What's looking rough in March 2013

Yes, I've found that. Last years shoots will just wither during the summer and need cutting off.

However, my last-year's shoots are very healthy looking (still), so I'm reluctant to cut them off. (and Hedychium greenii carries bulbils on the stems if over wintered frost-free, which is a bonus )

 

Looks immaculate to me

 

I've not grown H. greenii, but by what you say it makes sence to leave the stems on.

I did a little experiment last year and left one plant of H. garnerianum in full leaf, the rest I cut down as usual.
Now I know this is hardly a conclusive experiment as other things might be coming into play.
But the one left green didn't produce any new shoots until nearly July and as a result flowered very late, into Nov.
The ones I cut back and the ones I divided all came into growth late May, as usual.

 

I would never have thought of that ... I was just thinking that maintaining growth in the Winter was benefiting the plant. Its for the Pete-Chop then - an earlier form of the Chelsea Chop

 

Must admit I initially thought the same, keep it green and growing, must be better for the plant.
Probably needs more experimentation.
One I have growing outside gets frosted every year around Christmas, so get cut back then.
That one flowered earlier than the pot grown one kept in leaf.

 

Sorry to drag an old thread up and to laugh at other people's expense.. but why hadn't I seen this before!! Hahaha class. Nearly every plant in my garden needs to be on this thread

 

i LOVE the idea of this! Most of my plants are looking horrific at the moment! Can there be a new thread?! :D

 

Heeheehee!

For anyone not wanting to scroll or click or search it is here:

WHAT'S LOOKING ROUGH IN THE GARDEN

You can just search for "rough" and it's the first thing that comes up! :D