Spritzhenry's Outbox

Could it be a Pernettia? Some varieties have pink berries...

Thanks Andrew - please don't stop! That's why I added the question... had started to think about evergreen structure and 'architectural' plants, one idea was evergreen late flowering mini-Hebes. Phormium sounds good! I've got one in a pot I had last winter in the porch. I'll place it and see what it looks like.

OK. Thanks. I will plant them elsewhere to give them the best chance!

Hi Grindle - I've got a long list of possibles, some of which I've already bought from recent Garden visits. I have 2 x Heuchera 'Licorice', 2 x Rudbeckia triloba and one deanii as well as an Agapanthus 'Navy Blue'. I am hoping to plant a Purple Clematis alpina, a purple viticella and a white large flowering one as well as the Solanum. Small plant ideas are white Helianthemum and hardy Geraniums - as well as trying the Anemone blanda corms! I shall definitely plant my favourite Salvias, 'Purple Rain' and 'Mainacht' or 'Ostfriesland', and Verbena
bonariensis and rigida. i like Lavandula stoechas, so that's on the list with white Penstemons and dark Delphiniums. Maybe a white Thalictrum and Lysimachia clethroides. I think I may transplant a Convulvulus Cneorum which is not happy in its present position. If there's any more space, I'll plant Calendula and Escholzia. If you (or anybody else) have any thoughts or ideas, I'd love to hear them! The border gets sun most of the day. All suggestions considered!

That's how I've always grown them before, too, Owdboggy, but the corms came in a pack of mixed miniature bulbs. I might as well have a go, nothing ventured as they say! I am going to plant them in my new border...see blog...:-)

Thanks - I'll plant them today. :-)

I think you live in California - is that right? I guess that if you can buy narcissi there, now, you should treat them as we do here in England and plant them deep ASAP! They aren't heat lovers, so if you succeed with them, I don't think the flowers will last very long.

I would imagine you'd be OK down there - but have some fleece ready just in case!

I would imagine you'd be OK down there - but be ready with the fleece just in case!

Which Verbena do you grow? Can you get any different ones out there? Would love to know. Mine are all still in flower, too. I grow V. bonariensis, V.rigida (2 colours) V. hastata and two more not so upright, V. 'Homestead purple' and V.'Seabrook's lilac'. I also have an annual one at the moment - V.Aztec Pearl.

I think you may have to make friends with your new neighours as a priority - hold an 'Open House' or a 'Getting to know you' party, and then they can't complain too much if the cat does visit them! (lol)

There certainly are companies who don't pack their plants well, I've received plants half of which have been dead! They did replace them - but those were nearly as bad, so I just gave up. I stick to firms who I know give good service. I do buy seeds by mail order, and haven't had any problems. My magazine has only just arrived so I have not yet read the article.

Aren't cats a bit adventurous? He might well decide for himself, and go off over the fence to find his own secret place for his new loo! You could try the provision that you suggest - but hope he doesn't 'go' next door...:-( (Hope the move goes well)

So if there are so many, how many different types do you grow? (Tongue in cheek a bit - I know you couldn't grow all that lot!!!)

I went round the garden and looked - and there are Michaelmas daisies white, pink, cerise and mauve. Also Penstemons of various colours, bright yellow sunflowers,and Rudbekia 'Goldsturm'. Erigeron karvinskianus still going strong as are fuchsias. My Schizostylis are in flower, too. Geranium sanguineum is also flowering well after a haircut earlier. Too many others to write but those are the most colourful and with most life left in them. Autumn colour also in Pyracantha berries and Virginia Creeper foliage. Clematis orientalis in full bloom.

Hi Maple - oh dear. I did hope it might still flower... it was bought at a reputable Garden Centre, so surely not an agricultural one from there? I suppose it might flower next year if I can overwinter it.

She is lucky! hope it does seed so she has more next year.

THAT is what I plan for the central climber in my new border. Please give me some hints on growing it, Andrew!

Definitely one of my favourite shrubs, both for the colour and also the time of year they flower. I have 'Heavenly Blue', a deeper blue one with greyer leaves (x 2!) and a new one this year with no name but even darker flowers.

I've got what I call 'Chocolate Pittosporum' - I guess it's 'Tom Thumb' - and a large all-green one, but not the variegated version, which is very attractive.