Aubretia

Just had a thought, if aubrieta won't thrive why not try some of the Phlox douglassii and subulata forms. They come in all the same colours as aubtrieta and trail like them, but are just as easy(?) to gorw and maintain.

 

Lovely DAG..nice stone colour!

Mine are doing well this year.

Even under the seating.

 

I think you are all just rubbing it in! Lovely photos.
Palustris, I have also been trying to grow phlox! They are hanging on, just clumps but not spreading. Are yours in sun?
I shall give up in disgust. :(

 

That aubretia looks great Paladin, now that's about the same colour as mine, so why does the camera lie?

A bit OT, but I remember in the old colour film days that blue is hard to accurately reproduce, so I thought with digital it would be ok! Or have you edited the pic?

Perhaps I should just get a better camera? :D

 

Oh you just reminded me Liz, I had a lovely varigated leaved aubretia and it never stopped flowering, it was even flowering on Christmas day one year!

I have just been down the garden to look for it, reminded by your thread, but alas it is no longer there.

As to Johnsons Blue - my whole garden was full of this and Alchamilla and ground elder when we moved in, I still have it but have to keep it in check.

 

Just another look at our favourite spring rockery plant before they go over.....Aubretia
Love It.

 

Ph;ox are in the sun and all over the garden too, even in the paths. I do not know why you canot get them to grow, unless your garden is shady and either very dry or wet!

 

Oh and look all of you - all is not lost, I found it, well actually 3 pieces of it.

 

I had a lovely plant like that last year, sadly no sign of it this year. Out of all my efforts there are 2 straggly bits form a whole packet of seed, and 2 purple bits from a nice little pack of 6, 3 red and 3 purple, from Morrisons.
As for the phlox, Palustris, my garden is very lacking in shade so might be too dry. I asked because I have 2 plants in a pot shaded by a liitle bush, which have survived.
I have a tray of Aubretia seedlings just emerging. Fingers crossed!

 

Like a lot of mountain plants both Aubrieta and Phlox douglassii and subulata like to have their feet in the shade and their heads in the sun. In nature they often grow from underneath rocks, the rock provides a cool and damp root run and the foliage is out in the open sun, which it needs to ripen the 'wood'and of course the seeds.
Now Thyme is different, it likes to have its roots warm too. In fact it can even kill itself by shading the roots from the sun with its top growth!

 

Ah! That just might be the problem. I will try some rocks and pebbles. Thanks
I have a very pretty little phlox which has a few live bits, sort of candy striped pink, it's lovely. Perhaps i can save it.....

 

THanks guys - you just put a name to my most favourite plant in my garden!!! Doesn't go when it gets started!!