Does Bowles mauve come back every year?
Less familiar are the perennial wallflowers such as Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’. This is a beautiful and floriferous, woody-stemmed perennial, bearing masses of mauve flowers on tall spires, for months on end. In southern regions, it flowers all year round. I usually describe the so called perennial wallflowers as “short-lived shrubs” they like a well-drained soil in a sunny position. Cold wet conditions on heavy soil in winter spells death. The ever popular Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’ is the best known and most widely planted.Many wallflowers are biennial and will only flower for one season, however some wallflowers are perennials, such as ‘Bowles Mauve’ and will come back year after year.Bedding wallflowers prefer to be grown in full sun but will tolerate light or dappled shade. For best result they prefer a fertile soil enriched with lots of organic matter which holds plenty of moisture in spring and summer and doesn’t dry out or become waterlogged.Bare root is the traditional way to buy wallflowers in the autumn. They are supplied as large, mature plants ‘in the green’ and will establish quickly once planted, giving you earlier flowers than small plug plants bought at the same time.
Where do you plant Erysimum bowles mauve?
Plants prefer a spot in well-drained soil with sun or partial shade. Erysimum are hardy (H4) perennials and will happily survive most winters outside, only needing protection during the very coldest weather if the soil is not well-drained. Most softwood cuttings are taken in spring and early summer, from the tender new growth of the season. If potted by mid-summer they will develop sufficient roots to survive the winter, otherwise pot up in the following spring.Perennials are best planted in spring (March to early May) or autumn (late September to October), while the ground is moist. Barerooted plants These need to be planted at the optimum times, mentioned above.The good news for those who wish to grow perennial Erysimum is that they can be propagated very easily from cuttings. Cuttings should be taken in the spring, ideally in May or June.
How long does Erysimum Bowles mauve bloom?
Growing & using Bowles Mauve One of the perennial wallflowers, Bowle’s Mauve blooms for five or six weeks in early spring. Less familiar are the perennial wallflowers such as Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’. This is a beautiful and floriferous, woody-stemmed perennial, bearing masses of mauve flowers on tall spires, for months on end. In southern regions, it flowers all year round.A bushy perennial wallflower with grey green narrow leaves. Clusters of very fragrant rich mauve flowers. Height 80cm. Spread 60cm.
Does Bowles mauve self seed?
It grows at a fast rate, and tends to be biennial, meaning that it puts on vegetative growth the first year, flowers the second, and then dies. However, this variety tends to self-seed and will thereby endure for years in the garden if allowed, although because it is a hybrid, the seedlings may not come true to type. Many wallflowers are biennial and will only flower for one season, however some wallflowers are perennials, such as ‘Bowles Mauve’ and will come back year after year.Although western wallflower is technically a perennial plant, it’s often considered a biennial due to its short lifespan (rarely does it live past its second year).
Can you take cuttings from bowles mauve?
You can raise new plants from cuttings in spring to early summer. Pull off side shoots with a small ‘heel’ and, ideally, choose non-flowering shoots, though this is rather difficult with Erysimum ‘Bowle’s Mauve’! If you would like to keep any half-hardy plants for next year, August is the time to take cuttings. Perennials such as Verbenas, Fuchsias, and Pelargoniums are good plants to take cuttings from. Once you have taken the cutting, dip it into a hormone rooting compound before inserting it into small pots.Spring is generally a great time to take cuttings, while the plant is in active growth and before it starts to flower.If you have a favourite shrub, it’s easy to make more plants by taking cuttings. From late June to early August, many plants produce fresh, firm shoots that can removed from the plant with a pair of secateurs and will readily root when put into damp compost.Most tender perennials propagate easily from cuttings. There are two methods that are particularly useful: semi-ripe cuttings and softwood cuttings. You can also find specific advice on salvias, penstemons and pelargoniums on our other web pages. Most cuttings taken in spring will be flowering in their first summer.