Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: meanie on December 07, 2011, 10:54:31 AM

Title: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: meanie on December 07, 2011, 10:54:31 AM: Despite being outdoors and having taken a few light frosts, my Polygala myrtifolia is still blooming!
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: Hoy on December 07, 2011, 08:26:31 PM: I also have a plant still blooming but I brought mine inside now as we got the first real frosty night (-3C) this autumn. I didn't dare risking it outside.
Anybody who knows how hardy it is?
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: meanie on December 07, 2011, 08:32:17 PM: I can't comment on the absolute hardiness, but this has taken four or five light frosts now. It'll be near the window in the garage for the winter which remains frost free.
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: meanie on January 28, 2012, 02:01:05 AM: Despite my best intentions, this has remained outdoors. Has continued to bloom non-stop and has seen frosts of -5°c now.
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: Hoy on January 28, 2012, 07:04:33 AM: Quote from: meanie on January 28, 2012, 02:01:05 AM
Despite my best intentions, this has remained outdoors. Has continued to bloom non-stop and has seen frosts of -5°c now.

I'm keeping mine indoors now although we haven't had much freezing till now. But they promise very cold weather next week (down to -10°C).
I'll try to take cuttings of my plants and overwinter some outdoors next year.
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: meanie on January 28, 2012, 08:53:41 AM: I'm keeping mine indoors now although we haven't had much freezing till now. But they promise very cold weather next week (down to -10°C).
I'll try to take cuttings of my plants and overwinter some outdoors next year.
[/quote]

Minus ten would be pushing it!
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: meanie on January 29, 2012, 12:30:51 AM: This plant is certainly far tougher than I'd given it credit for. As you can see in the first photo, it's not exactly in a sheltered spot.
Taken this evening.................

(http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9998/dsc1736w.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/dsc1736w.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/2642/dsc1738a.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/339/dsc1738a.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: Ezeiza on January 29, 2012, 02:29:07 AM: Here in Argentina I have seen it impervious to -10 C for short periods but it is evidently partial for frost free locations where it can reach 2 m.tall although with horrible legs (in other words, looking like a compact tree rather than a shrub). Good drainage seems a must.
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: Hoy on January 29, 2012, 07:08:21 AM: Anybody tried cuttings? I have two plants in pots and wish to try some outdoors without loosing it if it fails.
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: meanie on January 29, 2012, 12:02:51 PM: Quote from: Hoy on January 29, 2012, 07:08:21 AM
Anybody tried cuttings? I have two plants in pots and wish to try some outdoors without loosing it if it fails.

My friend took a cutting (new growth) from mine which struck easily on his windowsill. He bruised it slightly with the back of a spoon before setting, although I forget if he did it straight into compost, or in water first.
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: Hoy on January 29, 2012, 06:13:04 PM: Quote from: meanie on January 29, 2012, 12:02:51 PM
Quote from: Hoy on January 29, 2012, 07:08:21 AM
Anybody tried cuttings? I have two plants in pots and wish to try some outdoors without loosing it if it fails.

My friend took a cutting (new growth) from mine which struck easily on his windowsill. He bruised it slightly with the back of a spoon before setting, although I forget if he did it straight into compost, or in water first.

Thanks. Worth trying.
Title: Re: Polygala Still Blooming
Post by: hanninkj on February 11, 2012, 08:38:12 PM: Making cuttings of Polygala is very easy. Today I potted up for our society 100 rooted cuttings. Use always young wood.

Ton