Pluses and minuses
By arbuthnot
8 comments
These Snakes Head Fritillaries are beautiful. I brought them with me and they’re doing so well, even better than in Herefordshire. Beneath them are the lovely little Erythronium: I plan to get other colours as and when I see them.
Then there are last year’s wallflowers.They clearly loved having a mild winter despite the wet. These pictures don’t do them justice.
The minuses are the five or six plants I’ve lost. My gorgeous Thalictrum is just dead sticks, as are two of my Dianthus and two Osteospermums. The latter I suspected wouldn’t see the winter through though. I planted three Erysimum, the two scented ones are nowhere to be seen but the Bowles’ Mauve is thriving. A bright blue Eryngium has failed to show too. I’ve found several more dead sticks that are clearly not going to do anything ever again but what they are, or were, is anybody’s guess.
Still, this is all part of gardening and by (or do I mean buy!) replacing them we keep the nurseries in business.
How could I have forgotten Camille? That’s my name for the red/pink Camellia I won in a raffle a couple of years ago. She’s so pretty and is covered with blooms with more waiting to open.
15 Apr, 2016
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It's more cream than white. The yellow really stands out against the dark fence. I just bought a mixed bunch the autumn before last and left some of them in. It's nice that they flower so early and profusely. I'll yank them out this year though and start again.
15 Apr, 2016
looking good. :o)
15 Apr, 2016
I think the very wet winter has been the problem with some of our plants, I can remember worrying a few years ago because of the drought but I swear I have more spaces this year, I keep going out and looking for signs of new shoots, I even bought a new Dicentra(pink) only last week because my two had not made an appearance, lo and behold I spotted new shoots only yesterday just poking through, weeks behind, its a weird year and no mistake...
15 Apr, 2016
A lovely colourful border,Arbuthnot..and a shame you are thinking of pulling those lovely wallflowers up..I just cut mine right back to new growth,,and they come as good as ever the following year..plus they are so easy to take cuttings from..that would save you some pennies next year :o)
15 Apr, 2016
Just what I was going to suggest - take the cuttings from the parts you cut off.
15 Apr, 2016
Good idea. I did try that once a few years ago but wasn't successful though I seem to remember just sticking them in the ground. Not a recipe for success, is it?
16 Apr, 2016
No not really,Arbuthnot :o) A plant pot with cuttings round the edges in multi purpose compost would be better..in gentle heat,and light shade..I still dip the ends of cuttings in rooting powder,and it works for me.,I'm sure you will get results,if you want to try again..and don't cover them..good luck :o)
16 Apr, 2016
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Those are lovely. I only have two Erithroniums and only one has visible buds so far. I lost an Osteo too, and my Dianthus both look very unhappy indeed - they might need replacing if they don' t improve. Your wallflowers are nice - I do like that white one.
15 Apr, 2016