13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials

Got the soil test back and it showed a very low phosphorous level which accounts for the purple-ing of the leaves and poor growth rate. Nitrogen is also low.

If your soil has low phosphorous that is why your plants are stunted. Phosphorous promotes strong stems and roots. I think you need to top dress your soil with compost

Tasymo, I don't think I have mulberry tree. I am bad with names of trees, but I did some search and it doesn't look like I have mulberry.

I have I think are oak trees. The ones whose seeds have wings and land all over the place. I think these seedlings might be those. They look familiar to me before I even grew coneflower, so I didn't think they were coneflower but since I have planted some coneflowers, I thought I should better check before I pull them out so that I won't accidentally kill what I intend to keep. :)

5 & 6 are elm tree saplings

I had squirrels eating some of my escarole and I read putting used coffee grounds around them helps. Since I did that the squirrel buffet has closed. Worth a try!

A 2 ft. chicken wire fence is effective in keeping adult rabbits out. My fence is a 2 inch weave and keeps the adults out for the early crops, but when the babies arrive, they get thru with no problem. A 1 inch weave is really needed.

Interesting, for me, especially re (factors affecting) garden lupin longevity.

I don't use lupins now, in mixed perennial beds, for the reason that they are so short lived; my experience is that the plants (purchased in flower) never last more than a year or two in our growing conditions.

All (or most?) of the available garden lupins are derived from the Russell strain. The latter, based on wild Lupinus polyphyllus, are nevertheless of extremely hybrid origin. As such it makes sense that the Russell strain needs to be maintained by active breeding. After a hiatus of perhaps 10/20 years, active breeding and reselection of the Russell strain resumed at the Woodfield Nursery, Stratford-on-Avon, UK in 1970 and the "New Generation" lupin is the result.

I've read that "New Generation" lupins last 7 or 8 years. Can anyone corroborate that?

Ives, re your seeds, I would make sure they are all dry and darkened, then strip them off the plant and toss half of them onto the ground where you might like to have more growing and save the rest for planting later or trading for other seeds you might decide you'd like. They do wintersow very well for me.

Martha

I have moved perennials in the middle of blazing hot summer many times and they almost always do okay although some may sulk a little before rebounding. From my perspective, living in a very very hot summer climate, I would think any plant would come through a move with only 75-79 degree temperatures on the 1st of July! I could only dream of such a thing... (But, of course, I suppose there's never a guarantee that a plant won't die after transplanting any time.)

depending your soil i guess but I always soak the plant to be transplanted and allow it to drain for a while and then dig up as much of the root ball with it as possible.

Many years ago (15 maybe), I grew Verbena bonariensis. Lovely, but I'm still pulling out seedlings.

i think they found some beer making plant seeds in the beer hut at the great pyramids ... and may have gotten one to sprout ...

or i dreamed that story up ... lol

ken

beer hut.. lol.. its right next to the ancient pizza hut

Nhbabs....as soon as the weather round here decided whether its gonna snow, rain, or be 70*, I sure will plant 'em....lol. Damdest weather I've ever seen.

Ken....loved ur story. Now I'm not so sure if I want to 'let 'em outta their cage'...lol!! Coincidentaly, QVC was airing their Spring Fling gardening show last nite, which included a flat of sedum varieties and the guy was describing them pretty much like u did. He walks, drives, etc. on it. can't kill it! LOL

Great advice, does anyone know the name of this plant?. I have been searching everywhere for a name.

Michey, that is so funny. I only read the beginning of your reply in email. Only now did I start to read the thread and see your images side by side. Hilarious. He makes himself an over-the-top joke, but the Donald-Ech juxtaposition is just too funny. Good for you.

Sunnyborders, you like the guy? W-h-y? Say its not true and that it's the breath of the moors that's snagged your noggin' ;)

No starsplitter.

The one on the right is the 'Doubledekker'!

And don't send the other one up here.

Perhaps I shouldn't have suggested it, Emerogork.

I've only done it once. Just chopped it up into, I think, three pieces and kept the biggest one. Did it about four years ago and still have that oriental poppy.

One success, no failures.

Our survivor (June 11, 2015).

Haven't planted any oriental poppies for some years for the reason said (gap left when they die back). Knew of this before, so had never planted more than one in any single location.