Artemisia - Powys castle

Hi Janey :)
I took mine in August, but I'd say it's still worth doing now, especially if the tips are still soft. They might need a bit of bottom heat though....maybe an electric propagator or warm window sill, before they'll root. Or it may be a bit warmer where you are, lol....

Thanks Di.....shall take a few tomorrow and see what happens.....I love them do you? I'll pop them on the kitchen window sill.....:o)

I think they will be O.K. They are usually very easy to strike at most times of the year. You could even try layering a few.

Thanks Wyeboy.....will have a try at both....:o)

I did them at this time last year and have 2 more HUGE plants as a result - go for it, I'm sure it will be fine. They root really easily. Its a lovely plant isn't it? I love the smell when you break the leaves. Good luck!

Thanks MW........it's one of my faves...and the herby scent is wonderful! Now do you think it will do well in a hot dry border?

Mine are both in full sun, and one is on the other side of several large conifers which must suck all the moisture out of the soil. It never gets watered, and has survived on nothing to double in size this summer after a severe prune in Spring. I think it will be absolutely fine in a hot dry border!

Thanks Muddy........thats great...I thought with the silver leaves it would be okay........have taken lots of cuttings...they'll be the first plants for my new border....:o) The border at the moment has cottage garden style planting, but I've noticed this year things have wilted in the summer even after watering.....:o(

Another good silver one which is drought resistant is Convolvulus Cneorum - it needs loads of sun, so a hot bed is the best place for it. Beautiful flowers that open in the day and close at night. Mine has had 2 flushes of flowers this year, and has provided weeks of flowers. Good luck!

Muddy, mine's (convolvulus) flowering now too, it goes on forever !

Hi Louise - don't you just love a good hard working plant - they give such pleasure don't they? I much prefer hardy types than trying to nanny along things that need a lot of care.
Janey - another good one for a hot bed is Gaura - mine has not stopped flowering since July, and barely gets any water. I think I am a bit cruel to my plants!

Try Coreopsis Muddy, the pink coloured ones, they are just as hard working as the Gauras and i think you'd like them too.
I have some, their pictures are in the 'My Garden' section.

Great ideas there....the Convolvulus is one I'd like to try.....the Gauras are amazing .......I grew "The Bride" from seed last year and they're still going strong! I've only grown the yellow Coreopsis before...the pink would make a nice change....especially with Echinacea which is on my want list too..........

Janey, i like to see them (Coreopsis) close to Echinacea and Gaura too, i think the pink ones are much prettier than the yellow !

Thanks for the great ideas Louise and Muddy.....think I'll try the pink Gaura too and with the grey Artemisia...should look lovely!

Do either of you have any idea about caring for Gaura? Mine is still flowering away - should I let it carry on and then trim back in Spring?

That's exactly what i do Muddy.
Leave some top-growth there to protect it over the colder months and i only cut it back a bit in the spring, not much.

Yep....mine is still going strong too...MD, I forgot to trim mine back last Spring so it is really too tall this year, when its stopped flowering I'll cut 2/3 of the stems down then leave it till Spring.

Thanks both for the quick reply - by the way, forgot to say - that coreopsis is fantastic Louise - another one for the wish list! I've decided, next year, its no lawn at all - just beds filled with all the amazing flowers everyone's recommended!