I realised the other day that it’s over three years since I wrote my first Six on Saturday. I’ve missed a few weeks (though none this year – plenty of time on my hands) but writing my Six signals the start of the weekend, so let’s get the weekend started. It’s been a very damp week and I’ve spent very little time in the garden. Sadly, the weekend doesn’t look any better, especially today. At least it’s warm! If I can get out there I’ve still a ‘few’ bulbs to plant in the ground (the pots have all been done) but some ground needs clearing to plant the bulbs. That never-ending gardening conundrum. I’m sorry that the pictures aren’t great this week but it was wet and windy. That’s my excuse anyway.
- I grew Cobaea scandens for the first time this year and it’s been a great success. I’ll definitely grow it again next year. The plants have never been covered with flowers but there’s been a steady show. This plant has been up one post, across the top and is heading down the next post.

There’s still a few flowers to come but it’s going to be colder next week, apparently, so I don’t know whether they will make it.


- I’ve recently planted a couple of new, named Hydrangeas but the one giving the best show at the moment is an un-named one that I was given several years ago as a houseplant! I immediately liberated it.

- I bought a large rhizome of Hedychium gardnerianum the year before last. I kept it in a pot last year and it grew well but didn’t flower. I overwintered it indoors and planted it out in May. It’s made a large plant and there are two flower spikes growing upwards. As with the Cobaea, I’m crossing my fingers that the frost holds off for a while. I think I’m going to leave it in the ground this year as it’s now got six large canes. I’m not sure I’ve got a big enough pot.


- Clematis ‘Margot Koster’ flowered for several months this year, eventually bought to halt by a period of drought. After the last rainy period she put on lots of new growth and then lots of buds. They have started opening this week, despite the lack of sun. They are a paler colour but lovely to see at this time of year.


- There are so many beautiful Heucheras, I wish I had room for more of them. This is ‘Caramel’ and it has large, lobed leaves that are a lovely apricot/caramel colour on top and quite pink underneath. I bought it last winter for a winter pot display with a fern and another Heuchera and then planted it out under the Amelanchier in the spring where it has slowly grown throughout the year. There haven’t been any flowers but it hasn’t needed any.

- On Thursday Sorbus aucuparia ‘Autumn Spire’ looked glorious and I meant to take a picture of it. I forgot, of course, and the wind and rain overnight caused a lot of the leaves to fall. It still looked quite good on Friday. A Blackbird has eaten most of the berries.

I think it’s going to be too wet for moving and dividing plants but I’ll spend some time preparing the glasshouse for the colder weather and then I’ll catch up with the other Sixers at https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com/
The Cobaea looks quite tropical, and then you have the ginger and other exotic plants, quite a show for North Somerset, sadly not the weather. From where we are we can check on the clouds scuttling along the levels and build up as they reach the Mendips. Today we wouldn’t even be able to see the Tor!
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I’ve not seen or heard of cobaea before…..what an amazing plant! I see you have plenty of buds to come, fingers crossed that some have a chance to flower before the frosts.
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It’s my first time growing it. It’s common name is the Cup and Saucer plant. Perfect for me as I drink tea by the gallon 😂
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I love Sorbus ‘Autumn Spire’, looks good all through the year and has beautiful colour in autumn. Not much fruit on it here this year.
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My tree isn’t very old, I planted it three years ago, and has had two very dry summers so has struggled a bit. It hasn’t flowered much but maybe next year……
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I ‘m also growing a cobaea for the first time this year but I have no flowers yet… It has climbed over 2m high and I’m still desperately waiting for the flowering buds… I think for the month November… it’s over! I may have sown it a bit too late. I’m going to try a cutting and put it in the greenhouse, we’ll see.
Great to have Hedychium flowers soon!
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I hadn’t thought about taking cuttings. I’m going to have to try it now.
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Lots of lovely colour there despite the dreary light levels. I have a very similar Hedychium and have dug it up in a very large pot. I’m interested to see how yours survives the winter. I think with plenty of mulch it should be OK?
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I hope so. It’s in quite a sheltered spot.
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I had a similar Sorbus at my previous house. It had yellow berries and the combination with the autumn leaves was stunning. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
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This one has orange berries – just a little clash 😁
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Love the sorbus. Seen a good few locally looking great. I’d like some late clematis but never seem to take.
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Your Sorbus still looks great!
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Thanks. It’s poured with rain today and blown a gale so I’m glad I took the photo when I did
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Isn’t it the best feeling to successfully transplant “houseplant” gifts like your hydrangea? Well done. I agree about the varieties of heucheras being very tempting and wishing to fit more. I took a hard look at a couple older, gnarly specimens that had been here when we arrived and yanked them to fit more. 🙂
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I guess you have to grow the Cobaea as an annual, so it must grow quite rampantly to cover as much area as it did. I featured a Heuchera ‘Caramel’ in my post this week! I’m really thrilled with it as it has survived despite being in less than perfect position.
We don’t see Sorbus in these parts, but I remember admiring them in the UK on a trip there. Lovely leaves and berries.
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Cobaea is grown as an annual here. It started quite slowly then romped away. Hope I can repeat the success next year
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A very lovely sorbus. One day I shall get round to planting a tree in the garden 🙂
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