Cheiranthus "Bowles' Mauve"
 

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it is too
late?

I am unsure as to whether a cloche provides protection only for the
top growth, or for the roots as well.
Who has experience of overwintering nearly hardy plants with the aid
of a cloche?

Franz

On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:15:28 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it is too
late?

Franz, I've never thought of 'Bowles Mauve' as being hardy, nor (I'm
pretty sure) did E.A. Bowles after whom it was named. He is reputed
not to have liked it by the way and it was the followers of Gertude
Jekyll who ensured it's popularity.

I've grown it totally exposed and unprotected in the Midlands and only
lost it during the massive freeze of 1981/2, which even killed young
holly bushes. The trouble with this variety is that it will get too
big and woody after a couple of years and so is best replaced
regularly. Tip cuttings 3 - 4" long taken now will root quickly in
pure perlite and be ready for potting up in mid October. Overwinter
these frost free and plant out in late spring.

I am unsure as to whether a cloche provides protection only for the
top growth, or for the roots as well.
Who has experience of overwintering nearly hardy plants with the aid
of a cloche?

Unless you live in avery cold part of the country, you shouldn't need
to protect. If you are still worried, a thick mulch of bark around
the roots and an open sided cloche is all that it will need.

HTH

Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November

On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:15:28 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it is too
late?

I THINK mine is Bowles mauve. (bought as such at a plant sale)
It has survived in my fairly exposed but dryish front garden for
several years.
Any advice on successfully taking cuttings gratefully received. I had
no luck with about a dozen earlier this year.


Pam in Bristol

On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:15:28 +0000 (UTC), Franz Heymann wrote:

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it is too
late?

Wallflowers in general get woody after a few years and go
downhill. Best to renew them from time to time with cuttings. I'd
say take a bunch of cuttings now, then in the spring decide
whether to plant them out or continue with your existing plant
another season.

I'm surprised to read that Bowles' Mauve is considered tender.
Live and learn.

--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
[change "atlantic" to "pacific" and
"invalid" to "net" to reply by email]

"Dave Poole" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:15:28 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it
until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it is
too
late?

Franz, I've never thought of 'Bowles Mauve' as being hardy,

Are you sure you meant to say this? It does not click with what you
say lower down.

nor (I'm
pretty sure) did E.A. Bowles after whom it was named. He is reputed
not to have liked it by the way and it was the followers of Gertude
Jekyll who ensured it's popularity.

I've grown it totally exposed and unprotected in the Midlands and
only
lost it during the massive freeze of 1981/2, which even killed young
holly bushes. The trouble with this variety is that it will get too
big and woody after a couple of years and so is best replaced
regularly. Tip cuttings 3 - 4" long taken now will root quickly in
pure perlite and be ready for potting up in mid October. Overwinter
these frost free and plant out in late spring.

I am unsure as to whether a cloche provides protection only for the
top growth, or for the roots as well.
Who has experience of overwintering nearly hardy plants with the
aid
of a cloche?

Unless you live in avery cold part of the country, you shouldn't
need
to protect. If you are still worried, a thick mulch of bark around
the roots and an open sided cloche is all that it will need.

Many thanls David. That was most helpful.

May I now add a second question: What are your views on the hardiness
of Erysimum? I don't know the specific name, but it has a yellow
flower.

Franz

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:15:28 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it
until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it is
too
late?

I THINK mine is Bowles mauve. (bought as such at a plant sale)
It has survived in my fairly exposed but dryish front garden for
several years.

You are reinforcing what David Poole said. Thanks.

Any advice on successfully taking cuttings gratefully received. I
had
no luck with about a dozen earlier this year.

Franz

"Rodger Whitlock" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:15:28 +0000 (UTC), Franz Heymann wrote:

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it
until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it is
too
late?

Wallflowers in general get woody after a few years and go
downhill. Best to renew them from time to time with cuttings. I'd
say take a bunch of cuttings now, then in the spring decide
whether to plant them out or continue with your existing plant
another season.

I'm surprised to read that Bowles' Mauve is considered tender.
Live and learn.

Thanks, Rodger. I have taken the cuttings and will leave the old
plant, suitably topped, in situ, because enough folk have now
reassured me about its hardiness.

Franz

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:15:28 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it is too
late?

I THINK mine is Bowles mauve. (bought as such at a plant sale)
It has survived in my fairly exposed but dryish front garden for
several years.
Any advice on successfully taking cuttings gratefully received. I had
no luck with about a dozen earlier this year.

Dave Poole already posted in details. I can only add that if it gets too
woody (which unhelpfully is the usual time you really want to propagate it),
cuttings do not take so well. I found it easy to take cuttings from but
that might have been luck. As Dave said, 3-4 inch stem tips taken now will
root easily. I just did them in gritty potting compost on a windowsill with
a loose plastic bag tied over. It can be a job finding stems with no flower
buds.

Des






Pam in Bristol

"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:15:28 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it
until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it is
too
late?

I THINK mine is Bowles mauve. (bought as such at a plant sale)
It has survived in my fairly exposed but dryish front garden for
several years.

You are reinforcing what David Poole said. Thanks.

And just to add, it does not mind being wet in winter cos it grows like the
clappers here in Ireland (Cork and Dublin).
I never thought of it as not being hardy.


Any advice on successfully taking cuttings gratefully received. I
had
no luck with about a dozen earlier this year.

Franz

Is it Cheiranthus or Erysimum Bowles mauve?
Mine was labelled the latter.

Pam in Bristol

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
Is it Cheiranthus or Erysimum Bowles mauve?
Mine was labelled the latter.

I always knew it as the latter.
Both are informally wallflowers and are related.
Erysimum is ? Siberian wallflower ?

Des



Pam in Bristol

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
...

"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:15:28 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it
worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it
until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it
is
too
late?

I THINK mine is Bowles mauve. (bought as such at a plant sale)
It has survived in my fairly exposed but dryish front garden for
several years.

You are reinforcing what David Poole said. Thanks.

And just to add, it does not mind being wet in winter cos it grows
like the
clappers here in Ireland (Cork and Dublin).
I never thought of it as not being hardy.

That's good news, because mine is in a spot which is somewhat damper
than the rest of the garden
I really like this plant, and the Erysimum which I planted near it.
They have both been flowering since late spring, and are still in
flower now.

[snip]

Franz

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
...

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:15:28 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

This plant is usually described as being half hardy. Is it worth
trying to get it through the winter by keeping a cloche over it
until
spring, or must I make sure of rooting some cuttings before it is
too
late?

I THINK mine is Bowles mauve. (bought as such at a plant sale)
It has survived in my fairly exposed but dryish front garden for
several years.
Any advice on successfully taking cuttings gratefully received. I
had
no luck with about a dozen earlier this year.

Dave Poole already posted in details. I can only add that if it
gets too
woody (which unhelpfully is the usual time you really want to
propagate it),
cuttings do not take so well. I found it easy to take cuttings from
but
that might have been luck. As Dave said, 3-4 inch stem tips taken
now will
root easily. I just did them in gritty potting compost on a
windowsill with
a loose plastic bag tied over. It can be a job finding stems with
no flower
buds.

Yes, I found that out. I did, however, manage to take 3 budless
cuttings, one with a heel. Wait and see.....

Assuming that I get at least one to root, should I stop it in the
spring, or should I just let it go its own sweet way?

Franz

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
...

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
Is it Cheiranthus or Erysimum Bowles mauve?
Mine was labelled the latter.

I always knew it as the latter.
Both are informally wallflowers and are related.
Erysimum is ? Siberian wallflower ?

I bought my two plants as
Cheiranthus 'Bowles' Mauve' (also listed in the RHS encyclopedia under
this name)
and
Erysimum with no specific name. It is yellow-flowereed, has the same
plant size and flower stem length as Bowles' Mauve. I suspect that
it is E. x allionii. Who would want to gainsay me?

The RHS Encyclopedia treats Erysimum and Cheiranthus as separate
species.

Both of them are teeming with butterflies at the moment.

Franz

On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 14:11:15 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

Both of them are teeming with butterflies at the moment.

I'm not sure if mine can be Bowles' mauve of either sort. It flowered
early and I cut it back a couple of months ago! It has nevershown
sign of flowering at this time.

Pam in Bristol