Last June, I blogged about two plants which I had bought, Nemesia - Vanilla Scent and Heliotrope - Butterfly Kisses. Both of these plants are usually grown as annuals but are in fact tender perennials. As they were being grown in containers I thought I would have a go at overwintering them in the greenhouse. Unfortunately, we had an extremely cold winter and many plants which I usually successfully overwinter died, I didn't hold out much hope for the nemesia and heliotrope. On inspecting the containers in spring, it was obvious that there was no life whatsoever in the heliotrope so it went into the compost. I nearly made the same mistake with the nemesia, it looked dead so it was put to one side ready for the compost heap. As hubby was filling up the compost he noticed a tiny green leaf on the nemesia so called me over to ask if I was sure it was dead. It got a reprieve and look at it now. I won't be so quick to consign things to the compost in future, thinking they're dead, or thinking that they won't last more than one season. Nemesias are one of my favourite flowers. I always include them in my summer bedding, they look lovely in the little window boxes on my daughter's wooden playhouse.I had a few comments on my last post mentioning how early it is to be harvesting my first courgette. This prompted me to look back at my earlier posts to see when I harvested my first courgette last year, and it turned out to be the 19th July, this was from a plant in a container in the garden, the plants at the allotment didn't start producing until later. I planted my first courgette seeds this year on the 21st March hoping to get an early crop, and sowed some more seeds at a later date in the hope that when the first plant gives up producing, I will still have other plants which are still going strong. I don't mind a courgette glut, I love them.
We've had some gorgeous days again this week but it's looking very overcast today. I'm hoping the sun will come out again at the weekend ready for my trip to Gardener's World Live.
Nemesia are so dainty. They are a favourite bedding plant of my father in law. It just shows that you should never give up!
ReplyDeleteI don't know this plant (no surprises there!) but it looks lovely. Is it really vanilla scented? That would make it a top favourite for me. Will keep my eyes open for this at plant sales, etc. A very gratifying rescue!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very pretty plant. I've never grown them as I thought they were annuals, I shall give them a try now though!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy GWL
Su
Pretty flower, blending 3 colors for a rare beauty!
ReplyDelete~bangchik
Nemesia is very pretty. I don’t think that I heard of it before. Does it flower all summer?
ReplyDeleteSo you harvested you first courgette one month earlier? You sure had some warm weather. Our vegetables are all late compared to last year. Or last year was too early compared to year before...
Thank goodness for your eye-eagle hubby Jo! The pretty Nemesia is perfect for a window box.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
Jeanne
x
I wonder if I could push my courgettes on next year...i will definitely give it a try. I know what you mean with nearly chucking things out when they have life left in them. I now always check the root of a plant to see if it may have some life left in it!!
ReplyDeleteWell done that man of yours with his eagle eyed power of observation :) I think that my first courgettes will be ready for picking in the next week but I did not start them until April. Hope that you enjoyed your trip to GW Live.Look forward to hearing all about it.
ReplyDeleteNemesias are one of my favourites, Vegetable Heaven. I've even got them in my hanging baskets this year.
ReplyDeleteIt is delicately vanilla scented, Caro. I saw some nemesias on sale at Gardener's World Live on Saturday, but they didn't have this particular one.
I always have some bedding nemesia which I treat as annuals, Su. They are so pretty, I hope you find one you like.
It is a pretty flower, Bangchik. I'm so pleased I didn't compost it.
The nemesia flowers all summer and in to autumn, Vrtlarica. I'm pleased that I've got my courgette to fruit earlier this year, I'll sow early again next year now that I know it works.
The nemesias look so pretty in the window boxes, Jeanne. I'm glad my hubby has better eyesight than me.
It's a good idea to check the roots, Tanya. It makes me wonder how many other things I've composted without checking properly. It's sometimes good to sow seeds early, but as many people have found out this year, it can be a hazzard too.
Once the courgettes start there'll be no end to them, Anna. I don't mind a glut of courgettes though, I love them.
I have grown scented Nemesia for a few years now - it is sometimes quite difficult to find plants or seeds for the scented variety though.. Wisley White is my favourite with a heavy vanilla scent - gorgeous in the evening on the patio, I have harvested seed this year and have loads.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a comment, Chris. I love Nemesia, especially the scented variety.
ReplyDeleteOf the 3 Vanilla Nemesia I find 'Sweet Lady' the most Vanilla smelling, 'Sweet Scented' is ok but 'Vanilla Lady' has a slight nicotine quality to the smell.
ReplyDeleteI shall have to look out for Vanilla Lady to see if I can detect the nicotine quality to the smell, KG. There's some really pretty nemesias, such a lovely flower.
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