Question
Hi! I would like to build a bog outside in my yard. The position is ok, and it will get lots of sunlight during the day. I am watering my plants with rainwater, because, I don't live in urban area, so rain is clear... I planted my sarracenias in pure sphagnum peat, and they are doing ok... I want to set a bog garden, and grow them outside, so what plants can I grow with my carnivores? I don't have much choice, because here in Croatia, we don't have much bog plants to buy in local nurseries... I bought a few plants, so I need advice... equisetum japonicum and typha minima (I have put them in a container, to restrict their growth), calluna vulgaris, hypericum elodes, vaccinium macrocarpon and 2 carex plants (carex buchananii). I am planing to put a few more plants (larix, but in a container), sphagnum, a few smaller growing carex species... would that be ok? thanks!

Answer
Hi Elvis,

All of the bog associate species you mentioned can be quite invasive, so definitely keep them in pots.  As long as you keep them contained, they make nice companions.  Avoid the Equisetum.  Horsetail reproduces by spores and will get out of hand.  Might I also recommend Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum) and possibly Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea).

Many of the larger species will stay smaller since you'll be using no fertilizer.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com