Half Term Report

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As we’re now well into the summer I thought that I would do a blog on the successes and let downs so far.

As far as the let downs go, there have been a few. The season got off to a poor start when the winter losses became apparent – these included most of my Toad Lilies, all bar one of the perennial Lobelia, my Penstemon “Electric Blue” and several young Salvia in the cold frame. The Penstemon “Huskers Red” has been hit hard by the winter and performed poorly, with but a handful of flowers.
Another poor performer has been one of my favourites – Clerodendrum ugandense. I think that this may be my fault though, as I may have put it outdoors a little too early.
This may also be the cause of my disappointment with the Gloriosa this year – twenty six blooms in total which was a good score, but they were all on short stems. The other reason for this could be the lack of any real warmth for any period of time so far this summer. The winds are responsible for the scrappy leaves, which have made the vine look a bit of a mess frankly!
And sadly, it doesn’t look as if my Erythrina will bloom this year. It grew so rapidly in the conservatory early in the year that it had to go outdoors. Whilst it has grown well, I put it in a poor spot and the wind accelerating through the gap between our houses has damaged it badly. I’ve lost racamme of flowers that was forming, and barring an unexpected heatwave I think that’s it.

But boy have there been some successes!
The first was Hymenocallis festalis – I’ve tried several times with this and failed. But when I saw some large bulbs for sale I just had to try again………..

Next delight of the year came in the shape of Lathyrus sativus azureas………

……….which was grown from seeds from Plants of Distinction.

My next highlight was the discovery of Hill House Nursery in Devon.
From Hill house I got a Lobelia that I’ve been after for a while – Lobelia laxiflora……………

Best of all, this has just given me viable seed.

Wendys Wish is one of the strongest growing Salvia that you could wish for, and has thrived in partial shade too.

I grew a different Datura this year – D.wrightii. The blooms are up to 20cm across and 27cm in length, and so very fragrant. My Datura of choice from now on.

Scadoxus multiflorus is a relative to Amaryllis. The bulbs sat in their pots for three months or more before suddenly the flower stem started to emerge. From nothing to full bloom in nine days!

I’ve tried to grow Tacca chantrieri from seed several times and failed. So when I saw a large plant reduced to
£15 as it was out of bloom I had to snap it up! I figured that I would maybe get flowers next year and then be able to collect fresh seed so that I could finally grow one from seed. But ten weeks later the first flower stem emerged, closely followed by a second!

Finally, my seed grown Plumbago capensis………..

That’s my half term report – what has disappointed or pleased you this year?

18 Aug, 2011
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Paulsgarden

Nice idea for a blog and I will also do one similar - I was discussing the favs and let downs this year :))) All your plants here look excellent with lovely colours Scadoxus multiflorus is very nice especially -

18 Aug, 2011

Meanie

Scadoxus was very easy to grow Paul, you just need to be patient! Go for it!

18 Aug, 2011

Surreylad

Excellent Meanie, love the Datura and Plumbago, The Scadoxus is just brilliant.... my failures include my Hymenocallis festalis no show, Lily Nepalensis, and finally Bessera elegans no show... still here's to next year and maybe a summer we can call decent...

18 Aug, 2011

Paulsgarden

:))))))

18 Aug, 2011

Half Term Report

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