Ladygardener - I think I spotted cerinthe in a group shot on GW in Rachael de Thame's feature yesterday, so glad you mention it. Is it easy to grow and is an annual and also is it any good as a cut flower?
Consult Sarah Raven's cut flower book if you can find it in the library because quite a lot of the flowers mentioned need conditioning before arranging or they drop immediately. Some need their stems singed.
Yes, and some have to be dipped in boiling water. I watched a few of her video clips (from the ' how to' info on here), also checked her web site for recommended good growers. Have quite a list!
Forester 2 Cerinthe major purpurascens is really easy to grow and once you've grown it you'll always be able to get seeds to sow in following years. I've been growing it for about 8 years now and only ever bought one packet of seeds.
I've seen it described as either an annual or half hardy perennial depending where you look. If I find seedlings in say Sept time I'll give them protection in a sheltered spot or cold frame. I sometimes sow in october and don't bother to put them under cover at all. Otherwise I'll sow in feb/march. The seeds are similar in size to lupin or sweetpea so very easy to manage. I've never soaked the seeds either although some people do.
It's silvery / grey /green foliage and purple hanging bells surrounded by purple/blue bracts are a great addition to both the garden, flower beds and allotment bringing in tons of bees and pollinators. It grows to around 60cm. I pinch some of mine out to make them a bit more bushy and they're not overly fussy on the type of soil, my allotment has clay whereas my garden has lovely rich conditioned soil.
I've not ever brought any inside for a vase but Sarah Raven says to sear the cut stems with boiling water and they'll last about 10days in a vase.
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Ladygardener - I think I spotted cerinthe in a group shot on GW in Rachael de Thame's feature yesterday, so glad you mention it. Is it easy to grow and is an annual and also is it any good as a cut flower?
Yes, and some have to be dipped in boiling water. I watched a few of her video clips (from the ' how to' info on here), also checked her web site for recommended good growers. Have quite a list!
Forester 2 Cerinthe major purpurascens is really easy to grow and once you've grown it you'll always be able to get seeds to sow in following years. I've been growing it for about 8 years now and only ever bought one packet of seeds.
I've seen it described as either an annual or half hardy perennial depending where you look. If I find seedlings in say Sept time I'll give them protection in a sheltered spot or cold frame. I sometimes sow in october and don't bother to put them under cover at all. Otherwise I'll sow in feb/march. The seeds are similar in size to lupin or sweetpea so very easy to manage. I've never soaked the seeds either although some people do.
It's silvery / grey /green foliage and purple hanging bells surrounded by purple/blue bracts are a great addition to both the garden, flower beds and allotment bringing in tons of bees and pollinators. It grows to around 60cm. I pinch some of mine out to make them a bit more bushy and they're not overly fussy on the type of soil, my allotment has clay whereas my garden has lovely rich conditioned soil.
I've not ever brought any inside for a vase but Sarah Raven says to sear the cut stems with boiling water and they'll last about 10days in a vase.
Thanks Ladygardener - cerinthe has now gone on my list for the allotment next year.
Hello all
Just a thought when you are going to grow flowers for cutting are you going to group them say in colour blocks like all blue together?
How will you group them?
A lovely idea Edd
given me an idea for my cutting bed. I'm on a half plot so space is limited and I'm still preparing the soil!
Thanks you, Have you a picture Edd that sounds really good
Thanks Edd they look good - like your chart that got me thinking about my seeds and colour arrangements
Apologies for late reply, trying to catch up!
lovely pics ed and great idea re the rainbow colours and being organised with a chart
Some great ideas thank you