The plant I bought in September was Dianthus Sunflor Charmy. I took a photo of it blooming away earlier this year but I think I may have deleted it so here's one which I took last year.
The plant label stated that it should flower from early spring through to late summer, but this is the state of play at the moment. At least it's put on a little growth, it's more than double its original size now.
All is not lost though, there are still some new buds coming through so it may put on another show yet.
I may have been tempted to buy another plant in flower for September seeing as the dianthus isn't doing its thing at the moment were it not for the fact that I noticed this in my border.
This is Liriope Royal Purple, the plant I bought in August and which I though I'd lost. I ended up buying another plant last month to fill the August gap so this Liriope will now fill the September gap nicely.
I was so surprised when I saw it blooming there as I didn't notice it last year either, it seems quite happy though and so am I now that I know another of my purchases has been a success.
A lovely splash of colour, it's great when something blooms that you think you have lost.
ReplyDeleteI was flabbergasted when I saw it. I totally missed it blooming last year and have only just discovered it again this year, I'm very pleased it's survived though.
DeleteI need some perennials that flower now and red so that is what I am on the lookout for when I visit nurseries at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find what you're looking for. You can research red flowers which bloom in September but whether you can find them in a nursery or not is another matter.
DeleteWhenever I visit a GC I find it hard to tell which plants are at their best at that moment. There is so much choice, and some things are just starting, some are in full bloom, and others just finishing. And the flowering times they quote are often a bit over-optimistic I think. My GC purchases from earlier in the year have been a mixed success. The Verbena Bonariensis has been great (and long-flowering), but the Echinacea has been disappointing.
ReplyDeleteYou've identified a common problem with garden centres. They've often got plants which are flowering at a different time to what they usually do as they've either been brough on to flower early or else held back to flower late. I suppose nurseries which are attached to gardens are a better bet to see what should actually be flowering as you can see them in the gardens before visiting the nursery. What a shame about your echinacea, they're lovely plants, but good news on the Verbena Bonariensis, something I've always had trouble with in my own garden for some reason, it never wants to grow.
DeleteThat's a delightful looking Dianthus. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI'm actually very pleased with it. Although it isn't flowering at the moment, it's worked its socks off earlier in the year and the flowers really are as bright as they appear in the photo.
DeleteIt is a pretty, a lovely surprise for you. It's always nice when that happens x
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased that it's put in an appearance, I really thought I'd lost it.
DeleteThanks for passing on that tip, my garden is looking better and I am going to get a plant a month through to next spring
ReplyDeleteI think the winter months are where most people fall down with colour in the garden. The problem I find with garden centres is that they give over so much space to Christmas paraphernalia that they don't have much choice when it comes to plants at that time of year, nurseries seem to be the best bet in winter.
DeleteI love surprises in the garden - well, those that are good, anyhow ;) That dianthus is so pretty. It looks like you are doing a colour theme in your garden - I eventually want to do that, where different colours dominate in each season.
ReplyDeleteI like good garden surprises. I don't actually have a colour scheme in the garden, my planting is quite haphazard but it tends to work out more often than not.
DeleteDianthus Sunflor Charmy is a lovely flower.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping it will bloom again soon ...
All the best Jan
It certainly looks as though it might, it's putting out buds. It's been flowering all summer so I can't complain about it.
DeleteA really pretty Dianthus, I have found a lot of my plants have flowered late this year I think the weather has set some back, my Lillies have just started flowering in the past week or so, not that I mind they bring a lovely splash of colour to the garden :-)
ReplyDeleteI think the weather can play a big part in either holding plants back or setting them off early. It's nice to have plants coming it to flower at this time of year when most things are just finishing.
DeleteIt's been a weird year. Only two of my dahlias are flowering. The rest have grown, but not a bud among them. My roses have flourished, giving me a second flush. The cosmos are going mad, but the marigolds are not as good as last year. A gardener's lot, I guess.
ReplyDeleteLeanne xx
I think most years are like this. We had a cold spring which accounts for lots of plants underperforming, but many do even in years when we have good weather. I'm not sure why.
DeleteIsn't it a lovely surprise when you discover a plant growing that you thought you'd lost (or in my case just totally forgotten I'd ever bought!)
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I've done that too. It is a lovely surprise. I really thought the liriope had vanished, thank goodness it was just in hiding.
DeleteIt is funny how plants seem to disappear and the reappear sometimes isn't it. I wish they would just stay, but it is nice when they return, especially when they fill gaps for us! xx
ReplyDeleteI think it's probably a case of me not noticing it rather than it disappearing, I really must get my eyes retested, I think I need stronger glasses.
DeleteThe dianthus is gorgeous! I have two wee little ones in now and will probably have to wait till next year before they flower. The liriope seems happy if it's flowering like that. Take care.
ReplyDeleteDianthus are lovely flowers, they bloom for such a long period so they're good to have in the garden. I shan't miss the liriope again, I'll be watching for it putting in an appearance again next year.
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