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Gardening

What has Mother Nature bestowed upon us?!

(14 Posts)
Squiffy Fri 08-Sept-23 17:17:20

Any ideas what these are? They keep popping up all round the garden and in between the paving. They’re really pretty, but we didn’t plant them so don’t know what they are. Most only grow to about 8”, but one is almost 3’. Will they return next year? Thank you!

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 08-Sept-23 17:18:34

Toadflax. Bees love the flowers. They self-seed easily.

Callistemon21 Fri 08-Sept-23 17:21:14

Why do I only get boring weeds?

Squiffy Fri 08-Sept-23 17:33:59

Thank you Gsm! Yes, they are definitely self-seeding! 😆

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 08-Sept-23 17:42:59

👍🏻. The bees will love you! I get both purple and pink ones here. Like miniature snapdragons. Cut a plant back at the end of autumn and it will probably sprout again.

Fleurpepper Fri 08-Sept-23 17:48:53

Dead head and they will flower again later.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 08-Sept-23 17:53:38

But if you dead head they won’t seed!

Squiffy Fri 08-Sept-23 18:35:46

I could try both! 😆 The Diplomatic Corps beckons!

Fleurpepper Fri 08-Sept-23 19:47:59

Germanshepherdsmum

But if you dead head they won’t seed!

They will seed second time around! I'd cut the seed heads and shake where you want them, rather than where they decide to surprise you ;)

Squiffy Fri 08-Sept-23 19:52:23

OK, I’ll try all 3 options! Next year could be asking how to get rid of toadflax… 🤣

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 08-Sept-23 19:52:50

No good until the seeds have ripened,

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 08-Sept-23 19:54:16

Seedlings pull up very easily if you don’t want them!

Squiffy Fri 08-Sept-23 20:03:47

Forgot to say ‘thank you!’

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 08-Sept-23 20:06:07

No need! 😊