A Pack of 3 bulbs bought and planted into 3 separate pots.

The Last Dahlia I planted weren’t sucessful – I now know why – i planted them too deep – you need to plant with the stump showing.

Background

Dahlia ‘Akita’ is a branching, tuberous tender perennial cultivar with large chrysanthemum petals in shades of dark crimson to red, blending to yellow toward the heart. Their tips are white on the underside. The flowers are as large as 5 in. wide (13 cm). This Dahlia belongs to the Novelty Fully Double classification and has won over 60 awards.

As with all dahlias, this plant flowers from July until the first frosts of fall. Frost blackens its foliage, and its tubers need to be overwintered in a dry, frost-free place

Where I planted

Currently I have planted in 3 large plastic terracotta coloured pots.

Further Info

General info here: Dave’s Garden

Things to Remember

• Water thoroughly after planting and during prolonged dry weather
• After the first nights frost in Autumn the bulbs should be lifted from the soil and stored over winter in a cool and frost free place
• Pinch excess buds and deadhead for more and larger blooms,
• water well during growing season, especially when grown in containers.
• Excellent for cut flowers
• Looks good with Rudbeckia
• Be prepared to stake this one well and I tied up the flowers as they are heavy and some droop.

Another Morrison’s Shrub

Photos at Time of Purchase

Background

Aucuba are dioecious evergreen shrubs with simple, leathery leaves, attractively variegated in many cultivars, and small purple flowers followed on female plants by large glossy red fruit. This plant is valued for its ability to thrive in the most difficult of garden environments, dry shade. Slow-growing, it will only reach 1.8m (6ft) after ten years if left unpruned.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM) as mentioned here.

Where I planted

Currently I have replanted in a larger pot to that shown.

Further Info

General info here: BBC Gardening and Gardeners World

Things to Remember

• Can be placed in dry shade

Another new plant from Morrison’s UK Flower shop: Euonymus Shrub. Described as a Variegated Evergreen Bush.

Photos at Time of Purchase

Background

A native plant of China.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM) as mentioned here.

But this site said it was Number 1 on their List of “Five Awful Plants for the Front of Your House”

Where I planted

Currently I have replanted in a larger pot to that shown.

Further Info

General info here: Gardeners World

Solutions to insect infestations here: Gardeners World

Things to Remember

• Keep Moist in First year
• The beautiful variegated foliage may revert to plain old green on new shoots. When this occurs, simply prune off the green shoots.
• remove any plain green reverted stems whenever seen

2 climbers bought from Morrisons: one labeled Solanum Album Aureavariegalum, the other just Solanum Album.

Photos at time of purchase

Background

Apparently they are native to South America and related to the potato plant. These climbers produce clusters of flowers along their stems at regular intervals.  They can be grown against walls and fences and look very attractive at the back of an herbaceous border. Pruning – Thin out and spur back crowded growth in spring. The varieties I have also appear to be called: Solanum Jasminoides Album which are said to be vigorous semi-evergreen climbers producing clusters of white scented flowers, Planted in a sunny sheltered position in well drained soil.

Where I planted

Currently I have replanted in larger pots to those shown

More Info

Further info here suggests they may need moving inside in Winter: Gardeners World