How To Grow Your Van Meuwen Plants Beginning With C

Introduction -- A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CALOCHORTUS VENUSTUS (Fairy Lantern)

Flowering time: summer
Height: 6-12in (15-30cm)
Aftercare: Frost hardy. Plant 4-6 inches (10-15cm) deep in well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from rain when dormant and in winter.

CAMPSIS RADICANS (Trumpet Creeper)

Flowering time: late summer/autumn
Height: 32ft (10m)
Aftercare: Grow in fertile, well-drained soil, ideally in full sun against a wall. Prune in spring.

CANNA DWARF

Flowering time: August to October
Height: 3-4ft (90-120cm)
Aftercare: Rhizomes must be started indoors during March then planted out in early June. Lift in autumn and store in sand or peat. Planting depth 2 inches (5cm), spacing 18 inches (45cm). Plant in full sun in a rich soil.

CAPE LEADWORT (Plumbago Capensis)

Flowering time: April to November
Height: 4-6ft (120-180cm)
Aftercare: Can be grown in a large pot or tub, but will require support. Tie in growth and train upwards. If grown in a border, requires trellis for support. Plant in full sun, and keep well watered during flowering season. In winter keep compost just moist and at a temperature of 7°C.

CAPSICUM (Pepper)

Aftercare: Frost tender. Grow in fertile well drained soil enriched with garden compost or manure. Position in full sun. Pinch out growing tips of young plants to promote branching.

CARNATIONS (Hanging)

Flowering time: July to October

Aftercare: Use a hanging basket, patio tub or window box and place a layer of crocks in base for drainage. Fill container with a good quality compost, arrange plants around sides of container so they will trail. Keep well watered and feed at fortnightly intervals. When established, pinch out lead shoot to encourage plant to produce side shoots.

 

CAT MINT (Nepata)

Aftercare: Grow in any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

CHAENOMELES JAPONICA

Flowering time: spring
Height: 3ft (90cm); spread, 6ft (180cm)
Height: Will grow well in any fertile soil, but require an open position with good drainage. Soak the roots for 2-3 hours prior to planting. Spread the roots out carefully and plant firmly 3ft (90cm) apart. When planting is complete water well and continue watering for a few days if the weather is dry. Prune annually after flowering.

CHIMONANTHUS

Flowering time: winter
Height: 13ft (4m)
Aftercare: Fully hardy although unripened wood may be damaged by frost. Grow in any fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Prune plants immediately after flowering.

CHINCHERINCHEE

Flowering time: June to September
Height: 16in (40cm)
Aftercare: Requires a sunny position in ordinary well drained soil. Plant 3 inches (8cm) deep and 4 inches (10cm) apart in April or May. Water well in dry spells. Excellent cut flowers which last a long time in water. Harmful if eaten.

CHLIDANTHUS FRAGRANS

Flowering time: summer
Height: 1ft (30cm); spread 3in (8cm)
Aftercare: Plant with nose of bulb just above soil surface in spring. Grow in humus rich, sandy, well-drained soil in a sheltered position. Water freely when in growth. Mulch in winter.

CHOISYA TERNATA SUNDANCE

Flowering time: late spring and again in late summer / autumn
Height: grows to 8ft (2.4m)
Aftercare: Grow in fertile, well drained soil, preferably in full sun. Best grown in a shrub border or against a wall.

CHRISTMAS ROSE (See Helleborus)

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Flowering time: August to November
Aftercare: Plant in a well drained soil to which has been added a dressing of organic manure. Use a dibber or trowel to make holes 2 inches (5cm) deep and 18 inches (45cm) apart. Fill each hole with water and as soon as it has drained away place one plant in each hole. Fill in carefully and firm so that each plant is in an upright position. Water well after planting and then not again for three or four days. After this ensure an adequate supply of water to maintain steady growth. Feed with liquid manure every ten days from mid June until buds begin to show colour. As the plants grow, place a cane beside each one and tie in securely as growth continues.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS (Decorative and Incurving)

Aftercare: These require debudding to obtain large flowers. This consists of removing all buds and side shoots except the central bud on each stem. A maximum of six stems per plant is about right.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS (Double Spray)

Aftercare: No debudding is required as they naturally form a spray of flowers on each stem.

CISTUS CRETICUS

Flowering time: summer
Height: 2ft (60cm); spread 2ft (60cm)
Aftercare: Grow in poor to moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sheltered site in full sun. Do not plant out until after any danger of hard frosts have passed. Pinch back young plants after flowering to encourage a bushy habit. .

CLEMATIS

Aftercare: Pot grown Clematis can be planted at any time of the year. If placed with their roots in the shade and their heads in the sun they will flower profusely. Plant firmly and give regular supplies of water and liquid feed during the growing season. An annual mulch of well rotted compost or peat is beneficial.
Clematis can be split into three groups:
Group 1: Early Flowering; Montana Elizabeth, Montana Rubens and Armandii. These flower on the previous year's shoots in winter and early spring. They prefer a sheltered, sunny site with well drained soil. Prune after flowering, removing dead or damaged stems and shorten others.
Group 2: Early to Mid Flowering; Mdme Le Coultre, Multi Blue, Nelly Moser and Niobe These produce large flowers in late spring and early summer on side shoots arising from the previous year's growth, whilst in mid to late summer ,flowers are produced at the tips of the current year's shoots. Prune in early spring trimming back to where strong buds are visible.
Group 3: Late Flowering; Jackmannii and Ville de Lyon. These produce flowers on the current season's shoots from mid summer to autumn. Prune by cutting back all the previous year's stems to a pair of strong buds before growth begins in the spring.

CONIFERS (Dwarf)

Aftercare: Thrive in ordinary, well-drained garden soil, in open positions in moderate shade. The golden varieties are best grown in full sun to preserve the colour. Remove conifers from pots and plant firmly. Watering is essential until they become established. A delightful all year round display can be obtained by inter-planting dwarf conifers and heathers.

COSMOS ATROSANGUINEUS

Flowering time: midsummer to autumn
Height: 30in (75cm); spread 18in (45cm).
Aftercare: Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Mulch in autumn. In very cold areas lift tubers before first frosts. To keep frost free during winter, pack in barely moist peat.

COTONEASTER

Flowering time: June
Height: 6-8ft (180-245cm); spread, 5-6ft (150-180cm)
Aftercare:Will grow well in any fertile soil, but require an open position with good drainage. Soak the roots for 2-3 hours prior to planting. Spread the roots out carefully and plant firmly. Plant 2.5-3ft (75-90cm) apart. When planting is complete, water well and continue watering for a few days if the weather is dry. Cut back to size and shape in April.

CRANBERRY

Aftercare: Cranberries need a good moist soil containing plenty of humus. Choose an open position in sun or partial shade and plant firmly 4ft (120cm) apart. Mulch with manure or peat after planting. Feed them each spring but avoid lime in any form. If your soil is not really suitable because it contains lime, fill in the holes with a mixture of 75% peat and 25% sand and leaf mould. Little pruning is necessary. Older, thicker stems should be cut out to encourage new growth.

CRINUM POWELLII

Flowering time: late summer to autumn
Height: 2-3ft (60-90cm)
Aftercare: Plant in a warm, sheltered position close to a south-facing wall, in well-drained, moisture retaining soil. Plant in April to May 8 inches (20cm) deep, 18 inches (45cm) apart.

CROCOSMIA LUCIFER

Flowering time: midsummer
Height: 3-4ft (1-1.2m)
Aftercare: Fully hardy to frost hardy. Plant 3-4 inches (7.5-10cm) deep in spring in moderately fertile, humus rich, moist but well-drained soil, in sun or partial shade. In frost prone areas plant near a wall.

CUSHION MUMS (Winter Hardy)

Height: 12in (30cm)
Aftercare: To produce the pincushion effect, regularly pinch out the shoots. Overwinter by covering with peat. Ideal also for use in containers.

CYCLAMEN

Flowering time: late autumn before the foliage appears
Aftercare: Plant in clumps in partial shade or full shade.