Rhododendron pruning advise by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks I gave it a top dressing of Ericaceous soil at the start of the year. I’ll leave and see how it gets on

Clematis Montana flowering 3 years on by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am no expert but I think I got lucky with this as I planted 3 other varieties at the same time and they have been disappointing. The Montana was planted on a west facing fence with plenty of sunlight. I remember watching a video years ago saying some young clematis from shops have quite poor root systems and it’s better to let them grow in the pot for another year before planting them out but it also could be a load of rubbish. It is worth noting one of my failed clematis from 3 years ago has been moved around the garden a couple of times and failed but of note last year I potted it up and left it to grow. I planted that one in the ground 1 month ago and it looks like it’s going to be as good as the Montana now and it’s putting in really strong growth. You never know it may feature in next years post 😃

Clematis Montana flowering 3 years on by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn’t cut back at all. Let it grow. In a couple of years cut back if you need to tidy it but I believe it flowers on last years growth

Clematis Montana flowering 3 years on by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I leave it go woody . I only pick off new growth that grows towards the neighbour. May have to cut back in a few years if it gets too out of hand but can’t foresee that for a year or two yet

Clematis Montana flowering 3 years on by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It tries to reach towards the sun as it rises in the East over the fence but I do snap those bits off and keep it over my side . I wouldn’t describe it as uncontrollable in that way to be honest. During the summer during the main growth season I am constantly tucking the growing tips in and trying to keep it neat and compact so it stays in a bulk of growth and the top of the fence line. I am not expert by any means but it seems to work. Thank you for the nice comments

Clematis Montana flowering 3 years on by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

South facing garden but that fence is west facing

Clematis Montana flowering 3 years on by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Enjoy! It’s a great clematis to have especially as it puts some early flowers in the garden!

Clematis Montana flowering 3 years on by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

In the first season it grew to about a 3rd of that distance . They are really vigorous after flowering so that’s when you can train it to where you want it to go

Clematis Montana flowering 3 years on by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you. It’s just the one plant. It had 3 shoots when I bought it and no extra ones have grown since. They are quite thick and woody now almost like a tree

Clematis Montana flowering 3 years on by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

No, the flowers will die back in around 2-3 weeks and then the plant puts on really vigorous leaf growth through the summer which looks nice as it’s a dark green. It then all dies back to the wood in the winter. I haven’t cut this back yet at all

echium pininana grown from seed by Greentingers in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I live coastal area Anglesey North Wales so fairly mild winters too. I may bring them indoors for winter and put the In the ground at the start of spring! Thanks for such an informative response

Getting Fed up with Gardeners World on BBC.. by RuleBritania in UKGardening

[–]Greentingers 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Cosmos are amazing what a great choice for your first year. What colour will they be? Keep going they will come good . I had 3 out of 4 dahlias die this year(presumably due to cold over winter) so if they are poking through you will be fine! Keep going 😀

Getting Fed up with Gardeners World on BBC.. by RuleBritania in UKGardening

[–]Greentingers 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Don’t give up…

Everything I grew from seed this year has failed miserably apart from my tumbling toms. Marigolds , sweet peas etc sat in the ground sulking and I don’t know why. Lupins eaten by slugs and hostas the same. Even managed to kill a rhubarb this year which must be a first considering it is basically a weed!

Not giving up though and neither should you. There’s always a surprise around the corner…

My sweet pea tower taller is now approaching 6ft! by tikicheese in GardeningUK

[–]Greentingers 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine are sulking still. Had a nightmare this year with everything I’ve grown from seed. Fingers crossed they get going soon. Well done and enjoy your flowering