Germination was successful, a friend kindly cared the teeniest baby seedlings when we were on holiday, they returned home where they grew bigger. Yet my plants are looking decidedly ugly at the moment - they seem to have the plant equivalent of measles. I'm hoping that this is a temporary feature and that as the weather gets colder that the foliage will develop an even purple/chocolate hue. If this doesn't happen they will not be the perfect companions for snowdrops or any other winter flowers and could well end up on the compost heap. Never mind the lilac flowers that will follow and subsequent shimmering translucent seed cases. Has anybody else grown this plant from seed and if so have you had the same experience with your seedlings? If my memory serves me well Caro from The Urban Veg Patch was also bewitched by 'Chedglow' and there may also be other bloggers too who have obtained seed.
In other seedy news I've noticed on the RHS website that members can now now order from their seed scheme. I've not made use of this membership perk before but thought that I would try it out this year. Pen and paper will be the order of the day later when darkness falls. I'm one of those wimps who does not put their nose out of the door on Guy Fawkes Night. What about you when it comes to fireworks - frit or fan?
I don't have any experience of that plant. Will be interested to see what you find out. Re fireworks, I don't find them interesting unless they are a big Gandalf-like display! I do see quite a lot of those when I'm doing caricatures at weddings, so I suppose I'm spoilt!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to find that some of my snowdrops are already sprouting! I'd dug a bit close to the edge of the lawn where some of them are, and usually can't see any life till March!!
I like the sight of fireworks Ingrid but not the noise. We are lucky enough to be able to see the local civic display from the house without stepping outside. I imagine that attending so many weddings must have perks. Your snowdrops seem early but no doubt they will hunker down until the time is right.
DeleteDon't you just have it when a plant you have been longing for doesn't do what's expected of it. I do hope you find a cure.
ReplyDeleteAs for Guy Fawkes, I am usually at work, unless it falls on the weekend, so am not fussed about celebrating.
As above, some of my snowdrops are up above the surface too!
Plants don't always read the books do they Angie :) I must check my snowdrops to see what they're up to.
DeleteOhh I like that a lot! Better make more research about it as it's a new one to me. Any ideas about its hardiness? I like it for both its deep purple foliage and in its current state which is spotty.
ReplyDeleteIt's hardy and although a biennial it should like other varieties of lunaria self - seed I hope. I just wish that I liked the spots! I want purple leaves.
DeleteI can see exactly why you were attracted to it, let's hope that your plants change colour as time goes on. Perhaps it will be the plant equivalent of sunbathing and it will gain its rich colour once it's been exposed to the elements. I'm not a fan of bonfire night, which now seems to be a season rather than one particular night. Archie is terrified of the bangs and sits and shakes all night.
ReplyDeleteI hope that some sunbathing does the trick too Jo along with some cold blasts. Sadly the fireworks seem to go on and on and on - it must be most distressing for animals :(
DeleteI'm not familiar with this plant, but I kind of like its spotted foliage right now. If you hadn't shown the first photo, I would have thought this was the way it was supposed to look:) Maybe colder weather will turn it darker.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words of encouragement Rose :)
DeleteI like the look of this plant a lot too. It may be that if it has been somewhere very protected from the sun it hasn't has a chance to colour. I've found with red varieties of lettuce that they are green in the greenhouse and only change when they are outside. I hope that happens with this for you. I like fireworks and all the fun of a bonfire party; obviously it doesn't happen here; there are always lots of fireworks for New Year and on our towns's Saint's day which also happens to be my birthday so that's fun.
ReplyDeleteThat may well be the case Christina as it's rather shady where the plants have been growing. I had not considered that factor before so thanks for pointing it out. I'm glad to hear that fireworks bring a magical sparkle to your special day.
DeleteOh! What puzzles me is the healthy plant full of leaf along with snowdrops when you first saw it at the RHS show - is this the norm? Seedlings from my white honesty are appearing now but would never grow to that size by snowdrop time. Look forward to seeing how your spotty specimen progresses. I pushed aside leaf litter in my species snowdrop bed but have resisted poking around - nothing showing yet! ps I am still resisting the new snowdrop book...
ReplyDeleteI imagine that forced plants would be used for the show Cathy and doubt that mine will make quite that size by snowdrop time. However they should still look good with other spring flowering perennials and then of course there are the flowers and seed heads to follow. The new snowdrop book is a must! :)
DeleteOhbdear! I remember how excited you - and Caro - were when you discovered this plant, and I meant to try it myself, being a sucker for purple foliage. Myself, I rather dislike the spotty leaves, I hope they start to color properly, how odd!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that the spots have produced the same reaction from you Janet. Seeds will wing your way to you in the future :)
DeleteI purchased a similar honesty from Hoo House Nursery last year. This strain originated in Rosemary Verey's Garden and is named Lunaria annua 'Rosemary Verey'. I could send you a photo if you wish.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Brian and welcome. I wonder if it's the same plant. Your kind offer of a photo of your plant is appreciated. I can be contacted at :
Deletethegreentapestry@googlemail.com
That looks very promising indeed and I hope the foliage will eventually turn dark and chocolatey for you. Seeds can sometimes create surprises but the spots are pretty too!
ReplyDeleteA surprise and a nasty shock too Annette. I just wish that I could bring myself to like the spots :)
DeleteLovely plant, I can understand why you want to grow some seeds of it. Will seeds come the same though, I thought that seeds of a hybrid wouldn't turn out to be the same as the parent, I hope I'm wrong?
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying Pauline but I think and hope that in this case it should be like parent, like child and if so it will be a lovely plant as you say. Will return to it in the spring ...... :)
DeleteMy 'Chedglow' plants look exactly the same. I'm hopeful though they will look better next spring. To be honest I bought it for the contrast of the stems and flowers. As long as the stems are purple I'll be happy. :)
ReplyDeleteOh what a relief to read your comment WW! Hopefully we can compare happy noes in the spring. Initially I did not think further than the foliage but as you point out there is the stem/flower contrast to look forward to and then the seed heads too :)
ReplyDeleteLovely to see those lunaria annua 'Chedglow' plants are growing up. So pleased to see their days in "foster care" while you were on holiday haven’t done them any harm :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in to see the babies foster mum. They thrived on your tender loving care :) xxx
ReplyDelete