T&M

[Geranium]

Yes, Ladygardener, but the photo in the catalogue looks sort of similar. They don't say what size the flower is in the description. My friend studied the photo and the flower and thinks it might be correct, unfortunately. It looks lovely in the catalogue!

[Ladygardener]

It's a chance we take really Geranium is'nt it. Quite a lot of the Dahlia are very similar are'nt they.

[Jasmine]

I see what you mean Geranium. Catalogue pics can be misleading can't they? Waltzing Matilda looked quite different depending on whether you were on the Crocus site or the Sarah Raven site. It looked much nicer on the SR site!

I remember at Pashley they'd have a whole border of shades of pink tulips and there'd be one random yellow one pop up in the display.  I guess the muddle happens at packing

[Jilly]

I see what you mean Geranium I've just googled Akita & there seem to be a lot of different images & some could definitely be that one, were you expecting it to be darker? It's possible the flowers may change when it gets into it's stride though, Tig & I have both got one called Caribbean Fantasy, all the early flowers on mine are very pale pink (as they were last year) but as the season goes on the red & yellow colours seem to develop. 

[Geranium]

Yes, Jilly. In the Parker's catalogue the whole flower looks darker. As you've seen, it isn't... I don't think it'll change, but I'll keep looking.

[Rosefriend]

T & M have 25% off all veggie seeds until 11th August.

RF

[Jasmine]

...and seeds is something they seem to get right!

[Rosefriend]

Aug 5, 2013 17:39:42 GMT Jasmine said:

...and seeds is something they seem to get right!

You hope - although I have to say that I have no complaints on that score !!

RF

[Jasmine]

Although it's T&M that don't put piccies on their seed packets if they sell them direct isn't it?

[Rosefriend]

Aug 5, 2013 17:49:53 GMT Jasmine said:

Although it's T&M that don't put piccies on their seed packets if they sell them direct isn't it?

Yes it is - annoys me to hell actually......my memory ain't what is once was and I tend to rely on the pic at times!!

Rf

[Ladygardener]

It's always nicer to open a packet of seeds when you can see what they'll hopefully grow into. Especially for new gardeners.

[Rosefriend]

Aug 6, 2013 5:51:04 GMT Ladygardener said:

It's always nicer to open a packet of seeds when you can see what they'll hopefully grow into. Especially for new gardeners.

Yes it is and these days the cost of printing isn't what it once was, by any means. I doubt I would have tried so many things throughout the years if I hadn't seen a pic first...

RF

[Ladygardener]

Yes Rosefriend, me too. If you're shopping it's the picture on the packet that catches your eye. Just one more thing about T&M I don't like.

[Jilly]

Aug 6, 2013 5:51:04 GMT Ladygardener said:

It's always nicer to open a packet of seeds when you can see what they'll hopefully grow into. Especially for new gardeners.

I think you may have hit on the reason T&M don't put pics on their packs anymore LG  . Less chance of people noticing that what they've grown isn't anything like what they were expecting.

[Ladygardener]

Jilly. Very good.

[Jasmine]

Flash sale - today only - 20% off all plants...

To risk it , or not

[Auricula]

[Jasmine]

I'll join you Auricula - I don't need any mystery plants at the moment!

[Jasmine]

I posted on the Confess thread this morning that my teeny weeny perennial plug plants had arrived from T&M - half of them had been substituted and T&M had included a note.

This is my email...

I recently ordered a collection of perennials which arrived this morning.
In the package were the plants, the usual planting instructions and a Substitution Note which said Please Read In Full.
I read it to the end where it says, 'In reflection of the difference from your original order, please accept the enclosed money-off voucher with our compliments and sincere apologies for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause'.
There was no money-off voucher anywhere in the package which is as disappointing as receiving a selection of plants I wouldn't have ordered if I'd known that was what I was going to get.

I've just got an email back with a code for £10 off my next order so now I can order £10 worth of stuff and they can send me £10 worth of something else!

[Ladygardener]

They pretty much do as they please Jasmine don't they. Glad to hear you got your voucher but really, goodness only knows what you'll end up with.

[Jasmine]

I think I'll order some pictureless seed packets Ladygardener!

[Ladygardener]

That's what I did with the last voucher they sent me Jasmine, Poppies for next year. Now they could'nt go wrong with those could they.........

[Jasmine]

Hmmmm!

[Auricula]

I've never had a voucher from them, just replacement plants when one died. Other than that I've been quite lucky with them

[Jasmine]

A satisfied customer!

Has anyone had the Hardy Osteospermums offer from T&M this morning? I'm wondering how different they are to the bedding type that I must get cuttings from!

[Jilly]

I did Jasmine but I don't need any. I know there are some hardy Osteos I've got a pink one in the front garden that's been in for years, but how sure would we be that T&M had the right ones?

[Jasmine]

Well, we wouldn't!!! Let's not beat about the bush!
I'll just take some cuttings off mine I think and try and overwinter them!

[Jilly]

I took cuttings from my Orange ones last week Jasmine & I think one has started to root already  I can always take a cutting or 2 of my hardy one if you want a hardy one, it's not the most exciting colour, but it is pretty as a background plant.

[Jasmine]

That's really kind Jilly but I'll say no thanks. I was quite interested in the hardy ones if there was bronzes and purples but it doesn't look like there is.

[Jilly]

No I've only seen pink ones Jasmine. What I did last year though is plant out a couple of the bronze & purple ones from last years pots into one of the front beds (it is very, very dry out there though) & they are still alive. They are flowering but the plants look woeful, out of shape & just flowering at the top. But I think that may have been my intention, they could well have looked better if I'd cut them back. So it may well be worth a try planting out your original plants after you've taken your cuttings.