Sorry Jim my mistake...there not for me!, saying that it was a cruel winter.

Jim, I've lost two of them over separate periods, there lovely plants once you get them established although never heard of them being root hardy once the foliage/ Centre has rotted.
I'm not surprised they survive in Costa Rotherham ,I've started buying my vulcanic rock from around that area!.

Who has experience with this climbing variety?,seen some lovely examples in local nurseries but heard they can be a little delicate/ Fussy to grow, the flowers look stunning on large plants.

Chad, that's something i'll need to test properly in near future, not naturally acidic that's for sure. some of the issues here go further than soil p.h though, I have high water retention on bottom 3rd of garden.. hence raised beds and heavy clay on other parts.

I suppose time will tell, i have all the literature here from the growers. I will report back if i get it flowering and continued healthy plants.

Ha ha..never noticed the name jas!, yes normal if there is such a thing, could be a revelation if they do what it says on tin.

Is anyone trying these new varieties? heavily scented and been developed in Germany to grow in normal soil due to there rootstock development...be interesting to see how they grow here.

Jas,i'd go as far as saying 60% of my exotic plantings would be dead without valuable information/first hand experience from previous members on here.

Jas, I share your frustration..there is demand for this site but nobody gives a toss about its upkeep.

Chez, i'm not an expert on weather but just as qualified to give my opinion as you are.
Just enjoy your plants in sunny Yorkshire and i'll enjoy mine in the cold midlands outback!.

100% plant out... Won't do it any harm.


Chez, not sure if you mean random tempratures can be higher in parts of Yorkshire compared to West mids?, maybe on the east coast areas but as an average comparison were warmer down here.

If I had room i'd go for that!.
I'd bet it has a good age it it also...more like 25/30 years,depending on how large it was when planted.

Off topic but I believe the decline of the forum has been a sore point for many.Many people can't even register let alone post...the lost information and posts is also a bummer. Yes the forum used to be quiet around this time, but never to this extent, lets hope we can all revive it and get back to ...

Merry xmas to you both and anyone else out there!.

Hi steve, hope all is well.
Its such a shame how the site has gone and I miss all the banter with regulars!. You probably wouldn't recognize my garden from your last visit...many changes and growth.Keep an eye out as i'll hopefully be opening up next year.
Have a good xmas karl.