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Post by Mumsey on Dec 14, 2018 4:52:53 GMT -5
lisaann, Even here they get quite large, about as wide as they are tall!
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Post by lisaann on Dec 14, 2018 17:17:42 GMT -5
About the biggest plant here was easily 5' wide...many branches making up that width...and very tall... Oh my goodness.................. So do you deadhead this plant or what? Sounds like they self seed very well, so maybe I should, or would that be impossible to keep up with? I HATE to deadhead. That's why I like petunias. I gave up dahlias because deadheading pesters me. But I know a yard I would like to throw seeds in to cover the view! hahhahaha |
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Post by ahntjudy on Dec 14, 2018 18:59:29 GMT -5
No lisaann ...I don't deadhead them...Just let them grow...They bloom a long time, each flower, bright orange with a pretty center...and as the plant grows, it becomes enveloped in hundreds of new forming flowers... To me, the plants have beauty even as they age and become dry...They're very intricate yet sturdy...And the seed heads are pretty... I leave them alone and by the time I do the final clean up out there for the winter, the seed heads have become completely dry... And, as I have my yard all woodchipped, as I pull the plants, I rip the flowerheads off the dry stems and squinkle them and the smaller stalks around on the ground...It all becomes mulch...and then they come up wherever they want next year... I rarely wear garden gloves but I do for this job as the seed heads are very firm and prickly... I don't think you would have a problem with inundation if you let them go to seed... It's definitely a 'plant it and let it go' kinda plant...I like them... I planted them once, years ago and have not had to plant them since... Well, actually I did grow some again the second year, but that was a waste of time as plenty of volunteers came up for me... Groupings of them is very eyecatching and appealing...Plus they kind of hold each other up a little bit... But, and I learned this the hard way this year, that even the ones I thought were big and sturdy enough, weren't, and a few big ones snapped in a pretty gusty situation...So, if you have them in a place where neatness may matter, you may want to stake them as they become top heavy as they get to full growth...At least here, that's what happens to them... Tithonia are hardy and showy...They're great plants... And I know what you mean about deadheading... There are the few times in the beginning of the season when deadheading has that tra la la, la la vibe to it... Then, it gets to be forget it...movin' on... |
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Post by lisaann on Dec 14, 2018 19:07:57 GMT -5
ahntjudy, OH MY! That is just the information I was looking for! Thank you for taking the time to type all that! I'm sure your information has helped more than just me! I am going to start my plants inside and set out in May. May I ask how hardy they are? In the fall does a light frost kill them, or are they like petunias and keep on ticking till a hard frost? Thanks so much woman!
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Post by ahntjudy on Dec 14, 2018 19:14:29 GMT -5
You're so welcome lisaann...  They keep going til the killing frost...and I'm more north of you... They may be looking a little scraggly here and there by that point, but as I said, I just leave them... Have to if I want my flowers next year!!  I think all the different dried flowerheads out there looks kinda pretty...but then, I'm a kookie gardener... You'll like this plant... |
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Post by lisaann on Dec 14, 2018 19:20:26 GMT -5
You'll like this plant... Yep, I will, and I will take pics. I might bore ya with baby sprouts till the frosty death. hahhahaha So exciting! I love a new plant to play with. Especially when I am armed with some good information to make the planting a success. I am planting it where the Dad tree died and was removed this year. |
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Post by desertwoman on Dec 14, 2018 19:22:56 GMT -5
all the different dried flowerheads out there looks kinda pretty...but then, I'm a kookie gardener... I love dried plants and flower heads through the winter. They call it "winter interest" and besides, many of those seed heads feed the birds! |
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Post by ahntjudy on Dec 14, 2018 19:24:39 GMT -5
lisaann...I always recognize it coming up in the yard as the leaves have sort of a fig leaf/oak leaf 'ish' shape to them... Different than the other stuff...You'll see what I mean... That's nice that they're going where the Dad tree was...They should put on a good show for you and in Dad's memory...
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Post by lisaann on Dec 14, 2018 19:31:36 GMT -5
...I always recognize it coming up in the yard as the leaves have sort of a fig leaf/oak leaf 'ish' shape to them... Another thing to make a note of! Woo Hoo! |
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Post by Wheelgarden on Mar 29, 2021 19:58:14 GMT -5
Tulip poplars, dogwoods, oaks and maples are leafing out --- here comes the summer shade canopy. The understory beeches, as they do, have held their striking, dry tan leaves all winter long. They stand out providing color and contrast to the overall grey and brown of the cold months. Now I see the holdover foilage is drooping and wilting with new leaf buds pushing them out. Pines are fixin' to candle. Tree pollen count is off the scale. Spring!
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Post by Wheelgarden on May 24, 2021 17:57:03 GMT -5
I may be a "stately oak" on this board...but my prized 30 year old centerpiece Pin Oak has passed me up on statelyness. 35 feet tall, broad, spreading, and beautiful all seasons. Love Pin oaks, they're native here and grow faster than the other oaks. A little seedling from the Arbor Day folks to mark our first Arbor Day here. Sure is perty.
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