Rachel's Journal

You've just reminded me - I had this Rheum in the old garden but I dug it up and gave it to Tullynally as it was blocking the view. I wonder did it survive!

I remember that. It was a really big one : )

What great shrubs i'll look forward to see them planted together.  I'd like a few more Trachycarpus fortunei you've just remined me to put them on my list.  They've proved themselves hardy the last few winters which is amazing as they look so tropical

We are forever moving things! That is a lovely selection of plants and should mature to a lovely group.

I have been reading Home Ground Sanctuary in the City by Dan Pearson a lovely book about his own garden and he likes to move plants around the same as everyone else does.

So I'm kinda normal then? Phew! I thought I was the only one to move things. Trachycarpus is exceptionally hardy, my big one is looking good after winter.

Oh you have been busy but in this weather it is hard not to get stuck in.  Again a great selection planted.  Your garden is a nice bit more advanced than here going by the photo, great looking Rheum and the Lupin is way ahead.

Getting lots done, you on a real roll.

You seem to have got it all done in the nick of time. The trees sound lovely. The Euonymous colours beautifully in spring and gloriously in Autumn but you probably know that! I love the corky stems. Think the cornus is a great favourite of Helen Dillons as well! 9Maybe was as I think she eventually lost it)

Ha,ha,,start with one,finish moving all garden around:)))

   Then at end yours Euonymus alatus is Euonymus alatus???I think i want same in my garden too,just pitty they had only one so big ...:)))

Ladygardener and Jacinta, I love Trachycarpus fortunei too. There are three small ones already in this border and two more elsewhere in my garden. They have survived two terrible winters, which is why I bought the large one I planted today.

Thanks for your enouragement on the move. I hope all will do well.

Scrubber, I agree on the Euonymous. The Cornus is highly recommended by Christopher Lloyd. I have been 'collecting' good trees and large shrubs over the winter and now have to find homes for them.

Liga, yes. I believe it is Euonymous alata after all. I was cast into doubt by seeing a mature one in the Botanic Gardens that had no 'corky stems' but everyone says Euonymous alata has corky stems so...

This journal has introduced a lot of topics. Our Tracycarpus fortunii has had a bad set back this winter. Rachel, love the Dracunculus fulgaris in your March album which I had loads of a few years ago which I got from a lovely lady in Dunmore East who has since died. Must try and get some again as the only arums I have are Arum italicum and Arum Creticum. Yorkshire Lass, Dan Pearson also wrote a book 'A Year at Home Farm' which is a very enjoyable read and also had a parallel television series. Mary 

Sorry about your Trachycarpus, Mary. The Peter Nyssen website is good value for Dracunculus vulgaris in autumn.

Yorkshire and Gracedieu lassies! Dan Pearson is my favourite garden writer. I've had my eye on his new book, glad to hear you are enjoying it. I have his last one 'Spirit' but its much more about concepts than actually gardening. These two that you mention are much more up my street. 

gracedieu lass, I have the book a year at home farm and watched the tv series, I was very surprised that Dan's friend has sold that property Dan refers to plants in his garden with sentimental value which came from the garden in Northamptonshire. It was a lovely house and they dug out the land for the large lake. Would like to see a repeat of that series.