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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2007 15:25:26 GMT
At last! Managed to get a three litre pot for 4.99, which I thought was pretty good  . It's the white flowered variety, and I can't wait to see it flower! ;D Bought and planted within an hour  Even the spotty little guy managed a little potter with his watering can. Seemed to take his mind off those pesky spots (which kept him, and therefore us, awake most of the night :  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2007 16:39:37 GMT
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Post by Plocket on Mar 28, 2007 18:13:48 GMT
Oh I LOVE astrantias - I've got a couple in the garden and they really are good doers. Enjoy yours Rosemother!
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Post by Jonah on Mar 28, 2007 20:33:00 GMT
Nice one Rosemother.  I'm excited about them too! I've tried unsuccessfully to grow them from seed, so I gave up.  I ended up getting 4 bare root by mail order on special offer [can't remember who or how much - should have written it in my garden journal!  ] I did manage to write the varieties - ruby wedding, roma, snowstar and sunningdale variagated. I've put them in pots until I work out where to put them, but they are all growing quite well, and I can't wait to see them in the flesh!  |
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Post by jean on Mar 28, 2007 20:40:30 GMT
They are lovely plants, wish I could remember even the names, of mine. I got three big plugs last year and all I can see at the moment are the three canes I put in to mark where I planted them. I must seriously get a grip and start writing things down as I do them (hands are usually too muddy and I can't find a pen or something to write on ...........), I moved a clem last autumn and lost the label all I know is that it is white with a purple centre and I liked it |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2007 20:53:36 GMT
I've a bed invaded by the old fashioned one it grows enthusiastically under everything & pops up everywhere, my Gran called it Hatties Pin Cushion, but I forgive it all its attempts to fill the garden when it flowers, it just goes on & on.
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Post by Plocket on Mar 29, 2007 7:54:45 GMT
I moved a clem last autumn and lost the label all I know is that it is white with a purple centre and I liked it Was it Florida Sieboldii Jlottie? |
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 29, 2007 8:57:45 GMT
I have just bought a new variety Astrantia major "Abbey Road", - well I was told that it was a fairly new variety, - there isn't a great deal to see at the moment. It should end up like this though.  RF |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2007 9:17:59 GMT
Gorgeous, RF |
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Post by Plocket on Mar 29, 2007 10:37:45 GMT
Oooooo that's LOVELY!!! I want one now ;D
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 29, 2007 11:05:24 GMT
I really am looking forward to seeing this plant. This is what I found in Google.
The arrival of Astrantia major ‘Abbey Road’ has created a whole new image- a starring role! It combines a gothic appearance – black stems and vivid purple flowers – with a sweet fragrance.
Height-3'
Spread-18"
Planting conditions - as we have not grown this very new plant before, we are having to rely totally on the suppliers information. However, it would appear to require the usual growing conditions, i.e., part-shade in moist soil, but I have been reliably informed that it is a vigorous tough plant.
The first signs of growth appear in late March, early April. The strong upright stems are dark green and eventually become almost purple, they get so dark. As do the leaves which also become very glossy.
The flowers start to open in early June and we are told that they are as dark as 'violet-purple'. As I said, we have not grown these ourselves, so we can not verify these facts. Cut the flower stems right down to the ground when the flowers start to dry as they die, and you will get a second flush.
What I do find interesting is the last sentence " Cut the flower stems right down to the ground when the flowers start to dry as they die, and you will get a second flush."
I never knew that - does it apply to all Astrantia?
Also they always say half shade - well one of mine is in full sun and does really well.
RF
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Post by madonplants on Mar 29, 2007 11:22:02 GMT
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 29, 2007 11:28:42 GMT
Thanks Keith - well having read that, it sounds as though I can put it in the full sun, like my others.
I will be at the Nursery/GC this weekend they are having a newbie plant show (I was allowed a preview and got this Astrantia) - are there other Astrantia's that can be recommended?
RF
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Post by Plocket on Mar 29, 2007 15:30:46 GMT
I always cut mine (Astrantia Roma) back to get a second flush of flowers, but the second flush is never as prolific. Mine's in a shady spot and still does really well. I've also got Sunningdale but it's stuggling a bit and I haven't seen new growth this year |
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Post by JennyWrenn on Mar 29, 2007 18:30:12 GMT
Ooo I thought these were annuals  - I really love them and had four last year - where are they then  one I think was called Ruby Glow |
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Post by Plocket on Mar 29, 2007 18:31:13 GMT
They should be starting to come up now Jenny - have a little poke around to see if they are showing new leaves.
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 29, 2007 18:35:55 GMT
I must admit that I can't find mine either at the moment. I have got a load of perennials to go in and daren't dig around too much as there are still loads of things that haven't shown yet.
This year is odd - no doubt because of the mild winter.
RF
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Mar 29, 2007 18:43:13 GMT
Nice one Rosemother. I'm excited about them too! I've tried unsuccessfully to grow them from seed, so I gave up. I ended up getting 4 bare root by mail order on special offer [can't remember who or how much - should have written it in my garden journal! ] I did manage to write the varieties - ruby wedding, roma, snowstar and sunningdale variagated. I've put them in pots until I work out where to put them, but they are all growing quite well, and I can't wait to see them in the flesh! Aaaaurgh!....I've been lusting after some astrantia for a while and have just purchased some astrantia hybridia 'ruby cloud' seed from T&M..Do you know why yours failed to germinate Jonah?....any advice gratefully received.... |
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Post by Jonah on Mar 29, 2007 21:41:56 GMT
Hi CPB Dee gave me quite a lot of advice on the beeb last year: www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbgardening/F2759007?thread=3296128It appears they like to be sown fresh. I tried the first lot in the normal way, no success, tried putting some new ones in the fridge for about 6 weeks before putting in a pot, in fact I experimented with them quite a bit, but didn't have one germinate from 3 varieties. I ended up chucking one lot in the corner of the garden 'cos I wanted the pot, wouldn't be surprised if they are the only ones that germinate one day. I guess if I had the patience to wait up to three years I may have seen some results from the first sowing by now. I have been keen to have them for a couple of years, so decided buying some was the best option. I really hope you have more success, I would just experiment with small quantities in different ways. While you're at it chuck a few somewhere out of the way in the garden and you never know one day.... Fingers crossed with yours, just think how satisfying it would be to get them to work. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 30, 2007 5:54:50 GMT
I'm so jealous! I love Astrantias but I cannot get them to germinate, tried all sorts of ways like Jonah but no luck yet.....one tray has had seeds in it for nearly a year! That 'Abbey Road' is really beautiful RF. OOoh, I want it - lots of it! I know I've mentioned this before but at last year's GWLive I saw a stand with dark red Astrantias growing with Chocolate Cosmos in front of a grass of some sort - it was absolutely gorgeous.....my GH hasn't got any Astrantias at all yet. I'm saving some vouchers for when they do.....
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Post by Jonah on Mar 30, 2007 12:51:52 GMT
Good grief 4P, you are up and about early! ;D
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Post by JennyWrenn on Apr 7, 2007 7:17:01 GMT
Hey I found them - they are popping up - I almost dug them up too - so much is appearing now think will wait to see what appears but am so impatient and want to start planting and sowing
I had two smoke bushes last year and thought they had died - one has some shoots appearing - Yipee
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. It's the white flowered variety, and I can't wait to see it flower! ;D Bought and planted within an hour 
Even the spotty little guy managed a little potter with his watering can. Seemed to take his mind off those pesky spots (which kept him, and therefore us, awake most of the night :
I ended up getting 4 bare root by mail order on special offer [can't remember who or how much - should have written it in my garden journal! 
] I did manage to write the varieties - ruby wedding, roma, snowstar and sunningdale variagated. I've put them in pots until I work out where to put them, but they are all growing quite well, and I can't wait to see them in the flesh! 
one I think was called Ruby Glow
