Just found a couple of Ipomoea "Kniola's Black" in flower. They were
last year's plants in a not particularly sheltered position, and were
nowhere near a south or west-facing wall. It seems strange that as last
winter was on the cold side (we had at least 10 nights of frost here,
with a couple falling to -6 deg C), that those ipomoeas should survive
when others in milder winters have not.

--

Jeff

In article ,
Jeff Layman wrote:
Just found a couple of Ipomoea "Kniola's Black" in flower. They were
last year's plants in a not particularly sheltered position, and were
nowhere near a south or west-facing wall. It seems strange that as last
winter was on the cold side (we had at least 10 nights of frost here,
with a couple falling to -6 deg C), that those ipomoeas should survive
when others in milder winters have not.

Are you sure that they were last year's plants, rather than ones that
have grown from fallen seed?


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On 16/06/18 20:32, Nick Maclaren wrote:
In article ,
Jeff Layman wrote:
Just found a couple of Ipomoea "Kniola's Black" in flower. They were
last year's plants in a not particularly sheltered position, and were
nowhere near a south or west-facing wall. It seems strange that as last
winter was on the cold side (we had at least 10 nights of frost here,
with a couple falling to -6 deg C), that those ipomoeas should survive
when others in milder winters have not.

Are you sure that they were last year's plants, rather than ones that
have grown from fallen seed?


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

I suppose that it's possible, but I doubt it. There was nothing there a
couple of weeks ago, and my "Heavenly Blue" plants, started from seed
over a month ago, are showing no signs of flowering yet. Funnily enough,
where those Kniola's Black are was one place I was going to put one of
the Heavenly Blue plants, but the borders in the front garden have
weed-proof membrane covered with 20 - 45 mm stones (previous owner had
them put in) and in addition the ground was so hard due to lack of rain
I couldn't get them in. So I can't see how seed could have germinated an
established in that position.

--

Jeff

On 16/06/2018 22:24, Jeff Layman wrote:
Kniola's Black

Definitely an annual that one, depending on where the seed falls May or
June is when they germinate, seeds seem remarkable cold resistant

--
Charlie Pridham
Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk

On 18/06/18 11:45, Charlie Pridham wrote:
On 16/06/2018 22:24, Jeff Layman wrote:
Kniola's Black

Definitely an annual that one, depending on where the seed falls May or
June is when they germinate, seeds seem remarkable cold resistant

Good point - I hadn't thought to check whether or not it was an annual.
Even so, it seems it is hardy to Zone 7 and is not frost sensitive (See
"Physical Information" at
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ipomoea+purpurea), and
according to Missouri Botanic Garden it can be overwintered
(http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b754).

I wonder if I had plants which had not had time to flower last year, and
had overwintered.

--

Jeff