Lillieb
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My Garden Visitor
Posts: 149
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Post by Lillieb on Jul 17, 2011 8:45:06 GMT
Hello everyone, I saw this wonderful plant in Guernsey and wondered if it would grow here, I see it is a biennial but maybe worth a try. Anyone comments welcome. Lillieb
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Post by Louise on Jul 17, 2011 8:51:27 GMT
Wow ! That's gorgeous.
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Post by steve on Jul 17, 2011 8:55:16 GMT
That is a beautiful specimen I have grown it for the last 4 or 5 years but only once got it to flower and this year I was able to pot up self seeded plants The knack is getting it to a large size and then over wintering it, then a good summer in the second year and it will throw up the large flower spike...but not being totally hardy getting it through that first winter is critical
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Post by blossom on Jul 17, 2011 9:00:19 GMT
They grow like weeds in my garden.They are biennials but self seed regularly so if you can get them to establish you'll have them for ever ( 3 even came through last winter as seedlings)They are not reliably frost hardy, so, it is worth potting up a few seedlings and keeping them in a greenhouse over winter if you don't live in the warmer parts of GB. They are quite thuggish - they take up quite a lot of space in a border, but look good in pots, gravel or where they can spread a bit.The butterflies and bees love them - they have a honeylike fragrance.Hope that helps
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jul 17, 2011 16:07:35 GMT
Amazing plants aren't they Lillib, they grow down here on the coast. I've tried for years to grow them, the frost always gets them in the garden and if I grow them in pots they only make rather spindly flower spikes of around five feet.
I have some seeds if you would like to try some.
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Lillieb
Full Member
My Garden Visitor
Posts: 149
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Post by Lillieb on Jul 17, 2011 19:32:33 GMT
Hi Steve, Blossom, WF and Louise, many thanks for your replies, you have given me inspiration! Many thanks WF I would love to give some seeds a try, I was going to send for some but would much appreciate your offer. I will PM you with my address and thanks so much. Lilliebx
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Post by Rosie on Jul 18, 2011 12:20:43 GMT
They are fantastic plants, i wish they would survive up here....not much chance of that i think ;D ;D ;D
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