Maxgarden's Inbox

Just this weekend (in U.S.) I planted Cosmos seeds, have never before. We live in a residential neighborhood and they are planted around our shed. I was told by a fellow gardener I may be sorry. According to him, Cosmos belongs in fields, they are easily spread through the wind and will be coming up everywhere!?! I'm afraid my neighbor won't appreciate this (nor, I'm thinking, will I ...:)

Good thinking Andrew. I never had any imagination.

John.

The only thing I would add to the excellent advice above - if you have any dry woody waste or straw, I would give the roots a mulch now as well

Tend to agree with Sarraceniac especially with a smallish specimen like your own until it gets past the first couple of winters outside. On the lee side of a fence is good. Once past those all-important first winters an older plant should have no problems. Fleece is exellent but do ensure there is plenty of air space and the base is well anchored to the ground to prevent 'draughts'.

Don't do a 'Chelsea' on your plant, I used fleece on both my plants initially and today they are around 12ft high and 8ft wide after just 7 years so be sure they have room to grow.

Hi Maxgarden. It is officially hardy to about -5C so I suppose it is borderline unless your micro-climate is artificially warm. I would have the fleece standing by if a hard frost is forecast for your area.

John.

I haven't come across this Carex - it's great!

I bought one yesterday, planted it this morning, lovely grass..

I'ave got one or two of these also Max although I didn't know that they grow so wide (only got mine late last year) although true be told if mine get as big as yours I will be one very happy camper indeed! Hel.xxx.

autumn at its best........................

lovely pictures...................

a wonderfull picture.......................

very well planted.......................

a lovely garden so neat and tidy................i love the shape of the lawn

This pic makes the plant I found last month, and which you so kindly gave me info on, seem much more attractive, many thanks!

Wow.! A very unique looking hellebore. I would have guessed it to be euphorbia.
I'm sure it's very rarely seen in cultivation. I'd love to have one.!

My cosmos have also shot up. think this is normal - they do this every year! I don't think you need to keep them in the heated propagator now they are up and growing - put them where they will get plently of light (so they don't have to stretch for it) and just keep them frost free. Mine are in an unheated greenhouse, but I do bring them indoors when the nights are frosted.

Yes - I got some for the first time this year. I haven't planted any yet. We will have to compare notes as to how we do.

I have also just sown some of the `Cosmos bipinnata` in a cold greenhouse, I think they should be ok although I too wasn1t sure if it was too cold, but I`m sure I grew them the same last year.
I got the seed from the RHS site in January along with lots of other seeds which I am trying, does anyone else take advantage of the seeds availbale from RHS?

I grew these last year and found that I had to prick them out much sooner than all the other seedlings. They were fine once I'd done that (in an unheatedgreenhouse by the way) and I ended up with so many that I was practically begging people to have a few! I am about to sow a different type - red/orange in colour and not as tall as the usual ones. I am looking forward to seeing how they do!

I don't know the answer, but thoght it might make you feel better when i say that mine have done exactly the same.

Mine germinated quickly, they are very tall and weedy looking as if too much heat and light. I havent anywhere cooler than the present north facing conservatory to move them to...unless I pop them into a cold frame but that seems too chilly doesnt it?

I'll be interested to hear what others say!

Are`nt Bridges over water a WONDERFUL SITE ?

What lovely colour reds/browns&greens :D

Love lookn at Landscape pictures this is Fantastic

OMG your garden is BEAUTIFUL Max :)& all done in 4years you mustv worked very hard every day :)

When I went to our local Nursery on Saturday i noticed that their Photinias had the same problem - they wouldn't be selling them if it were a major problem, they are a reputable outfit.

My photinia has sustained black/brown patches during the winter from frost damage. This might be different from your problem, difficult to tell.

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/plantdiseasefs/450-609/450-609.html see if this helps!Difficult to see on your photo,but it may be a match?

Poor Buddleja! All you can do really is what you have been - and IF we have a hot summer, give it a drink! At least you have the consolation that it recovers each time. What colour is it?

I've had one on acid soil too so I don't think that's going to be the problem. If it's only been the last couple of years, it might be lack of water and then too much! - lol

My RHS Encyclopaedia says that Buddleja davidii prefers alkaline soil. I am just wondering what Ph your soil is - do you know? Just a thought. It also says 'grow in fertile well-drained soil', so I don't think that your soil will be too rich...