On Wed, 14 May 2008 11:31:54 +0100, "Tonz" <tony.dave1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
>Has anyone else had or got Echium Fastuosum candicans' Pride of Madeira'
>Any advice on planting and looking after in first few months , any advice
>welcome
>Thanks in advance
I usually grow one or two in the garden, as well as E. pininana
mentioned by Sacha, which is hardier. But as you will see from my sig,
I'm in the far south west of Cornwall, overlooking the sea, and the
climate is very mild.
E. fastuosum (aka E. candicans) is reasonably tolerant of salt winds,
but is not hardy, and an overnight frost of lower than about -2C will
seriously damage or even kill it. I find that the flower buds, which
start to develop in late Feb or early March down here, often get
killed back by a late frost. But they're so spectacular when they
flower well that it's worth persisting with them. They like rich well
drained soil and plenty of sun****ne in summer. They are fast growing
given the right soil conditions, and will reach 4 or 5 feet high, 6 to
8 feet across in three seasons. They don't like root disturbance, so
if you're going to plant it in the soil, do it while it's small and
don't try to transplant it subsequently. If you have winter frosts, I
suppose you could grow it in a tub or large pot and take it into a
greenhouse or conservatory over winter, but you won't see it at its
best as it likes a good root-run.
Gets leggy and untidy after three years or so and is best replaced, as
it won't tolerate cutting back. Comes fairly easily from cuttings or
seed, although you can't be sure to reproduce the colour with the
latter. But who knows, you might even improve it! E. pininana can be a
pest. I get seedlings coming up wherever I spread my compost! Mike
Nelhams on Tresco regards it as a weed.
The one I have at the moment is just coming to the end of it's
flowering period. I will let it send out some new growth, and take
semi-soft cuttings probably in July, and then heave it out as it's
past its best.
--
Chris
Gardening in West Cornwall overlooking the sea.
Mild, but very exposed to salt gales
E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net
|
