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Perennial bed - trying to be patient

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  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Echinacea is the tricky one. They establish roots slowly, but need to do so before supporting top growth and flowering. They are much better potted on and grown on in a greenhouse for a year. All flower buds should be removed in the first year, even in a greenhouse. By preventing them flowering (which expends a lot of energy) you get good rooted plants better able to cope out in the big wide world. E. White Swan seems a toughie, though, much stronger than many modern cultivars, but still, I would be removing flower buds for the first year, harsh as that sounds!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    @rebeccamM6CA_Gn6 yes, clay soil though I did dig out deep and wide holes and put in a good few handfuls of compost with each plant to mix with the existing clay.

    @Fairygirl lesson learned I think! Fingers crossed they will thrive given time.

    @Nollie thanks for the tips re:echinacea, I shall remember that.
    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
  • Well you should be okay then. When you water, if the water seeps in quite quickly it's sign that there is enough drainage. If it sits on the top then perhaps it is indeed a bit too compacted still. Good things come to those who wait :)
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Most perennials take a couple of seasons to clump up and look something. Perovskia takes longer imo. I'm only just now getting a good size clump 

    It might need some support as it can flop. Have you considered putting out some annuals just to fill in until everything has filled out? 
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    @rebeccamM6CA_Gn6 it seeps in pretty quick so hopefully no worries there!

    @Bijdezee I think I may well look at putting in some annuals now, back to do some research!

    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
  • Great news. I have an area that's clay and so troublesome, the whole darn thing needs digging out after the summer!

    @Bijdezee - good idea! Popping in some instant blooms for a bit of brightness would help in the meantime. I just did the same thing with a bunch of blooming cosmos + Dahlias, whilst waiting for a set of wild flowers and poppies to arrive in full :)
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    I'm on clay too, the perennials don't seem to mind  :)
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I would be wary of putting too many annuals in, that might compete and crowd some of the perennials. Certainly steer clear of nasturtium, which will smother everything else! I really would be tempted to keep it simple and maybe just give it a mulch to give a tidy look.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    @WillDB thanks for the tip on Nasturtiums! What do you mulch with? I was thinking of just going with bark but is there a cheaper alternative?
    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    Holy cow, a mulch doesn't half make everything look a million times better! Luckily i had a few bags of compost so i thought I'd make a start, so glad i did!


    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
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