What's looking good MARCH 2024

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Some Hyacinths flowering on our balcony!
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Balc, I’ll bet they smell wonderful.

 

I've bought one for the front garden, lots of South sun, southern Hampshire. Do you think it will be OK?

 

I have read that they are hardy down to -5 C in a sheltered position. It is also suggested that it's a good idea to grow them in a pot so that if the winter is particularly severe they can be moved. Therefore I suppose it depends on your local weather.
I live in a hilly area and although our winters are usually mild we can get a cold spell occasionally so mine is in a pot. Someone told me theirs is in the ground and survives being covered in snow but they live in the east where it's dryer than here so it seems that a combination of cold temperatures and wet conditions (like we get here occasionally) are not good for them.
Maybe the further south you are the less cold it is.
How big is your plant ? You could grow it in a pot at first and see how it handles the Hampshire winters, and then decide whether to keep it in the pot or plant it in the ground.

 

Just personal experience, but the Loropetalum I grew in Northants in a S-facing, improved clay soil border took -8C with no problem. I brought it with me in 2007 and it's had much lower temperatures than that to contend with. One particularly bad winter we had -12C / -17C and snow for 10 days. Maybe it's an age thing and only young plants are susceptible?

 

A few things are slightly earlier here @NigelJ , but most is pretty much as normal, despite these mild winters we're getting up here now. It's all relative though - what I call mild, is probably still cold to some people
Lovely plant, but I don't think I'd like it if it was pinker! I don't like pastel colours - whites and then strong, rich purples, reds, pinks, orange etc. I know I'm probably in the minority with that though!

 

Good to see you too @Busy-Lizzie

How funny - I am on the Thorncroft website as I am in the market for some spring flowering clematis ….Helsingborg is in my basket. Seeing @roders photo has convnced me to go for it

 

I want another early clem, but getting the site right is quite difficult here. I love the macropetalas - Lemon Dream is near my back door, and I look forward to seeing it every year. Some nice fat buds on it just now. The koreanas are lovely but I can't keep them alive here for love nor money.

That one [Helsingborg] is lovely though. I think I had it earmarked at one point.

 

Camellia 'Slavedriver'

 

and

 

Brugmansia before T'other Half cuts it back ...

... and looking from under ...


Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ...



Pachira aquatica ...


Scheffleras ...

 

sadly would love to post pictures of my garden, but too often I get, too large etc. So frustrated so I don't. Right now, many of my 400 Thousand daffs are up and blooming. My drifts of those small blue flowers are carpeting the front lawn. Soon the drift of white flowers will be surrounding the driveway light post and cascading about. Crocus are in many clumps here and there. The bunches of snowdrops have started to fade. My Virginia Blue Bell are up with the buds on them ready to open. Later daffs are emerging for the next show. Some hosta's are popping out of the ground across the front and down the garden path. Star magnolia has just started blooming. Well that is it for my 3 acre garden. Oh, yes and the hardy geraniums are perking up grand. Spiderwort coming through. Most likely forgot many.

 

Very exotic @Victoria.
I shall be headed down your way in 3 weeks time for a golfing trip.

 

I think Koreanas like it drier @fairygirl . oddly enough I've never seen either those or macropetalas on sale here, just the large flowered ones which is contrary to say the least.

 

Yes - I just can't keep it dry enough for them @Obelix-Vendée and I've tried them in pots, against the house walls etc, but it's still too wet and cold there. I'm not wasting any more dosh on trying them!
The macros and the alpinas cope more easily, as long as there's plenty of other planting soaking up everything, and mine are in raised beds too. I've lost a few Group 3s as well, and I'm assuming it's been the same problem. Some seem to be much more finicky than others.

I like that 'view from below' @Victoria - it's something we tend to forget about isn't it? I like looking up at the trees during winter. That tangle of stems is beautiful especially if it's snowy or frosty.