Bi annuals

Should I be sowing bi annuals now such as Wallflowers and Foxglove?

 

I've already sowed Wallflowers, Sweet William and Lupins for next year. I had great success with all three this Spring/Summer by doing the same last year so it's a tried and tested method as far as I'm concerned. Maybe they benefit from the added sun at this time of year?

 

Yes. I sow all mine in March, when I sow my other seeds. But they probably don't need to be that early.

If you want something different, do try Salvia sclarea - pictured below. I think it is the most spectacular of all biennials. But, to get a good sized plant, you need to keep it eventually is a large pot, if you are doing them in pots. I also do Lychnis macedonica and Hesperis as well as Lupins, Wallflowers and Sweet William. Don't confuse Sclary (Salvia sclarea) with annual Sclary (Salvia hormium).

 

Peter, do you have shares in Salvia sclarea?:hehe: You recommend it all the time...or maybe you just really like it?:gnthb:

Might have to see about getting some seeds and having a go (see, you've convinced me!:wink

 

Sorry if I have overdone it SussexG :flag: - but yes I do really like it - I think it is most spectacular, and have a load growing on for next year.

 

No worries, it's on my list to look out for the seeds. How easy are they to grow?

Edited to add: I've just googled it and apparently it's Clary Sage?

 

Very easy to grow. All Salvia seeds need about 55F to 65F to germinate (ie do it indoors) and you don't cover the seeds (they need light to germinate). They will germinate in about 10 to 14 days. Otherwise no problems. They are totally hardy.

Mine are about to flower now. The flower buds are three or four inches long! They still amaze me.

If there is a choice Salvia sclarea var Turkestanica is said to be the best one. But I suspect that they are all that variety even if they don't mention it.

 

Thanks for that info, I have already sown some sweet william but think I will sow another different type now I know. I also have grown some more Cleome, PeterS, collected the seed from flowers last year and they are ready to be planted out asap, got some slug pellets ready!!!

Perhaps I will also try Salvia on your reccomendation.

One other question, when do you plant out into the garden your wallflowers, sweet william etc. ?

 

I planted the wallflowers and sweet william out in September. I think! It was a matter of space and timings.

 

I've had great success with Foxgloves, sowing the seed in late september last year and overwintering them in one of those 3 shelf stand up growhousesI pricked them out in February this year and all are about to flower this week or next.

I'll be sowing some wallflowers later today.

Steve...

 

The normal time for planting is late autumn, after the annuals have been removed and the Dahlias lifted, This leaves space for planting the biennials. I think plants also prefer to be in the border where they are free to grow to their full potential, as compared to pots that usually restrict them.

I suspect that it doesn't really matter when you plant them out as long as they are good sized plants. I grow them on in pots, but I think you must keep increasing the pot size. For instance I had some Salvia sclarea in large, 8 inch, pots where they made big plants. I planted them out in the autumn and they have gone on to do well and are now 3 feet high and will go higher. But I also had some in small 3 inch pots, which are still only three inches high in the garden and unlikely to flower.

I have a bee in my bonnet about pot size. If the pot is big enough you can grow any plant to a huge size in the pot, and plant it at any time as the act of planting doesn't disturb it. But invariably plants are left in pots that are too small (and not fed and watered enough) and they make miserable small plant. I am as bad as anyone for doing this. Though I did recently get some 50 litre pots - but not for biennials. :D

Stingo - I love Cleome - one of my favorites. But also look out for cabbage white catterpillars. Its a member of the cabbage family.

 

I'd agree there Peter, 99% of the things I've had in pots do so much better when planted out. But I do grow Hostas in pots (to keep the slugs off them) and just divide them. I also think Sarracocca can do well in the same pot for several years, but as it's so slow growing....

Oh yes and I have a walnut "tree" and blueberries in pots.

Re Sweet Williams, don't do what I did and dot them around the border in singles or doubles, when it comes to planting the out. They get lost amongst other stuff and make a much better impact if planting in a decent group...which I'll do this autumn! Forgive me if eggs, sucking and grannies spring to mind...:D