h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi, lanzababy

Last month I planted some Argyranthemums in front of my house, thinking they were perennials that would could up every year. I checked the Internet, though, and found that they originated in the Canary islands, where you live. Do you see them growing wild in your area? They look like yellow daisies with yellow centers and feathery green leaves. They aren't supposed to be able to survive winters here in Boston, which is in Zone 6. But I wish they could, as they are very nice.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2122/3528451478_bd885384fc.jpg

are they like these? If so, yes, these do grow wild, up in the hills where it is a bit wetter.

also you can take cuttings like this article suggests:

http://www.liveforgardening.com/questionsandanswers/flowergarden/136714/are_argyranthemums_hardy.html


but that is a bit fiddly, although it is worth a try - If you want to keep them over winter - you will have to dig them up and keep them on a window sill away from the cold. As the Canary islands are sub-tropical the winters never really drop below 15degrees Centigrade (roughly 65 F)

I love gardens! they are my passion - nice to be asked about something

Thank you so much for replying, lanzababy. Today is my last day of work, and I've begun putting potted petunias in front of my house, and planting daisies and coreopsis and argyranthemums in the sunniest spots. They all look good, but some of the daisies are strangely not doing well (plus, something is eating the petals...).

I'm considering putting a hardy variety of rose along the edge, too. Any thoughts you might have are welcome.

ooh I think any self-respecting hitchhiker ought to have petunias

I don't know what buy might be eating your daisy petals - it could be anything, especially as you probably have completely different insects to the sort we get here. Do you have such things as earwigs? they live in flowers in Britain.


There are so many sorts of roses, it would be hard to suggest any to you - I think the best thing is to go and choose one you like, whilst it is in flower, then you can see if it has a scent, as well as the type of rose. I'm not very good at roses, to be honest - as they seem to be a bit out of favour in garden design at the moment. They are quite hard work for a fairly short flowering season. I prefer climbing roses to the sort you put in beds, as you can combine a rose with one or two other climbing plants for a longer season of interest.

Have you ever grown roses in the same place as you intend planting the new ones? If so, you should remove all the soil before doing so, as there is a disease called something like 'rose replant disease'

oh yes: here is an article about it
http://www.marinrose.org/replantdisease.html

I know it affects my father's ability to keep roses in his front garden, where over the years the old roses have died out, and he wanted to replace them - but the new ones haven't been successful.

I should go to sleep - but good luck with your garden

I've been wavering back and forth between roses and coneflowers, and now I'm favoring coreopsis.

I've had good loyuck with coreopsis already, and coneflowers are among my sister's favorites, so I can count on her guidance if anything goes awry.