Indeed. I do think it makes a difference if we had parents or grandparents in a war and we know about their experiences. My grandpa was in WWI and WWII. My mum lived through the second in poverty and had a dad screwed up by fighting in the Great War. Moaning about the quality of esspresso beans doesn't go down so well with me in tough times. But then, I have space, friends, neighbours and a garden, which can change everything.
Lovely the Loropetalum @Papi Jo That deep Burgundy colour is one of my favourites, and I would like more of it in our garden (Cotinus and Eucomis Sparkling Burgundy are the only similar things we have at present).
Does anyone grow Loropetalum in the UK? How frost hardy is it? I can't be bothered with horticulural fleece, etc any more. We are in the South East.
Thanks, @KeenOnGreen. Here's a close-up on that deep Burgundy colour for more mouth-watering. As I said I'm only hoping this specimen will survive the coming winters. I've had a white one for quite a few years and it's ok without any special protection. I don't think the winters are much worse in S.-E. England and the centre of Brittany where I live.
@KeenOnGreen I started noticing last year that loropetalum was becoming more common and I was eying one up for myself, Every single one is stone dead after this winter .
@KeenOnGreen I started noticing last year that loropetalum was becoming more common and I was eying one up for myself, Every single one is stone dead after this winter .
Oops! I'll have to watch my specimen extra carefully next winter!
Oh dear @Perki I think I might give them a miss then. Our greenhouse is already chock full of tender plants over Winter, I don't want to add any more, and I can't be bothered with anything that needs Winter protection outside.
I just love that Burgundy colour though, on almost any plant (except Berberis, which we had when we moved to this house, but got rid of).
Beautiful gardens and plants, this thread is such an inspiration!
@KeenOnGreen I have several Loropetalum ‘Black Pearl’ which is one of the hardier specimens, allegedly hardy to -10c. We have pretty cold spells in winter here in the mountains, and it sails through sustained spells of -7 and the occasional heavy snowfall. If you are going to try one, I would suggest try this one. It does prefer slightly acidic soil/rainwater - it sulks and the leaves go a dirty olive green planted in my very alkaline clay and watered with hard well water, so I grow them in pots. Here’s one in full flower:
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Useful tip @Nollie but we are on London clay, with the hardest water on earth, so it will probably have to go on my "if only" plant wish list. That's a lovely specimen you have.
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Thanks, @KeenOnGreen. Here's a close-up on that deep Burgundy colour for more mouth-watering.
Which Echium is that @Loxley ? Russicum ?
@KeenOnGreen I started noticing last year that loropetalum was becoming more common and I was eying one up for myself, Every single one is stone dead after this winter .
I just love that Burgundy colour though, on almost any plant (except Berberis, which we had when we moved to this house, but got rid of).
@KeenOnGreen I have several Loropetalum ‘Black Pearl’ which is one of the hardier specimens, allegedly hardy to -10c. We have pretty cold spells in winter here in the mountains, and it sails through sustained spells of -7 and the occasional heavy snowfall. If you are going to try one, I would suggest try this one. It does prefer slightly acidic soil/rainwater - it sulks and the leaves go a dirty olive green planted in my very alkaline clay and watered with hard well water, so I grow them in pots. Here’s one in full flower: