Gaura

[Auricula]

I bought several of these plants last year to put in new island beds. A friend told me they were not hardy so I took cuttings. I can't find the cuttings and there is no sign of the plants. On t'internet it said they are late flowerers and should notbe bought / planted until July.
What I want to know is.....
Can you grow them easily from seed?
Can you buy small plants for delivery/planting now?
How do I make sure they don't disappear next year?
Any other helpful tips.
I love these plants but can't wait until July!!!! i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/cheesy.gif
Thanks
i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif

[andy]

I've had some at work for the past 2 years and they've survived the last winters very well indeed. I think when they say "they're not hardy" i think they mean that they're not the hardiest things in the world.

I leave mine all dead until about now when i usually cut them hard back and shoots then appear from the bases. I think the secret is good drainage....don't think they like sitting in cold wet frozen soil and probably a covering of straw or ash around the bases will just give them that extra protection they need.

[isabella]

Hello Auricula I bought some small plants - 69p each - from our local garden centre a couple of weeks ago i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif They were in the basket and bedding section i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif
I have never had them come back in the garden either i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/sad.gif

[Auricula]

Thanks Andy and Isabella. My garden has a very high water table and although we rarely get frosts, the soil is often wet Isabella, I shall go searching on Monday, thanks for the tip

[Chuckles]

I grew them from seed a couple of years ago. The ones I planted in the garden haven't survived this winter by the looks of them, but I had a couple of 5" pots with a few in at the back of the GH and I've checked today and a couple are still alive after all the cold we've had. Crocus have them Auricula in 2ltr pots so should be good plants www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/perennials/gaura-lindheimeri-/itemno.PL00002757/ they say they are hardy but other sites say not. I wish I could get a good clump going as they are lovely. They may do ok in big pots and you could maybe over winter them in the GH

[Auricula]

Thanks Chuckles, I'll try Crocus

[Chuckles]

Apr 3, 2010 18:18:41 GMT Auricula said:

Thanks Chuckles, I'll try Crocus

Try discount code 90838, Jasmine mentioned the other day it was working ;D

[Auricula]

Ooh...even more thanks ;D

[Dutchy]

Auricula I keep mine covered under a glass.
Yes it has to be glass as plastic did not work.
I cut them back before the first frost is predicted and cut them short enough for a big glass jar that maybe held carrots or beans to fit snugly all over.
No point in getting an expensive cloche when this too works.
It keeps the moisture from rain away from the plant and it protects it from the hardest frost.
Mine are shooting now and I have to remember getting the glass off during the day and on for the night. Although after 2 weeks of hardening off they have to make it without protection ( unless frost is predicted again ).

Mine started life as plug plants and I have had them for over 5 years now.

[Auricula]

Thanks Dutchy what a good idea

[Ladygardener]

I bought a lovely one last year called The Bride but I don't see any sign of it yet. I think the winter may have seen it off, I took cuttings too but they've not done either

[Jasmine]

Hi Auricula - they are very easy to grow from seed but from past experience don't give up on last years sprouting again - they are quite late at coming back to life and just when you think that they are dead you spot new shoots.

[Auricula]

Hi Jas, I thought you were away....in the rain!!!!!!
Thanks, I'll keep looking

[Jasmine]

We are - but I am having withdrawal symptoms - however, have found Padstow has real shops and the bar has WiFi so all is well ;D

[Auricula]

Padstow is great ;D Get RS' fish and chips ;D

[Jasmine]

We saw his cafe - but we'd had pasties for lunch so couldn't even manage a cream tea ;D. Padstow was very busy even in the rain. What a beach as well.

[Auricula]

Enjoy Jasmine We're all getting ahead of you in the garden, cos it's gonna be sunny now for a few days ( so they say ) so I'm sowing gaura seeds ;D

[Jasmine]

Where did you buy them Auricula? I found some on Ebay last year and they did very well on the germination front.

[Jasmine]

My Gaura Corrie's Gold has surivived the winter - it has tiny new shoots.

[Ladygardener]

Excellent Jasmine.

[Jasmine]

I thought it was done for LG as it does say that it is not really hardy.
Gaura Lillipop pink is growing too. I find the pink ones don't often come back either so that is more good news ;D

[Chuckles]

Checked out mine today and quite a few shoots showing on this pot, must find a place in the border or maybe I'd be better putting them in a terracota pot.

[Ladygardener]

I must have a good look tomorrow to see if I have any life at all to see although I am now a little behind you all I think.

[Jasmine]

I sowed some Gaura seeds at the w/e. They are last years so I'm not sure if they will germinate.

I tink I've lost one of the ones in the garden so that's not too bad.

[Tig]

I've noticed all mine are resprouting now, a couple look a bit munched though so the s & s must like them!

x Tig

[Jasmine]

Same here Tig. Last year's are all coming back...and I had to move and replant one of them. The one that looks dead is quite a few years old so perhaps it's time had come.

[Auricula]

No sign of any of mine

[Jasmine]

Oh dear - that's not good news

[Jasmine]

I have 2 little gaura seedlings from the 4 I sowed a week ago - not bad for last years seed.

[Ladygardener]

Well done getting them to germinate for you Jasmine. I did'nt get seeds from mine last year but I have a little sign of life so all is not yet lost.