I have bought seeds to sow: Viper's Bugloss, Montana cornflower, scabios, poppies, Dianthus, Consolida 'Blue spire', foxgloves, forget-me-not, Phacelia tanacetifolia, red and yellow sunflowers.
Thanks, Panda, for the tip on cosmos. I will hold off on sowing those as I need the space for longer flowering plants.
As far as I know hollyhock rust only affects hollyhocks so I just grow them at the back of the border with something in front to screen the lower leaves. They are such tall plants that works well. All my hollyhocks have rust, home grown and bought in. I don’t worry about it .
You’re absolutely spot on @debs64 … hollyhock rust can only affect members of the hollyhock/malva aka mallow family
“… What is hollyhock rust? Hollyhock rust is the most common fungal leaf disease of hollyhocks (Alcea rosea). Many other ornamentals (e.g., flowering maple, rose mallow) and weeds (e.g., common mallow) in the mallow family are also susceptible. …… Where does hollyhock rust come from? Hollyhock rust is caused by the fungus, Puccinia malvacearum which can be introduced into a garden by windborne spores or on infected transplants. Further localized spread of spores is possible by wind, by splashing rain, or by splashing water from a sprinkler. Warm and humid temperatures favor the growth of the fungus. P. malvacearum can survive the winter in hollyhock leaf and stem debris.….”
@Dovefromabove It is a little bit unsightly but on a plant that grows over 6feet high I can live with it and it seems harmless. I grow it behind salvias in a sunny border and it’s a delight. Bees seem to love it too. No need to alarm people.
I cleared an area that had hollyhocks and single-flower sunflowers (meaning it only puts out 1 single sunflower) that have finished flowering. A 1.5 foot wide long strip against a wall that gets the morning sun till noon or sometimes 1 pm.
There are some daisies in there that I have not pulled out.
Foxgloves are usually sown early summer to develop in their first year ready for flowering next season. Foxglove seeds sown now will still germinate but you're unlikely to get much in the way of flowers next year - maybe a few.
Next time sow them at the end of May / beginning of June. Better still waft the wands of flower stems which have gone brown and are full of seed over any areas you want them to grow. You get a nice natural looking display that way.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
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Thanks, Panda, for the tip on cosmos. I will hold off on sowing those as I need the space for longer flowering plants.
@debs64 … hollyhock rust can only affect members of the hollyhock/malva aka mallow family
“… What is hollyhock rust? Hollyhock rust is the most common fungal leaf disease of hollyhocks (Alcea rosea). Many other ornamentals (e.g., flowering maple, rose mallow) and weeds (e.g., common mallow) in the mallow family are also susceptible. …… Where does hollyhock rust come from? Hollyhock rust is caused by the fungus, Puccinia malvacearum which can be introduced into a garden by windborne spores or on infected transplants. Further localized spread of spores is possible by wind, by splashing rain, or by splashing water from a sprinkler. Warm and humid temperatures favor the growth of the fungus. P. malvacearum can survive the winter in hollyhock leaf and stem debris.….”
(my italics)
Full text here https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/hollyhock-rust/#:~:text=Hollyhock%20rust%20is%20the%20most%20common%20fungal%20leaf,causing%20stunting%20of%20plants%20and%20premature%20leaf%20drop.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
There are some daisies in there that I have not pulled out.
This year I am about to sow
- Consolida ajacis - like 'Blue spire'
- Floxgloves
there.
Next time sow them at the end of May / beginning of June. Better still waft the wands of flower stems which have gone brown and are full of seed over any areas you want them to grow. You get a nice natural looking display that way.