Marguerite's not doing so well.

Hi,

I planted some Marguerite's on the 6th of July. The flowers have gone down hill quite quickly as you can see from the photos below.





I think I'm being sensible with the watering and watering when needed, which isn't that often with the summer we're having in Northern Ireland. Do they need a feed of something? I've just been breaking the dead heads off. Is this right?

These maybe weren't the best plant for this location as I really wanted something that will look well in the winter. I'm a complete beginner but I'm starting to think not much of these will survive the winter. Will they even grow back next year?

 

Eden1, they need deadheading. When the flowers go over they need to be cut off.....trace the flower stem right back and cut it off. This then initiates further flowering.

Here in late July/early August I cut all the flowers off leaving a mound of foliage. I scatter a light granular fertiliser and water in. A few weeks later a new flush of flowers will appear and usually continue then until autumn.

Minimal watering and it looks like you’ve selected a well drained spot so they could survive the winter and flower again next year.

I also take cuttings ....after you’ve cut back the foliage you can take cuttings from the new growth....around mid August to mid September. These will give you new plants for next year

 

Hi @Eden1 , the plants you have are Argyranthemum. These are tender shrubs that won't survive the Winter if the temperature falls below 5 deg. Even a short frost will just kill them straight off overnight.

If you want a similar plant/flower that is totally hardy then have a look at Leucanthemum. These are hardy perennials that will tolerate temperatures down to well below freezing.





These are two of mine that I've had for a few years now. I find here ( Worcestershire ) that you can cut them back to the rosettes of leaves and they stay evergreen all Winter.

 

Some taller plants can get a bit tatty around the base and you have soil right up to the top of the seat.

It may be better to grow ground huggers there or lower the soil behind the back of the seat a bit. I do like the effect you are trying to achieve

 

Thanks for the positive and informative replies. That's why I love this group.

 

These would have been perfect.

 

As a novice gardener Eden1 a thought has occurred to me that you may not realise. Quite often plants that are bought in pots become pot bound, the roots grow into a solid mass. Before planting they must be teased apart as much as possible so they can get to grips with the soil. Don't worry if some of the roots break off. This will also help them take up water and fertiliser.

 

So glad you mentioned that Sheal. I don't often watch gardening programmes etc but when I do. I see all these screen famous gardeners doing garden make overs and the like, taking out a suitable sized hole, tapping a pot and dumping the plant in the hole.

 

.....And they should know better!

 

I have done a lot of deadheading and the Marguerite's have done really well. I'm in the process of putting up a small pollytunnel and was wonder would these make it through the winter in the there?

 

Eden 1

Take cuttings now. Non flowering shoots....may be difficult to find shoots without a flower bud but search for them.
I take cuttings of marguerites right now.
You don’t say if they are in pots or in the ground but they can suffer outside in many places. Besides, they will flower much better next summer (than the original plant)
Yes, if kept on the dry side they will overwinter in a poly tunnel......if it gets very cold you could throw a fleece or similar over them

 

I have probably another week and a bit before the tunnel is finished. Will I be too late?

The plants are planted in the ground.

 

No, not at all.
Really though, take cuttings ASAP for guaranteed plants next year

 

@Eden1 what is to stop you puttig up a temporary shelter. Surely a few stakes with some plastic draped over would suffice?

 

The main plant often survives outdoors over winter without protection. Thus cuttings taken ensure replacements next year.