Weather: The summer as a whole was unusually both wet and windy. Over a period of 3 weeks in August perhaps 3 times the normal rainfall fell. This resulted in waterlogging of the ground, and the loss of some plants to this cause.
Observations
Annuals and Biennials: Specimens of Malva sylvestris were severely affected by Hollyhock Rust, perhaps related to the weather conditions. This may have contributed to many of them behaving as biennials. A number of related species were also infected, but not to the same degree.
Herbaceous Perennials: A specimen of Lavatera thuringiaca and a specimen of Lavatera ×clementii (the latter thought to be herbaceous), the latter in its first seasion, were lost. The former was poor growing, but the latter had seemed perfectly vigorous. Assorted herbaceous cultivars of Lavatera ×clementii (pot grown) survived, as did a seedling of Lavatera ×clementii (Lavatera thuringiaca 'Ice Cool' × Lavatera ×clementii 'Barnsley').
Many other specimens of Althaea officinalis, Malva moschata, Malva alcea, Lavatera thuringiaca and Sidalcea survived.
Subshrubs: A specimen of Sphaeralcea ×hybrida 'Los Brisas' was the first plant lost to waterlogging.
A pot-grown specimen of Lavatera ×clementii 'Memories', which had never shown any vigour in the past, was lost. Specimens of Lavatera ×clementii 'Lisanne' and Lavatera ×clementii 'Burgundy Wine' survived, as did a number of seedling, which may have a subshrubby habit.
1 of 4 cuttings of Lavatera ×clementii 'Lisanne' failed to establish, possibly because of the effects of waterlogging.
No losses of Anisodontea capensis occurred; indeed no signs of stress were observed.
Shrubs: Specimens of Lavatera × clementii 'Rosea' and Lavatera × clementii 'Barnsley' were lost. These were less well established specimens resulting from cuttings taken in autumn 2003 and spring 2004 respectively. Other specimens of Lavatera × clementii, including those cultivars, survived.
A pot grown specimen of Lavatera olbia 'Pink Frills', and a specimen of Lavatera olbia 'Eyecatcher' grown in the ground, were lost. Other pot grown specimens of these cultivars survived.
A plant of Lavatera 'Bicolor' was lost.
No losses of Hibiscus syriacus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Abutilon ×hybridum, Abutilon megapotamicum or Fremontodendron 'California Glory' occurred. The Abutilon megapotamicum (pot grown) showed signs of stress.
© 2004 Stewart R. Hinsley