No-show flowers in year two

[jonahjonah]

Hi all,

I planted a few bulbs/corms/etc last year that I never saw sign of. They were parked in heavy clay soil that would have been baked pretty hard last year as I didn't water regularly. They included ranunculus, echinacea, and anemone. Is it possible that they'll pop up this year or are they old news? I'll need to figure out what to do with that patch of allotment this year. I'm happy to be patient, but only if it's possible rather than a definite no.

Thanks!

[Jungle Jane]

I don’t think they’d show next year if they haven’t showed yet but if the bulbs were alright (5% chance or something,magic does happen) you can still do something with that area,I’m always planting things & moving bulbs out my way or planting on top of bulbs,bulbs go in my soil & then I forget about them. I planted some out the front a couple of years ago,they never showed two years running,they’re not going to suddenly grow they must’ve rotted or got eaten by mice or something alien happened I don’t know.

[Thelma Sanders]

I lost a lot of bulbs because of the dry weather, no sign of them when I was forking the area over last year. The only ones that seem ok are the blue and purple alliums and the bluebells - no snowdrops, daffs or narcissi though

[Scarlet]

I lost loads of dahlia tubers last year and hardly any of my tulips have turned up.

Echinacea on clay soil isn't a good combo - I've never managed to grow it for a second year.
If they didn't show last year? They won't come this year either. I'd cut my losses.

[veggiechicken]

There was I, ever the optimist, about to say its a bit early for anenomes etc to show up (cos mine haven't yet). I'm sure mine will when they're ready.
Probably depends on how much you want to replant that ground.
One question, when you say you planted them last year - when was that?

[Babru]

My anemone de caen, planted in the autumn, are showing leaves. Anemone blanda, likewise planted in the autumn in a pot are nearly over. If your anemones were either of these then it's not looking good

I've never managed to get echinacea to flower a second year....I'm going to give it one last chance in my new garden....

[Thelma Sanders]

My anemone de caen, planted in the autumn, are showing leaves. Anemone blanda, likewise planted in the autumn in a pot are nearly over. If your anemones were either of these then it's not looking good

I agree my anemone blanda are flowering their socks off in their tubs, but these were autumn planted, so unaffected by the drought

[jonahjonah]

I planted in the spring last year. But then never really gave them a chance as I didn't get to watering when the weather got so hot and dry. I knew the echinacea was a push, but I had hoped against hope. I think one anemone has poked through with a single bud. Alas, I shall forge ahead. I might try annual seeds that can be scattered, hopefully giving any stalwarts a last gasp chance.

[Scarlet]

You can get some serious colour with a scatter of annual seeds. Admittedly last year was hot, but s friend just emptied s pack of zinnia seed out over her tulip patch after they had finished flowering. She had a fabulous display.