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Echiums

Chrisp1Chrisp1 Posts: 39
in Problem solving
Last year I sowed some echium seeds. I pricked them out and grew them on and this spring I planted them out and this year they grew, unlike last year when they died. Any way, a few are rather close together. See picture, there is actually 3 there. 
Now I was wondering if it would be possible to move one of them, maybe next spring before the flower spikes grow.

Any advice please
Thanks 
«1

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    if they survive the Winter, then no reason not to. They don't always flower in the second year, it can be the third, or even fourth.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    @Chrisp1 we have been given a seedling from friends. Potted it up and it is growing well. Our concern is like you...what will happen when winter comes.
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    They look like they're big enough to flower next year if they survive the winter.

    I wouldn't recommend trying to move them now that they're so well established. In my experience the flowering process begins around march/april with the elongation of the stems, at this point any attempt at moving them would be pretty pointless as all their energy is concentrated on flower growth and not herbaceous/root growth. 

    I've had a hard time even transplanting semi-mature pot grown plants, most of which either died or blew over this autumn. 

    You mention them being close together, i'd actually consider this an advantage as it may afford them added protection from the elements if they're huddled together.

    Best of luck!
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Where are you?  I have only ever seen them flowering in the South-West.  Or greenhouses.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Chrisp1Chrisp1 Posts: 39

    This one was in Scotland, so is hardier than people think.

  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    They flower here no problem.  :)
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    They flower here in Nottingham too, given the right spot!

    I would leave it where it is; they have tap roots and aren't keen on being transplanted. I expect they will lean away from each other when they flower.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited November 2022
    I agree with @Loxley ... I certainly wouldn't try moving echiums that size.  As has been said, they have large tap roots and hate disturbance.  They flower here in Norfolk, in a sunny sheltered spot.  



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It depends which part of Scotland though @Chrisp1, and it has the protection of that wall, which creates a micro climate.  :)
    There are huge variations in climate here, as well as many areas of the UK, as the others have said. You may find them hit and miss, depending on your site  :)
    I'd leave them in situ too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Chrisp1Chrisp1 Posts: 39
    edited November 2022
    @Fairygirl, That was taken at Culzean Castle. Here is another and a few smaller ones in a bit more open area. Over that wall is the Firth of Clyde. so not really sheltered there.

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