You have solidago (golden rod). This is the yellow one and you're best off dividing it in spring. This means splitting the rootball into two or more and replanting each piece separately. Crocosmia, the orange one, can also be divided in spring. You'll need to lift out the corms it forms (these go quite deep – about 30cm).
These are both reliable plants so you'll have plenty of colour in no time.
Emma, thanks for the earlier ID of the Larkspur. I've done a little research since and I'm certain my plant is Consolida regalis. But Wikipedia states Consolida is a genus 'embedded' in Delphinium. I didn't know one genus can be embedded in another. Can you explain?
Hello Soulboy, our plant detective Emma is enjoying some garden visiting this weekend, so in her absence, I'll try to briefly answer your question (though others steeped in the chewy debates around plant nomenclature are welcome to join the party!).
Consolida (annual larkspur) and Delphinium are both in the family Ranunculaceae, sharing ancestors before evolving as they have over the millennia. Research as recently as 2011 is suggesting that Consolida may be reclassified as a species of Delphinium, rather than being a genus in its own right, within the Ranunculaceae family. Read more here.
But however they're scientifically classified, the key difference for gardeners is annual larkspurs are ideal for autumn-sowing – ideally September time – whereas it's best to hold off sowing perennial delphinium seed until early in the new year (Jan/Feb).
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Hi nut ,
We could all send him a padded envelope sort of pre paid for him to distribute his unwanted cycleman around GB and beyond !
Should we ?
Could both plants please be ID'd and how cuttings can be taken? Thanks.
Hello FB Turtle,
You have solidago (golden rod). This is the yellow one and you're best off dividing it in spring. This means splitting the rootball into two or more and replanting each piece separately. Crocosmia, the orange one, can also be divided in spring. You'll need to lift out the corms it forms (these go quite deep – about 30cm).
These are both reliable plants so you'll have plenty of colour in no time.
Emma
Gardening Editor,
Gardeners' World magazine
Can I have a bug ID?
Saw this beauty today!
Any idea what it will become?
It's the caterpillar of the Sycamore moth http://www.uksafari.com/sycamoremoth.htm
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks dove, pity the moth isn't so fantastic!
A lot of us looked much better when we were younger
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Emma, thanks for the earlier ID of the Larkspur. I've done a little research since and I'm certain my plant is Consolida regalis. But Wikipedia states Consolida is a genus 'embedded' in Delphinium. I didn't know one genus can be embedded in another. Can you explain?
Hello Soulboy, our plant detective Emma is enjoying some garden visiting this weekend, so in her absence, I'll try to briefly answer your question (though others steeped in the chewy debates around plant nomenclature are welcome to join the party!).
Consolida (annual larkspur) and Delphinium are both in the family Ranunculaceae, sharing ancestors before evolving as they have over the millennia. Research as recently as 2011 is suggesting that Consolida may be reclassified as a species of Delphinium, rather than being a genus in its own right, within the Ranunculaceae family. Read more here.
But however they're scientifically classified, the key difference for gardeners is annual larkspurs are ideal for autumn-sowing – ideally September time – whereas it's best to hold off sowing perennial delphinium seed until early in the new year (Jan/Feb).
Lucy
Editor, BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Can someone put me out of my misery and identify this plant for me? Thanks