Perennials that haven't reappeared after winter

Thanks sussex gardener. Oops about digitalis being biennals.

I have got back a grannys bonnet plant (don't know what they're called) and a bleeding heart one and something that looks like a mallow.

I bought today a perennial poppy thing called Papaver Orientale, a yellow daisy thing called rudbeckia? a holly hock and the scabious again (because it is my favorite even if is hopeless again)

Can I put them all in now?

 

I have planted all of those at this time of year, but I'm down South where its warmer. Don't know where you're located. If in doubt, wait a couple of weeks until April.

Granny's Bonnet is Aquilegia - I love it. Read the labels carefully for height and spread to you know where to plant, although the beauty of perennials is their ability (and need) to be divided and moved.

You'll love the Rudbeckia. Blooms for ages when the rest of the border is looking a bit tired.

 

Abi, the blue and yellow " balls " is slow release fertiliser, nothing to worry about.:thumb:

 

Hooray!! I was right!:yho:

 

Abi - have you thought about growing perennials from seed. I have bought lots of plants in the past, and it is an expensive way of doing things. You can pay several pounds for Digitalis, which as a biennial won't come back, and if your Scabious was a dark red one (Scabious purpurea) - thats unlikely to come back either - its not really hardy.

I have just sown several lots of seed, including Digitalis, Lupins, Salvai sclarea etc, which are all for next year - some as biennials and some as true perennials. All you need is an original packet of seed and thereafter they cost virtually nothing as I collect the seed each year. And when you sow seeds you can get 20 to 40 plants if you wish. Last autumn I planted about 20 Lupins and nearly all died over the winter. That would have cost a lot if I had bought them. Luckily I have plenty of other plants also from seed or cuttings.

There are times when you have to buy some things as plants, such as specific cultivars like Helium 'Moorheim Beauty' or Aster fricatii 'Monch'. These are both first class perennials and well worth getting, but don't come true from seed so you must buy them as plants. But thereafter you can increase them by division.

 

I grew lots of perennials from seed last Spring, and planted them in a nursery bed last summer (its near the greenhouse, so I could keep an eye on them, and water whilst doing the Toms & Cues etc.).

My motivation was saving money too.

 

Kristen - I really envy the space that you have. Though it brings problems of its own. Growing from seed has to be the solution for you. Though as I said some of the best can't be grown from seed. Very long flowering Geraniums like 'Patricia' and 'Rozanne' are sterile, but really good plants.

 

Yes, I agree. I have my eye on lots of things, but for budget I want quantity, not quality, to start with. I plant to replace things with more worthwhile varieties when budget allows. Perennials are pretty quick to establish, so what budget I have is first being spent on slower to established plants, Trees of course, and hedges, and hard landscaping. I'm hoping to have enough to dig the sunken garden this year, and if so then I am done for hard landscaping (Boo! Hiss! no more boys-toys to hire!)

I did buy a few herbaceous peonies this year though ...

 

Ahhhh so thats what the balls were. The Rudibecker sounds like it will be a winner then. I'm in the South too so hopefuly they will live! *praying*

Ahh so this is how you do it then. Like you Kristen I need to go for quantity my gardens pretty big and yes, its costing me a fortune!

I am a bit nervous about growing perennials from seed, I'm very good at killing things. Is it very hard? I've only done easy annuals like sweet peas and Mesembryanthum before.Would you start em in trays like annuals?

 

Abi - growing plants from seed is very simple. I always start them in seed trays. I use a small tray and divide it into two with a plastic label laid on edge. That means that you can have 16 different types of seed is the size of a grow bag tray. And they can turn into 500 plants or more. There is a once off investment in pots and trays. But you can improvise. Start collecting youghurt pots - they will need drainage holes.but are otherwise good for potting up individul seedlings.

There is essentially no difference between annuals and perennials. Annuals are always easy to germinate. Many perennials are also easy, but some take a bit longer - you just need patience and a plastic seed tray cover to keep the moisture in.

 

When buying perennials I always keep an eye on the local car boot sales, and county fair type things, as you can always pick up a bargain. Is there a horticultural theropy scheme near to where you live? They often have open days or sell plants all year round too.

I had a friendly grower when I lived in Hertfordshire, and he grew some perennials along with growing annuals, which I always found much cheaper than the garden centres, and less hassle than growing loads of the same type from seed. I would invest in a few of each variety knowing that nature would give me some more very soon!

Hope this helps!

 

Well, a couple of weeks on and after the "warm" weather of last week, there has been quite a bit of activity of growth. The Crocosmia and Verbena B have made an appearance, the Echinacea that I thought was fighting a losing battle with the gastropods has won and an Eremurus that I forgot I'd planted as a corm last autumn has made a surprise appearance! I also notice that several Tiger Lilies I'd forgotten about reappearing in the border....

Still no sign of the Eupatorium but I did a recce at the garden centre and their ones haven't shown any signs of life yet either so I am hopeful. Got to love this time of year. Now if it would just stop raining....

 

I am very pleased for you Aaron, and of course after all this anxiety you have given us you do realise you are obligated by gardening law to reward us with piccies when they bloom.


The eupatorium will be fine too.

 

Pics will gladly be provided

 

Hi, sorry I'm a couple of days late (still catching up after my logging problems) and I know I probably sound really boring compared to you all but...

I finally got around to sorting out my containers etc a couple of weeks ago and found quite a few with new growths coming through plus my pansies are lovely, all over the pot I put some in & how they survived this winter I don't know! Can't remember what the others are though, so will be posting some pics shortly, lol.

I agree with the other comments, wait a while - you never know.

Don't forget to post your pics.

cheers