[simonj]

I bought a few crowns from Mr Middleton last year, only two have sprouted so far with single spears - should I cut these to encourage further growth?

[ian]

i would leave it to turn into a fern, the crown needs to be fed.
although i'm no expert on these guys i had to dig up 20 rotten crowns 4 yr.old this spring really dissappointed as they were terrific last yearand and can'figure out from the literature what it was that did them in

[michael brenock]

leave the shoots on and nurse them along a little liquid feed and give as much shelter as possible and protect from slugs
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[stonehead]

Hello all , like your self Simon i was giving a few crowns last year, don't know what variety they are and still don't but they are purple in colour. Anyway what i did with them was dig a trench, line it with manure and fork it in. Then just cover with soil, spreed out the crowns over that and cover crowns with soil. The year you plant them you leave them alone and cut the fern like growth in autumn. The following year do the same and you should be well rewarded the following year, also mulch with manure for the the winter and a feed in the spring.My second year purple ones are just up and would love to cut a few but they say to hold off. Hope this helps.