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Phlomis Russeliana

CopperdogCopperdog Posts: 617
in Plants

Apologies as I know I asked a question about this last spring but I couldnt find the thread.  I left the seed heads over winter same as before although a noticed last year it didn't flower as profusely as the previous year.  Just not sure how far to go back with the cutting back for this year.  Seems unlike some other perennials as its quite stalking at the base.  Can I be quite brutal with it?  I will try and upload a pic of it.  Many thanks

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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    You can cut all last years flowering heads off to the ground. I find that many perennials that still have last years flowers on, you can just break them off low down.  Give it a sprinkle of Blood, fish and bone to help it along this year, tickling it into the surronding soil (Do not let it lie on the leaves or it will scorch them)

  • CopperdogCopperdog Posts: 617

    Thanks for your reply Fidgetbones.  I removed the stems a few weeks ago.  Its more what to do with the actual plant itself.  Its kind of evergreen?? Feels very woody as you put your hand into it almost a bit like how begonias grow with on the surface type stems.  Should I dig up the lot and do a big separation?  As I said before it didn't flower brilliantly last year .  Will endeavour to do the pic tomorrow.  

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,088

    It feeds feeding and sunlight to flower well.  As for the old woody growth, just pull or snip it off leaving behind healthy leaves.   I found mine very happy to spread so you can afford to remove as much as you need as long as you leave some healthy fresh foliage to feed the roots and make new flowers.

    You can also lift and divide if you wish to give some away ro swap or just get rid of the excess.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • CopperdogCopperdog Posts: 617

    Thanks too Obelixx, yes i bought 3 small plants of it from RHS Wisley and it certainly has spread.  I dug up a healthy looking few bits (looked as though they had seeded themselves as growth seemed so soft and fresh) gave that away.  I didn't know it if was to kill it by giving it a sever haircut down to a few inches and let lots of new growth come or is it one of those that would hate that and not really perform after?

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,088

    I think it will be fine as long as you leave whole new leaves at the base and remove larger, older, tattier leaves.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    When mine gets tatty I dig it up, pull of the scruffy leaves and replant it with the woody bits under the surface. It seems to work OK but I do that after flowering, I'd just pull of scruffy bits now



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • CopperdogCopperdog Posts: 617

    Thanks for your replies everyone, I'll let you know how I get on.

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