Perovskia "Blue Spire."

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by SimonZ, Dec 14, 2018.

  1. SimonZ

    SimonZ Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2009
    Messages:
    895
    Ratings:
    +746
    Colour now fading and it is going to seed. Wondering what to do re the stalks. In the past it has taken care of its self but it has grown impressively and I want to take care to attend to it in the DSCF0266.JPG best possible way. Any thoughts?
     
  2. Verdun

    Verdun Passionate gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2012
    Messages:
    7,475
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West Cornwall
    Ratings:
    +17,486
    SimonZ......not too complicated. Wait until spring and then prune to a few inches of the ground if you want a more bushy plant...as I do....or to a little higher. (Stems will be less lax too if you cut harder) Cut to where lowest new shoots are growing; you can see then which stems are dead so so remove these entirely.:)
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • SimonZ

      SimonZ Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 9, 2009
      Messages:
      895
      Ratings:
      +746
      Hi, this plant is now putting out new green growth. I am wanting to clarify what I should do next. I began cutting to the new shoots today, but note you also say above it is possible to cut to within a few inches of ground. Presumably if I do so, new growth will still come this year. I'm tempted to cut some of the plant right back but keep some of the new growth. DSCF2734.JPG DSCF2735.JPG DSCF2734.JPG DSCF2735.JPG DSCF2735.JPG
       
    • KFF

      KFF Total Gardener

      Joined:
      May 30, 2017
      Messages:
      3,741
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Worcestershire
      Ratings:
      +5,890
      Hi @SimonZ , if it was mine I would cut the old stems between the new shoots, for instance in pic 1 just above those two shoots.
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • Verdun

        Verdun Passionate gardener

        Joined:
        Oct 16, 2012
        Messages:
        7,475
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        West Cornwall
        Ratings:
        +17,486
        Hiya SimonZ
        Yes you can right down to the ground now. This helps make for more sturdy growth disinclined to flop. I would cut all growth back to the ground but if you prefer to you can prune to where the new shoots appear.
        It will still grow and flower whatever you do :)
         
      • SimonZ

        SimonZ Gardener

        Joined:
        Feb 9, 2009
        Messages:
        895
        Ratings:
        +746
        Update: I cut back down to the ground as suggested. The plant flowered moderately through the summer, a bit shorter than usual but somewhat bushier. It was quite battered by the rain and the front half or so of the clump became quite bowed forward at one point. But even the combination of quite heavy sun and very heavy rain did not result in a vigorous growth. I'm wondering ifanyone has any tips as we go into the autumn? Thanks.
         
        • Informative Informative x 1
        • Nikolaos

          Nikolaos Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jun 26, 2019
          Messages:
          1,714
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Midlands, UK
          Ratings:
          +4,288
          What is your soil type, Simon? Perhaps an important factor here. Asking because I absolutely love these and want to block/drift plant them both on my allotment and at home.

          Nick
           
        • Verdun

          Verdun Passionate gardener

          Joined:
          Oct 16, 2012
          Messages:
          7,475
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          West Cornwall
          Ratings:
          +17,486
          Yes SimonZ
          Do nothing until the spring now......then prune back to a few buds. If you want it to be a little sturdier, less floppy, then you can cut again around early May.
          Don’t feed or water too much, if at all, next summer. Grow it hard :)
          It is a fairly hardy plant
           
        • SimonZ

          SimonZ Gardener

          Joined:
          Feb 9, 2009
          Messages:
          895
          Ratings:
          +746
          Thank you for everyone's input on the above. I'm amazed its a year since my original question, and am now back to the flowerless stems and assuming I should proceed as before, ie wait until spring before cutting anything back?
           
        • SimonZ

          SimonZ Gardener

          Joined:
          Feb 9, 2009
          Messages:
          895
          Ratings:
          +746
          Apologies for not replying Nick, I must have missed this. Its an acidic soil and quite stony - I live in the Calder Valley, Yorks, in a very wet environment, heavy rains and quite high up so winters can be very cold and windy (as can the rest of the year to be honest!)
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Nikolaos

            Nikolaos Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jun 26, 2019
            Messages:
            1,714
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Midlands, UK
            Ratings:
            +4,288
            Perhaps this article will help. Seems our friend Verdun's advice to prune in early May was spot on for your region, Simon. I planted three in my back garden in Summer but am a tad concerned about them not performing well after reading this because my site doesn't get year-round sunshine! I'm not brave enough to cut them right down this Spring but may do in future years. :heehee:

            "In addition to a site with year-round sunshine, success with perovskia is all about pruning. In our climate the plants come late into leaf. They should be hard-pruned back to a little woody framework, no more than a few inches tall, just as they are beginning to leaf up. This will probably not be until mid-April.

            If plants are pruned too early and too hard they may simply give up and die. If in doubt, it is best to wait until May when they will be in full growth. However, if perovskia is not pruned hard enough the growth can become lax and floppy, particularly when the plants are young. The untidy mess that ensues, while still attractive in a wild and woolly way, does not show the plant off to its best advantage and the flower spikes may get swamped by neighbouring plants."

            How to grow: perovskia

            Nick
             
            • Like Like x 2
            • Informative Informative x 1
            • SimonZ

              SimonZ Gardener

              Joined:
              Feb 9, 2009
              Messages:
              895
              Ratings:
              +746
              Just wondering now whether to stake/tie back this perovskia? It is coming into flower, but some stalks are not flowering, and are very bowed over, due no doubt to a combination of recent excessive rains, and its own heavy weight now that the plant has multiplied. I confess I didn't adhere to the advice above and cut back in May this time - other things in life took over a bit this spring, as I'm sure can be imagined in the current circumstances! DSCF2149.JPG DSCF2136.JPG DSCF2149.JPG DSCF2136.JPG DSCF2149.JPG
               

              Attached Files:

            • SimonZ

              SimonZ Gardener

              Joined:
              Feb 9, 2009
              Messages:
              895
              Ratings:
              +746
              While this plant grew and spread nicely across the front of the garden, one clump seemed top get bowed down by heavy rain, and inexplicably flattened at the base under a rock. I've removed the rock, and placed it as a support in front of the stalks, and am wondering if the clump will revive. DSCF4820.JPG DSCF4820.JPG
               
            Loading...

            Share This Page

            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
              Dismiss Notice