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Ecinops

CopperdogCopperdog Posts: 617
in Plants
Every year this gets to around 6ft tall and I usually leave it until spring for the birds but this year it more or less went side ways in the wind and I could see it was pretty hollow where the stems start. I thought I may have to divide it? But it’s quite woody and the woody stems have just snapped away at the base. Will this grow back ok next year or should I still divide it? Also can you Chelsea chop it in May so that it bushes out and perhaps stands better? Two pics attached. The second is where I’ve thinned the stems. Thanks 

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Whatever I do with mine they still grow back, I’ve tried hacking them out with a pick axe and bits still grow.  Did yours have time to drop some seeds because they will definitely grow next year.  I don’t know about dividing them they always divide by them self, or at least spread around.  They are very easy to grow from seeds so you could grow some nice fresh ones. They were the first ever seed I sowed.  Of course, sowed the whole packet as you do when you’re learning! 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    The clumps tend to get woody in the middle and rot can start so best to divide them when they get to that sort of size.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • CopperdogCopperdog Posts: 617
    Thanks Lyn and Bob think I’ll either grow one from seed (you’re right Lyn I do end up with lots of little plants from the seeds. May put something else there instead. 
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I think Chelsea chop would work. I had one that splayed out like yours and it's now produced a set of much shorter flowers from the centre



    In the sticks near Peterborough
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