Cleome

Just thought to relive the days of summer with a picture of 3 Cleome in a pot.



These grew to about 6 foot (including the pot). I really loved them as they had great presence as a result of their height. I also did the same with 3 Cosmos in a pot (grown for the first time). They also reached about 6 foot, and made visitors say wow!

Any other ideas for something awe inspiring in a pot.

 

A lovely looking part of the garden. Do you 'do' hanging baskets? Unfortunately thats just about as far as i go on the flower side (geraniums). I'm more into veggies.

 

Nice plants Peter, rest of the garden looks good too, roll on spring.

 

Thanks for your kind comments. No I don't do hanging baskets. I made a decision at the start, that whilst I do like them, they needed so much watering as to be a nuisance. I have about 25 large pots, but they take some watering too! In fact the Cleome that I liked so much, died when I went away and the neighbour (who is a keen gardener) forgot to water them.

 

Stunning - absolutely stunning, Peter!

But what are those intense red flowers in the background - they look pretty good too!

 

Thats Lobelia Queen Victoria, its very easy It is lovely, with purple foliage and the red flowers that lasted for 8 weeks this year.

It is marginally hardy so I do lift it each year and keep in the summerhouse. I bought a single plant three years ago, which has since divided into over 30 plants.

In front of it is Geranium Patricia, bought earlier this year. It has just flowered and flowered and flowered. It started on June 14 and was still flowering even after the first frost recently, but it is over now. At least 24 weeks in flower.

 

That lobelia is my favourite plant. It looks great in the evening with the sun shining through the petals. As it has a habit of disapearing I always save some seeds, just in case.

I have a packet of cleome seeds that I must start next spring.

 

They do look well.

 

Hi PeterS

great looking Cleome's. your picture has persuaded me to try some this year. have you thought about trying Brugmansia (Angels Trumpet) in your large pots. Huge trumpets flowers and the scent on an evening is intoxicating.Give a yellow one a try and you'll be hooked!
GC

 

Thanks GC

Does it come in any colour other than yellow, I am really trying to keep yellow out of my colour scheme?

I was really pleased with the Cleome. I had three in the pot, which I fed well, but also some in a bed. They get really heavy after a while, and I had to tie the three together. I have since read that if you pinch out the main bud when it is fairley young it encourages more lateral growth and more flowers.

 

You can get most colours, not blue but there are lilacs.
Your cleomes, and garden, were lovely.

[ 02. February 2006, 01:15 AM: Message edited by: Liz ]

 

Peter

Beautiful flowers - and I love the lobelia too!!

Whats wrong with Yellow!!!!!??????? My favoutie colour.... such a happy, cheerful, sunny colour....

 

Thanks Liz and Honey Bee

Nothing wrong with yellow. It is just that I have opted for cool colours - blue, pink, purples etc and not yellow, orange or hot reds. It does pull the garden together I think. Mind you, the Lobelia is pushing it!

I had a look at Chilterns last night and did see Brugmansia in some other colours - might have a go at that.

 

Hi Peter

Yes you can get other colours of Brugmasia. I have a white one and also pink. there are some which also have double flowers. The lilac ones people mention are a Datura which is an annual but they are very easy to propogate, It's difficult to get seeds for Brugs in this country as they need a certain moth to pollenate them. I've never had seed pods on my Brugs but the daturas have spikey seed pods which is why they are sometimes called Devils Thorn Apple. Theres a web site www.forums.brugmansia.us which has stacks of information on both these plants. Give it a try!
Cheers Gill

PS the yellow ones have the best perfume,the red/orange one none at all, which is why I grow yellow!

[ 02. February 2006, 12:31 PM: Message edited by: GC ]