That NJ is a great doer. Survived forgotten in containers overwinter , repotted in spring , thought I was sacrificing spares out of containers this year. They're doing better than the container cosseted dahlias. Also you get doubles and singles - not on the same plant!
Yes: White beetroot ('albina vereduna'). I've never liked beetroot (thanks to school and that red pickled stuff) but I found some ways in which I can tolerate it or even appreciated it (like baked and spiced). I still hate how red beets make everything pink. White version without no dye is the perfect solution. And I was really surprised how easy they are to grow.
Yes: Courgette 'Defender' - good basic green courgette, prolific and mildew resistant.
Yes: Blueberry 'Chandler' - huge berries!
No: Radish 'Candela di Fuoco' - Italian carrot-like radish. A bit tough and too attractive to radish worms.
No to climbing french beans and yes to dwarf french beans. I've always thought that the climbing types are better in small spaces but they get too easily damaged by wind, take longer to grow and I don't like the look of bean frame. I've had much more beans from several dwarf plants than from a full A frame of climbers.
Need to rethink: Strawberries. They get eaten by woodlice and ants. I want a lot of them but my current strategy obviously doesn't work.
Meh: Echinacea 'Magnus', Salvia 'Mainacht' - I guess I expected much more in their first year.
Dislikes: Tulip 'Flaming Flag' - never really opened
Inherited dislikes: Daylilies - almost no flowers and I am not sure if it is better to leave them or divide them and don't like them anyway, Peonies - probably not worth the space.
The odd few days of scorching temperatures has made me rethink, but climate change might mean we have a cold, rainy summer too. Prima donnas might be just for greenhouses
I've gotten rid of all my lupins this year too. Normally they do very well, this year only the pink ones did and I suddenly disliked them...
Others binned/to bin:
Blackthorn, normally mildewed, this year also contracted pocket plum. One for the allotment where there is more space and airflow.
Geranium striatum (various) binned on a whim, hope I don't regret it
All non-alpine clems on the sunny side of the garden, mildew
Helianthus Happy Days, I like this cheerful plant but someone keeps chewing off the outer petals and I just end up with the pom-pom centre
Only success has been finding a planting scheme that works all along the shady side: ferns, geranium phaeum, pulmonaria, hellebore, cowslips, roses. It's all a bit first half of the year but everything looks healthy and no ugly gaps so that will do. Just have a couple more metres to plant now and it's done.
A definite success this year have been the newish self fertile runner beans ‘Firestorm’. An earlier crop than usual, and a heavier crop of well-flavoured beans. I suspect that they’re coming to an end now but that’s not a problem; we go away in September so won’t have to ask the neighbours to water them, and we’ve got loads of them in the freezer already.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I waved goodbye to my Lupins this year - a huge amount of slug protection required and then the aphids get them - not for me. Other fail was an attempt to underplant my Aliums with a mix of annual seeds - they were munched before any blooms. I will just do more bulbs in that spot I think - maybe plants for some succession before and after the Aliums. Successes were sweetcorn and peas, so will definitely do again next year. Also strawberries in a hanging basket - looked good and cropped well.
I love Isotoma this year. I’ve grown it from seed, planted it between perennials and annuals and has been in bloom since June. It has such an elegant way of growing and very undemanding. I wonder if I can collect the seeds...
I’ve increased my collection of hardy geraniums (Rothbury Gem and Thumbling Hearts are very pretty and floriferous) and heucheras and they’re all doing very well.
Lupins have done very well here. They have been in bloom for months with many sideshoots. I am currently enjoying the last flower spike of the year.
I’ve removed the crazy daisy as it was growing too tall and unruly and the flowers looked messy.
Posts
Others binned/to bin:
Blackthorn, normally mildewed, this year also contracted pocket plum. One for the allotment where there is more space and airflow.
Geranium striatum (various) binned on a whim, hope I don't regret it
All non-alpine clems on the sunny side of the garden, mildew
Helianthus Happy Days, I like this cheerful plant but someone keeps chewing off the outer petals and I just end up with the pom-pom centre
Only success has been finding a planting scheme that works all along the shady side: ferns, geranium phaeum, pulmonaria, hellebore, cowslips, roses. It's all a bit first half of the year but everything looks healthy and no ugly gaps so that will do. Just have a couple more metres to plant now and it's done.
I suspect that they’re coming to an end now but that’s not a problem; we go away in September so won’t have to ask the neighbours to water them, and we’ve got loads of them in the freezer already.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Successes were sweetcorn and peas, so will definitely do again next year. Also strawberries in a hanging basket - looked good and cropped well.
I’ve increased my collection of hardy geraniums (Rothbury Gem and Thumbling Hearts are very pretty and floriferous) and heucheras and they’re all doing very well.
Lupins have done very well here. They have been in bloom for months with many sideshoots. I am currently enjoying the last flower spike of the year.
I’ve removed the crazy daisy as it was growing too tall and unruly and the flowers looked messy.