What's Looking Good In October 2012

To an extent that is true with some plants. Several other reasons though;

I like the black background.

I can control the shadows when using flash up close.

It's difficult to carry on weeding (there are lots of Aqueliga, Forget me Nots etc still popping up everywhere) and planting in the dark!

And as the new garden is still very much work in progress it hides all the crap that's everywhere!

On this particular occasion though, it was simply because it was the first opportunity after my visit to my Chiropractor!

 

Just gorgeous, Amandii, Shiney and Longk

 

Lovely pictures everyone. LongK - thanks - you have answered a query for me. I have grown Rhodichiton for the first time and been most impressed. Have you ever overwintered it, and how does that compare with growing as an annual? I have been looking for seeds on my plants but your comment that there may not be any suggests that I should buy another packet - just in case.

I love your Lobelia tupa. I keep threatening to get some seeds, but never get round to it. There was a large one nearby in a park in Leeds, that had clearly survived several winters, but the cold winter before last saw it off.

 

Thank you Shiney for a glorious show of Autumn "specials." A lovely mix of shapes and colours,
Jenny

 

Bilbo,
please will you post a piccie of your fabulous Red Oak when It's really,really RED?

 

I usually get seed from it, but this year looks as if it'll be slim pickings for some reason. I have overwintered them and not been overly impressed, but I'll put it undercover this year just in case.

Out of seven just two bloomed. Two that haven't look to have created a particularly good root stock and will stay out as they're in a favourable spot and may be ok with a mulch. The other three have been lifted and will be under cover. I wonder if they're a little short lived like Queen Victoria is.............

 

shiney, your fotos are always a delight !!!

 

My lobelia tupa have been rubbish this year, obviously due to lack of warmth and sun, none have got above 2 foot and only a couple of mine flowered to, other years they've been brilliant getting bigger each year till the cold winter which finished all mine off to , luckily I collected seed, normally mine do survive with a good mulch.

 

Simbad - Mine did rather well from the seed that you sent me!

I'm hoping for great things from my latest Lobelia growing project

 

LongK - I was intersted in your remark. I presume you meant the Lobelia and not the old lady of Windsor.

I used to lift my QV, and then "Tanya" which I acquired later, every autumn and keep them in a cold frame as I understood they were only marginally hardy. To get them into the small pots I had to divide most of them every autumn and then I divided them again as they came out of the cold frame in the spring. That way one purchased plant soon multiplied to over 60. I did have others colours but they didn't seem to be as robust and I gave up trying to keep the colours seperate. L. syphalitica however is very hardy, and I have never lifted or even divided that.

Mine didn't really have an age as the process of division kept them young. Then two summers ago almost all my QV died - but "Tanya" didn't. I have no idea why. I have now given up overwintering them in a cold frame - but perhaps I should keep dividing them to keep them young.