, Janey from Deltona, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

I bought two yellow Buttercup plants at Home Depot in Orange City, Fla., and liked them so well, went back for two white ones. I have them in my yard in Deltona, Fla. They are doing well.

On Aug 19, 2005, MotherNature4 from Bartow, FL (Zone 9a) wrote:

I love this plant, but never knew of the connection between it and papayas. I'm going to take action on that one right away. Thanks for the great hint, Foodiesleuth.

On Jun 10, 2004, elcee2 from Fort Lauderdale, FL wrote:

This plant is easily propagated from stem cuttings. Leafminers are sometimes a problem, taking away from the attractiveness of the foilage. Pinch off damaged leaves, or if serious infestation, cut plant down to woody stems. It will bush back out in no time.

On Oct 21, 2003, kimkaygirl from Mobile, AL wrote:

This plant grows very well in Mobile Alabama. I've had a lot of success with this plant in both full sun and partial shade. Blooms stay open most of the day.