My bog standard yellow wallflowers have grown into small woody shrubs in
2 years, and the experts say they belong on the compost heap. Currently
they are covered in seed pods, and the lower parts are sprouting new
shoots everywhere.
My plan is to harvest the seeds for scattering next Spring, cut the
plants back to 6" or so, and maybe stick the offcuts in pots. They seem
very vigorous at the moment, and hopefully might overwinter in a cold
frame. I rather like the scruffy look of them and they were spectacular
in the Spring, so I'm reluctant to do what Monty suggests!
Thanks for any comments

On 27/08/2015 19:12, Chris Hogg wrote:
On Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:29:22 +0100, stuart noble
wrote:

My bog standard yellow wallflowers have grown into small woody shrubs in
2 years, and the experts say they belong on the compost heap. Currently
they are covered in seed pods, and the lower parts are sprouting new
shoots everywhere.
My plan is to harvest the seeds for scattering next Spring, cut the
plants back to 6" or so, and maybe stick the offcuts in pots. They seem
very vigorous at the moment, and hopefully might overwinter in a cold
frame. I rather like the scruffy look of them and they were spectacular
in the Spring, so I'm reluctant to do what Monty suggests!
Thanks for any comments

Most wallflowers are annuals or short-lived perennials. The latter are
often treated as biennials, because they tend to succumb to diseases,
and deteriorate if kept longer. They are susceptible to club-root
amongst other things, like cabbages, but growing them in a
well-drained limey soil full of builder's rubble helps prevent this.
But if yours haven't deteriorated, all well and good. Some varieties,
such as Bowles Mauve, are sub-shrubs and go on for years, merely
requiring a clip over with shears after flowering, until they get too
woody or leggy. Then they can be replaced by cuttings from the parent,
which root absurdly easily IME! Perhaps yours are the yellow
equivalent.


Many thanks. Most things in my garden seem to succumb to something or
another, so it's nice to have something thriving for a change!