Hi there,
What a great plant this is. I bought one a couple of years ago to put in my
new front garden. It sits under my lounge window and faces east. I live in
Worthing on the south coast.
Last year, although we had a much milder winter, I made the mistake of
cutting it down too soon and too vigorously as it had really grown enormous
in the autumn. Along came a bit of a frost in Jan/Feb to blacken any
remaining green growth and I thought that was the end of it but the wood was
really thick and the plant much hardier than I was led to believe. This
year, I did cut a bit down but played it much more cautiously and even with
the harsh frosts and cold weather, it looks better.
It's now 3 years old I think. The autumn and winter of 2004, it looked
stunning with its whirls of pretty blue flowers. Even flowers on it on
Christmas day that year.
Also, I found it thrived on being cut in the summer and autumn,constantly
producing new flowers. I should think at it's biggest, it spread to 3 ft
wide and 4- 5 ft high.
All in all, a wonderful plant. If yours likes its situation, you should find
it romping away this year as mine did in its second season.
See enclosed photo.
Regards,
Liz.