I bought seeds of Sculpit from growitalian.com Franchi seeds, just because I had never heard of it. I've found it so mild in flavor that ...Read Morethat is the value of it, because some people (and pets) don't want a "green" or noticeable flavor. Chlorophyll is valuable to keep our teeth and gums healthy; so, the value is in its neutrality while still donating greens for oral health and enzymes (if eaten raw).
It is August 7, 2015, 3 years after I planted it and the roots survived our mild winters here at 3300 ft elelvation in the Mojave Hi-Desert with often 7% humidity. I do have raised bed planters with 1/4" hardware cloth and 50% Aluminet shade cloth cover.
Sclupit has value for those who don't want flavor but need to eat their greens; put it raw & minced in Bruschetta, on Pizza, in any sauce, whole on salads and I'm using it in my cat's homemade food, as she needs greens (digested not puked out like grass).
I don't know where people get the idea about Tarragon, other than it looks like Tarragon and grows like it, but is virtually without flavor and handy for this very reason.
The first year after planting in the early spring was very disappointing, I wasn't even sure what grew in the row was in fact the Sculpit...Read More. And then before it was getting going it went to flower. The second year I cut it back when coming to flower and it had three flowering cycles. Now in the third year it's up strong with vibrant leaves, thick, and lush. One of the plants has budded its flower on 4-20. A sign to cut and bundle for tomorrow's Farmer's Market.
They have the most beautiful flower but I have been rather dissatisfied with the aromatics and flavor on the tongue, all quite bland.
In a Washington Post article worth reading, "...sculpit/stridolo turns out to be bladder campion, a common sight along dusty roadsides anywhere in the United States north of the lowest tier of states". http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09...
I agree with bmuller. It's a perennial here in Northern Illinois also. It's May 9 and the Sculpit is over a foot high and blooming. Wh...Read Moreether many will find this a welcome addition to their meals I cannot say --- my tastes are rather accepting!
The first year the seed did not sprout at all. The second year almost all the seeds sprouted. I planted both times in spring but the first year might have been too early.
The flower has a tubular (almost spherical) calyx...like its relative Silene stellata (Starry Campion).
I almost rated this plant "neutral"--can't decide how I feel about the taste. But it's an interesting and hardy little annual (?), with ...Read Morean unusual bloom. And it grows well among other plants. I planted mine among bush green beans and spinach beet greens; the green bean plants shade both the sculpit and the greens, and the sculpit helps hold moisture and keep down weeds, thus helping the bean plants, too.
(Added March 18, 2008)
Well--I don't think it's an annual, after all. It returned this year from the roots in late February or early March, during cold weather.
(Added May 10, 2008)
It's now HUGE and in full bloom. Have cooked some of the greens and found them fairly tasty--somewhat similar to spinach in taste, but with more of an "edge." (I think it can be cut back and will put out fresh young leaves. I'm trying that now, since it's too big for its area.)
Sculpit (also called Stridolo in Italy) is a green found and used mainly in Italy. It used similar to arugula or cresses or even herbs l...Read Moreike tarragon and greens like chicory. It can be used in eggs, salads etc. It's flavor is its own.... hard to describe.... a mix perhaps arugula, tarragon, chicory and other herbs and greens. Easy to grow from seed. Cultivate similarly as you would arugula. Avoid extreme heat and or shade in hotter months.
This is a native North American wildflower, growing from southern Canada down to Missouri and Tennessee. I have seen it volunteering here...Read More and there at old homesteads, usually at the edge of some shade trees where the plants receive part sun, part shade. A friend of mine gave me a plant, but it died when I moved it to full sun, so I don't recommend that exposure. I saved some seed, which I am hoping will germinate this spring (sowed in the fall). This is not a very attractive plant because it tends to flop over (that is why I tried full sun), but the balloon calyxes are quite enchanting.
Has greyish green, ovate to linear, hairless leaves which may have a wavy margin. Bea...Read Morers pure white, deeply divided petals which come out of a light brown inflated calyx. Sometimes the plants may be dioecious (being either male or female) so seeds may not be viable from a plant grown alone.
Flowers May-October
Loves a well drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in light shade, tolerating some sun except during the hot part of the day.
Quite tolerant of a range of conditions as long as the soil doesn't lie too wet. Self seeds with ease.
I bought seeds of Sculpit from growitalian.com Franchi seeds, just because I had never heard of it. I've found it so mild in flavor that ...Read More
The first year after planting in the early spring was very disappointing, I wasn't even sure what grew in the row was in fact the Sculpit...Read More
Silene vulgaris is not actually native to North America; it is an introduced species.
I agree with bmuller. It's a perennial here in Northern Illinois also. It's May 9 and the Sculpit is over a foot high and blooming. Wh...Read More
I almost rated this plant "neutral"--can't decide how I feel about the taste. But it's an interesting and hardy little annual (?), with ...Read More
Sculpit (also called Stridolo in Italy) is a green found and used mainly in Italy. It used similar to arugula or cresses or even herbs l...Read More
This is a native North American wildflower, growing from southern Canada down to Missouri and Tennessee. I have seen it volunteering here...Read More
A low growing perennial from Europe.
Has greyish green, ovate to linear, hairless leaves which may have a wavy margin. Bea...Read More
Blooms June through fall.