Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Alpines => Topic started by: Maggi Young on April 24, 2019, 11:06:42 AM

Title: Question about Mulinum spinosum
Post by: Maggi Young on April 24, 2019, 11:06:42 AM
A question received  via email :

"I am hoping to grow Mulinum spinosum outdoors and without rain cover ( in Shropshire) in a small area of largely inorganic substrate as a companion to Tropaeolum polyphyllum . Does anybody have any experience with this species ? 
Thank you for your time."

Have  forumists  any  experience  of trying these two plants together?
Title: Re: Question about Mulinum spinosum
Post by: hamparstum on June 06, 2019, 12:56:48 AM
Maggi, both species are native and quite widespread here, specially M.speciosum. This species species is an erosion indicator, so actually it will grow well in very poor "soil". Sheep eat it sparingly and it gives meat a foul taste so paddocks with it will tend to be closed off to grazing at least if the sheep are being raised for meat. T.polyphylum grows in exact same place plus in very sandy conditions. In otherwords where sand has accumulated possibly blown off the eroded soil. I let T.polyphyllum grow naturally here...I'm not particularly attracted to the other species, but grows wild across my fence. Now its the beginning of winter and we have pouring rain. They don't seem to mind that at all!. Tropaeolum is ephemeral. If the substrate were poor soil plus sand added I wouldn't worry in trying to grow it in humid lowland conditions. I hope this helps. Perhaps you can refer your e-mail sender to me if it were needed to expand this info.
Arturo
Title: Re: Question about Mulinum spinosum
Post by: Maggi Young on June 06, 2019, 10:57:53 AM
Thank you, Arturo!  :-*
Title: Re: Question about Mulinum spinosum
Post by: ashley on June 06, 2019, 12:47:35 PM
What a great Forum 8)
Title: Re: Question about Mulinum spinosum
Post by: Maggi Young on June 06, 2019, 01:13:30 PM
What fantastic Members!!  [attachimg=1]
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