Flowers? Not Until I'm Ready
By AndrewR
11 comments
We all like flowers in the garden and most plants are happy to oblige quite quickly. Annuals grow from seed and flower in one season and biennials complete the cycle in two. Most perennials and shrubs will bloom early in life too but there are some exceptions. Agave americana is known as the century plant because it is said to take a hundred years before it flowers!
I have three shrubs in my garden that have not produced a single bloom between them yet. The first is a eucryphia but this is only starting its second year with me; typically they take eight years before you see a flower so there is some way to go yet. Embothrium lanceolata, the Chilean Firebush, also has to feel at home. Mine is now five years old and six feet tall although the weight of snow this winter knocked it sideways and it is now supported by a stout cane to keep it upright. The third non-flowerer was edgeworthia chrysantha, a deciduous shrub from China. I first came across this in the RHS garden at Wisley where it flowers prolifically on the south side of the main laboratory building in early spring each year. I planted one in 2006 and waited.
Last year, one of the local Garden Clubs hosted the Radio 4 program ‘Gardener’s Question Time’ and after the recording, I was able to see Matthew Biggs (our Garden Club president) and ask him about this plant. It was another in the “not until I’m ready” category. I mentally resigned myself to a long wait. But in January, I noticed what looked like flower buds
which are now confirmed
This shrub needs a soil that is well-drained but has sufficient humus in it not to dry out. It is not very hardy so will only survive in the south of the UK or a very sheltered spot further north and prefers full sun although it will take a little dappled shade. Flowering in late winter to early spring, it eventually gets to five feet tall. I have also discovered the leaves are very attractive to slugs and snails so some protection is necessary.
I wonder how long before the embothrium starts to flower?
29 Mar, 2010
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Comments
You are patient, Andrew! I'm glad that at least one of your slow starters has 'made a start'! :-)))
29 Mar, 2010
you`v done well to get thet lovely flower and worth the wait Andrew
29 Mar, 2010
How lovely to have your patience rewarded Andrew.
29 Mar, 2010
I love the Edgworthia, but I've tried growing it twice and lost it both times :( .
One of my long awaited flowerers is Chitalpa Tashkentensis, I've been waiting 7 years to see just one flower LOL
30 Mar, 2010
Why did your edgeworthias die Grindle? Do you think it was winter wet that finished them off? I've just Googled chitalpa and it looks very interesting - worth the wait I 'd say :-)
30 Mar, 2010
Lovely pics - it is hard waiting - I've got a bird of paradise that I've grown from seed that I hope will flower this year - Mum gave me the seed from her last holiday (she died 2007) so it means quite a lot to me.
30 Mar, 2010
I think it's quite possible Andrew, I bought them both in flower and they did well, but never got through the following winters :( now I have to see if Chitalpa survived this winter, it's always one of the last to spring into growth
31 Mar, 2010
You certainly need patience to be a gardener, and sometimes it actually rewards you!!
31 Mar, 2010
I'm so pleased that your Edgeworthia is worth an edge of your garden and got through the horrid winter intact! Perhaps it was the cold that made it decide to flower!
Our new garden has a large Eucryphia in the middle so I am told so I am very excited to see what it will look like and will post a pic when it does its party tricks.
I'm glad I don't have to wait forever for it. We once had a Camellia that waited and waited - it was doing nothing. Then one day I found a chicken using it as a spring board to reach tender leaves above - all the buds were getting snapped off!
3 Apr, 2010
This Edgeworthia is beautiful Andrew. I 'm so glad that it is flowering for you. The blossom is a beautiful colour. I fear I shall never grow this in my northerly situation. However, I saw a fabulous Chilean Fire bush last year at Brechin Castle garden and it was ablaze with flowers. I hope that comes soon for you too. The Eucryphia grows quite well here and I, like you, have a baby one which I am growing on. Had to cut it back hard after it was scorched and move it to a more shady, sheltered spot, but it has survived the winter as far as i can tell.....one day it will be beautiful. I don't consider myself to be blessed with great patience, but I guess I must have SOME!! Still waiting for my ypsilandra though!!....argh!
5 Apr, 2010
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The most important part of gardening is waiting.
29 Mar, 2010