Gardening Thread

Re: Gardening Thread

what is kolrabi and Pak Choi?

[peed 'orf]

Re: Gardening Thread

Best get this one active again!
The Forsythia has been in flower since November. Daffodils have been in flower for over a fortnight. Snowdrops, Daisies and Dandilions everywhere.
Must be about time to get the seeds planted.

I must get the Kolrabi and Pak choi right this year.

[Celestine]

Re: Gardening Thread

Sally

Very few wild type flowers can be grown to flower thru winter as most are 'herbaceous perennials' and flower thru summer to maximise insect pollination.

However, there are a few evergreen shrubs that have lovely flowers and berries throughout the winter months.

My fave are Skimmia japonica, they have beautiful pink buds opening to white flowers. Also think about Viburnum tinus, they often flower well into winter and have vivid blue berries after flowers finish.

Violas and pansies flower thru the winter but are bedding plants, so wont last beyond next spring.

[Happyolddog]

Re: Gardening Thread

winter flowering plants include.Pansies, Sweet williams, Stock,Bellis daisies are lovely so too are primrose, my fave primrose is called cottage cream.
I have all of my winter baskets planted up already, for the front of the house where the light in winter is poorest I have a couple of baskets of trailing ivys. around the back where the light is good I have 5 baskets and planters with all of the above mixed in them. It makes a dull winter day less miserable when you can look out at the flowers and dream of summer.

Best wishes,
Liam Mc...

[littlesally]

Re: Gardening Thread

What wild type flowers, if any, can be seeded to be flowers over winter?

Sally x

Re: Gardening Thread

Well guys its that time of year to dig up yer dead flowers, plants etc, empty the hanging baskets, I've got loads and they have been awful this year. I'm pretty lucky as I have a mediterranean themed garden so everything is in pots etc, it makes life a hell of a lot easier. And as most of you know my OH is obsessed with the lawn so I don't have to worry on that score either.
Going to buy some winter flowering pansies and violas this weekend, have already got my bulbs in the pots. That should keep the garden looking reasonable until its time to buy bizzies and geraniums again next year.
After that just need to keep an eye on the pond.

sapphire

[Paule]

Re: Gardening Thread

Well the time has come I think to chop the head off my giant sunflower and harvest the seeds.
I would'nt mind but the other two giants I have got havent even opened yet due to the lack of summer, but they are still growing, be it slowly.

And my desert rose looks like it will be going full bloom in a few weeks, its suddenly had a growth spurt, probably due to the heating going on.

[pam1]

Re: Gardening Thread

http://www.thepalmcentre.co.uk/

(found it) tells you all about how big the palsm get, and what they like and dont like

Thanks very thoughtfull

[littlesally]

Re: Gardening Thread

PS the bird resembles cat food ;-)

I like that cruel but funny!

My sunflowers turned out to be Dwarves. My daughter seeded and part grew them for Mother's day. They grew to about 15", flowered and died. Found a squirrel finishing off the rotting heads!

On the other site I asked for help with a very large Yukka, so for those of you that helped or are interested ......

I cut the leafy head off and stuck in water, then cut about 2 foot of stem with no leaves off and stuck that in water.
The head grew roots quickly and was soon in the sun outside for the first time - seems to love it.
I was just about to throw the middle as it had done nothing for ages - it looked weird, a stick in water! But then I notice tiny roots, it now has a shoot and a few roots, but still in a bucket of water,
The base has also grown a shoot, about 8" long now.

So now I have three yukka's!!
I think I will keep them all outdoors as my plants seem to have taken over indoors.

BTW a few years ago I was so fed up with all the "Wandering Jews" I had, I put loads outside. They have been out throughout two winters and are doing great. They don't grow as long but are really healthy - better than the indoor ones.

Sally x

[Mochamoos]

Re: Gardening Thread

http://www.thepalmcentre.co.uk/

(found it) tells you all about how big the palsm get, and what they like and dont like

[Mochamoos]

Re: Gardening Thread

Pam,
You want the palm centre, most palms need wrapping in winter though to keep them warm.

[Mochamoos]

Re: Gardening Thread

I WANT the giant sunflower

[pam1]

Re: Gardening Thread

Thats a mighty big flower, 20 is plenty as your bin states LOL.

just wondered if anyone can help.

Need a tree looking like palm tree to grow 3/4 ft, leaves not to long or they will hang over a path way. Must not need caring, and must stand constant hot weather all summer as my garden has no respite atall, and also gets very wet in winter with rain fall.

Thanks.
P

PS the bird resembles cat food ;-)

[Paule]

Re: Gardening Thread

Okey Dokey

Well I promised to put my sunflower pics up and finally I have got round to it.

This is a Russian Giant, It has only opened up in the last week asn at present its only about 7ft with a 8" head.

It should fo to well over 12ft with a 1ft head, but we haven't had the summer we had last year and ive been disappointed with my sunflowers this year.

Anyway the pics.
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[iancognito]

Thanks RLJ, looks like mystery solved, OH said look at this bird sunbathing, its got legs like a robin(?) but it isn't - appears he was wrong - again!