They can be a tricky plant and are very specific as to their planting requirements. I would hesitate to buy from a newspaper. As you live in Surrey, go to Wisley and see if they have any and seek advice when you are there from their experts. The roots look like giant spiders so if you are arachnophobic you may want to ask someone else to plant them
Honestly though they are not easy. I kept one for a couple of years and it flowered on shorter stems than expectedd, then I lost it.
Alternatively have a holiday in Cornwall when the are in flower at Trellissick(NT), huge flowers, stunning.
You are right..the summers need to be hot and sunny and the plant baked and not in any shade. I think this year's flowers depend on last year's sun/heat, so good luck with that one! Mottisfont in Hampshire (also NT) also has a good show.
On second thoughts this is definitely one for the experts and it's best to visit a garden where they have paid gardeners to grow them for you. Save your money and space for things you can rely on.
I have one waiting to go in. All I have read here is making me very nerovus about it, but I love the elegance of them. I guess dig in lots of grit and raise up the centre is my best bet
If I put one of my carex nearby it should cover some of the bare patch or is that not recommended. Could you sat pop in some allium bulbs at the perimeter first and then put it in?
Well I went ahead and bought some - Pinocchio I think they were called. They got planted about a month ago, along with a bag of grit, in a very sun baked spot (or I seem to remember it used to be - not seen the sun for a while to be able to check!). No sign of anything appearing yet - just as well given this weather - but I will keep you posted as the summer progresses. Many thanks for all the advice - at least my expectations are not too high ....
Don't worry...too early yet to worry. You have plenty of time to be pleasantly surprised. Even if nothing much happoens in 2013 you may need to give it one more year before you decide these are not for you.
We got one free [root only] from a garden centre, put it in a pot and it has grown to a height of 4 feet, with a huge spike of flowers. We have just transplanted to the border and are hoping to plant the seeds from this plant in November. Perhaps it was a good idea to try the pot, and we did water it regularly.
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They can be a tricky plant and are very specific as to their planting requirements. I would hesitate to buy from a newspaper. As you live in Surrey, go to Wisley and see if they have any and seek advice when you are there from their experts. The roots look like giant spiders so if you are arachnophobic you may want to ask someone else to plant them
Honestly though they are not easy. I kept one for a couple of years and it flowered on shorter stems than expectedd, then I lost it.
Alternatively have a holiday in Cornwall when the are in flower at Trellissick(NT), huge flowers, stunning.
You are right..the summers need to be hot and sunny and the plant baked and not in any shade. I think this year's flowers depend on last year's sun/heat, so good luck with that one! Mottisfont in Hampshire (also NT) also has a good show.
On second thoughts this is definitely one for the experts and it's best to visit a garden where they have paid gardeners to grow them for you. Save your money and space for things you can rely on.
Good luck with them, they are truly spectacular when good. I have seen them about 9 ft. tall at Trellissick.
I have one waiting to go in. All I have read here is making me very nerovus about it, but I love the elegance of them. I guess dig in lots of grit and raise up the centre is my best bet
If I put one of my carex nearby it should cover some of the bare patch or is that not recommended. Could you sat pop in some allium bulbs at the perimeter first and then put it in?
Thanks for opening this thread Chicky
Well I went ahead and bought some - Pinocchio I think they were called. They got planted about a month ago, along with a bag of grit, in a very sun baked spot (or I seem to remember it used to be - not seen the sun for a while to be able to check!). No sign of anything appearing yet - just as well given this weather - but I will keep you posted as the summer progresses. Many thanks for all the advice - at least my expectations are not too high ....
Don't worry...too early yet to worry. You have plenty of time to be pleasantly surprised. Even if nothing much happoens in 2013 you may need to give it one more year before you decide these are not for you.
We got one free [root only] from a garden centre, put it in a pot and it has grown to a height of 4 feet, with a huge spike of flowers. We have just transplanted to the border and are hoping to plant the seeds from this plant in November. Perhaps it was a good idea to try the pot, and we did water it regularly.