What's Looking Good In July 2013

A great selection of Blues HsuH.
All lovely,
thank you,
Jenny

 

Lucifer looks very stunning today,
Jenny

 

One of my favourites. Dunno how I came by one, but its been in the garden for years. Decided I wanted more this year, so grown several from seed

Outside? If it will do well outside I'll feature them in my Exotic garden next year. I had Coleus last year, and this year all sorts of different Amaranthus - both of which have done well,a nd I would recommend [for that job ], looking for something for next year though

 

I grew them from seeds more than 10 years ago, 5 plants to start with, now I've got only 1 left. I will make sure neither me nor Mr H deadhead it and also make sure I remember to check on the development of the seed heads and collect seeds before they disappear .

You really can get Amaranthus and Coleus over winter outside? I thought Suffolk was quite cold in winter . It is said some Calceolaria can stand cold as low as zero C so maybe you could give it a try. I'd make sure I've some tucked away indoor as well just in case.

I only sowed Amaranthus seeds twice some years ago, now they self seed for me and I've got so much growing that I stir-fry them for my dinner every now then just to thin them out a bit. Delicious

 

silu - what's the plant in the second photo? Looks a little Salvia'ish..............

HsuH - thanks for reminding me about Callandrinia! Not grown this in a good few years, but will grab some seed this w/end for next year.

 

Lovely shots everyone - fabulous colours!

 

The Linaria today. Had lots of bee visits but not when the light was decent enough to capture the delicate pink,

Jenny

 

You'd be right there : No Chance!

A few nights lower than -10C most winters ...

I grow them as annuals, a few more choice Coleus that I bought from Dibbleys I have taken cuttings off, in the Autumn, to have some stock in the Spring.

Wow! What a good idea. I'm going to stir fry some Bindweed and Marestails tonight for just the same reason ...

Sorry, I was just meaning to ask if Calceolaria do well as an annual outside?, as I've only ever known them as a house plant (a bit like Coleus I suppose ...)

I'm pleased with these Amaranthus Fat Spike which have rather nicely sprawled over the path (probably because I should have staked them!)

 

Love the Salvia'ish!, Fat chance of me growing Salvias here I'm afraid unless I lifted and stored them each winter which sounds like more work than I need as already do that with a few special things. The photo is of Agastache foeniculum golden jubilee. Totally hardy and ask for nothing much except maybe a bit of sun. It is better than in the photo as is really yellow, the flowers are a bonus but I grow it for it's great foliage.

 

I lift, or take cuttings, of all mine ... or raise from seed

 

Maybe if and when I get my greenhouse. Farmer has no objections to a JCB going over his field. Now need to try and get the digger man to come and see what's required. Perhaps I will get the greenhouse built in 2013!

 

Need to start looking for a real big one, just down the road, going for a song on eBay

 

A few of my "successes" for this month ...

#1: These cornflowers "Little Boy Blue" were only planted at the beginning of June and came from a packet of seeds which were well past their "use by" date.



The same story with the Taffeta Poppy (seeds scattered the same time as the cornflower) Each stem has between 3 and 7 heads Lesson learned? Never throw seed away just because the "Use By" date is a couple years past



This hebe was moved at completely the wrong time (mid June) to go into a newly created raised bed. Not sure of the variety, but she's a fighter and has come into bloom beautifully!
Behind it (although out of view) is planted a Cotinus - which is smaller at the moment - because I thought the colours would go well together. The bed is underplanted with Crocosmia "Lucifer", which have failed to grow. But, I haven't given up on them because they may still put in an appearance next year (which happened with some other croscosmias I planted when I moved here).



And this little beauty is from a plant I picked up at shineyland: I love it! Didn't have a clue what it was, what it would look like but it's a little stunner and its putting on a wonderful show!

 

Thankyou for the piccies this morning M, that last one - from Shineyland is a beauty. I wonder what it is?
Jenny

 

Thank you, Jenny

Didn't know at the time, but, I can now inform you it is a: Phygelius capensis And I had to use a bit of artistic licence to get the shot of that flash of striking yellow (I tilted it a bit ) because the flowers hang down: its a little bit shy and likes to keeps its bloomers hidden.