Long-flowering plants

 I think we have discussed this before but though I have selected
threads back to 1999 I cannot find this one.
What plants do urglers have which flower for a long while.  So many
things are ephemeral.  My Patty's Plum came into flower, but the wind
demolished the flowers in no time.
The same happerned with my wisteria, iris, etc.  Go away for a few
days and you've missed them.
I want things to give colour for months.  Fuchsias and clematis do a
good job.
My favourite plant is oxalis articulata.  I have plants which came
from my 2 preceding gardens, and thence from my father's and
grandfather's gardens.  It flowers all summer and the only attention
it needs is replanting every 5 years or so, as the new corms grow on
top of the old, thus moving nearer the surface.
Any good recommendations?

Pam in Bristol

 "Pam Moore"  wrote

Looking around our garden....

Alstromerias are wonderful at providing colour in all but the depth of
winter, if they like the position they will bulk up, even take over or just
move around but in the nicest possible way. Come in various heights so be
careful which you buy. The two in our front garden have been there years and
coped with the last two bad winters without any sign of stress. Make
excellent cut flowers too.

The little Patio Roses seem to be always in flower for me and are no trouble
at all, quite changed my view on roses. Their size makes them suitable for
many places, even the front of a normal herbaceous border. Take a few years
to give their best.
http://www.wychcross.co.uk/section.php/10/1/patio-roses

Perennial Wallflowers also seem to be permanently in flower, at least my
yellow one does. Have to be brutal with it to keep it looking compact
though.

Tuberous Begonias stay in flower once they start but need frost free winter
protection, a shed will do, last for ever too.

Zonal Pelagoniums are the same but do need a greenhouse for the winter as
they need light.

Hibiscus syriacus are late into bloom but don't stop for a long time. Just
need a winter prune to keep in shape and can be kept quite small or made
into a hedge.







 

 
Lavetera 'Rosea' and 'Barnsley' come into flower at the start of July,
and I've seen them still flowering the following February. (Typically
they keep going until the frosts.)

Not all cultivars behave the same way - 'Bredon Springs' has a
relatively short flowering season.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

 On 19/06/2011 15:07, Pam Moore wrote:

Grevillea rosmarinifolia (or a hybrid) should be in flower most months
of the year.  I have even seen a few flowers on mine in January and
February.

You should also consider colourful fruits, such as rose hips, pyracantha
berries, and those of aucuba and hollies.  They will help extend the season.

--

Jeff

 

Totally agree re the Grevillea in the right place.  Ours probably
flowered 8 months out of 12.  It has since died after many years but it
had some shelter from a tall Cordyline.  Other than that, it had to
take its chances.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon