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Bowles Mauve - what to do.

ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
in Plants
Afternoon everyone...unlike all my other Bowles Mauves of previous years, there is no way this one, and its twin on the other side of the garden are going to flower like the others have.

So, if I cut back the flowering stems to the base, is there any chance this will promote further flowering?

Thanks


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Posts

  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    That's what I've done with mine Sheps in the hope that it will encourage more flowers. I have a suspicion that it won't though until next year. I know they aren't long lived plants so I've taken cuttings just in case.
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    Thanks @Uff will give it a go.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
     I would cut all those stems back this will help the plant. As for more flowers you may get the odd one or two but nothing like the flowers you get spring early summer.
    As @Uff has said they are short lived. I think they produce so many flowers they run out of steam.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    Cheers @GardenerSuze snips at the ready.
  • WAMSWAMS Posts: 1,960
    Hope you can salvage/renovate yours, but I binned mine. It drove me up the wall in the end with its scragginess
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    I know what you mean @WhereAreMySecateurs ones from previous years have been considerably better.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited July 2022
    @WhereAreMySecateurs Yes I think that is the down side of a plant that gives so much a mess afterwards!
    @Sheps Love the colour como, the dark blue works really well with the mauve.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Cutting the flowers off will certainly make it look better but as it’s a sterile plant,  the stems are not sapping the strength from the plant. 
    You could take some cuttings ready for next year and plant new,  they are a short lived plant. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    Thanks @Lyn never tried cuttings before, but have read that these are easy so will give them a go.
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Good idea sheps and if you don't need them then friends would appreciate them. I love the blue and purple together too, quite dramatic. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
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