Major achievement!

I have finally persuaded some Ivy leaved toad flax to root in my garden. I love this pretty weed and have been nicking clumps of it to put in the garden- it's always been reluctant to stay. Another one I'm still trying for is a little campanula that grows like a weed round here... except in my garden!

 

My experience is they grow where they want to and don't take well to being transplanted as the roots are nigh impossible to get out complete. If you look closely though you will seed pods being turned in towards the wall and they seek out tiny dark crevices in which to plant themselves. They do prefer soft mortar in old walls rather than hard new cement but if you can winkle out some seed pods and place them between a couple of rocks with some limestone grit (not the normal fine ground - I use limestone chips and smash them up a bit with a hammer then pass it all through a 1/4" sieve) and add just a hint of soil to make a loose 'joint' they will probably take OK. Rock pinks will also do well on this limestone mixture if you have acid soil.

 

Thanks Frogesque, I found it very difficult to get bits of root, but my bit has now got a little flower on so I can look out for seedheads, and try to spread it.
Now it's in my garden I can examine it at leisure, without people thinking I've gone potty grovelling about by other peoples' walls.
And I've just found a tiny clump of the campanula in an old flower pot- thanks, birds, yet again!

[ 03. July 2006, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: Liz ]