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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2006 16:19:22 GMT
Hello
My name is Bluebell and this is my first posting here, and I hope someone can help me.
My OH and I have moved into a larger house with a pretty big garden and although I have been dabbling in gardening for quite a few years I have found one or two plants that I am not sure what to do with.
Witht the aid of RHS I have named this one - Prostanthera cuneata - Australien Bush Mint. It is a lovely plant, smells of mint and the flowers are like Lady Slipper Orchids, white, although very small.
Does anyone know when I can prune this - as in my book it says that it flowers in Spring and yet it is full of flowers at the moment - is this just a quirk of nature or does it flower twice?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
BB
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2006 16:22:21 GMT
Hello Bluebell, welcome. What a lovely name. Sorry can't help out with the plan help - I just come here for the chat ;D ;D
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Post by sweetleaf on Dec 1, 2006 16:26:08 GMT
Lots of things are flowering out of season now Bluebell, its a cause for concern for many of us, the theory is that its because of the long dry summer followed by a very wet autumn. I wouldnt prune it till spring though as this could make it produce young tender shoots just in time to be damaged by frost.  Well done for gathering the nerve to make your first post, and again  |
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Post by sleepysunday on Dec 1, 2006 16:29:49 GMT
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Post by Chuckles on Dec 1, 2006 16:36:45 GMT
Hi bluebell and welcome, thats a really lovely looking plant. As sweetleaf say's I would just leave it be, lots of plants are showing shoots at the moment, it's a worry but nothing we can do. www.shootgardening.co.uk/sitePlant.php?plantid=2909See you around  |
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Post by Spruance on Dec 1, 2006 16:46:56 GMT
Hi Bluebell and Welcome to GWD.  I'm afraid that I'm not familiar with that particular plant but no doubt someone here will be able to help you out. Please feel free to ask if you need anything. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2006 17:16:06 GMT
Oh thank you all so much
I have had a look at the websites - thanks and I must admit I had hoped that I could prune it back hard - it has obviously been neglected a lot.
I wonder whether it would be worth the risk of pruning it back in the Spring, - has anyone got one of these plants perhaps?
BB
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Post by sleepysunday on Dec 1, 2006 17:19:03 GMT
The website that I gave you clearly said that it might not recover from hard pruning.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2006 17:38:02 GMT
Hi sleepysunday
Yes I know, sorry, but I had hoped that someone would have a few tips and tricks up their sleeves.
BB
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Post by sweetleaf on Dec 1, 2006 17:51:00 GMT
Bluebell, as you obviously like the plant, but wish it was smaller, why not take cuttings? Then when they are successful you can do whatever you like to the parent (gosh, that sounds awful dont it ;D)
;D The website says thats the only way to propagate it, so yours must have been a cutting at one time.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2006 18:09:50 GMT
Well I have obviously not been gardening long enough if I didn't think of that. Of course I can take cuttings - thank you for reminding me Sweetleaf. Perhaps I can experiment on the parent when I have taken loads of cuttings - that sounds even worse than your suggestion Sweetleaf  ;D BB |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2006 18:30:30 GMT
I have one I keep in a pot, every year it stands somewhere different for us to enjoy the scent & every year I trim off the top in late Spring & it bushes out. The cuttings are reluctant to root with me, but that might be me.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2006 19:25:28 GMT
Hello and welcome bluebell  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Dec 2, 2006 21:15:38 GMT
Good Evening Bluebell, welcome to GardenWorld. Your Australian Bush Mint is a gorgeous little plant. I've read about it but never come across it. I shouldn't prune yours until after flowering next year. They are sometimes grown as greenhouse plants and so might not appreciate being cut back at this time of year. Better to be safe than sorry..
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Post by longpod on Dec 3, 2006 19:33:03 GMT
Hi sleepysunday Yes I know, sorry, but I had hoped that someone would have a few tips and tricks up their sleeves. BB |
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Post by longpod on Dec 3, 2006 19:40:15 GMT
???Hi Bluebell,
I am a new member on this site as well, so am reluctant to dole out advice. Can I suggest that you email Jekka's herb farm, I have found them to be really helpful. If my memory (which is getting a bit ancient) serves me correctly, it was Jekka McVicar that first showed this plant at Chelsea.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2006 8:30:57 GMT
Hi Longpod Thanks for the website - yes you are right she did introduce it at the Chelsea Flower Show. She thinks that the plant is a real must for a garden. I must admit that the smell is wonderful. I also found her own Herb Website which really is worth a visit. www.jekkasherbfarm.comThanks for the tip. BB |
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;D