What's looking good in October

Aster ' Little Carlow'. I forgot to stake it, so it has been really battered by the wind.


I am so pleased this one, from seed earlier this year, has started to flower - I didn't know how many year it would take. This is my giant Canary Islands Dandelion - Sonchus congestus. It is said to grow up to 10 feet or more.

 

http://s526.photobucket.com/albums/c...view=slideshow

Whats left for October, the last of my plants.

 

Good looking Asters PeterS.
I was toying with the idea of some for next year but my husband is of the persuasion that they get stricken by every known plant disease. Is this just a bee he's got into his bonnet ?

 

Hi Redstar. I couldn't see your pics. Just a link to Photobucket.

 

Jings, that's some Dandelion. Will it do clocks like dandelions and blow about the place.

 

And if the old childhood rumour is true, will you spend many sleepness nights rushing to the loo?

 

Alice - what your husband says is only partly right. There are several species of Aster. The true Michaelmas Daisies are Aster Novii-Belgii. These can be badly affected by mildew, and I have made a point of never having any. Then there are Aster Novae-Angliae. I think these are better - but I am still wary of them.

The Asters that I have and which I would thoroughly recommend, have never suffered from any disease. They are

Aster fricatii 'Monch' - this flowers for twice as long as any other aster. It starts in July and is still in flower now. http://www.cgf.net/photos/AstMon151.jpg

Aster amellus - Italian aster. There are quite a few cultivars - but I have a very dark violet one - 'Violet Queen'. I bought it because Bob Brown said it had a better colour than any other amellus. http://www.cgf.net/photos/AstVQ152.jpg

and Aster Little Carlow - shown above. Which is most spectacular. http://www.cgf.net/photos/AstLtC121.jpg

I have mentioned Bob Brown before. A Chelsea gold medal winner and ex schoolmaster, who scores plants on a scale of 1 to 10. I made my choice based purely on his scores and I have been very pleased. http://www.cgf.net/plants.php?genus=ASTER

 

Great to get the dandelion to flower Peter.

Is it likely to be more impressive in future years do you think?

 

Pete I hope so. But its something I know nothing about. Its not hardy at all - though I haven't told my neighbour that. :D

I have just found this picture http://c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000wZCWc2wGRSo/s

 

Thanks for all that PeterS - but once my husband has that bee it's hard to shift.

We still call them Pis de Lis here, Clara Lou. I've picked a many, but it's never happened to me yet:okies:

 

Yes looks better as a shrub I think.:gnthb:

 

Woo - that Hibiscus is lovely. What species/hybrid is that and how Hardy?

 

Woo, that hisbiscus is stunning!!