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Perennials
Last Autumn was my first attempt at growing perennials from seed, I find myself with quite a few young plants, ready to be potted/moved on from 3" pots. My question is should they be potted on to bigger pots or planted into the ground?
Also, if I start perennials in July, will they survive the winter, if in a sheltered spot?
Thanks.
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Hi Mary, just wondering what types of perennials are they?
Anchusa capensis, Dianthus caryophyllus, Achillea ptarmica The Pearl, hardy geraniums, Sanguisorba menzii/Alaskan Burnet, Pulmonaria obscura/unspotted dog, Helichrysum italicum/curry plant, Lychnis coronaria alba/white rose campion, Verbasum, Lavender, White musk mallow, Primula vialii/Orchid Primrose, Veronica spicata ssp. incana/silver speedwell, Rudbeckia occidentalis/western coneflower.
They were all winter sown in milk cartons as I don't have a greenhouse/cold frame. I failed miserable at trying to overwinter several hardy annuals, sweet peas, antirrinhums, calendula, stock, I used two plastic containers approx. 3'x1.5' with lids, the plants grew very leggy and unhealthy looking, so they ended up in the compost bin along with all the dead ones. As a result I've had little or no flowering plants until June, as I resowed the annuals in Spring, they are only coming into flower now.
I've decided to stop buying bedding plants and get serious about seed planting, as I used to spend a small fortune every year. Also, I'm tired of the lack of variety of plants available here, plus the cost of perennials. I've always grown sweet peas, nicotiana, wallflower, cosmos etc. but I need lots of plants for a very neglected front garden, which hopefully, next year, be colourful.
Any tips or advise greatly appreciated, thanks.