Few questions
Emma915
Posts: 95
I wonder if anyone can help?
I have two potentilla plants that seem to be more woody than fresh growth. I was thinking of replacing them with some daphne plants as we have very little interest in the way of winter flowers apart from Jan/Feb/March when some snowdrops and daffs come up (maybe the odd crocus). Do you think it is relatively reasonable/sensible idea?
Secondly, I have been saddened and disappointed by the lack of plant success this year. My baskets, for example, have been failing so about a week or so ago I repotted them with some petunias that were on offer but instead of putting them back outside I have moved them into the greenhouse. What a difference... all windows, doors etc are open so it's more like a cold frame but they have come on leaps and bounds. I have planted the same plants in outside pots but unfortunately they are not doing so well. My guess, therefore, is that the weather is too wet/damp and cold/luke warm to help the plants perform their best. Is this a reasonable guess or a cop out?
I also have a shrub that has been more or less woody with very little growth since we moved in (December 2013). As this is my grandfather's garden I am reluctant to get rid of it. Do you think it will ever come back to flourish or should I cut my losses and replace it? I also do not know what it is. Some pictures are below.
Posts
1. Yes, always sensible to replace something that isn't working for something you like.
2. Petunias do like warmth. But when the baskets were failing had you fed and watered them? Did the new petunias get new compost?
3. Looks like a Philadelphus, does it smell nice? Probably needs pruning, a feed and some water, unless, of course, you are having lots of rain. Petunias don't like lots of rain.
Thank you.
Petunias have had exact same conditions but the hanging baskets were put indoors. They were planted the same time as well.
The photos of the shrub is approximately 1-1.5m tall and the only bits of leaf are on the very tips. Each year I give it a good feed. We had someone come in to tidy the garden before we moved in. I did wonder if it was pruned too hard into the hardwood and now it is finding it difficult to perk up.
It's a Philadelphus as Busy says and it hasn't been pruned properly for a while by the sounds of it.
Mine was 10ft high with nothing but tufts on the end of each branch. I took it down to about a foot high! (2014)
The following year, 2015, it didn't flower because I'd cut out the wood that it would have flowered on but this year it's about three feet high and fabulous. Now I can cut a few unwanted branches and still have flowers next year. That's how it should be done. It flowers on last year's growth.
Wait until the flowers have finished and then give it a good chop. You'll sacrifice next year's flowers but it'll be worth it the following year.
Last edited: 26 July 2016 19:23:28
It's a Philadelphus as Busy says and it hasn't been pruned properly for a while by the sounds of it.
Mine was 10ft high with nothing but tufts on the end of each branch. I took it down to about a foot high! 2014 The following year, 2015, it didn't flower because I'd cut out the wood that it would have flowered on but this year it's about three feet high and fabulous. Now I can cut a few unwanted branches and still have flowers next year. That's how it should be done. It flowers on last year's growth.
Wait until the flowers have finished and then give it a good chop. You'll sacrifice next year's flowers but it'll be worth it the following year.
http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/problem-solving/mock-orange/821914.html/
Just to reassure you.
Don't know what happened there. Sometimes the edit button works...sometimes not so much!
Last edited: 26 July 2016 19:28:19