Spring in the garden!

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by stephenprudence, Mar 24, 2012.

  1. stephenprudence

    stephenprudence GC Weather Guru

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    Just a few pictures of the back border, which is loving the Spring sunshine today!

    [​IMG]

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    • strongylodon

      strongylodon Old Member

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      What a difference the sun makes.
       
    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      The garden's looking really good, Stephen. Did you shelter the exotics during the Winter?? I haven't taken my Palms, Cannas, or Banana out of the shelter of the Kitchen as yet. Looks really good
       
    • PeterS

      PeterS Total Gardener

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      looking good - it really is spring now.
       
    • Jenny namaste

      Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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      Hi PeterS,
      re: SALVIAS:wub2:
      I am starting to get a bit hooked on Salvias even though the garden is postage stamp size so I have to cherry pick. I have managed to overwinter a Salvia Patens "C ambridge blue" tuber and it is sprouting well now . Will replant in a few weeks. Quite chuffed wi' mesel too as I saved 4 seeds from it's 2 flowers which I sowed a month ago and are now happily living in the south facing bathroom (or "potting shed with a bath in it" says HWMBO'd)!! What are your 3 favourites?
      Jenny namaste
       
    • PeterS

      PeterS Total Gardener

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      Hi Jenny

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      I think one of the best is Salvia microphylla, along with gregii and their cross xjamensis - which are all very similar. They flower for a very long period and will be perfectly hardy for you.

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      The other is S. 'Mystic Spires', again long flowering and hardy. Its a sterile hybrid - so you won't find seeds, but they used to sell them in garden centres as plugs at this time of year.

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      Possibly the loveliest is S leucantha. It will take a few degrees of frost, but will need winter protection. It looks and feels like velvet.

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      I also like S. involucrata, which is also not very hardy. The flowers are weird, but great fun.
       
    • Jenny namaste

      Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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      Ahhhhh, all glorious Peter. I have a rooted cutting of Salvia leucantha that was given to me early last November. Also in the bathroom - is has 2 little flowers on it!Bless!! Have you viewed the specialist Salvia grower's gallery ? Loads and loads of amazing colours , including almost BLACK. very rare and not available here. Oh, the site is "Robins Salvias". I keep it in "favourites" and treat myself to a browse from time to time. Thank you for showing me these,
      Jenny namaste
       
    • stephenprudence

      stephenprudence GC Weather Guru

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      Wouldn't mind getting a Salvia elegans actually..
       
    • PeterS

      PeterS Total Gardener

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      Stephen - Salvia elegans is lovely, but it tends to flower over the winter and needs protection. I find winter flowering tender plants difficult to accomodate - so I am afraid to say I dropped it.

      Jenny - Robin Middleton has a lovely site, and its a great source of information. He has been good enough to sent me seeds of quite a number of more unusual Salvias.

      Another one I really like is Salvia sclarea - its a biennial, and consequently a bit more touble - but worth it.
       
    • stephenprudence

      stephenprudence GC Weather Guru

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      There's one at Ness botanic gardens that flowers from October to December every year without fail, before the leaves fall off. it's quite large.. photo below.

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      it doesn't die down as such like most Salvias, but it is deciduous. Of course it does depend on the climate.
       
    • simbad

      simbad Total Gardener

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      The palms look great Stephen, I took the plunge last week and bought a couple of phormiums to replace the ones I lost last winter.
      Great salvia pictures Peter :wub2:
      Stephen that last picture looks very like one I used to have, pineapple sage, it always flowered late in the year, may be wrong though lots that look similar, Peters the salvia expert :)
       
    • longk

      longk Total Gardener

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      Jenny - I have Salvia discolor, probably my absolute favourite!
      [​IMG]

      Maybe we start a Salvia thread?
       
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      • Jenny namaste

        Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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        :wub2: :wub2:
        What an absolutely spiffing idea! Yes pleeeease. Love this one too **. I get turned on by black flowers or foliage. If you have a seed or two**......:wub2:
         
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        • longk

          longk Total Gardener

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        • Gay Gardener

          Gay Gardener Total Gardener

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          What a beauty. Is there any chance you could post a photo which captures all of the plant?

          Thanks
           
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