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Wrong advice on plant labels?

MeomyeMeomye Posts: 814
in Plants
I recently purchased a Ceanothus repens on which the label read Height 2.4m spread 1.8m. I have since discovered that it is in fact the other way round which means I have to find a different spot for it. Admittedly this was not from a GC (B&Q in fact) but I wouldn't expect the label to be wrong. Any one else had a similar problem? 

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,740
    I take very little notice of info on labels from large stores etc, but do my own research first. It’s one of the reasons it’s worth paying a bit more and buying from a specialist nursery ... you can get good advice because they know their plants. 

    That being said
    my little bit of school Latin tells me the word ‘repens’  would indicate a low growing spreader.  However the RHS says here that it will grow taller if up against a wall
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/94754/Ceanothus-thyrsiflorus-var-repens/Details
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,531
    The label is there to sell the plant, not to inform the buyer!  When did you ever see a plant labelled "Deadhead rigorously if you don't want it all over your garden"?
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    You may be sure that every plant will thrive in any position in moist but well drained soil and is completely hardy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 24,453
    How about:
    "only £ 5.99 or 3 for £20!!! 
     Practically everyone else in the shop would pay you to take it away.
    Plant in moist well-drained soil."
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 6,759
    I bought some dahlia tubers earlier in the year, which said plant 10cm apart. SM plants rarely have the right info. Height x Spread is often wrong and even when ‘right’ is only a rough guide, as plants will grow differently according to climate, aspect and soil. Most perennials and annuals grow ginormous for me, except when they don’t, so it’s always trial and error.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,308
    I confess.
    I bought a Deutzia gracilis last year, the picture and description showed it to be white, described as pure white. But the flowers when they opened were slightly pink. This year I hoped it might come clean, but still a little bit pink.
     
    It is in a pot which might account for the colour. We will see next year planted out what it does.

    The height and spread says Three feet.
    I cut it hard back after flowering and the new shoots are about that height now.

    I do buy from nurseries and specialist growers, but sometimes if something looks nice who does not impulse buy from a non garden centre or nursery.
  • BrexiteerBrexiteer Posts: 955
    josusa47 said:
    The label is there to sell the plant, not to inform the buyer!  When did you ever see a plant labelled "Deadhead rigorously if you don't want it all over your garden"?
    There is no need to be sarcastic mate. He/she is only asking a question 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,740
    That’s not sarcasm 🙄 
    ... that’s empathetic irony. 


    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • B3B3 Posts: 24,453
    edited June 2019
    I think you have a fan there @Dovefromabove (EI) we need another new emoji.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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