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How many times do you try a plant before giving up?

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  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Thanks @JennyJ :)
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    edited April 2022
    *eyes trayful of astrantiae purchased yesterday nervously*

    I really did think those were idiot-proof. *cries*

    They grow without any stress here in my clay soil, bunnies galore, slugtastic and cold garden. I expect the 'clay soil' is the key bit there. They flower for aaaaages - love 'em
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree with @raisingirl. Astrantias are fine here too. They're in raised beds, rather than in the ground, but it's still clay mixed with various other things. Plenty of rain, and that mix offsets it, so the soil is moist but has good drainage. Bit of sun, mainly later in the day. 

    I've been around several that were dead @philippasmith2and certainly not flogged them. Pointless, as @JennyJ 's link describes  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • didyw said:
    I sometimes think it might be quicker to simply bury £5 and £10 notes in the garden. Cut out the middle man.
    Maybe that’s what would make my Astrantias grow.
  • WAMSWAMS Posts: 1,960
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited April 2022
    I did it. It's really easy😒
    I've done for the odd penstemon too.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I thought Alchemilla mollis was unkillable.  I brought a young plant here in 2019, and each year it's got smaller... now dead.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
    Another vote for Astrantia here, they self seed like crazy apparently, and you’ll be pulling them out like weeds. Ha! I love them but I think we are just too dry for them here 

  • That list also includes euonymus, which shrivelled up in its 1st winter over here and never came back. :#

    Has anyone tried growing astrantia in full sun (south-facing garden)? I would like to have one of those dark-coloured varieties but don't have any suitable "dappled shade". I read somewhere that they will grow in a sunny spot if the soil is kept moist, but I'm not sure what this means in reality - whether they will grow easily or it will be an effort to keep them alive.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I've tried alchemila mollis at home many times and it always disappears.
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