Topic: Cephalaphora (spelling?) Does anyone know it?

[Garden Manager]

This is an unusual herbaceous perennial I have grown from (free) seed this year.

It does not grow very tall, has light green foliage and small button like yellow flowers that smell of apples.

Is anyone familiar with it and if so can you give me some advice on growing it please?  I am not even totaly sure where to plant it (still in pots at present).

Thanks :)

[Kerry]

hi Richard :)
I grew cephalaphora last year. It came up very easily, then I grew it on in pots, placed in a sunny spot. As you say, lovely fragrance. However.....mine did not make it through the winter, I think this was due to the pots getting waterlogged and sitting wherever I had room for them, rather than getting ideal conditions.
I have sought out the seed packet, which states that they are a hardy perennial, but says also that they require full sun and well drained spot, this could well be where I went wrong! Let us know how you get on. :)

[Mrs Ava]

Ooo, can't find that one in my book!  Do you mean Cephalaria (giant scabious) ?  It is so exciting growing things like this from seed as you never really know what you are going to get!  Love it!!

[Garden Manager]

Ooo, can't find that one in my book!  Do you mean Cephalaria (giant scabious) ?  It is so exciting growing things like this from seed as you never really know what you are going to get!  Love it!!

No EJ its not that one i know.

Cephalaria I found in one of my books and what i have grown is not it. Definetly Cephalaphora.

Came as free seeds in Amateur Gardening mag last year (if that helps?) One of several unusual plants they have offered the seeds of recently.

I think Kerry is on the right lines though. Just to make sure I'll get a photo of it to show you all.  :)

[Kerry]

EJ, :)
definitely distinct plants-one cephalaphora, t'other cephelaria-I have both!!
I too got my seeds from AG magazine, and the 'giant yellow scabious' from a 'yellow book' open garden. If you would care to try the cephalaphora seeds you can private message me a contact as I have a spare packet.........description as above, plus: height 12-15 inches, flowers summer, suitable for 'borders or containers'.
 :)

[Lady Cosmos]

Hallo Richard. I think you mean Ceplalaphorum aromatica Pineapple.
It grows about 30-40 cm high, has yellow flowers (pom-pom) and pale green foliage. The leaves smell of apples. You can grow them in containers and in borders.
The sowing temp. is 15-20 gr. Germination can take till 3 weeks.
Transplant seedlings when big enough in 7,5 cm pots, than outdoors and than plant out, 30 cm apart.
It is more a half- hardy perennial!!
They need well drained soil  and they like full sun.

[Garden Manager]

Just for clarification here is the seed packet:

 

And a couple of photos (not the best i am afraid)

 

[Lady Cosmos]

That is exactly the one I mean. The pom pom plant.

[Garden Manager]

So how hardy is it then?

Seed packet says 'Hardy Perennial' but 'lady cosmos'
says its more like half hardy.

Are we perhaps talking Half hardy in the same sense
as Penstemons and Verbena Bonariensis. Hardy
in some places but not in others? Both of those by the
way are hardy in my garden.

[Lady Cosmos]

Richard, On the seed packet from Thompson & Morgan is written:
"hardy perennial" But the Hardiness Rating is 9 !!!
Read the T&M online seed and plant catalogues. Their advice
is half-hardy. Be carefull in winter. >:( >:(  Depends where your garden is.
Good luck.

[Lady Cosmos]

If you live in the South of the UK I think
you will be ok., but..... keep an eye on the frost....

[Garden Manager]

Many thanks to all

(SIGH!) I wish these firms would be a bit clearer
in the advice they give on seed packets. If something
is borderline hardy it should say so. Saying something is hardy
when it might not be fully, is very misleading.

That said my gardenis quite mild (in southern england), so
shouldnt have too many problems. Probably best treated same
as a penstemon.