Shirley tulips Malva's..with fading Bowles Mauve

Another lovely combination, I havent seen Malvas sincewe lived at the cottage, very pretty aren't they ;0)

I really love these,Carole..only three of the seeds germinated,and for some reason,one didn't survive this year,but I am going to hopefully save some seeds,and have them in the front border next year..see,I have a plan already ! :o)

Me too Sandra, lots of thinning out and Roses going in;0)

I feel as though it has become a bit monotonous..and I want a change...some of the Sidalcea's are going,as they are huge...had to cut all the flowers off when they were at their best..and lots of snails sheltering from the rain,in them..so it will be nice to plan..only thing is,they fill big gaps,don't they ?

how very pretty :)

Look brill together.

Pretty planting Sandra :o)

Thanks,Pixi,Carol and Terra..I do like pastel shades .:o)

Gorgeous Bloomer . . . exactly the same combination as I got by chance! I love them together :)

We have got good taste,haven't we Sheila? lol..I looked at the Garden centre on Sunday,but didn't see any packets of them..but I will endeavour to collect some seeds...I would be quite happy with these two colours :o)

Very nice together, Bloomer ... I have some in full bloom from plants left in the ground from last year ... they're just about standing despite the wind and rain ...

Hi there,Shirley..lovely to hear from you,and hope you are feeling better :o) I didn't expect them to be so hardy,to be honest,although you did tell me they were..much more prolific this year too..could be all the wet stuff!! ..I can honestly say they are my favourites :o)

Malvas more prolific than ever before here too . . . and looks as though there will be plenty of seed (if it sets!). Took cuttings of the Bowles Mauve yesterday too - so hope I won't be without it next year :)

ooh,you have just reminded me,Sheila..I knew I had something to do..take cuttings of Bowles Mauve! Thanks :o)

I'm pleased you like the Malvas, Bloomer ... I must tell you a funny story about them though ... my Aunt (Mums sister) gave Mum some mystery plants in the Spring ... Mum carefully nurtured 2 trays of them in the Greenhouse ... then decided one day that they were nothing but weeds and composted the lot ... they would have made a lovely display of Malvas in her garden! ... I have never taken cuttings of Bowles Mauve ... any tips for doing that? .....

Oh dear,Shirley..what is she like ? Lol...I think you look for non flowering shoots and go from there,Shirley..mine are almost over now,so will have a go tomorrow..maybe Sheila will have more idea than us :o)..mind you,mine was only £2 ,so if they don't take,I haven't lost much..Lol.

Thanks, I shall have a look for some tomorrow ... Forgot to say that all Mum's Dahlias survived the Winter being left in the ground ... but she still doesn't like the dark stemmed ones with the red flowers! ... I appear to have lost half of my Dahlias ... :o(

She was lucky then,Shirley..I overwintered my tubers,and they are flowering so well..despite all the rain...all in pots,but still have to check under the rims every day...for you know what :o(

Yes non-flowering shoots, firm ones, pref just below a node, quite short (about 4"), then into multi-purpose, water, and put in a shady place. Joe Swift says stand pots in a tray of shallow water. (He also says put a plastic bag over them, but mine are just in a cold frame with a lid.) I'm told they're VERY EASY, so we shall see!

Thank you Sheila..I did hear the tail end of how to to take them on our local Sunday morning gardening programme,,but all I caught was.." that is if you can find a non flowering shoot " !..you know how it is,listen to something with one ear,and 'someone' is chatting to you at the same time! Lol..I will put mine in the cold frame too..I find my wallflower cuttings do ok in there without a plastic bag..fingers crossed :o)

One thing I'd never heard before, Bloomer, was that if you CAN'T find a non-flowering shoot, you can just snip off a flower! It encourages the "plant" to make roots apparently . . . good luck with yours :)

Probably,Sheila..:o)..why do our dear OH's want to chat,when you don't ? ...Lol...on reflection,I have done that lots of times,and just taken the flower off ..and they have been fine...