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Callistemon...damaged and re-shooting?

steveTusteveTu Posts: 3,219
in The potting shed
I moved a potted callistemon into the ground a while back and last year, during a particularly windy period, the tip branches broke off (I think I posted about trying to seal the 'wounds'). The plant looks a bit sorry for itself this year - but - is it possible or likely that it has sent out a new 'trunk' shoot from its base? I have a couple of shoots (of something) right at the base of the existing trunk. Is that likely or am I just seeing something that's seeded alongside?
UK - South Coast Retirement Campus (East)

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  • steveTusteveTu Posts: 3,219
    Just to add to this. This was the damage done and what is now growing. I think the growth is an interloper as the leaves seem vastly too soft for a callistemon:

    ...also (well two more alsos) - have I left this Rhododendron to get too big for it's pot? It flowered profusely in spring, but now looks so forlorn with limited new growth. If it is too big, and given I can't report it, any advice on cutting it back would be gratefully received.


    ...and lastly...I asked a while back about this flower that suddenly appeared at the front of my house a few years back:

    I think that was identified as a triplet lily...is this lovely thing that has appeared this year under a cherry tree...
    ...it looks the same to me, but how on earth it got there, I haven't a scooby.
    UK - South Coast Retirement Campus (East)
  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 1,138
    I’m sorry @steveTu, I don’t know the answers to your questions (other than I agree that your rhododendron does look rather big for that pot (however, cutting it back might help, though not sure when the right time to do that is - possibly now that it’s not flowering?)
    Ive got a similar blue flower to yours but assumed it to be small agapanthus, so probably completely different to yours.
    I hope someone with more knowledge will be along soon to answer your questions.
    Perhaps reposting in the problem solving section might generate further response?
    Good luck. 🤞
  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 1,138

    Also, regarding your rhododendron, if you are unable to repot, then once you’ve trimmed it up, perhaps take out some of the old ericasious (sp?) compost and freshen up with some new and some feed might give it a boost.
  • steveTusteveTu Posts: 3,219
    Thanks for the replies...
    I feed it once or twice a season usually. It's been looking quite healthy til now and the flowering earlier was stunning. I'll look up the pruning on the RHS site and see when it's best to do it.

    The blue flower - I thought at first it was an agapanthus as I have one nearby, but that is slightly different to my untrained eye:

    ...both in petal shape and flower head. I do have this flower nearby, that I had as a wild garlic - maybe I got this id wrong and this has 'mutated' to a blue variant (this white one flowered way back in spring):
    ...I don't have a better shot of the flower head of this unfortunately.
    UK - South Coast Retirement Campus (East)
  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 1,138
    Well, whatever it turns out to be, it’s a very pretty blue flower. I hope someone with better knowledge than I will be along soon to advise.
  • BusylizBusyliz Posts: 149
    I think it's a Tritelia. I have a patch that comes up every summer
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