Perennial Help

[Mr Grinch]

Hi all,

Im looking for a Perennial that flowers really well. It must bush up in growth and not need any staking. Rudbekia i know would be perfect but i already have lots of this plant so was thinking of something else.

can anyone think of a plant ??

Regards
James

[carolann]

H i James, I bought mainly Perennials seeds this year here are a few that I bought.
Echinacea Purpurea Magnus
Potentilla Fireball Mixed
Agastache Fragrant Mixed
Agastache Apricot Sprite
They are all in the T&M seed catalogue on line if you want to have a look. Good luck.
Carol.

[Tig]

Any preference on colour, height, James?

What sort of conditions do you want it to grow in? Full sun on clay, must be tolerant of wet feet at times?

x Tig

[Dr Bill]

Flowerring time?

Heleniums are terrific for autumn colour, flower their socks off from September to November (or earlier depending on variety) if you keep dead heading

[Mr Grinch]

Hi all,
The situation is South West facing. Lots of Sun. Soil is heavy clay. I already have lots of Heleniums, Rudbeckia and Echinacia.
Any others guys ?
Regards
James

[Dr Bill]

What about the Euphorbias? Acanthus? Asters? Poppies?

Does it have to be herbaceous or would a small shrub do? Cistus?

[Dr Bill]

Penstemon? Dwarf chrysanthemums? Verbena?

[Mr Grinch]

Thanks Dr Bill,
Its at the back of the border so dwarf things wouldnt really suit.
Arnt Verbena and Penstemon half hardy ? They may rot off in the winter clay soil.
Would Cistus survive ?

Regards
James

[Tig]

I have Phygelius Winchester Fanfare, which can grow to 5' x 5' ?

There is a good selection listed here with heights, etc ..

www.harrellshardyplants.co.uk/Frames_Plant_List_Hardy.htm

x Tig

[Spruance]

How about Agapanthus? It would soon form a large clump yet would still be identifiable in the winter months..

www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_agapanthus.shtml#growing_tips

Penstemon should be ok but does tend to become untidy if you don't keep on top of it. Verbena Bonariensis will die back in the winter to bare stems but I can't think that it would rot off.

Crocosmia (previously known as Montbretia) is also a hardy clump forming plant...

www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_crocosmia.shtml

[Dr Bill]

Feb 21, 2009 14:53:44 GMT Mr Grinch said:

Thanks Dr Bill,
Its at the back of the border so dwarf things wouldnt really suit.
Arnt Verbena and Penstemon half hardy ? They may rot off in the winter clay soil.
Would Cistus survive ?

Regards
James

Penstemon and Cistus are both perfectly hardy up here. Verbena may depend on the variety, but V. bonariensis is absolutely fine, although isn't bushy, so doesn't really fit your criteria

[carolann]

How about Hollyhocks there are some nice ones?

[Ladygardener]

Phlox would fit the bill Mr Grinch, if you cut out someof the flower stalks they'll bloom later than the 1st ones and prolong the flowering time. I often cut them off and get weeks of lovely scented flowers. They grow nice and tall and don't mind a bit of clay, I have them at the back of my border, bunches up well and does'nt need stalking.

[Mr Grinch]

Phlox and Cistus sound interesting, any pics of how they grow in your gardens ??

Regards
James

[Ladygardener]

This is the best I can find Mr. Grinch. They don't really show it off very well but it'll give you an idea. The leaves are a lovely colour too.

[Chuckles]

They look lovely LadyG

Anything in here take ya fancy MrG

gardenworld.proboards103.com/index.cgi?board=borders&action=display&thread=5850

gardenworld.proboards103.com/index.cgi?board=borders&action=display&thread=5629

[Mr Grinch]

Yes Chuckles, phlox im going to have a go at. Lots of sites tell me they need staking though, is this correct ??

Regards
James

[Ladygardener]

I find the stems strong and solid Mr. G I've never ever had to stake them.

[Mr Grinch]

Thanks LadyG,
Best time to plant ?? Do they bulk fairly quickly ?

James

[Mr Grinch]

How about this one:
www.vanmeuwen.com/plant/61436

James

[Chuckles]

Thats definately got the WOW factor MrG ;D

Phlox do have quite firm stems and I've never had to stake mine. They do like a good feed too. My white one is just pushing up new growth, you can plant them now

[Dutchy]

Mr G only just found this.
I am on North facing clay. Verbena b kicks it in wet winters and in cold ones I replant from my stock in the gravel in the front garden.
The white Phlox are the only one survivng on my cold wet clay so any white will get through and not need staking.
Bulking up hm as long as they get a lot of sun yes.
There is Lysimachia which does real well in my garden all varieties and the lovely firecracker even behaves like spreading wildfire. The grey leaved and white flowered tall one is perfect though. Bggr it if I can remember its name though.
Not loosestrife but the other one. Loosestrife too has a habit of invading.
Not sure if the purple red loosestrife Lysimachia (clethroides) atropurpurea is any good.
Chelone obliqua may work. It is surviving in a neighbours garden.
Would you dare try Eupatorium purpureum those do well. ( I never staked that one but the common Eupatrium flops over ) They don't spread too much on clay ( do keep an eye out for slugs) And once they are up reach a mans height easily.
In the yellow there is Inula Majestica the big over two meter one whith lovely huge leaves it does need a support though.
Then there is the impressive Macleaya cordata also not half as invasive on clay and in the back of the border you need not fear your clothes.
Others... hm Ox eye daisies? Telekia speciosa.
Thalictrum 'black stockings' if only for the name ;D
There are some lovely tall thalictrums that form good clumps but with all your bright reds and yellows you will be safer off with a white one I think.
Cheers

[Mr Grinch]

Well the 5 Phlox's were put in yesterday. Phlox 'Pancetta' or something like that. Not sure on the colours but hopefully a gorgeous mix !!

G

[maggy]

Phlox are good Mr G. but you have to cut them down at the end of the season as they look very untidy! I have about three clumps of pink phlox and once you have them they like to stay I have tried unsuccessfully to do away with one lot at the bottom of the garden to put something else there but they are determined to keep coming back.

[Auricula]

alsteromerias

[Tig]

Apr 29, 2009 21:27:59 GMT Auricula said:

alsteromerias

Just not the orange one - you can't get rid of it once you have it and it spreads at a rate of knots!

x Tig

[Auricula]

Ah - I'd forgotten about that very true
I have lots of different ones..........but not orange

[Jasmine]

Feb 22, 2009 15:44:46 GMT Ladygardener said:

Phlox would fit the bill Mr Grinch, if you cut out someof the flower stalks they'll bloom later than the 1st ones and prolong the flowering time. I often cut them off and get weeks of lovely scented flowers. They grow nice and tall and don't mind a bit of clay, I have them at the back of my border, bunches up well and does'nt need stalking.

That is such a good idea LG i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif - I am going to try that this year. It's a little bit less drastic than the Chelsea Chop but will help prolong flowering.

[Auricula]

I'm heavily into euphorbias at the moment - they fit the bill if you don't mind green or yellow/green flowers and they last for ages