Topic: Schizostylis Coccinea Major...

[Jesse]

...or otherwise known as Kaffir Lily. I bought one earlier this year and have not got around to planting it yet so it is still sitting in a pot in the garden. But it has started to flower. Is this normal at this time of year? Will the frosts kill the flowers, it would be a real shame as they look so lovely. As it's in a pot will it be winter tender in which case should I be putting it in my shed over winter. We got our first frost (a mild one) yesterday morning.

And the same for the Red Hot Poker and an english rose, I haven't got around to planting them out yet either so should I be putting them indoors for winter as they're in pots?

[Palustris]

The Scizothingy normally flowers from later Summer onwards, the flowers usually keep on appearing until really hard frost. With all of your plants in pots I would be looking for some way of stopping the soil ball from freezing. Frame, cold greenhouse, bubble plastic whatever. None of these plants require warmth over Winter particularly, but they definitely would be better without frozen feet! The rose I would just put straight on the compost heap, but then that's me!

[sandersj89]

I may have to defend the rose Eric!  ;D

They are normally planted with a root ball in spring and bare rooted in the autumn winter.

I would be temtped to leave it until spring and plant in well prepared soil. Keep the pot sheltered over winter, a cold greenhouse will be fine or up against the house on a south facing wall.

Jerry

[Jesse]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will keep the plants wrapped up until the spring. I couldn't possibly put the rose on the compost heap! It's got buds on and they look the most wonderful colour.  :)

[campanula]

hi jesseveve,
i would plant the rose now as the soil is still ok to get some root growth going, especially if the rose has been container grown. As long as you plant it in firmly, it will be OK over the winter in the ground. I would get the kniphofia too.

i love roses and plant them around my allotment with gusto!
cheers, suzy