Last Post 11 hours ago
23 May 2013 21:59:09
Veonica prostrata 'Nestor'
This opened up yesterday in the Alpine Circle. I can honestly say I don't remember this flowering last year. But it must have done or I wouldn't have bought it. However, it's blue, and it's very hardy. So all good in my book.
23 May 2013 21:14:13
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Every year I await with bated breath to see these two arisaemas unfurl. They never fail to keep me spellbound.
23 May 2013 06:39:45
U4BA and Photinia
I love this combination of Euphorbia 'Ascott' and Photinia 'Red Robin'.
22 May 2013 20:41:26
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Found this in a random pot today. Nothing else coming up in the pot, so I presume this is what has been sown. Damned if I know what it is though??
22 May 2013 19:48:39
It's now or never!
Well, I decided to plant out Rachel's Ricinus today into the greenhouse border. But if they perish, I have 5 back-up plants to go out. Getting really browned off not being able to move around in the greenhouse. And the Ricinus have been hardened off over the last week. So they should be fine. Watered them in and gave them a good feed.
22 May 2013 19:28:19
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I spent a while on the front garden today, cutting back daff and tulip foliage, and doing a bit of weeding. I also gave my Spirea 'Bridal Wreath' a short back and sides as it tends to grow quite big without me even realizing it. I do this every year shortly after it has finished flowering.
My next-door neighbours plants are beginning to annoy me. Namely wild garlic. I don't have the money to have a proper wall built so I am relying on my climbing rose to provide a divider between us. As Peter works nights, I took the opportunity to uproot most of his wild garlic today during his slumber. Sick of finding it everywhere in my garden. We need a solid division between us.
22 May 2013 18:13:48
Nandina domestica
In the last couple of months my Nandina has been losing its leaves. Any ideas why? It was planted out last year and has looked good since then - until now!
21 May 2013 22:35:02
Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen'
I bought this in Johnstown at our get-together, purely because the foliage reminded me somewhat of a Veratrum.
One of these days, I'll get the 'real McCoy'.
21 May 2013 22:24:56
Tree peony
This opened two days ago. I love the difference just a mere day makes in the process of it flowering.
20 May 2013 21:14:18
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I only added this Sorbus to my garden last year. Don't remember seeing these beautiful flowers on it, but obviously it has settled in nicely. And the flower has a lovely gentle scent too.
No gardening here today as I spent the day with my daughter and grandson.
20 May 2013 20:43:13
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The sun never appeared, despite the great forecast. So I was delighted to see this self-seeded poppy from last year come up again in the front today.
19 May 2013 21:25:01
A little praise goes a long way!
Disgusted this morning that I was working. Such a sunny morning, and I felt that Sunday trading should be abolished. However, where needs must!
Got all my hostas watered and fed before heading out to work. And my toms, squashes, and melons. Finished off topping off the rest of the hostas with gravel. Washed the windows in the back, and got a wire brush and a bucket of soapy water at the patio steps to rid them of overwintered algae.
Then I went to work. :)
Had the best day ever. People were out in their droves. And each one was so appreciative of what I could offer them in the way of advice and suitable stock. I'm not a very highly qualified Horticulturist, but I AM a Horticulturist, and have at least 12 years experience in the trade.
The manager came out to me today to tell me that the Head Honcho from Woodies was out in the garden centre today when I was in 'full swing' with customers. I wasn't even aware of his presence. He told the Manager that he had a Horticulturist who was doing an excellent job outside. Music to my ears, as the Manager had absolutely NOTHING good to say about things outside only last week. That just made my day!
Came home exhausted, but extremely satisfied. And even better. Steve had the grass cut and he was actually in MY greenhouse WATERING, to save me the effort.
Life IS good!
Off tomorrow with a Lieu Day, and seeing my 'babies' for brekkie. Things just CAN'T get much better.
18 May 2013 20:36:20
Fern Id please
What a miserable dull day. Luckily I had a lot of running around to do so was still able to work in t-shirt sleeves. And then an hour before my shift ended, the miserable drizzle started. But at that late stage, it didn't really bother me.
This morning I spotted this fern down at the back of the garden. I only vaguely remember it from last year, but there is no sign of a label. Now, why doesn't that surprise me? Hopefully someone can help me identify it. I like it a lot.
18 May 2013 20:06:05
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I have a lot of Hosta pots here. And looking after them used to be a nightmare until I bought a roll of Copper Tape. I got about 8 medium-sized pots out of one roll.
Steve came home with lots of copper wire the other day. Today, he tried it out on two pots. I have to say it looks just as good. And, as the strands can be split up, it will go much further than the tape. The tape has to be replaced every two to three years.
Now let's hope it's just as effective.
17 May 2013 22:46:52
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Run off my feet all day so as soon as I got in the door I pulled off the safety boots and plonked myself out at the patio with a cool drink. Then I thought to myself that here was another great reason to have ponds in the garden.
Then I fell asleep on the couch after dinner. What a wasted glorious evening.