Valkyrie Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Ceanothus here too. A hebe that really wasn't supposed to withstand the bad weather and was a bit protected by the oak is just hanging in there - must take cuttings. Lots of penstemons - some that I knew might not survive as they've been fuss pots in the past, but also some of the hardier ones have given up. The lavenders look a bit sad as they were so large the snow and chickens have broken them down, so have taken cuttings so that they can be replaced. What did do well to my surprise were dianthus that I'd sown seeds and put in my tiered planter - right at the top exposed to frost, snow, biting winds and they are just about to flower. So I've bought more seeds and am going to do the same for the rest of the planter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 My ceanothus, lavender and hebe are all alive. These were all newly planted last autumn so I'm surprised they survived. Ironic that the one plant that has been there well over 20 years died but little newly planted ones didn't . I now have to decide what to put in the acer's place . Another acer? But if I want an established one, that'll cost a lot and it might get zapped next winter . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 You could always wrap it in hessian sacking or layers of bubble wrap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 That's very true . I'd be more careful next winter, once bitten .. ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Reading this thread I've just realised I've lost my marjoram and sage too The mint is taking it's time coming through this year, and the rosemary looks decidedly sad. I've also lost one of a pair of potted lavenders (I have others but these matched). Chives, hyssop and blueberries are all doing well and have been in pots all winter, the blueberries are covered in flowers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Was anybody elses daffodills a lot shorter than usual? We had some that were barely 3 - 4 inches... Then they just flowered one day and were dead the next! Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Was anybody elses daffodills a lot shorter than usual? We had some that were barely 3 - 4 inches... Then they just flowered one day and were dead the next! Martin Yes, my Daffodils were smaller this year. We have two long rows that edge both sides of our drive. One side has flowered but the other side have come up blind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 my daffs were the normal size but like Martin says - flowering time, or the length they lasted, seemed really short. had a good look at some hebes this morning - I think they've died so will have to hoick them out which is a real shame. on the plus side, my clematis montana doesnt usually flower til after April 25th, but I reckon will be out in the next couple of days. (dont ask me why I know its April 25th, it's just stuck in my head that that is when it flowers!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Daffs up here weren't shorter than normal and the put on a wonderful display, but it did seem rather short lived this year - unlike the snowdrops which went on for a whole month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Potts Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Hens ate the crocus heads when FR in March. The parsley has survived - don't know how, on the edge of a raised bed and equally as exposed as everything else. Actually, it is blooming. It was only a supermarket herb in the pot thing too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 My huge and well established montana has taken a good kicking and there is a lot less growth than usual, but my hebes are untouched, and the daffs are flowering normally I've found this thread really interesting and learnt that we can't always rely on shrubs. One set of plants which are completely unscathed (in fact they are full of beans) are my camellias; I wonder if thats because they are 'bred' to be a winter/early Spring/Spring plant. The magnolia (still small, its only been in about 4 years) is also flowering its socks off which does surprise me a bit; I expected it to be a bit temperamental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 A magnolia is one thing I'm considering replacing my acer with . Are they generally quite hardy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I'm not sure, I have an idea you have to site them quite carefully. Then I looked them up and found this which might help you http://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/page.cfm?page_ref=how_to_care_for_Magnolias Just for info, I am down in the SE but up a hill on an open exposed site and it does get cold. Mine is sheltered by a hedge and a shed, but its in some very poor quality, heavy soil, which is slightly acidic. When I bought the plant it was quite large (about 3 ft)in a pot and in flower and its flowered ever since, though I realise its only been in the ground 3 years not 4. Its some sort of soulangeana, so not one of those massive ones which grow into trees. It has large deep maroon flowers with the most amazing pure lemon scent - you have to stick your nose right in to get it Magnolia stellata is another small form, with lots and lots of smaller white star-shaped flowers; probably more attractive than mine but without the special smell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 That's really useful, thanks very much . I think I'll pop down to my local garden centre which will be able to tell me which type would suit my location (as it's only 3 miles from theirs ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 My daffodils were fine, but I agree, they seemed to be over quickly - I suspect that's had more to do with the unseasonably warm weather now than the cold winter. My montana has very few flowers on, so it's interesting that others have had the same experience. It's a huge old plant, very woody, and as that part of the garden is going to be dug up in a few weeks I think I'll take some cuttings from it and hope to start again next year. Only thing that seems to have died on me is a passion flower that I had in a large pot. It's not looking very passionate at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 One set of plants which are completely unscathed (in fact they are full of beans) are my camellias; I wonder if thats because they are 'bred' to be a winter/early Spring/Spring plant. That's interesting. My camellia has flowered beautifully this year and had good foliage, despite being a moody little so and so in other years (dropping buds all over and developing yellowing leaves). I think it must like the snow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I lost a huge rosemary bush which I planted 5 years ago Alos 2 massive evergreen shrubs that are against the back fence which screens us from the house behind. Dreading digging those up and trying to find something large, evergreen and cheap to replace them with. My tulips are up now, but the heads are much smaller than normal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 I think I've got to bite the bullet and get rid of at least 3 hebes.... I love hebes, they are so good for butterflies. oh well, got to look on the bright side - an opportunity to replant!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 I'm thinking the same about my 3 grasses . My hebe is looking sad but not dead . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 We lost our large established eucalyptus that was a central feature in our back garden and gave shade to the Eglu. We have taken it down and dug out the stump and found that we actually preferred the garden without it We have made a small fenced off rockery between the pond and the Eglu run now and hopefully we can keep the girlies out. Our large bay tree in the front garden took a real pasting, we cut away all the dead branches and tips yesterday. It looks a bit sad at the moment but the bits that are alive are healthy and growing well, so we are hoping that we haven't given it too much of a shock and it willnow fill out over the summer. We use loads of bay leaves in our cooking and this one has a really good flavour. I lost my French tarragon too and haven't been able to find another yet We also lost 2 large phormiums a couple of fuschias and a few herbacious things. Our variagared ceanothus turned brown but has now grown new foliage and is looking much better it did the same last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 I was at the garden centre today (looking at magnolia trees - but the very knowledgeable girl gave me loads of other options - I can't decide now ). All their grasses were looking all but dead too but she said to give them a liquid feed and a bit more time. Fingers crossed . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Our large bay tree in the front garden took a real pasting, we cut away all the dead branches and tips yesterday. I lost my French tarragon too and haven't been able to find another yet bay is usually pretty indestructible - mine grows like a weed, despite the salty sea winds, in fact it is way too big! I've not been able to find any french tarragon yet either, and it's a 'must' for pots for me as I cant grow it in the ground. maybe it's too early for tarragon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 It could be a bit early for tarragon hopefully we will find some soon, I love courgette and tarragon soup in the summer It was the east side of my bay that died and that has a beech hedge to filter some of the bitter east winds that we get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 21, 2011 Share Posted April 21, 2011 signs of life detected this morning in my biggest hebe - about 5' x 5'. unfortunately, they are just at the very ends of the branches. I dont 'think' hebes particularly like pruning, but I am going to cut it back hard and see what happens. otherwise it will look very odd; and if I do cut it back I can get into the middle of the bed and do some sorting out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 21, 2011 Author Share Posted April 21, 2011 There's a new shoot on my Panicum Virgatum . The other 2 grasses are still showing no signs of life . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
