Am I just too impatient?

I gave our garden a complete overhaul last year, digging out just about everything and starting again with young plants (many of which I'd not grown before). Of course, like everyone else's, it spent the winter under siege from the weather - when it wasn't covered in 18" of snow, it was frozen solid for weeks on end and I'm wondering if that hasn't sounded the death knell to some of these 'babies'.

The things I expected to suffer or had particular trouble establishing, (dwarf delphinium and lupins for example) are showing new vigorous growth and are some 3" high (although I guess the slugs are already licking their lips), but there's a disturbing lack of life in things like Cuphea, Salvia Microphylla and Gaura.

Am I just being too impatient?

 

I thought my Gaura was dead but I see new shoots showing now. So yes, you are being too impatient! It's been a long winter and it's still chilly out there overnight.

Patience!!

 

Fidgetsmum - which Cuphea is it? I don't think any of them are hardy. If its Cuphea ignea it certainly isn't hardy, though you can winter it indoors. I think even a cold greenhouse may not be enough.

Salvia microphylla is a bit iffy - but it should be OK. Mine are only showing the tiniest buds at present. I cover mine with fleece - though that may not be neccessary in a normal winter. I only have one that wasn't protected - 'Hot Lips' and there are no signs from that at present. So my fingers are crossed.

 

As I suspected. Patience was never my strong point!

Have to say I've no idea which Cuphea they are, they came from the supermarket (!), although the labels (if they are to be believed) do say, 'will die back in winter'. The microphylla are 'Hot Lips' for which I had actually bought the fleece, but I had to go away on a business trip and, when I got back, just poking through the snow could be seen the label upon which I'd written 'protect from frost'

Many thanks for your replies everyone - the phrase, 'give me patience and give it to me now' comes to mind.

 

I guess if there is one thing a garden lover needs its patience its possible a few plants have not had a chance to establish but its amazing what a bit of sun and heat can do and there is plenty time to replace plants through summer anyway ,good luck.

 

shoots of gaura are coming through in my gardenbut I think Hot lips and Autumn planted Delphs are gonners.