Forum home› Problem solving

Crambe Cordifilia

StillLearningStillLearning Posts: 261
in Problem solving

Hi Looking for a bit of advise, have just ordered another Crambe Cordifilia this year as last year tried unsuccesfully for my first attempt at growing one. It lasted approx 1 week and wilted and passed away. This was just as the rains began so no shortage of water. We have a heavy ish clay based soil, I would be greatful of any ideas to keep this young beauty. Or are they notoriously difficult to grow? It will be positioned in a SW border.

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 26,991

    I don't think it's difficult but heavy wet clay won't suit it. Mine's in one of the poorest driest bits of the garden and it does very well



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • StillLearningStillLearning Posts: 261

    Thanks nutcutlet unfortunately as all the garden soil is clay it looks like it is a non runnerimage 

  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    I absolutely adore this plant, saw it at a plant show last year. Any ideas on how tall/wide it grows? Also, does it need full sun or part shade?

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 26,991

    6 foot or so tall in my soil with a sizable spread of leaves as time goes on. You can underplant with very early bulbs but it does leave a bit of a gap later when the leaves die back.  It likes sun. Smells of rotten cabbage when the leaves start to go over.The leaves die back but the flowering stems dry off and would make a huge dried  arrangement.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    Thank you nut cutletimage

  • StillLearningStillLearning Posts: 261
    Hi Verdun many thanks for your advice it was bought as a 6" potted cutting unfortunately from an internet site as I cannot find anyone that sells it or are able to order it in? Even the national garden centre chains cannot get hold of it. Which I find a little bizarre, hopefully when this one arrives and the weather improves for planting it will be succesful as the specimans I have seen have been stunning.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 26,991

    http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=568

    Might help and has a link to a suppliers list.

    I can't see it being stocked in a mainstream GC. It's lovely, but it's big and not enough people could find room for it. 



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,773

    I'm sure I've seen it for sale at National Trust properties, where they sell cuttings etc from the plants in their gardens - our local one is Blickling Hall so it was probably there. 

    And look here http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/perennials/classid.78128/ they seem to stock it image

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







  • StillLearningStillLearning Posts: 261
    Many thanks
Sign In or Register to comment.