A couple of ID's

[andy]

Any suggestions for these.

Loved this....could possibly be a Rudbeckia but don't know if annual or perennial.  Was around 3 foot tall and quite woody.



An Aster of some description....any ideas ?



lastly, a grass.  Could possibly be Calamagrostis (Edit) brachytricha sp but not sure again.

[Jilly]

The top one is a Tithonia andy, also called Mexican Sunflower quite a few of us grow them every year, I think they started with Rosefriend, they're an annual & an absolute b*****r to get started as the seedlings are so sensitive to temperature (and wind, & just about everything else  ) well worth it if they get a good summer like this one though.

The Aster looks like my Little Carlow, but there are so many similar ones out there, was it very bright for a michaelmas daisy? 

[Jasmine]

I was going to say tithonia for the top pic like Jilly and the aster - were the flowers quite big? Aster x frikartii  Monch has flowers that colour.

[andy]

Sept 6, 2013 8:46:56 GMT Jasmine said:

 and the aster - were the flowers quite big? Aster x frikartii  Monch has flowers that colour.

Think you might have it there jas.   

[Jasmine]

It's a good aster andy in that it doesn't go mildewy like some but it does need staking!

[Rosefriend]

Yes the first one is Tithonia Rotundifolia andy, a drama queen when conditions are not perfect for sowing but one of the most magnificent flowers I have ever grown and a bee/butterfly magnet...must be around 20 years since I first grew them...I cannot praise them enough.

There are a few different varieties on the market these days but I use "Goldfinger" which is a fantastic one...better for small gardens, as is "Sundance". "Torch" is larger...and there is also a dwarf one "Fiesta del Sol".

I would absolutely love to try Tithonia diversifolia which makes great bushes....too large for my garden.

Both Tithonia Rotundifolia and Diversifolia are perennials actually - might be worth trying to overwinter one...Jilly and Jasmine..they would be wonderful the following year...

RF

[Jilly]

It could be worth a try at that Rosefriend, although most of mine are quite woody at the bottom, perhaps I'll try cutting one right back & popping it in the growhouse, can't do any harm. Incidentally I had to get some more seeds this year & I'm growing Torch, might be just that it was a better summer, but it seems to have less drama queen moments.

[Rosefriend]

Sept 6, 2013 13:26:57 GMT Jilly said:

It could be worth a try at that Rosefriend, although most of mine are quite woody at the bottom, perhaps I'll try cutting one right back & popping it in the growhouse, can't do any harm. Incidentally I had to get some more seeds this year & I'm growing Torch, might be just that it was a better summer, but it seems to have less drama queen moments.

"Goldfinger" (which isn't the gold variety) is good for me but go for more expensive seeds, irrespective of which variety - cheapy seeds tend to throw more wobbly's somehow!!

Btw has anyone grown the gold variety?? it has a wonderful velvet sheen and actually does well with grasses etc, but the incredible colour of the orange Mex's cannot be beaten in my eyes..

RF

[Jilly]

 Think you might be right there Rosefriend seeds that I've been growing for a couple of years from T&M, always been a trial. Torch seeds from Sarah Raven, not so much. I've not tried the golden one, to be honest since falling in love with the ones you had in your garden a few years ago I'd always want my Tithonias to be orange.

[Ladygardener]

I got my Tithonia seeds from Jilly this year so they're Torch and they've been absolutely wonderful. I first saw them live on here but I'd seen them first on a gardening programme at ones stage and written the name down in my book as something to try some day. I'm certain the hot month of July has really helped them. I just love the colour of the flowers when they open and the velvet feel of them too. Despite a very rocky start they've done great, many thanks Jilly.