Perovskia 'Blue Spire'
Russian sage
- Position: full sun
- Soil: well-drained, poor to moderately fertile
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: August and September
- Hardiness: fully hardy
With its aromatic leaves and upright spikes of violet-blue flowers, Russian sage makes a wonderful companion to all kinds of late-summer ornamental grasses and perennials. In August and September, tiny, violet-blue, tubular flowers appear on silver-grey spikes above the main framework of the plant, among deeply-cut and lobed, grey-green leaves. This deciduous sub-shrub makes a real impact planted en masse alongside a path, where the sage-like fragrance of its leaves can be appreciated, or try it alongside other silver-leaved plants, or in swathes in a sunny border. One of our recommended plants, it copes well with dry, chalky soil and salt-laden air. - Garden care: As this shrub has a tendancy to flop a little, in March cut back to the permanent framework of the shrub to promote bushier growth. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.
Echinacea purpurea
coneflower
Long lasting, rosy purple flowers.
Achillea 'Terracotta'
yarrow
Long-lasting, rich terracotta flowers
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'
black-eyed susan
Large golden-yellow flowerheads
Anemone × hybrida 'Königin Charlotte'
Japanese anemone ( syn. Queen Charlotte )
Brings autumn colour to the garden
Sedum (Herbstfreude Group) 'Herbstfreude'
stonecrop (syn Autumn Joy)
Perfect filler plant
Penstemon 'Raven'
beard tongue
Dramatic, deep purple, foxglove-like flowers
Verbena bonariensis
verbena
Lilac-purple flowers
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If so, click on the button and fill in the box below. We will post the question on the website, together with your alias (bunnykins, digger1, plantdotty etc etc) and where you are from (Sunningdale/Glasgow etc). We'll also post the answer to your question!Q:
Any reason why myplants are not flowering?
Hello. I have some plants that seem to be happy and growing well but aren't flowering- two Fuchsias, a Crambe cordiflora, and a Geranium 'Buxton's blue'. Even those that are flowering are a bit rubbish - a Perovskia 'Blue Spire' and some Verbena bonariensis have produced some flowers but not many. What can I do to improve flowering - is there a particular feed or fertiliser I should use? The soil is dense london clay, but the garden is not shady, but nor is it in full sun. It is quite sheltered. Many thanks, RobertAsked on 7/26/2009 by Robert Wilne1 answer
A:
Hello There, There are a number of reasons why plants don't flower including too much shade, not enough water or nutrients, or pruning at the wrong time of the year. It can also be caused by the plant putting on new root growth instead of focusing its energies on producing flowers. I am not really sure why yours has not produced buds, but you can often give them a bit of a push by feeding with a high potash fertiliser. I hope this helps. Helen Plant DoctorAnswered on 7/27/2009 by Crocus Helpdesk
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